opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1488 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Inaugural of First Vande Bharat Train
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Naresh Ganpat Mhaske, Dr. D. Purandeswari, Shri Haribhai Patel, Shri Praveen Patel, Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1488

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## INAUGURAL OF FIRST VANDE BHARAT TRAIN

1488  SHRI PRAVEEN PATEL:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

SHRI NARESH GANPAT MHASKE:

SMT. DAGGUBATI PURANDESWARI:

SHRI HARIBHAI PATEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of inaugural run of the first Vande Bharat train;
- (b) the number and details of such trains that are currently operational in  Maharashtra  and  Uttar  Pradesh  including  the  details  of  the  routes they cover;
- (c)  the  details  of  routes  on  which  the  Government  is  planning  to  run such trains in future; and
- (d)  the  details  about use  of  indigenous components in  these trains, if any?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (c)  The First Vande Bharat viz. 22435/22436 New Delhi - Varanasi

Vande Bharat Express commenced its operation  w.e.f. 15-02-2019.

As  the  Railway  network  straddles  across  State  boundaries,  train services  are  introduced,  as  per  network  requirement,  across  such boundaries.  Of the 102 Vande Bharat train services operational (as on 24th July, 2024), 16 Vande Bharat Express services(on originating/Terminating basis) are serving the passengers of the stations  located  in  the  State  of  Maharashtra   while  14   Vande  Bharat Express services(on originating/Terminating  basis) are catering  to  the passengers  of  the  stations  located  in  the  State  of  Uttar  Pradesh. Besides, introduction of train services, including Vande Bharat Express services,  is  an  ongoing  process  on  Indian  Railways  subject  to  traffic justification, operational feasibility, resource availability, etc. (d) Vande Bharat trains have been indigenously designed and are being manufactured in India.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1487 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Protection of Essential Minerals
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1487

ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## PROTECTION OF ESSENTIAL MINERALS

† 1487. SHRI SUKANTA KUMAR PANIGRAHI: Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state: the  details  of  the  reforms  started  to  protect  the  essential  minerals  for  the advanced technology sectors in the country, state-wise including Odisha?

## ANSWER

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

The Government of India has taken several initiatives to secure the supply of Critical and  strategic  minerals  that  are  crucial  for  advanced  technology  sectors.  These initiatives are aimed to ensure availability and a reliable supply chain of these mineral resources across the country including Odisha.

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 has been amended in 2023 to empower Central Government to auction blocks for 24 critical and strategic minerals. Ministry of Mines has successfully auctioned 14 blocks of critical minerals of which 03 blocks are in Odisha and Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) for 21 blocks of critical minerals are currently under process. In order to promote exploration of critical and deep seated minerals, a new mineral concession namely, Exploration Licence has been introduced for 29 critical and deep-seated minerals, which will permit the licencee to undertake reconnaissance and prospecting operations for these minerals. Further, to  encourage  private  participation  in  exploration,  Ministry  of  Mines  has  notified  22 private exploration agencies (NPEAs).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1485 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Green Hydrogen Hubs
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Kesineni Sivanath

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1485

ANSWERED ON 31/07/2024

## GREEN HYDROGEN HUBS

## 1485. SHRI KESINENI SIVANATH

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

- (a) the details on the locations identified across India for the development of Green Hydrogen Hubs under the Mission, including the criteria used for their selection and the number of hubs planned initially;
- (b) the current status of funds allocated, disbursed, and utilized for implementing Green Hydrogen Hubs and associated infrastructure projects in India; and
- (c) whether the Government is planning to identify and create additional Green Hydrogen Hubs across States in India, specifically in Andhra Pradesh?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

(a) to (c) The Scheme Guidelines for setting up Hydrogen hubs in India under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) were notified on 15 th  March 2024, with an outlay of Rs. 200 crore and an aim of supporting atleast two Hydrogen hubs in India by FY 2025 - 26.

The  Solar  Energy  Corporation  of  India  Limited  (SECI)  has  been  nominated  as  Scheme Implementing Agency for Green Hydrogen Hubs under the Mission.

