opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 175 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: Scheme for Utilization of Biomass
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Sunil Kumar Mondal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 175

ANSWERED ON 20.07.2023

## SCHEME FOR UTILIZATION OF BIOMASS

175. SH. SUNIL KUMAR MONDAL

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to launch any scheme under which the utilization of huge surplus biomass could be done because of its large availability in West Bengal and other parts of the country;
- (b) if so, the details along with the future initiatives thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

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

## (SHRI R.K. SINGH)

(a) to(c) The Government has taken various steps to promote the utilization of surplus biomass across the country including the State of West Bengal which, inter alia , include the following:

- (i) The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has notified National Bioenergy Programme in November, 2022 for the period 01.04.2021 to 31.03.2026. This programme, with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 1715 Crore, shall be implemented in two phases. The first phase has a budgetary outlay of Rs. 858 Crore. This programme provides Central Financial Assistance for setting up of Bioenergy plants.
- (ii) The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has launched the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) initiative in October, 2018 for offtake of BioCNG/Compressed  Biogas  (CBG)  after  purification  through  Oil  Marketing  Companies (OMCs) for sale as automotive fuels.
- (iii)    Department  of  Drinking  Water  and  Sanitation,  Ministry  of  Jal  Shakti,    has  notified GOBARDHAN scheme wherein financial assistance is available for setting up of community biogas plants in villages, blocks / district.
- (iv) Ministry of Power has notified SAMARTH mission (National Mission on Use of Biomass in Thermal  Power  Plants)  for  promoting  the  blending  of  biomass  in  the  existing  coal  powered thermal power plants.

Apart  from  above  programmes/schemes,  Central  Pollution  Control  Board,  Ministry  of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified guidelines to provide financial support for setting up of Biomass Pellet plants in the NCT of Delhi, States of Punjab and Haryana and NCR districts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 174 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: Price Rise in Airfare
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Kunwar Danish Ali

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 174 (To be answered on the 20 th  July 2023)

## PRICE RISE IN AIRFARE

## 174. KUNWAR DANISH ALI

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

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

- (a) to (d) Airfares are market driven and are neither regulated nor established by the Government. Airlines are free to fix reasonable tariffs taking into consideration all relevant factors which include the cost of operation, characteristics of service and reasonable profit. Airlines, however, remain compliant with the regulatory provisions under Aircraft Rules, 1937 as long as the fare charged by them does not exceed the fare established and displayed on their website.

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has established Tariff Monitoring Unit which monitors fares on select sectors on random basis. This ensures that the airfares charged by the airlines are within the established tariff of the airlines, which is displayed on their website. Increase in airfare is primarily driven by seasonality, and demandsupply constraints and is also attributable to increase in fuel prices. Government has taken steps to sensitise the airlines. The airfares in these select sectors are monitored on daily basis and as a result of which they have shown a declining trend.

Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) on 21.10.2016 to stimulate regional air connectivity and making air travel affordable to the masses. The scheme has been able to provide air connectivity to Tier-2 &Tier-3 cities across the country at affordable airfares and has transformed the way people travel.

Under the UDAN Scheme, the Government has targeted an indicative airfare at Rs. 2500

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether there has been a sharp rise in the prices of airline tickets in the last few months which has made it difficult for people to afford air travel and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has any scheme to make air travel accessible and affordable to all;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

for a distance of 500 km to 600 km per RCS seat under Regional Connectivity routes (equivalent to one-hour flight). Selected Airline Operator is required to provide up to 50% of the aircraft seating capacity or maximum 40 seats, whichever is lower, as Seats in a fixed wing aircraft under UDAN. This airfare is subject to indexation as per the formula specified in the UDAN Scheme document.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 173 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: Piped Gas Supply in Nanded
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Prataprao Govindrao  Patil Chikhalikar

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 173

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 TH  JULY , 2023

## Piped Gas Supply in Nanded

†173. SHRI PRATAPRAO PATIL CHIKHLIKAR:

## पेोलयम और ाक ृतक गैस मंी

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

- (a) the time by which the work of laying pipeline would be started for domestic gas supply in Nanded;
- (b)  the reasons for the delay in starting laying work; and
- (c)  the time by which the laying work is likely to be completed?

