opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 39 (STARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Establishment of FM Radio Station in Kasaragod, Kerala
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Rajmohan Unnithan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO *39 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024

## ESTABLISHMENT OF FM RADIO STATION IN KASARGOD, KERALA

- *39. SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN

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

- (a) whether any proposal regarding establishment of FM Radio station in Kasargod district of Kerala,  where Malayalam and Kannada are widely spoken; is pending with the Government for approval;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon;
- whether the Government will consider any new proposals in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not; the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIASHWINI 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 THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*39 BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024 ON ESTABLISHMENT OF FM RADIO STATION IN KASARGOD, KERALA

- (a) to (d): At present; a 100 Watt FM Relay station of Akashvani is operational at Kasaragod carrying Akashvani Malayalam channel for localized coverage. At present the programmes of the Kasargod Relay Station are broadcast in Malayalam language.

Further; FM Broadcasts from Akashvani FM transmitters at Madikeri and Udupi in the adjacent districts of Karnataka are also available in some parts of Kasaragod District In addition; Kannada FM Broadcast from Akashvani Madikeri and  Manguluru/Udupi stations in Karnataka is also available in some parts of Kasaragod District.
Lok Sabha Question No. 35 (STARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Increasing MPLAD Funds
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Dr. Kalanidhi Veeraswamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No.*35 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024

## INCREASING MPLAD FUNDS

- *35. DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

PROGRAMME

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  reviewed  the  functioning  of  the MPLAD Scheme across the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is aware that five crore per annum is a very meagre amount to complete development works by a Member of Parliament in his/her constituency in view of increase in the cost of building material and wage hike of skilled and unskilled labourers and to fulfill other social responsibilities and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether a demand for increasing the amount of MPLAD fund from Rs. 5 crore to Rs. 10 crore has been made continuously by Members of  Parliament  especially  from  Tamil  Nadu  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (d)  whether  this  Ministry  has  ever  sent  any  proposal  to  Finance Ministry to increase the amount of MPLAD and if so, details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the time by which the Government proposes to take a decision in this regard?

## 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  CULTURE  [RAO INDERJIT SINGH]

- (a) to (e) A statement is laid down on the table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*35 FOR 24 th  JULY, 2024 (a) Yes, Sir. The Ministry conducted a Third-Party Physical Evaluation of the MPLADS works completed during the period 01-04-2014 to 3103-2019, in 216 districts across the country. The Evaluation was done in the year 2021 and the agency submitted final report on 31-8-2021. (b)  to  (c)  Yes  sir.  Suggestions  for  increasing  annual  MPLAD  funds were received from Members of Parliament including members from Tamil Nadu. (d) to (e) The Cabinet approval for the scheme has been granted till 2025-26. Any increase in the firmed-up cost of the scheme beyond 20%  is  to  be  brought  before  the  Cabinet  after  approval  of  the competent  authority.  Ministry  will  examine  the  proposal  prior  to completion  of  extension  period  of  the  scheme  i.e.  FY  2025-26 following due process of third-party audit, consultation with stakeholders and keeping in view the requests received from Hon'ble MPs over time.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 34 (STARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Use of Renewable Energy in Indian Railway
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Vijay Kumar Dubey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.34

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024

## USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY IN INDIAN RAILWAY

*34. SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY: SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details regarding the progress made by the Indian Railways Organisation for Alternate Fuel (IROAF) in expanding  new sources  of  environment  friendly  fuels  and  energy  in  Indian Railways;
- (b) the  details  about  the  manner  in  which  'Amrit  Bharat  Station Scheme'  promotes  the  use  of  renewable  energy  in  railway stations; and
- (c) the State-wise detailed status of 100% electrification initiative of the Ministry of Railways?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING 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 STARRED  QUESTION  NO.34  BY  SHRI  VIJAY  KUMAR  DUBEY  AND SHRI  JAGDAMBIKA  PAL  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON 24.07.2024  REGARDING  USE  OF  RENEWABLE  ENERGY  IN  INDIAN RAILWAY

(a) IROAF was formed to explore Alternate Fuel in Indian Railways.  It  has  promoted  use  of  blended  Bio-Diesel  and  partial substitution of Diesel with CNG and LNG for traction purpose. A pilot project  for  retro-fitment  of  Hydrogen  fuel  cell  on  Diesel  Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) rake for traction purpose has also been taken up. These initiatives are now being handled by Northern Railway.