The criteria for selection, as per the guidelines, inter - alia, include:

- i. Planned  production  of  Hydrogen  and  its  derivatives  including,  inter  alia,  Green Hydrogen  production  agreement  signed,  natural  resource  availability,  available  and planned infrastructure;
- ii. Technology, Applications and end - use including, inter alia, presence of end - use industries, current hydrogen demand in the region and future projections, proximity to an  export  terminal  and  signing  of  firm  off  -  take  agreements  of  hydrogen  or  its derivatives;
- iii. Financial Commitment including, inter alia, financial viability, equity investments and funding tied up with financial institutions; etc.

No specific locations for the Hydrogen Hubs have been identified so far under the Mission.

However, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has separately identified three major ports  viz.  Deendayal,  Paradip  and  V.O.  Chidambaranar  (Tuticorin)  for  development  as Hydrogen Hubs.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1482 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Telecom Services in Rural Areas
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Eswarasamy K

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1482 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 ST  JULY, 2024

## TELECOM SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS

## 1482   SHRI ESWARASAMY K:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

(a) the  strategies  being  formulated  to  bridge  the  digital  divide  and  ensure  affordable  and accessible telecom services in rural and remote areas;

(b) the manner in which the Government is leveraging telecom infrastructure to drive digital transformation and enable the growth of other sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and education; and

(c) the initiatives put in place to promote digital literacy and skills development in underserved communities?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) Government has undertaken various schemes to provide access to telecom services in rural and remote areas at affordable and reasonable prices, thereby bridging the rural-urban digital divide. A developed telecom infrastructure can drive digital transformation and foster the growth of other sectors such as agriculture, healthcare and education. The same is being done through projects like BharetNet, schemes for providing mobile connectivity and commissioning of submarine Optical Fibre Cables.

(c) Skill  India  Mission  (SIM)  of  the  Ministry  of  Skill  Development  and  Entrepreneurship (MSDE)  delivers  skill,  re-skill  and  up-  skill  training  through  an  extensive  network  of  skill development  centres/  institutes  etc.  under  various  schemes,  viz.  Pradhan  Mantri  Kaushal  Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) etc . For the purpose of Skill development, Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) and Bharatskills Portal  have also been launched by MSDE.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1481 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: PM-KUSUM Scheme in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri B K Parthasarathi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1481

ANSWERED ON 31/07/2024

## PM-KUSUM SCHEME IN ANDHRA PRADESH

## 1481. SHRI B.K.PARTHASARATHI

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

- (a) the details of setting up Component-A of the PM-KUSUM Scheme in Andhra Pradesh;
- (b) the details of funds allocated and disbursed for the installation of Renewable Energy Power Plants (REPPs) on barren/fallow land in Andhra Pradesh during the last year;
- (c) the current status of implementation of Component-A in Andhra Pradesh including the number of power plants installed and their capacities; and
- (d) the mechanism in place for individual farmers, groups of farmers, cooperatives, panchayats, FPOs and WUAs in Andhra Pradesh to sell the power generated to local DISCOMs at fixed tarrif ?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) Component A of PM KUSUM scheme aims at setting up of 10,000 MW of Decentralized Ground/ Stilt Mounted Grid Connected Solar or other Renewable Energy based Power Plants by farmers on their land.

DISCOMs invite applications for Expression of Interest from prospective farmers, where they submit their application for setting up solar power plant in the prescribed format.

The solar power plant under the scheme can be installed by the farmers on their own land either directly by themselves or in partnership with group of farmers/ cooperatives/ panchayats/ Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO)/Water User associations (WUA), or through a developer.