## ANSWER

## पेोलयम और ाक ृतक गैस मंालय म राय मंी ( ी रामेवर तेल )

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

(a) to (c) Laying of pipeline is part of the development of City Gas Distribution (CGD) Network and the same is carried out by the entities authorised by Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB). PNGRB has authorised Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited for development of CGD  network  in  Buldana,  Nanded  and  Parbhani  districts  Geographical  Area  (GA)  which includes Nanded District.As per the Minimum Work Plan (MWP) target the authorised entity has to lay 2,600 Inch-Km pipeline till 31 st March 2030 out of which 156 Inch-Km pipeline has been laid as on 31.05.2023.
Lok Sabha Question No. 172 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: Security check during and post Covid-19
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Giridhari Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 172

(To be answered on the 20 th  July 2023)

## SECURITY CHECK DURING AND POST COVID-19

## 172. SHRI GIRIDHARI YADAV

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether security checking of the passengers was being carried out with scanning machines at all the airports during Covid-19 to avoid touching the body of passengers;
- (b) if so, the details of the total number of body scanning machines installed at the airports along with their total cost and the number of them operational at present;
- (c) whether security checking of the passengers is again being carried out manually since 2021 as a result of which the bodies of security personnel and the passengers come in contact with each other which may lead to various kind of infections and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to resort to touch less body security scanning system of the passengers through scanning machines installed at all the airports;
- (e) if so, the time likely to be done; and
- (f) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

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

- (a) to (f): Yes, Sir. The Pat Down search method was kept in abeyance during Covid-19 to contain the spread by touch/ contact. The security checking/screening of the passengers at airports is carried out with the help of the Door Frame Metal Detector (DFMD), Hand Held Metal Detector (HHMD) and if required, by patdown search methods. Presently, there is no plan to do away with Pat Down search method.
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Lok Sabha Question No. 166 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: Market for Trading Carbon Credits
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Brijendra Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.166 ANSWERED ON 20.07.2023

## MARKET FOR TRADING CARBON CREDITS

166.   SHRI BRIJENDRA SINGH:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the agencies authorized to issue carbon trading certificates;
- (b) whether the Government has any mechanism to ascertain an explicit price to a carbon credit;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to create a domestic market for trading carbon credits in order to meet its COP26 commitments; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

## THE MINISTER OF POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

(SHRI R.K. SINGH)

- (a) : The Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) has been notified by the Central Government vide S.O. 2825 (E) dated 28 th   June  2023  under  the  powers conferred by clause (w) of section 14 of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. The carbon credit certificates will be issued by the Central Government or any agency authorised by it under section 14AA of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.

The  CCTS  notification  provides  an  overarching  framework  for  the functioning  of  the  Indian  Carbon  Market  and  includes  details  related  to  the issuance, trading, roles & responsibilities of stakeholders towards operationalization of the scheme.

- (b) & (c) :   It  is  envisaged  that  the  prices  of  carbon  credit  will  be  determined through market trading.

(d) & (e) : The Government of India has notified the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme in order to create a framework for domestic market to enable trading of carbon credits. The objectives of the Scheme is to reduce or avoid the Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions from the various sectors of Indian economy by pricing the greenhouse gases emissions through trading of carbon credit certificates. Putting  a  price  on  GHG  emissions  will  encourage  the  participating industries,  investors  and  businesses  for  adopting  low  carbon  technologies  and associated decarbonization strategies for reducing emissions. The  Carbon  Credit  Trading  Scheme  is  expected  to  contribute  in achieving  India's  climate  goals  in  line  with  the  commitments  made  under Conference of Parties (COP).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 165 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: Status of Highway Projects
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Anto  Antony

be pleased to state:

- (a) the  current  status  of  proposed  Greenfield  National  Highway  from Angamaly to Thiruvananthapuram -parallel to MC Road in Kerala;
- (b) the expected cost for implementation of this project;
- (c) whether  the  Union  Government  has  written  a  letter  to  the  State Government for implementation of this project and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  complaints  against  the alignment of the proposed project; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c)   The  work  for  Detailed  Project  Report  (DPR)  preparation  for greenfield  highway  from Angamaly  to  Thiruvananthapuram  section  in  the State of Kerala has been awarded and the alignment is under finalization. The important criteria for declaration of NHs from State roads/green field as also finalization of alignment include the following: -

