opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2617 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Rejection of Appointments
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Shri R K Chaudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2617 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2024)

## REJECTION OF APPOINTMENTS

## 2617. SHRI R K CHAUDHARY:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) whether a number of candidates belonging to OBC, SC and ST category recommended by UPSC for appointment were rejected due to various issues during the last five years; and (b) if so, the reasons therefor?

## 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) and (b): As per the extant provisions, a candidate recommended by UPSC may be rejected by the respective Cadre Controlling Authorities, if any discrepancy is found in verification of their claims pertaining to their categories, eligibility criteria or their antecedents.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2616 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Homegrown Space Products
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Shri Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2024

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2616 HOMEGROWN SPACE PRODUCTS

## 2616.  SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- whether  the  Government  is  considering  expansion  of  GST exemptions  to  ground  systems,  satellite  components  and launch  vehicles  in  the  space  sector  and  if  so,  the  details
- (a) thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is considering expansion of Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to include the space sector  and  if  so,  the  timeline  and  key  components  of  the Proposed scheme; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  taken  measures  to  encourage the use of homegrown space products and services in areas in such  as  agriculture,  disaster  management  and  infrastructure and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

****

- (a) The Government provides GST exemption on 'Satellite Launch Services'  as  well  as  'on  transfer  of  communication  assets [Spacecraft (including satellites)]' to encourage the domestic players.  GST  exemption  for  Ground  Systems,  components  of Launch vehicles/Satellites, have been demanded by Industry in various  meetings/forums.  However,  a  formal  proposal  from Industry is awaited, detailing the nature/scope of the exemption sought.
- (b) An  'Investment  Incentive  Scheme'  has  been  worked  out  for Space Sector in lieu of Production-Linked Incentive Scheme.
- (c) Yes  sir,  in  order  to  encourage  use  of  space  technology,  INSPACe devised a seed fund scheme and provided grant to the six  Indian  start-ups  to  develop  products  and  services  in  the sectors i.e.  Agriculture,  Disaster  management  and  Urban Development using space technology. The details of the startups  are  M/s  ARMS4AI,  M/s  mistEO,  M/s  Augtual  (Fabric),  M/s Hyspace, M/s Xovian and M/s Seagull.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2614 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Increase in Retirement Age
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Shri Manickam Tagore B, Shri Rambhual Nishad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2614 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2024)

## INCREASE IN RETIREMENT AGE

## †2614. SHRI RAMBHUAL NISHAD: SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  increase  the  retirement  age  of  Central  Government employees from 60 years to 62 years to provide immediate relief from the increasing pension burden, if so, the details thereof along with the time by which it is likely to be implemented;
- (b)  the  number  of  Central  Government  employees  who  will  be  benefited  from  the  increased retirement age along with the estimated financial impact on their pension corpus;
- (c) the details of plans for its phased rollout, if any;
- (d)  whether  State  Government employees  will  also  be  considered  for  a  similar  retirement  age increase and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e)  the  manner  in  which  the  increased  retirement  age  affect  pension  expenditure  and  the measures will be taken by the Government to mitigate potential financial burdens;
- (f) the details of studies or data which supports the claim that increasing the retirement age will improve administrative efficiency and quality of work;
- (g) the manner in which the additional two years of service will benefit employees financially and the estimated increase in their overall pension corpus on this count; and
- (h) whether there are any plans for further reforms or reviews of the retirement age policy and if so, the details thereof along with the expected timeline?