PM-KUSUM Scheme is a demand driven Scheme and allocations are made based on the demand received from States.  There is no demand received from State of Andhra Pradesh under any Component of PM KUSUM scheme and, thus, no allocation is made to the State.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1480 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Regulation of OTT Platforms
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Mahendra Singh Solanky, Dr. Vinod Kumar Bind, Dr. Byreddy Shabari, Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1480

TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## REGULATION OF OTT PLATFORMS

1480. Shri Mahendra Singh Solanky:

Dr. Vinod Kumar Bind:

Dr. Byreddy Shabari:

Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi::

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

(a) whether the Government has taken any steps to curb child nudity and obscene content on OTT platforms;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  the  Government  feels  that  the  content  shown  on  OTT platforms  should  be  monitored  to  prevent  obscenity  and  vulgarity  in the name of entertainment; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  INFORMATION  AND  BROADCASTING  &

ANSWER PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN):

(a)  to  (d):-  The  Government  has  notified  the  Information  Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media, Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 on 25.02.2021 under IT Act, 2000. Part-III of the rules provides for a Code  of  Ethics  for  digital  news  publishers  and  publishers  of  online curated content (OTT platforms). The Code of Ethics provides that  the OTT platforms will not transmit any content which is prohibited by law for the time being in force and to undertake age-based self classification of content, based on general guidelines provided in the Schedule to the Rules, along with adequate safeguards for restricting age-inappropriate  content  for  children  with  adequate  access  control measures.

In March 2024, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has taken action  and  blocked  18  OTT  platforms  for    publishing  obscene  and vulgar  content    under  the  provisions    of  section  79(3)(b)  of  IT  Act, 2000.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1478 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Restoration of Old Pension Scheme to Railway Employees
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Raja A

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1478 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## RESTORATION OF OLD PENSION SCHEME TO RAILWAY EMPLOYEES

1478  SHRI RAJA A: SMT. HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the agitation by Railway Trade Unions against reported move to privatise Railways and for restoration of Old Pension Scheme to its employees;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  replaced  the  Old  Pension  Scheme with New Pension Scheme and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  details  of  Merits  and  Demerits  of  New  Pension  Scheme  and  Old Pension Scheme?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): There is no proposal for privatization of Railways.

Regarding  replacement  of  Old  Pension  Scheme  with  New  Pension Scheme,  Railways  follow  the  policies/  guidelines  of  Department  of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare (DoP&PW) which is the nodal Ministry of Government of India on pension matters.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1477 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Educating Farmers
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1477

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024)

EDUCATING FARMERS

1477. SMT. POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken any initiatives for educating the farmers through Radio/TV; and
- (b) if so, the dedicated channels operated by the Government for this purpose along with the funds allocated and utilized so far?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING;

AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN)

- (a): Yes, Sir.

(b): Prasar Bharati telecasts 'DD Kisan', a 24X7 satellite TV channel, exclusively dedicated to the farmers and the agriculture sector. It was launched on 26 th  May, 2015. Funds of Rs. 9.85 Crore were allocated for DD Kisan channel, under the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) scheme of the Ministry, for Financial Year 202324, out of which, Rs. 9.82 Crore were spent.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1476 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: New Trains in Bhiwani-Mahendergarh
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Dharambir Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1476

TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## NEW TRAINS IN BHIWANI-MAHENDERGARH

1476 SHRI DHARAMBIR SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any initiatives to introduce new trains and provide more train stoppages in the Bhiwani-Mahendergarh Lok Sabha constituency since 2014;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  these  new  trains  and  stoppages,  including  their  names, objectives, and specific locations within the Bhiwani-Mahendergarh constituency;
- (c) the current status of these new trains and stoppages and their progress and expected for completion;
- (d)  whether  any  challenges  has  been  faced  for  implementation  of  or  delays  in implementing these initiatives and if so, the reasons therefor and the steps taken
- to resolve them; and
- (e) the details of the anticipated benefits of these initiatives particularly in terms of enhanced connectivity, economic growth and job creation?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (e)  As the Railway network straddles across boundaries of Parliamentary Constituencies, train services are introduced, as per network requirement, across such  boundaries.  Bhiwani  is  presently  being  served  by  52  train  services  while Mahendragarh is being served by 28 train services. Further, to cater  to the needs of  the  passengers  of  stations  located  in  the  Bhiwani  Mahendragarh  Lok  Sabha Constituency,  14  new  train  services  (in  single)  have  been  introduced  and stoppages of 26 train services (in single) have been provided since the year 2014. Besides, introduction of new  train services and  provision of stoppage  of existing/new train services is an ongoing process on Indian Railways subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, resource availability, etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1474 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Pathetic Condition of Railway Porters
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dr. M P Abdussamad Samadani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1474