(b) 'Amrit  Bharat  Station  Scheme'  envisages  gradual  shifting  to sustainable and environmental friendly solution as per availability of funds  and  condition  of  existing  assets  which  includes  use  of renewable energy.

(c) 100% Electrification of Broad Gauge network has been achieved  in  the  following  State/Union  Territory,  Andhra  Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Jharkhand,  Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Nagaland,  Odisha,  Puducherry,  Punjab,  Telangana,  Uttar  Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 30 (STARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Stoppage of Trains at Tughlakabad Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 30 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024

## STOPPAGE OF TRAINS AT TUGHLAKABAD STATION

†*30 SHRI RAMVIR SINGH BIDHURI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  stoppage  at Tughlakabad  Station, Delhi of the Dehradun Express (19019 and 19020) and Janata Express (19023 and 19024), which used to run between  Firozpur  and  Mumbai  was discontinued during Covid period;
- (b) if so, whether the Government proposes to restore the stopgage of the said trains at Tughlakabad Station in view of the difficulties faced by the people; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING 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 STARRED QUESTION NO. 30 BY SHRI RAMVIR SINGH BIDHURI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 24.07.2024 REGARDING STOPPAGE OF TRAINS AT TUGHLAKABAD STATION (a) to    (c)  With  a  view  to  provide  for  better  passenger  safety  by creating maintenance corridor blocks, minimizing conflicts in existing Time Table, and speeding up of train services, Indian Railways, have undertaken rationalization of the Time Table, including rationalization of train  services  &  stoppages,  in a scientific  manner  with  the assistance  of  IIT-Bombay.  As  a  part  of  the  exercise,  services  of 19023/24  Mumbai-Firozpur  Janta  Express  and  stoppage  of  19019/20 Bandra (T)-Haridwar Express at Tuglakabad station have been discontinued.   Passengers  of  Tughlakabad  may  avail  the  services  of 19019/20  Bandra  (T)-Haridwar  Express  from  Faridabad  (10  km)  and Hazrat Nizamuddin (11 km).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 29 (STARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Internet Shutdowns
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri P V Midhun Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 29 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 TH  JULY, 2024

## INTERNET SHUTDOWNS

## *29. SHRI P V MIDHUN REDDY:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that internet shutdowns in their current form prohibit access to all types of information and services on the internet;
- (b) whether the Government has taken any steps to provide rules to selectively restrict the use of certain services instead of banning the internet as a whole to ensure minimum inconvenience to the general public and meet the objectives such as curbing misinformation; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)

- (a) to (c) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a)  TO  (c)  OF  THE  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 29 FOR 24 TH  JULY, 2024 REGARDING 'INTERNET SHUTDOWNS.'

(a) On  the  occurrence  of  any  public  emergency,  or  in  the  interest  of  public  safety,  Central Government  or  State  Governments  are  empowered  to  issue  orders  for  temporary  suspension  of internet service as per the provisions contained in the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017.

In temporary suspensions of internet services in a region, only internet services are suspended temporarily, and other communication services like voice calling and Short Message Service (SMS) remain available during the suspension period of internet services, through which people in the region can communicate and access emergency communication services.

(b) & (c) No.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 28 (STARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Production of High Purity Silicon
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Thiru Arun Nehru

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *28

TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024

## PRODUCTION OF HIGH PURITY SILICON

## *28.   THIRU ARUN NEHRU:

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

(a) whether the  Government has taken any action for indigenous production of high  purity  silicon  keeping  in  view  that  India  is  fast  becoming  an  electronic assembly hub with large factories being setup in Tamil Nadu and the main  raw material, silicon is currently being imported and is a weak link on Industrial and national security grounds;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether any one has applied for indigenous production under the PLI scheme; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (d):     A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT  REFFERED  TO  IN  THE  REPLY  TO  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO*28 FOR 24.07.2024 REGARDING PRODUCTION OF HIGH PURITY SILICON

- ...........

