opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2837 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Draft Digital India Act
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Abhishek Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2837

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2023

## DRAFT DIGITAL INDIA ACT

## 2837.   SHRI ABHISHEK BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the draft Digital India Act has been done through the mandatory pre-legislative consultation policy; and
- (b) if so, the details of the stakeholders consulted and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR)

(a) and (b): The policies of the Government are aimed at ensuring that the Internet in India is Open, Safe & Trusted and Accountable to all  users.

The number of Internet users in  India are 85 crores today making  India one of the largest connected democracy on the global Internet. The Government is fully committed to exploit the  good  of  the  technologies  but  is  cognizant  of  the  harms,  risks  and  the  growing  rate  of criminalities.  However,  the  Government  intends  to  ensure  the  Internet  in  general  and information on it is safe& trusted and takes suitable steps on an ongoing basis to tackle the bad actors.

To help achieve the aim at ensuring an Open, Safe and Trusted and Accountable Internet for all users, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology engages with and receives inputs from the public and stakeholders, including in respect of changes required to existing legislation and the need to introduce fresh legislation. Such engagement includes all aspects of  law.  Once  the  legislative  proposal  is  formulated,  in  accordance  with  the  Government's policy on pre-legislative consultation, proposed legislation is published in the public domain and feedback/comments invited from the public before submitting a legislative proposal to the  Cabinet.  Thereafter,  in  accordance  with  the  procedure  detailed  in  the  Manual  of Parliamentary Procedures as published by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, the Ministry of Law and Justice is consulted on the same and, after approval of the Cabinet, notice of the motion for introduction of a Bill is given to the Secretariat of relevant House of Parliament.

The said procedure for introduction of a Bill in Parliament and pre-legislative consultation policy for public feedback/comments is observed in respect of all legislative proposals of the Government.  A  round  of  pre-consultation  for  a  future  legislation  has  been  conducted  by MeitY.  However,  no  draft  has  yet  been  published  of  the  Digital  India  Bill  for  public feedback/comments.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2835 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Optical Fibre Cables
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Rajiv Pratap Rudy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2835 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES

## 2835.   SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the Government has planned to increase optical fibre coverage in the country to facilitate the increasing demand for better bandwidth and high-volume connectivity and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether it is also a fact that huge allocation has been done in this regard and there are plans to connect all the panchayats and villages in the Country;

(c) the details of the optical fibre cables laid in Bihar especially in Gopalganj so far along with the total cost of the project and the funds allocated thereon;

(d) the details of the timeline fixed for achieving the target, if any, in this regard;

(e) the details of the number of Gram Panchayats (GPs) in Gopalganj, Bihar which have been connected with broadband and Wi-Fi hotspots till date; and

(f) the reasons for a number of GPs not being connected to the said services in Bihar especially in Gopalganj till date?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

(a) to (f) Optical Fiber connectivity has been provided under BharatNet program to more than 2.07 lakh Gram Panchayats. Government has recently amended the BharatNet program as follows:

- (i) Upgradation of existing BharatNet network.
- (ii) Focus  on  utilization  of  the  network  through  BharatNet  Udyamis  i.e.  village  level entrepreneurs.
- (iii) Operation and Maintenance of the entire network.
- (iv) Dedicated Network Operation centre.
- (v) Expanding scope to connect all inhabited villages.
- (vi) To provide 1.5 crore home fibre connections.

Relevant State/UT wise details of BharatNet are available on DoT website.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2834 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Jute and Natural Fibers based Textile Park
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Nishikant  Dubey

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2834 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2023

## JUTE AND NATURAL FIBERS BASED TEXTILE PARK

2834. SHRI MANOJ TIWARI: DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state :

- (a) whether any new textile park is proposed to be set up in Jharkhand;
- (b) if so, the district-wise details of places where such parks are proposed to be set up;
- (c) whether the Government also proposes to set up any textile park based on Jute and Natural Fibers in Jharkhand and Bihar; and
- (d) the details of the estimated number of people who will get employment after setting up of these parks?

