opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 305 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: One Nation One Ration Card Scheme
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri K C Venugopal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 305 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24th JULY, 2024

## ONE NATION ONE RATION  CARD SCHEME

## 305 SHRI KC VENUGOP AL

Will  the Minister of  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUtION  aPftnT WIg,  aTV 3l1 IiT#gfjq kePT ++ be pleased to state:

- (a) the primary objectives  of  the One Nation One Ration Card scheme and the manner in which aims to benefit citizens;
- (b) whether the Government has decided to deliver goods directly from  Food Corporation of India (FCD godowns to ration shops in States like Kerala;
- (C) if  so, the details thereof and the benefits expected from this change;
- (d) the details of  the measures being taken by  the  Government to  ensure job  security for individuals currently employed in the distribution chain if this direct delivery system is implemented;
- (e) whether any specific steps are being taken to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of  the direct delivery system from FCI godowns to ration shops; and
- (f) if  so, the details thereoF

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

- (a): Primary objective -  Under the initiative, the NFS A  beneficiaries are empowered to lift  their entitled  foodgrain from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice, anywhere in the country, by using their existing ration card/Aadhaar card with biometric authentication on an electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) device.  ONORC  also enables the family  members of  such migrant  NFS A  beneficiaries  to  lift the pan /  balance foodgrains on the same ration card, back home (in  the village/hometown),  The nationwide portability of  ration cards or  One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) has now been implemented in all 36 States/UTs

(b) &  (c): To  ensure the supply of  food grains to  beneficiaries,  surplus  procuring DCP States maintain stocks according  to their needs and supply them to  PDS shops for  further distribution. In deficit  States, the State Govemment obtains food grains from the FCI and delivers them to PDS shops for  further distribution based on monthly allocations

Kerala, being a DCP state, the government procures paddy, and the resultant CMR  is retained by them for distribution under NFS A, Any shortfall quantity  of rice and wheat needed to meet NFS A and OWS requirements are sourced from  the FCI by the Kerala Government.

(d) to (f) Kerala, being a DCP state, the question does not arise

88+88
Lok Sabha Question No. 304 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Broad-gauge between Nuapada to Bargarh
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Pradeep Purohit

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.304

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024

## BROAD-GAUGE BETWEEN NUAPADA TO BARGARH

## 304.   SHRI PRADEEP PUROHIT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state the details of the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  for  the  proposed broad-gauge railway line/linkage  between  Nuapada  to  Bargarh  in  the State of Odisha?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

Bargarh  Road  -  Nawapara  Road  New  Rail  line  (138.32  Km)  project was initially taken by State Government Odisha through Odisha Rail Infrastructure  Development  Ltd.  (ORIDL)  in  Dec'2021  for  execution. However, no substantial progress was achieved by the ORIDL due to which East Coast Railway requested and taken over the project from Detailed Project  Report  (DPR)  has  been  prepared  on  a  fast  track  mode  by Zonal  Railway.    As  per  DPR,  the  cost  of  the  project  is  approx. ₹  2621.92  crore  excluding  the  cost  of  land.  State  Government  of

ORIDL  for faster execution on 05.06.2023. Thereafter, Odisha has agreed to provide land free of cost.

Various  steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  speedy  approval  and implementation  of  rail  projects  include  (i)  following  Gati  Shakti principles  to  engage  Stake  holders  at  approval  and  implementation stage (ii) prioritisation of projects (iii) substantial increase in allocation  of  funds  on  priority  projects  (iv)  delegation  of  powers  at field level (v) close monitoring of progress of project at various levels, and  (vi)  regular  follow  up  with  State  Governments  and  concerned authorities  for  expeditious  land  acquisition,  forestry  and  Wildlife clearances and for resolving other issues pertaining to projects.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 302 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Overarching Scheme PRITHvi Vigyan
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Dr. Bhola Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 302

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 24 TH  JULY, 2024

## Overarching Scheme PRITHvi Vigyan

## 302. DR. BHOLA SINGH:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  approved  the  overarching  scheme  'PRITHvi  Vigyan (PRITHVI)' for implementation during the period from 2021-26;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the  above scheme encompass five ongoing  sub-schemes namely ACROSS, OSMART, PACER, SAGE and REACHOUT; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a-d) Yes.  The  Union  Cabinet  on  5th  January  2024  approved  the  overarching  scheme 'PRITHviVIgyan (PRITHVI)' of Ministry of Earth Sciences for implementation during the period 2021-26 at an overall cost of Rs. 4797 crores.