(a)  to  (d):      Under  the  aegis  of  National  Policy  on  Electronic  (NPE  2019), Government  has  formulated  Scheme  for  Promotion  of  manufacturing  of Electronic  Components  and  Semiconductors  ('SPECS').  Among  many  other eligible electronic goods, the SPECS scheme also covers for manufacturing of Semiconductor wafers, Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) wafers and Solar Photovoltaic (SPV)  Polysilicon  which  are  made  from  high  purity  silicon.  The  scheme provides a financial incentive of 25% on the eligible capital expenditure. The scheme was notified on 01.04.2020 and was open to receive applications upto 31.03.2024. Under the scheme, so far 49 applications with project cost of Rs. 14,120.66 crore have been approved.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 27 (STARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Establishment of Railway Division at Kalaburagi
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri  Radhakrishna

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 27 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024

## ESTABLISHMENT OF RAILWAY DIVISION AT KALABURAGI

*27. SHRI RADHAKRISHNA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether  it  is  a  fact  that  budget  was  sanctioned  in  the  interim budget of 2014-15 for establishing a Railway Division at Kalaburagi;
- (b)   if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether there has been a considerable delay in sanctioning the said railway division; and
- (d) if so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons  for  the  delay  in sanctioning this railway division?

## 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 STARRED QUESTION  NO.27  BY  SHRI  RADHAKRISHNA  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK SABHA ON 24.07.2024 REGARDING ESTABLISHMENT OF RAILWAY DIVISION AT KALABURAGI

(a)  to  (d):  Work  for  establishing  a  railway  division  at  Kalaburagi  was  not sanctioned in interim budget of 2014-15. A  committee  of  senior  railway  officers  was  constituted  to  analyze  and review  the feasibility of creation of 3 divisions,  including  Gulbarga (Kalaburagi), announced during the presentation of interim railway budget of 2014-15.  The Committee, after examining all the relevant issues from operational, financial, administrative and other aspects of railway working, did  not  find  the  creation  of  these  3  new  divisions  justified.  Based  on findings of the committee, the proposal of creation of new division was not taken forward.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 24 (STARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Resumption of Discontinued Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Gyaneshwar Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 24 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024

## RESUMPTION OF DISCONTINUED TRAINS

†*24 SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the government proposes to resume the operations of train number 22111/22112 between Bhusawal and Nagpur which was discontinued during COVID times;
- (b) if so, the date by which the services of the said trains are likely to be resumed; and
- (c)  if  not,  the  details  of  the  efforts  being  made  by  the  Government to help  and  overcome  the  difficulties  being  faced  by  the  public  due  to discontinuation of services of the said trains?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING 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 STARRED QUESTION NO. 24 BY SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 24.07.2024 REGARDING RESUMPTION OF DISCONTINUED TRAINS

(a) to    (c)  Indian  Railways,  with  a  view  to  provide  better  passenger safety by creating maintenance corridor blocks, minimizing conflicts in existing Time Table etc.,  have undertaken rationalization of time-table, in a scientific manner with the assistance of IIT-Bombay. As a part of rationalization  of  Time  Table,  the  services  of  22111/22112  BhusavalNagpur  Express  via Itarsi has been  discontinued.   However,  the Bhusaval-Nagpur sector is presently being served by 43 pairs of trains. Besides,  introduction  of  new  train  services  is  an  ongoing  process  on Indian Railways subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, availability of resources etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 458 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Consumers Rights
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Thiru Dr. S Jagathratchakan

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 458

TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024

## CONSUMERS RIGHTS

## 458. SHRI S JAGATHRATCHAKAN:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government concurs with the view that it is important for consumers to be educated about consumer rights and practice them in their daily lives;
- (b) if so, the details of the initiatives that have been taken/being taken by the Government to involve the
- citizens and make them aware about consumer rights and the protection of those rights; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h ¼ Jh ch-,y- oekZ½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI B.L. VERMA)

