opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5259 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Irregularities in the selection process in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Kuldeep Indora

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5259 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.04.2025

## IRREGULARITIES IN THE SELECTION PROCESS IN RAILWAYS

## 5259. SHRI KULDEEP INDORA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  various  irregularities noticed in the process of selection to several posts in the Railways; and
- (b) if  so,  the  measures  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to ensure that the selection process is transparent and foolproof?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) & (b) Railways have a robust system of Career progression involving multiple system of promotions:-
- (i)
- (ii)
- Promotion through Departmental Examination;
- Promotion through Skill Test;
- (iii) Promotion through Seniority-cum-Suitability

Most of the promotions are done through skill test & through Senioritycum-Suitability.    A  small  percentage  of  the  overall  promotion  is  done through Departmental Examination. In the recent past, some irregularities in existing system of departmental examination has been noticed.  This Government is committed to probity and transparency in public  service.    Therefore,  it  was  decided  to  revisit  the  system  of departmental examination.

Railway  Recruitment  Boards  (RRBs)  have  a  proven  track  record  of holding  fair  and  transparent  examination.  The  process  adopted  by Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) for conducting of examination is time tested.  The expertise is being leveraged for Department Examination.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5258 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Rehabilitation of Families/Habitants of Railway Land
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Arup Chakraborty

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5258 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.04.2025

## REHABILITATION OF FAMILIES/HABITANTS OF RAILWAY LAND

## 5258. SHRI ARUP CHAKRABORTY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether Government has decided to evict more than 5000 habitants of Ardra area from railway land, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  total  area  of  railway  land  available  towards  Nituria block side portion and land required for siding construction; and
- (c) the details of the proposal of the Government to run the existing school
- of the area and rehabilitation of families and habitants therein?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): Adra railway station located in the state of West Bengal has been identified for development under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Availability of encumbrance  free  land  is  an  important  component  for  any  infrastructure project.  For  the  ongoing  development  work  under  Amrit  Bharat  Station Scheme at Adra Station, eviction notices have been served to people living unauthorisedly on Railway land in Adra under the Public Premises (Eviction

of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971.

The total area of railway land available towards Nituria Block side portion is 91.20 Hectare out of which 3.24 Hectare of land has been handed over to Gati  Shakti  Multimodal  Cargo  Terminal  (GCT)  operator  for  construction  of Terminal.

Presently,  no  eviction  notice  has  been  issued  to  any  school  falling  in encroached  area.  The  schools  on  railway  land  in  the  Adra  Division  will continue  to  run  as  per  the  provision  of  the  land  agreement  executed between school authorities and railway administration. In order to get the railway land vacated, sufficient opportunity is given by railway administration  to  people  occupying  railway  land  unauthorisedly  before undertaking any action for eviction to minimise the hardship to the people. Also, railways co-operate with State Government to ensure proper resettlement of the displaced people.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5251 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Clean Energy Projects  in Uttar Pradesh
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Ravindra Shukla Alias Ravi Kishan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5251

ANSWERED ON 02/04/2025

## CLEAN ENERGY PROJECTS IN UTTAR PRADESH

## 5251. SHRI RAVINDRA SHUKLA ALIAS RAVI KISHAN

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

- (a) the funds received by Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh for clean energy projects under National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF);
- (b) the areas implementing clean energy projects such as solar, wind, bio-energy in Gorakhpur;
- (c) the role of local communities in the development and operation of the said clean energy projects in Gorakhpur;
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to reduce dependence on non-renewable energy sources in the district; and
- (e) the impact of NCEF on reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable development in Gorakhpur?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e) As per the information received from the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, National  Clean Energy  &  Environment  Fund  (NCEEF)  was  created  out  of  cess  on  coal  produced/ imported, through Finance Bill 2010-11. All the states were eligible for NCEEF support. Subsequently, the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act 2017, which has been notified in April 2017, provides that coal cess, along with some other cess would constitute Goods and Services Tax (GST) Compensation Fund and the same would be utilized to compensate the States for five years for potential losses on account of GST implementation.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5250 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: New Railway Line between Lalganj- Gorakhpur
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Daroga Prasad Saroj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5250 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.04.2025

## NEW RAILWAY LINE BETWEEN LALGANJ-GORAKHPUR

†5250. SHRI DAROGA PRASAD SAROJ:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- whether the Government proposes to construct a new railway line to connect Lalganj Parliamentary Constituency to Gorakhpur via
- (a) Azamgarh; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) and (b): Shahganj-Azamgarh stretch of Shahganj-Azamgarh-Mau is situated in the area falling under Lalganj Parliamentary Constituency. This section is already connected to Gorakhpur via Mau and Bhatni. Doubling of Shahganj-Mau and Bhatni-Mau has also been taken up to improve train operation in Shahganj-Azamgarh-Mau-Bhatni-Gorakhpur section.