## 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): No such proposal is under consideration of the Government.

(b) to (h): Do not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2612 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Bharat 6G Alliance
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Dayal Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2612 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## BHARAT 6G ALLIANCE

## 2612.   SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

(a) the specific green technology initiatives being integrated into the country's 6G development roadmap to promote environmental sustainability in telecommunications infrastructure; and

(b) the details of projects under the Green and Sustainability working group of the Bharat 6G Alliance?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) Bharat 6G Alliance has constituted 'Green and Sustainability' group as one of the Working  Groups.  The  Working  Group  has  recommended  a  framework  to  drive  sustainable  and greener 6G. This framework is tailored specifically for the Indian telecom sector, aiming to integrate sustainability into every facet of the industry. The framework covers five key drivers i.e. Integrated Sustainability Governance,  Green  Network Infrastructure, Circular  Economy  and  E-Waste Management, Innovation and Capacity Building and Policy Advocacy & Collaborative Governance to collectively govern and promote sustainable practices.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2610 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Issuance of Ration Cards under One Nation One Ration Card Scheme
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Dileshwar Kamait

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2610 TO BE ANSWERED ON 1 ITH DECEMBER, 2024

## ISSUANCE OF RATION CARDS UNDER ONE NATION ONE RATION CARD SCHEME

## 2610. SHRI DILESFIWAR KAMAIT:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION WitHST wa, ©rg aBt WT#gfjq; tiawr da  be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of ration  cards that have been issued under the One Nation  One Ration Card scheme, during 2023-24, State-wise specialy in Bihar;
- (b) whether the Government is aware of the discrepancy in terms of registering ration card holders under the scheme; and
- (c) if  so, the steps taken to address the same?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

(a) to (c): One Nation  One Ration  Card (ONORC)  is an initiative  &  feature implemented in  all  36  States/UTs  (including State  of  Bihar) in  the  country & applicable to  all  Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) ration cardholders. It is not a  separate scheme. With  ONORC feature, all PMGKAY beneficiaries can lift  their  entitled foodgrains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice, anywhere in the country, by using their same existing ration  card with  biometric  authentication on an electronic Point  of  Sale (ePoS) device. The family  back home can also lin  the part of the PMGKAY foodgrains in the home State/UT on the same ration  card. For ONORC  feature, PMGKAY  beneficiaries are not required to register for any new ration card.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2609 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Import Duty on Mobile Phones
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Eswarasamy K

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2609 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## IMPORT DUTY ON MOBILE PHONES

## 2609.   SHRI ESWARASAMY K:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether TRAI proposes to cut import duty on mobile phones;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) No such proposal for reduction of import duty on mobile phones has been received from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
- (c) In the Union Budget 2024-2025, the Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on cellular mobile phone has been reduced from 20% to 15%.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2608 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Malda Town Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Isha Khan Choudhury

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2608 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2024

## MALDA TOWN STATION

## 2608. SHRI ISHA KHAN CHOUDHURY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether the Government is aware that Train Nos. 13033 UP & 13034 DN previously  stopped  at  Sakopara  Halt,  generating  25  lakh  annually  in ticket sales and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has plans to resume the stoppage to generate this revenue, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government  will consider re-instating the Farakka Express, a lifeline for migrant workers from Malda Town station instead of Balurghat, so that Malda District's poor labourers do not lose their Malda quota; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  and  (b)      With  a  view  to  provide  better  passenger  safety  by  creating maintenance corridor blocks, minimizing conflicts in existing time tables, speeding up of trains, etc., Indian Railways has undertaken rationalization of Time Table, including that of stoppages,  in a scientific manner with the Contd…

assistance  of  IIT-Bombay.  Accordingly,  Sankopara  station  is  presently Katihar Express has scheduled stoppage at Dhulain Ganga/New Farakka near Sankopara station. Besides, stoppage of train services is an ongoing process  over  Indian  Railways  subject  to  traffic  justification,  operational served  by  04  pairs  of  Passenger  train  services.  13033/13034  Howrahfeasibility, availability of alternative services etc.