The PRITHVI scheme encompasses five on-going sub-schemes namely:-

- (i) Atmosphere  &  Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems &  Services (ACROSS).
- (ii) Ocean Services, Modelling Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART).
- (iii) Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER).
- (iv) Seismology and Geosciences (SAGE).
- (v) Research, Education, Training and Outreach (REACHOUT).

The overarching  scheme of PRITHVI holistically addresses all  the  five components  of earth  system  namely  atmosphere,  hydrosphere,  geosphere,  cryosphere  and  biosphere  to improve the understating of the Earth  System Sciences and to  provide reliable services for  the  country.  Various  research  &  development  and  operational  (services)  activities under PRITHVI scheme are carried out in an integrated manner through combined efforts of the concerned Institutes under MoES.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 298 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Plans for New Vande Bharat Trains, Chennai and Madurai
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 298 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024

## PLANS FOR NEW VANDE BHARAT TRAINS, CHENNAI AND MADURAI 298 DR. T SUMATHY ALIAS THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  to  introduce  new  Vande Bharat trains connecting Chennai and Madurai with other tier-2 cities in Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether there are any requests from any individual/association/federation  to  reduce  the  train  fares  in  Vande Bharat express and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the Government's stand in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (c) As on 19th July, 2024, 102 Vande Bharat train are operational over  Indian  Railways  network  which  includes  20665/20666  Chennai Egmore-Tirunelveli Vande Bharat Express serving the Chennai-Madurai sector. Besides, the sector is also served by another 20 pairs of regular train services and 4 pairs of Special train services. Moreover, introduction of Vande Bharat services, including the new variants, is an ongoing  process  on  Indian  Railways  subject  to  traffic  justification, operational feasibility, resource availability, etc.

Representations are received from different quarters at Division level, Zonal  Railways,  Ministry  of  Railways'  level  and  even  at  station  level etc, and action as found feasible and justified is taken.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 292 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Establishment of Passenger Coach Factory in Uttar Pradesh
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Arun Kumar Sagar, Shri Ravindra Shukla Alias Ravi Kishan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.292 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024

ESTABLISHMENT OF PASSENGER COACH FACTORY IN UTTAR PRADESH

†292. SHRI ARUN KUMAR SAGAR: SHRI RAVINDRA SHUKLA ALIAS RAVI KISHAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to take any steps for the establishment of passenger coach factory, loco factory or diesel multiple unit factory in Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh;
- (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) Rail Coach/Locomotives or Diesel Multiple Unit factories are set up  keeping  in  view  the  Railways'  overall  requirement  of  Rolling  Stock. Presently,  the  existing  Production  Units  and  those  already  planned  are sufficient to meet the Railways' overall requirement of aforesaid Rolling Stock in near future.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 291 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Bharat Rice
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Prabhakar Reddy Vemireddy

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.291 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24th JULY, 2024

## BIIARAT  RICE

## 291 SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY VEMIREDDY:

Will  the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUtION  3Pitm wig,  aTa ah liT+qf& fiHWT git  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it  is true that the Government has started selling Bharat Rice on the lines of Bharat Atta, Bharat Dal, etc. ;
- (b) if  so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is going to sell Bharat Rice in the country, with a particular reference to Andhra Pradesh;
- (d) whether it  is  true that Bharat Rice is  proposed to  sell only  through National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED)  and National Cooperative Consumers'  Federation of India; and
- (e) whether the Government is  also thinking  to  sell Bharat Rice  through Public  Distribution System (PDS) so that Below Poverty Line (BPL) families are benefited?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS. FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUriON

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIB}IAI  BAMBHANIYA)

(a) to (e): Yes Sir, in order to check inflationary trends in food economy, retail sale ofBharat Rice has been launched on 6th February, 2024,  for  increasing supplies in  the market at subsidized rates. Bharat Rice is being sold across the country including Andhra Pradesh by National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd.(NAFED), National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Limited (NCCF) and Kendriya Bhandar at a Ma\imum  Retail Price (MRP) not exceeding ? 29/Kg. These organizations sell Bharat Rice from their physical retail outlets, mobile vans as well as through tie ups of these organizations with other retail networks and e-commerce platform,

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Lok Sabha Question No. 290 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Training of Civil Servants in Abroad
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Datt Sharma

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  290 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024)

## TRAINING OF CIVIL SERVANTS IN ABROAD

## 290 SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of civil servants who have been sponsored by the Government to go abroad to study or to get training of Public Policy and Public Management during the last two years;
- (b) whether the academic ecosystem of Public Policy and Public Management subject is not worthy in India especially in IIMs (Indian Institute of Management);
- (c) If  so,  whether  it  is  not  more  appropriate  to  send  abroad  the  Public  Policy  and  Public Management faculties of IIMs and Government public policy institutions instead of civil servants, so that exposure to best international practice can be diffused more deeper and wider in more cost efficient ways;
- (d) whether any policy or efforts are being made for this course correction; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, 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) to (d): No Civil servant has been sponsored by this Department to study or to get training of public policy and public management abroad during the last two years.

Recognizing the crucial role of Civil Services in fulfilment of India's developmental aspirations and  national  priorities,  the  Government  had  launched  the  National  Program  for  Civil  Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB) - Mission Karmayogi. Under this initiative, the Centre, States and Union Territories are making and implementing Capacity-Building plans for civil servants. The Government has also launched an integrated online training platform, iGOT Karmayogi, to provide continuous learning opportunities for lakhs of government employees to upgrade their skills and facilitate people-centric approach. The Civil Services Training Institutes are also being  encouraged  to collaborate with other Institutions, Universities, Research Institutions,  especially  leading domestic  and  international  institutions  to  bring  immersive experiential learning content, faculty, research, to the training, preferably on a reciprocal basis.

In addition, the Academic Institutions especially Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are offering both long and short duration courses for Civil Servants on Public Policy & Management. IIMs are also conducting collaborative programs with global institutions, including faculty development, to bring the best global theory and practices in their public policy programs.

(e): Does not arise in view of (a) to (d).

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 289 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Construction of Railway Bridges/Underpasses
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri K E Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 289 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024

## CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAY BRIDGES/UNDERPASSES

289. SHRI K E PRAKASH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Erode  division  have  any  proposals  to  construct railway  bridges  or  underpasses  at  high-traffic  railway  crossings  to reduce waiting times for vehicles and pedestrians;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  the  feasibility  studies  and  timelines  for constructing railway bridges/underpasses;
- (c)  the  details  and  the  number  of  proposals  which  are  submitted during the last ten years along with criteria for selection of proposals; and
- (d) the current status of accepted proposals and estimated cost?

## 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.  289  BY  SHRI  K  E  PRAKASH  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 24.07.2024 REGARDING CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAY BRIDGES/UNDERPASSES (a) to (d): 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 taken up on the basis of its impact on safety in train operations, mobility of trains & impact for road users and feasibility etc During last 10 years, 07 Nos. RUBs have been commissioned in Erode  District.  Further,  04  Nos.  ROBs  in  lieu  of  level  crossing  are sanctioned  at  a  total  cost  of  ₹164.18  Crore  in  Erode  District. Completion  of  any  ROB/RUB  work  depends  on  various  factors like cooperation of State Governments for consent of 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, number of working months in a year for particular project / work sites due to climatic conditions etc. All these factors affect the completion time of the projects / works. Therefore, it is quite difficult to fix definite timelines for completion of ROBs/RUBs.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 285 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: IAS/IPS/IRS Officers
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Shri Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 285