(a) to (c) :  The Department of Consumer Affairs is implementing an exclusive scheme namely 'Consumer Awareness' to generate consumer awareness and empower the consumers under the aegis of 'Jago Grahak Jago' campaign through various media including electronic, outdoor and social media. The Department, in 2022-23,  has  launched  'Jagriti',  a  mascot  for  empowering  consumers  and  generating  awareness  of  their rights. The Department participates in prominent fairs/festivals/events where a large number of people may congregate. The Department also provides grant-in-aid to various States/UTs for generating awareness at local level.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 457 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Vandalisation of Churches
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Kodikunnil Suresh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 457

ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024

## VANDALISATION OF CHURCHES

## 457. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state :

(a) whether the Government is aware of repeated instances of churches being vandalized in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and continuing assaults on Christian missionaries and priests in various North Indian States by the right-wing affiliated organizations;

- (b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken in this regard;
- (c) whether the Government has sought reports from the said State Governments in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a)  to  (d):  As  per  the  information  received  from  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs,  'Public  Order'  and 'Police' are State subjects as per the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. The responsibility of maintaining law and order, registration and prosecution of crimes against all citizens, rests with the respective  State  Governments.  The  State  Governments  are  competent  to  deal  with  such  offences under the extant provisions of laws. Specific data regarding attacks against individual communities or their places of worship is not maintained centrally.

Government  of  India  monitors  the  internal  security  and  law  and  order  situation  in  the country  and  assist  the  State  Governments  in  case  of  major  law  and  order  problems  by  deploying Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) on the request of State Governments.

Further, the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has been set up by Government, which looks into specific complaints regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of the minorities and take up such matters with the appropriate authorities. As per the mandate, the Commission takes appropriate action on reports and complaints received from time to time as per the requirement and refer them to the concerned State Government for necessary action.
Lok Sabha Question No. 456 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Digital Connectivity in Rural Areas
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Dr. Kirsan Namdeo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 456 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 TH  JULY, 2024

## DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY IN RURAL AREAS

## 456 DR. KIRSAN NAMDEO:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  sufficient  digital  connectivity  to  the  rural population as only 33 per cent of the rural population in the country has access to the internet; and
- (b) the other effective steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) As of April 2024, out of 6,44,131 villages in the country (villages data as per Registrar General of India), around 6,20,629 villages i.e., 96.35 % villages are having mobile connectivity in the  country  with  6,12,952  villages  having  3G/4G  mobile  network  coverage  indicating  access  to internet to 95.15 % of the total rural population.

To further improve telecom connectivity in the country, Government is implementing various schemes like: -

-  Provision of mobile connectivity project under Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan (CTDP)  for  the  North-Eastern  Region  and  Islands  and Mobile  connectivity  projects  for providing telecommunication connectivity in Aspirational Districts, Left Wing Extremism (LWE) area, Border Areas and 4G saturation project.
-  BharatNet project which aims to provide broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 450 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Advisory to Artificial Intelligence Companies
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Manickam Tagore B

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 450

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 24.07.2024

## ADVISORY TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COMPANIES

## 450.   SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B:

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

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  government  has  withdrawn  contentious  advisories  required  for Artificial  Intelligence  companies  to  obtain  Government  permission  to  make  their  products available to users online in India;
- (b) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  said  advisory  had  drawn  sharp  criticism  from  tech  companies expressing that the Government has no legal power to issue advisories;
- (c) whether  it  is  also  true  that  both  advisories  warn  AI  firms  against  bias  or  discrimination  or threat posed to the integrity of the electoral process; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d):  Ministry of Electronics and IT ('MeitY') has issued advisories from time to time, to intermediaries/platforms for ensuring compliance with applicable laws including The Information Technology Act, 2000 and rules made thereunder. These advisories are issued after consultations with stakeholders. The  Government  is  committed  to harnessing the power  of  emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence ('AI') for the good of our people, while containing the risks that arise due to such use.

********