## उत्तर ANSWER वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् ) THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES

## (SMT. DARSHANA JARDOSH)

(a) to (d): The Government is implementing two Schemes for establishment of Textile parks in the Country viz. (i) Scheme for Integrated Textile Park (SITP) and (ii) PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Scheme. No proposal for setting up of a textile park either under SITP or PM MITRA, from the state of Jharkhand is pending in the Ministry.

Under  the  PM  Mega  Integrated  Textile  Region  and  Apparel  (PM  MITRA)  Scheme,  the Government has approved setting up of 7 Mega Parks in Greenfield/Brownfield sites with world class infrastructure including plug and play facility with an outlay of Rs. 4,445 crores. 7 sites viz. Tamil Nadu (Virudhnagar), Telangana (Warangal), Gujarat (Navsari), Karnataka (Kalaburagi), Madhya  Pradesh  (Dhar),  Uttar  Pradesh  (Lucknow)  and  Maharashtra  (Amravati)  have  been approved for setting up textile parks under PM MITRA Scheme. It is envisaged that one lakh direct and two lakh indirect employment will be generated from each such Mega Textile Park.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2833 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Nuclear Power Station in West Bengal
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Sisir Kumar Adhikari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2833

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2023

## Nuclear Power Station in West Bengal

2833. SHRI SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that Government had proposed a 10,000 MW nuclear power station at Haripur, West Bengal to meet up the demand of power;
- (b) if  so,  whether the Government is planning to review the proposal to set up Nuclear Power Plant at Sagar area;
- (c) if so, the details of the proposal along with the DPR thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons for the same?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The Government has accorded 'In-Principle' approval to set up six nuclear power  reactors  of  1000  MW  capacity  (nominal)  each  at  Haripur  in  West Bengal.
- (b) There is no proposal to set up a nuclear power plant in the Ganga Sagar area. (c)& (d) Do not arise in view of 'b' above.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2830 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Establishment of Advanced Loco Pilot Training Centre
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ashok Kumar Rawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2830 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2023

ESTABLISHMENT OF ADVANCED LOCO PILOT TRAINING CENTRE †2830.  SHRI ASHOK KUMAR RAWAT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to take necessary steps to establish Advanced Loco Pilot Training Centre, Advanced Rail Path Training Center or Multi Departmental Training Center at Hardoi and Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh;
- (b)
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (c)  :  Indian  Railways  have  robust  training  infrastructure spread across the country for imparting Initial, Promotional, Refresher & Specialized training to Railway staff. Sufficient Railway training centers catering to the training needs of Loco Pilots, Track Maintainers  and  other  categories  of  railway staff are already available.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2825 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: United Nations SDG Report
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Veena Devi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2825

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2023

## UNITED NATIONS SDG REPORT

## †2825. SHRIMATI VEENA DEVI:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  as  per  the  information  provided  in  the  United  Nations'  SDG  Report,  2021, COVID-19 global pandemic has adversaly affected the progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) made by other countries including India;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of the status of India in comparison to other countries with regard to SDGs; and
- (d) whether global extreme poverty rate has been increased for the first time during the period of twenty years as a result of which 119 to 124 million people have reverted to the position of exteme poverty again in the year 2020?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION; MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) to (b): As per the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021, the COVID-19 global  pandemic  has  threatened  decades  of  development  gains,  further  delaying  the  urgent transition to greener, more inclusive economies, and throwing progress on the SDGs even further off  track.  The  pandemic  has  posed  significant  challenges  to  various  aspects  of  sustainable development, such as poverty reduction, access to education and healthcare, gender equality, and economic  growth.  Progress  had  been  made  in  poverty  reduction,  maternal  and  child  health, access to electricity, and gender equality, but not enough to achieve the Goals by 2030. In other vital  areas,  including  reducing  inequality,  lowering  carbon  emissions  and  tackling  hunger, progress had either stalled or reversed.

However,  the  recently  released  Report  titled  'National  Multidimensional  Poverty  Index:  A Progress  Review  2023'  by  NITI  Aayog  has  indicated  that  as  against  the  SDG  target  1.2  of reducing poverty by half, India's multidimensional poverty has declined from 24.85 per cent in 2015-16 to 14.96 per cent in 2019-21 resulting in 13.5 crore people escaping multidimensional poverty during the five year period.