(c)  and  (d)  The  services  of  Farakka  Express  have  been  extended  upto Balurghat to cater to needs of passengers of Balurghat.  Accordingly, the reservation  quota  of  this  train  has  been  redistributed  between  different railway  stations  keeping  in  view  the  availability  of  accommodation, demand  pattern  and  extant  guidelines.  Besides,  the  distribution  and review of quota is done on a periodical basis and adjustments are made, wherever required, which is a continuous and ongoing process.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2606 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Establishment of Digital Hubs
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Yaduveer Wadiyar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2606

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 11.12.2024

## ESTABLISHMENT OF DIGITAL HUBS

## 2606.      SHRI YADUVEER WADIYAR:

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

(a)  the  manner  in  which  the  Digital  India  Scheme  is  being  leveraged  to  support  Mysore's growing Information Technology and Tech Sector; and

(b) whether the Government proposes to establish digital hubs or support startup in Mysore under this scheme?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b):  The Government of India is making continuous efforts to promote IT industry in smaller cities and towns and has initiated multiple schemes and programmes for growth of IT industry in this regard.

The Software Technology Park (STP) is the one of the most important schemes in this effort. Under  this  scheme,  Software  Technology  Parks  have  been  established  in  65  cities  across India  with  57  centres  in  Tier-2  and  Tier-3  cities  like  Mysore.  The  STP  centres  provide incubator facility which help entrepreneurs to convert their innovative ideas into startups. The incubator  facility  provides  opportunity  of  meeting  with  investors  like  Venture  Capitalists (VCs), mentors from  IITs/NITs/Industry and networking opportunity with  IT professionals through  implementation  of  various  schemes,  programmes  and  centres  of  excellence.  32 IT/ITES units have been registered with Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), Mysore centreenabling exports of Rs 1,726.84 Crore for FY 2023-24.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2602 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: BSNL Services in North-eastern States
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Dr. Rajeev Bharadwaj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2602 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## BSNL SERVICES IN NORTH-EASTERN STATES

## †2602.  DR. RAJEEV BHARADWAJ:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  cognizance  of  the  fact  that  mobile  services  being provided by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited in the North Eastern and other hilly terrains States are faced with the issues of connectivity call drop and weak signals;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  any  action  is  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  improve  telecommunication infrastructure in the North Eastern hilly States/terrains; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

( a ) & ( b ) Telecom Regulatory Authority of India ( TRAI ) regularly monitors the performance of  Telecom  service  providers  against  the  benchmark  for  various  Quality -of -Service ( QoS) parameters . As per performance monitoring report ( PMR ) of mobile services in the North -East and Assam LSAs ( License Service Area ) for the last four quarters ( i . e . Quarter ending December 2023 to September 2024 ) , BSNL is meeting the benchmark of most of the network related QoS parameters .

(c) & (d) To improve telecom infrastructure in the North East Region ( NER ) of the country, Government is implementing various projects under Digital Bharat Nidhi ( erstwhile USOF ) such as ( i ) 4G Saturation project to provide 4G mobile services in uncovered villages across the country, ( ii ) Border Out Posts ( BoP )/ Border Intelligence Posts ( BIP ) project for the provision of 4G based mobile services  at  BoP / BIP ' s, ( iii ) Comprehensive  Telecom  Development  Plan ( CTDP ) for  mobile connectivity in the NER to provide mobile coverage in uncovered villages and along the National Highways, and (iv) BharatNet project which is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats ( GPs ) and villages on demand in the country .

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2601 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Green Energy Open Access
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Vijay Kumar Dubey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2601

ANSWERED ON 11/12/2024

## GREEN ENERGY OPEN ACCESS

## 2601. SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY

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

- (a) the main features of Green Energy Open Access (GEOA);
- (b) the details of the States which have adopted the GEOA; and
- (c) whether it is a fact that the GEOA has helped in bringing the Commerce & Industry (C&I) sector in solar basket and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

(a) The Government has issued Electricity (Promoting Renewable Energy Through Green Energy Open Access) Rules, 2022 on 6th June 2022. The main features of Green Energy Open Access (GEOA) are as follows:-