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024)

## IAS/IPS/IRS OFFICERS

## †285 SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of IAS, IPS and IFS officers belonging to SC/ST/OBC communities as on date;
- (b) whether the representation has not been given as per the proportion to their population; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and 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) to (c): Recruitment to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian  Forest  Service  (IFS)  are  done  through  Union  Public  Service  Commission  (UPSC)  in accordance  with  the  relevant  Rules.  As  per  extant  instructions,  reservation  is  provided  to Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) at the rate of 15%, 7.5% and 27% respectively in recruitment of IAS, IPS and IFS. Year-wise and categorywise number of persons belonging to SCs, STs and OBCs appointed to the IAS, IPS and IFS as Direct Recruit during the last five years, are as under: -

*******

|      | IAS   | IAS   | IAS   | IPS   | IPS   | IPS   | IFS   | IFS   | IFS   |
|------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|
| Year | OBC   | SC    | ST    | OBC   | SC    | ST    | OBC   | SC    | ST    |
| 2018 | 54    | 29    | 14    | 40    | 23    | 09    | 40    | 16    | 08    |
| 2019 | 61    | 28    | 14    | 42    | 24    | 09    | 33    | 13    | 07    |
| 2020 | 61    | 25    | 13    | 41    | 23    | 10    | 31    | 13    | 06    |
| 2021 | 54    | 30    | 13    | 57    | 28    | 14    | 34    | 13    | 07    |
| 2022 | 58    | 28    | 14    | 49    | 25    | 20    | 40    | 16    | 08    |
Lok Sabha Question No. 284 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Dumping of Mine Waste
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Smt. Malvika Devi

## 284. SMT. MALVIKA DEVI:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps being taken to make the dumping of mine waste more economic friendly;
- (b) whether any steps are being taken to make the transfer and leasing of mines more streamlined; and
- (c)  the  details  of  the  number  of  mine  operators  recognised  by  the  Government  for sustainable mining practices?

## ANSWER

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

(a): The Central Government has taken adequate steps by making provisions under the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017 [MCDR,  2017] to ensure environment friendly dumping of mine waste to minimise impact on the environment and society. Under the existing law, the miners are mandated to store the waste material on non-mineralized area of Mining lease to avoid its mixing with useful mineral content as well  as  on  impervious  ground  to  avoid  any  degradation  of  ground  water.   Further, materials such as waste rock and overburden are required to be back-filled into the mine excavations with a view to restore the land to its original form as far as possible.

- (b). The MMDR Act, 1957 was amended through the MMDR Amendment Act, 2021 with effect from 28.03.2021 whereby all restrictions on transfer of mineral concessions have been removed. Thus, the process for leasing and transfer of mines has been streamlined.

(c): As per existing law, sustainable mining practices are required to be adopted by all mining lease holders according to Chapter-V of Mineral Conservation and Development Rules  (MCDR),  2017  which  provides  for  precaution  against  air  pollution  and  noise, prevention of discharge of toxic liquid, control of surface subsidence etc.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 284

ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024

## DUMPING OF MINE WASTE

Further, as per Rule 35(4) of MCDR, 2017 every holder of a mining lease shall achieve at least three-star rating within a period of four years from the date of commencement of mining operations and thereafter maintain the same on year-on-year basis.

The year wise number of 3 star and above rated mines for the last three years and the 5 star rated mines felicitated is given below:

| Year    |   No. of 3 star and above rated mines (a) |   No. of 5 star rated mines out of (a) |
|---------|-------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
| 2020-21 |                                       922 |                                     40 |
| 2021-22 |                                      1040 |                                     76 |
| 2022-23 |                                      1129 |                                     68 |

*****