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## PATHETIC CONDITION OF RAILWAY PORTERS

1474 DR. M P ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  pathetic  condition  of registered railway porters after parcel handling duties were taken over by parcel agencies;
- (b)   if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  have  any  plan  to  pay  a  salary  to registered porters who presently do not have any direct financial benefits except whatever is given by the available passengers;
- (d)  if so, the details thereof;
- (e)  whether the Government have any plan to conduct a detailed study across the country regarding the pathetic situation of porters; and
- (f)    if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (f): Sahayaks (Coolies/Licensed Porters) are engaged by Railways to carry luggage of the passengers at prescribed porterage charges  which  are  revised  from  time  to  time. Facilities  viz  medical, Pass/Privilege Ticket Orders, education facilities to their wards, uniforms and Rest room facilities are provided to them.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1472 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Anugraha Narayan Road Railway Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Abhay Kumar Sinha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1472 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## ANUGRAHA NARAYAN ROAD RAILWAY STATION

†1472 SHRI ABHAY KUMAR SINHA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to provide a halt of train no. 12987/12988  at  Anugraha  Narayan  Road  which  is  the  nearest railway station in the region with 20 lakh population;
- (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)     Anugrah Narayan Road station is presently being served by 32 pairs of train  services, which include 15021/15022 ShalimarGorakhpur Express (stoppage provided w.e.f 04.10.2023) and 12311/12312 Howrah-Kalka Express  (stoppage provided w.e.f.  1402-2024).    Besides,  provision  of  stoppage  of  trains  is  an  on-going process on Indian Railways.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1471 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Extension of Chennai Express upto Hisar, Salasar Express
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Lumbaram Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1471 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## EXTENSION OF CHENNAI EXPRESS UPTO HISAR, SALASAR EXPRESS

†1471 SHRI LUMBA RAM:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government  proposes  to extend Chennai Express 22919/22920  upto  Hisar,  Salasar  Express  22421/22422  and  Bhagat  Ki Kothi Kamakha 15623/15624 Express in view of the problems faced by the passengers on Samadari Bhildi route;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the reasons for the delay in the extension of the said three trains?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (c) At present, Bhildi-Samdari section is being served by 11 pair of Mail/Express  trains.  Besides,  extension  of  train  services  is  an  ongoing process  on  Indian  Railways  subject  to  traffic  justification,  operational feasibility, resource availability, etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1470 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Private Investments in Nuclear Power Projects
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Shri K Radhakrishnan, Shri Anto Antony, Shri Sukhdeo Bhagat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1470

ANSWERED ON- 31/07/2024

## PRIVATE INVESTMENTS IN NUCLEAR POWER PROJECTS

## 1470.       SHRI ANTO ANTONY SHRI K RADHAKRISHNAN SHRI SUKHDEO BHAGAT

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

- (a) the  current  status  of  the  USD  26  billion  in  private  investments  sought  for  nuclear power projects;
- (b) the  details  of  specific  measures being  taken  to attract private  sector participation in nuclear power, including regulatory and policy changes to facilitate these investments;
- (c) the  manner  in  which  the  Government  plans  to  address  safety  and  environmental concerns  associated  with  increasing  private  investments  in  nuclear  power  projects; and
- (d) whether the  Government has conducted study of the  economic and energy security risks  expected  from  such  significant  private  sector  involvement  in  nuclear  power generation, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No such investment information is available in Department.
- (b) Government of India is exploring the feasibility of private participation in nuclear power projects within existing Statutory provisions.
- (c) Highest  priority  is  accorded  to  safety  in  all  aspects  of  nuclear  power  viz.,  siting, design, construction, commissioning,  and  operation. Nuclear power  plants are designed  adopting  safety  principles  of  redundancy,  diversity  and  provide  fail-safe design  features  following  a  defence-in  depth  approach.  This  ensures  that  there  are multiple  barriers  between  the  source  of  radioactivity  and  the  environment.  These safety principles are independent of private investment.
- (d) No.

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