- (c) The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021 does not provide country-wise comparison details with regard to SDGs.
- (d) Yes, Sir.  The United Nations SDG Report 2021 highlights that the global extreme poverty rate rose  for  the  first  time  in  over  20  years,  and  119  to  124  million  people  were  pushed  back  into extreme poverty in 2020.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2822 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Promoting Space Education and Research
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Dipsinh Shankarsinh Rathod, Mohanbhai Kalyanji Kundariya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2822 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2023 PROMOTING SPACE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

2822.  SHRI DIPSINH SHANKARSINH RATHOD: SHRI MOHANBHAI KALYANJI KUNDARIYA: Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
2. (a) whether  the  Government  is  taking  steps  to  promote  space education  and  research  within  the  country,  fostering  a  skilled workforce  and  ensuring  a  sustainable  future  for  India's  space programme;
3. (b)
4. if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
5. (c) the  ways  in  which  ISRO  has  contributed  to  global  efforts  in addressing environmental challenges, climate change and sustainable  development  through  satellite-based  observations and data sharing?

## ANSWER

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

****

Yes, Sir. Several steps are being taken by the Government in this regard, including:

-  Sponsored Research programme (RESPOND) for promoting Space research in academia.
-  Establishment of Space Technology Cells (STCs), Regional Academic  Centres  for  Space  (RAC-S),  Space  Technology Incubation  Centres  (STICs)  at  various  technical  institutes across the country.
-  Yuva Vijyani Karyakram Young Scientists Programme (YUVIKA):    For  young  high  school  students  involving  two weeks  training,  hands  on  skills,  interaction  with  eminent scientists and facility visit.
-  Space  Tutor  Programme:  Enabling  NGOs  &  Institutions  in promoting Space Education & outreach across the country.
-  Antariskh  Jigyasa  Portal:  for  educating  students  online  in space Science and Technology.
-  Outreach through Space Exhibitions/ Conferences/ Museums  and  Space  on  Wheels,  with  Six  such  units covering areas across country.
-  Indian  Space  Science  &  Technology  (IIST)  and  Indian Institute  of  Remote  Sensing  (IIRS),  which  offer  short  and long term courses.
- (c) ISRO  is contributing in  global  efforts  towards  addressing environmental  challenges,  climate  change  and  sustainable development, through:
-  Jointly building earth  observation  satellites  with other space  agencies  and/or  accommodating  payloads  of  other countries in its own satellites;
-  Realizing the EO satellite for other nations;
-  Satellite data exchange and data sharing;
-  Satellite derived services for other nations; and
-  Capacity building for realization of satellites and satellitebased earth observations applications.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2820 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Lack of Trained Manpower
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Chinta Anuradha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2820 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20/12/2023

## Lack of Trained Manpower

2820. SHRIMATI CHINTA ANURADHA:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ͪव£ान और Ĥौɮयोͬगकȧ मंğी be pleased to state:

- (a)      whether  the  Government  realised  that  there  exists  a  lack  of  trained manpower to support the Research and Development activities in the country;
- (b)     if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)     the corrective measures being taken by the Government to enhance the manpower availability in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR THE

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

ͪव£ान और Ĥौɮयोͬगकȧ मंğालय क े  राÏयमंğी (èवतंğ Ĥभार) (डॉ. िजतɅġ ͧसंह)

(a) & (b) No Sir, as per latest available R&D Statistics, the trained manpower, in  terms  of  Full  Time  Equivalent  (FTE)  researchers  including  scientific  & technical manpower to support research and development activities follows an increasing trend. The details are as under:

| Year                                                  | 2010     | 2015     | 2020     |
|-------------------------------------------------------|----------|----------|----------|
| Total Manpower (Researchers + Scientific & Technical) | 3,17,007 | 4,08,178 | 4,57,050 |

Source: DST, Research & Development Statistics, 2022-23

- (c) The Government has been making sincere efforts to further enhance the manpower strength in research and development through implementation of diverse fellowship schemes which include:  INSPIRE fellowship, Science and Engineering Research BoardNational Post-Doctoral Fellowship (NPDF),   Prime Minister's  research fellowship,  Women  in  Science  and Engineering  (WISE)-PhD,  WISE-Post-Doctoral  Fellowship  (PDF),  Ramanujan Fellowship, through Department of Science and Technology (DST); Department of  Biotechnology  -  Junior  Research  Fellowship;  and  CSIR-UGC Junior Research Fellowship etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2819 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Nandigram Rail LIne Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dibyendu Adhikari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2819 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2023