- i. Roads running through length / breadth of the country.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 165 ANSWERED ON 20 TH  JULY 2023

## STATUS OF HIGHWAY PROJECTS

## 165.  SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

ii. Connecting adjacent countries, National Capitals with State Capitals /  mutually  the  State  Capitals,  major  ports,  non-major  ports,  large industrial centers or tourist centers. iii. Roads having important strategic requirement in hilly and isolated area. iv. Arterial roads which enable sizeable reduction in travel distance and achieve substantial economic growth. v. Roads which help in opening up large tracts of backward area and hilly region. vi. Roads contributing towards achievement of National Highways grid of 100 km. vii. Synergy with PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP). The Ministry considers declaration of some State roads, including SHs and  new  greenfield  alignment,  as  NHs  from  time  to  time  based  on  the fulfilment of the criteria, requirement of connectivity, inter-se priority and availability of funds. (d) & (e)         Yes sir. The Government has received many representations from locals as well as public representatives for alteration/modification in proposed alignment during DPR stage. Further, a Writ Petition has been filed in the Hon'ble High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam regarding alignment and the matter is sub-judice.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 164 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: Scheme for Piped Gas Supply
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Pashupati Nath Singh

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 164 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 TH JULY 2023

## LOK SABHA Scheme for Piped Gas Supply

## †164. SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH:

## पेोलयम और ाक ृतक गैस मंी

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

(a)  the  current  status  of  the  scheme  for  supplyinggas  to  the  households  through  pipeline  by theGovernment;

(b)  whether  the  issues  being  faced  in  laying  ofgas  pipeline  in  the  colliery  areas  of  Dhanbad Parliamentary Constituency are in the cognizance ofthe Government;

(c) if so, the steps being taken by the Governmentto resolve such issues; and

(d) the time by which the work of gas pipelineis likely to be completed in the said area?

## ANSWER

## पेोलयम और ाक ृतक गैस मंालय म राय मंी ( ी रामेवर तेल )

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

(a)  to  (d)  Petroleum  and  Natural  Gas  Regulatory  Board  (PNGRB)  is  the  authority  to  grant authorisation  to  the  entities  for  development  of  City  Gas  Distribution  (CGD)  network  in Geographical Areas (GAs) as per PNGRB Act, 2006. After completion of 11-A CGD bidding round, 300 GAs covering about 98% of the population and 88% of total geographical area of the country spread over around 630 districts in 28 States/UTs, have been issued authorization for development of CGD network across the country.

PNGRB has  authorised  GAIL  (India)  Limited  for  laying  Jagdishpur-Haldia&Bokaro-Dhamra Natural  Gas  Pipeline  (JHBDPL),  whose  Dobhi-Durgapur  Section  is  already  operational  in Dhanbad district. Further, pipeline connectivity to the GA of Giridih and Dhanbad district is also operational since February 2023.

PNGRB has also authorised GAIL Gas Limited for development of CGD network in Giridih and Dhanbad district GA which includes Dhanbad district. As per Minimum Work Plan (MWP), the authorised  CGD  entity  has  to  establish  30  CNG  stations  and  has  to  provide  50,000  PNG connection in the GA over the next 8-10 years. As on 31.05.2023, 12,029 PNG (D) connections have been provided and 8 CNG stations have been commissioned in the GA by the authorised entity.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 163 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: Removal of Toll Plazas
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Hemant Tukaram Godse, Gajanan Chandrakant Kirtikar, Kalaben Mohanbhai Delkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 163 ANSWERED ON 20TH JULY, 2023

## REMOVAL OF TOLL PLAZAS

163. SHRI HEMANT TUKARAM GODSE: SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR: SHRIMATI DELKAR KALABEN MOHANBHAI:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has announced a date to remove toll plazas on National Highways (NHs) in various States of the country in a particular time period;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including Maharashtra, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu;
- (c)  the  details  of  the  toll  plazas  which  collect  tolls  even  after  the completion of their term; and
- (d) whether the Government has taken action on the said toll plazas and if so,  the  details  thereof,  State/UT-wise  including  Maharashtra,  Dadra  and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)  No,  Sir.  As  per  National  Highways  Fee  (Determination  of  Rates  and Collection) Rules, 2008, there is no provision of removal/closing of user fee plaza.