- i. Open Access is allowed to any consumer with contract demand of 100 kW or above, through single or multiple single connection aggregating 100 kW or more located in same electricity division of a distribution licensee. For captive consumers, there is no such minimum limit.
- ii. Consumers are entitled to demand supply of green power from DISCOMs and DISCOMs are obliged to supply the demand.
- iii. Approval for open access is to be granted in 15 days or else it will be deemed to have been granted.
- iv. Commercial and Industrial consumers are allowed to purchase green power on voluntary basis.
- v. Green Certificates are awarded to consumers for consumption of green power beyond the renewable purchase obligation.
- vi. Additional surcharge shall not be applicable for GEOA Consumers, if fixed charges are being paid by such a consumer.
- vii. Cross subsidy surcharge and additional surcharge shall not be applicable if green energy is utilized for production of green hydrogen and green ammonia.
8. (b) So far GEOA Regulations have been issued by respective State Electricity Regulatory Commissions for following 30 States/UTs:

States: West  Bengal,  Karnataka,  Madhya  Pradesh,  Tripura,  Haryana,  Sikkim,  Punjab,  Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana, Manipur, Mizoram, Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya, Jharkhand, Nagaland and Goa.

UTs: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Delhi (NCT), Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.

- (c) The GEOA has helped in bringing the Commercial & Industrial (C&I) sector in solar basket and as reported by Grid Controller of India (GCI), the Central Nodal Agency maintaining the Central Registry for GEOA applications, the total energy scheduled in solar basket by the Commercial & Industrial (C&I) sector for the period 1.10.2023 to 1.12.2024 was 529.67MU.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2598 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Status of Railway Stations to Revati and Tajpur Dehma
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Sanatan Pandey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2598 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2024

STATUS OF RAILWAY STATIONS TO REVATI AND TAJPUR DEHMA

†2598. SHRI SANATAN PANDEY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the Government proposes to provide the status of railway station  to  Revati  and  Tajpur  Dehma  situated  on  Ballia-Varanasi  rail section  which  earlier  had  the  status  of  station  and  later  changed  to halt;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (c):  Reoti  and  Tajpur  Dehma  are  railway  stations  which  were converted as Halt Stations as per traffic requirement without downgrading passenger amenities and not reducing stoppage of trains. Further,  upgradation  of  amenities  is  a  continuous  process  depending upon the level of traffic handled at this station, inter se priority of works subject to availability of funds.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2597 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Effectiveness of Solar Power Projects
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Charanjit Singh Channi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2597

ANSWERED ON 11 /12/2024

## EFFECTIVENESS OF SOLAR POWER PROJECTS

## 2597. SHRI CHARANJIT SINGH CHANNI

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

- (a) whether the Government has assessed the effectiveness of existing solar power projects in Punjab and their impact on local communities and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether there are any plans/proposals to increase funding for biomass energy projects in Punjab to address environmental concerns related to stubble burning and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government is considering partnership with the private sector to increase deployment of renewable energy technologies in Punjab and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) As per the inputs from Punjab Energy Development Agency, the assessment of effectiveness of existing solar power projects is a continuous process. The impact of solar power projects on the local communities includes monetary benefits in form of land lease rent, generation of local employment etc.
- (b) The Government has notified the National Bioenergy Programme in November, 2022 for a period  up  to  31.03.2026.  This  Programme  supports  setting  up  of  biomass  related  projects namely, Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) plants, non-bagasse cogeneration plants and briquette/pellet manufacturing plants by providing Central Financial Assistance (CFA) in the country including the State of Punjab. These biomass plants use agricultural residue including paddy straw as one of their feedstocks. So far, 16 projects have been commissioned under this programme in the State of Punjab.

Further,  the  Government  in  July  2024,  has  enhanced  the  CFA  for  manufacturing  of  nontorrefied and torrefied pellets to Rs. 21 lakh/MTPH or 30% of the capital cost per MTPH and Rs. 42 lakh/MTPH or 30% of the capital cost per MTPH respectively, in the country including the State of Punjab.

- (c) Most renewable energy projects, in the country including the State of Punjab are developed through private investment.

*****