## NANDIGRAM RAIL LINE PROJECT

2819.  SHRI DIBYENDU ADHIKARI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  railway  board  has  given  permission  for  Nandigram Rail Line project of West Bengal under South Eastern Railway;
- (b) if so, the present status of the project; and
- (c) the time by which it is proposed to be operationalised?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS 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. 2819 BY SHRI DIBYENDU ADHIKARI TO BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  20.12.2023  REGARDING  NANDIGRAM RAIL LINE PROJECT

(a) to (c): Deshpran-Nandigram new line project (17 km) was sanctioned in 2009-10. The project was kept in abeyance because of lack of support from the State Government.  Considering the needs of the area, work has been restarted in April, 2023.

Since  2014,  there  has  been  substantial  increase  in  fund  allocation  for Infrastructure  and  safety  works  and  commensurate  commissioning  of Projects falling fully/partly in State of West Bengal.

## Budget Allocation:

| Period   | Budget Outlay   | Increase w.r.t. annual allocation of 2013-14   |
|----------|-----------------|------------------------------------------------|
| 2013-14  | ₹1604 Cr.       | -                                              |
| 2023-24  | ₹11970 Cr.      | More than 7 times                              |

During  2014-23,  1137  km  (113  km  new  line,  151  km  Gauge  conversion and  873  km  doubling)  sections  falling  fully/partly  in  West  Bengal  have been commissioned at an average rate of 126.33 km per year.

Completion  of  Railway  project/s  depends  on  various  factors  like  quick land acquisition by State Government, forest clearance  by  officials  of forest  department,  shifting of  infringing utilities, statutory clearances from  various  authorities,  geological  and  topographical  conditions  of area,  law  and  order  situation  in  the  area  of  project/s  site,  number    of working  months  in  a  year  for  particular  project  site  due  to  climatic conditions etc. and  all these factors affect the completion time of the project(s), which is finally worked out at the completion stage.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2818 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Rozgar Melas
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Jagdambika Pal

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2818

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2023)

## ROZGAR MELAS

## 2818. SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the details and performance of the Rozgar Melas conducted during 2023-24;
- (b) whether the State Governments actively organizing Rozgar Melas and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of specific initiatives and outcomes achieved by these States in the context of employment generation?

## 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):  'Rozgar Mela' is one of the steps towards fulfilment of the commitment of the Government to accord highest priority to employment generation amongst youth.

Rozgar  Mela  events  are  being  held  across  the  country  and  the  new  appointees  are inducted  into  various  Central  Ministries/  Departments/  Central  Public  Sector  Undertakings (CPSUs)/ Autonomous Bodies including Health & Education Institutes, Public Sector Banks etc. Filling up of vacant posts in various Ministries/Departments is a continuous process. All vacant posts are being filled in a Mission Mode.

(b) & (c):  The details relating to conduct of State level Rozgar Melas and related specific initiatives etc. of State Governments are being maintained by the respective State Governments.

Employment generation in the country coupled with improving employability of youth is the priority of the Central Government. Accordingly, the Government of India announced Aatmanirbhar  Bharat  package  to  provide  stimulus  to  business  opportunities  and  enhance employment opportunities. Under this package, the Government is providing fiscal stimulus comprising of various long term schemes/ programmes/ policies for making the country selfreliant and to create large scale employment opportunities. In addition to this package, several schemes have been launched to generate employment and self employment in the country in different sectors of the economy. These scheme include Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY), Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, PM GatiShakti, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana  (PMMY) and  Prime  Minister  Street  Vendor's  AtmaNirbhar  Nidhi  (PM  SVANdihi Scheme) etc.

Besides these initiatives, various flagship programmes of the Government such as Make in India, Start-up India, Stand-up India, Digital India, Smart City Mission, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation  and  Urban  Transformation,  Housing  for  All  etc.  are  also  oriented  towards generating nation-wide employment opportunities for youth.

*****