The  fee  as  notified  as  per  Concession  Agreement  is  collected  by  the Concessionaire till the expiry of Concession Agreement. Thereafter, the user fee is collected by the Central  Government executing authority in

accordance with provisions in extant user fee rules. (b) to (d) Does not arise.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 161 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: Air Services at Kannur Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Rajmohan Unnithan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 161

(To be answered on the 20 th  July 2023)

## AIR SERVICES AT KANNUR AIRPORT

## 161. SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

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

(a)  and  (b)  The  airfare  is  market  driven  and  is  neither  regulated  nor established by the Government. Air fares are determined by the airlines based on interplay of market forces. The fares on any route is dependent on seasonality, holidays and festivals, competition and other similar factors. Moreover, airlines provide services to/from any airport based on their commercial decision and the Government does not interfere in their operation plan.

be pleased to state:-

- (a) Kerala's fourth international airport, was the hope and comfort of the expatriates  from  the  districts  of  Kannur,  Kasaragod,  Wayanad  and Kozhikode most Kannur natives are expatriates in the GCC, apart from excessive ticket prices, the expatriates are also affected in a big way by cutting
- down the services;
- (b) whether the Government noticed this and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  details of the actions suppose to be taken in increase revenue in Kannur International Airport;
- (d) many budget airlines based in the GCC that offer excellent services in the aviation sector, not a single one is known to have attempted to start a service;
- (e) whether Government will consider this and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) if not, the reasons therefor?

(c) Steps to be taken to increase the revenue of the Kannur airport are commercial decisions and are the responsibility of the airport operator. (d) to (f) As per the respective Air Service Agreements, airlines of foreign governments need to be formally designated by their governments, prior to the start of operations. Several carriers from the GCC are operating to/from India as of date. As on 15.07.2023, there are no requests for the designation of a new airline based in the GCC, pending with this Ministry.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 159 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: Target for Solar Energy under PM-KUSUM
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Thirumaa Valavan Thol

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 159

ANSWERED ON 20.07.2023

## TARGET FOR SOLAR ENERGY UNDER PM-KUSUM

159. SHRI THIRUMAAVALAVAN THOL

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

- (a) whether the Government has set any target for providing solar energy under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) during the last five years and the current year.
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Gigawatt (GW) generation target and the target of Government spending has been achieved;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER

## (SHRI R.K. SINGH)

(a)&(b)  The  PM-KUSUM  Scheme,  which  was  launched  in  March,  2019  and  scaled-up  in November, 2020 has the following targets:

- (i) Component 'A': 10 GW capacity through installation of small solar power plants each of capacity up to 2 MW on the barren/fallow land of the farmers;
- (ii) Component 'B': Installation of 20 lakh standalone off-grid solar water pumps; and (iii)  Component  'C':  Solarization  of  15  lakh  existing  grid-connected  agriculture  pumps including feeder level solarization (FLS).

All three components combined aim to add 30.8 GW of additional solar capacity.

- (c)  to  (e)  PM-KUSUM is  a  demand  driven  scheme  and  therefore  quantities/  capacities  are allocated under the three components of the scheme based on demand received from the States/ UTs. Funds under the scheme are released based on progress of installation reported by the State  Implementing  Agencies  (SIA)  and  provisions  of  the  scheme  guidelines.  As  on 30.06.2023, a total of 113.08 MW capacity has been installed under Component 'A' and around 2.45 lakh pumps have been reported installed/ solarized under Component-B and ComponentC combined.  This is equivalent to about 1323 MW of installed solar capacity. So far more than Rs 1,646 Crore has been released to SIAs.

Availability of low-cost financing for farmers and state share of funds is a major challenge in implementation  of  the  PM-KUSUM  Scheme.  In  addition,  the  pace  of  implementation  was significantly affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020-21 and 2021-22.

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