In addition, the  work  of  Sahjanwa  (near Gorakhpur)-Dohrighat  new  line (81 Km) has also been taken up. With the construction of this line, areas situated under Lalganj Constituency will be connected to Gorakhpur via alternate route of Shahganj-Azamgarh-Mau-Indara-Dohrighat-Sahjanwa.

Further, survey for new railway line from Varanasi-Gorakhpur via Lalganj and Azamgarh (124 Km) has been completed. Cost of the project has been assessed as ₹3546 crore. The project has low traffic projections.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5247 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Visakhapatnam Growth Plan Report
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Shri Khagen Murmu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.

## 5247 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.04.2025

## VISAKHAPATNAM GROWTH PLAN REPORT

## 5247. SHRI KHAGEN MURMU:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) the status of the Visakhapatnam Growth Plan Report by NITI Aayog;
- (b) whether the feasibility and availability of natural resources is being focussed upon in the Visakhapatnam Growth Plan;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the areas that would be focussed upon in the development plan report?

## 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  (d)  NITI  Aayog,  in  2023,  conceived  of  the  Growth  Hubs  initiative  to  undertake  the development of cities as engines of growth. The approach was to identify city regions going  beyond  urban  boundaries  and  develop  an  economic  plan  based  on  three  key components  (i)  Economic  and  Investment  plan;  (ii)  Quality  of  Life;  and  (iii) Inclusivity  and  Sustainability  plan.  To  develop  the  process  template  four  pilot  sites were  selected,  viz.  Mumbai  Metropolitan  Region  (MMR),  Varanasi,  Surat  and Vishakhapatnam which were positioned as the centres of the economic region. In each Economic Region, specific economic plans have been developed on the basis of a 5stage process, viz. (i) As-is-diagnostic, (ii) Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT), Endowments & Capability analysis, (iii) Economic Visioning,

(iv)  Selection  of  key  economic  growth  drivers  and  (v)  Implementation  Framework.  The project report presents specific interventions by way of key projects and policy prescriptions. The  Economic  plans  for  Mumbai  and  Surat  were  launched  in  September  2024,  while  the plans for Varanasi and Visakhapatnam are being finalised.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5244 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Awareness Campaign  for PM-SGMBY
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Rambhual Nishad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5244

ANSWERED ON 02/04/2025

## AWARENESS CAMPAIGN FOR PM-SGMBY

## 5244. SHRI RAMBHUAL NISHAD

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

- (a) whether the State Government officials organizé camps at the Gram Sabha level to raise awareness among the villagers regarding the Pradhan Mantri-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY);
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether low quality solar panels are being installed under the said yojana due to the collusion with Government officials; and
- (d) the number of households selected under the said yojana and the number of houses where the solar panels have been installed so far in Sultanpur district of Uttar Pradesh?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

(a)  &  (b)  To  raise  awareness  among the villagers regarding the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY), states have taken initiatives, which inter alia include:

- Uttar Pradesh New & Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) has organised over 1500 awareness camps including at Gram Sabha level, across all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh.
- Pashchim Gujarat DISCOM and Jammu DISCOM have undertaken promotional activities at Gram Sabha and Panchayati Raj institution levels respectively.

In addition, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is creating awareness for the PMSG: MBY through awareness and outreach program such as print advertising in leading newspapers, TV commercials campaigns, Radio campaigns across FM stations including regional channels, etc.

- (c)  Under  PMSG: MBY  it  is  mandatory  to  use  solar  modules  manufactured  in  the  country  using domestically  manufactured  solar  cells.  Further,  Ministry  has  Approved  List  of  Modules  and Manufacturers (ALMM) and it is mandatory to procure solar modules only that are approved under the  ALMM.  In  addition,  to  ensure  the  quality  and  reliability  of  solar  equipment  being  used  for installation of rooftop solar plants under the Scheme, Ministry has prescribed detailed specification for the solar modules, inverters and other balance of plant. This is also checked by the DISCOMs at the time of inspection. Therefore, adequate checks have been made in the scheme to ensure quality of solar panels.
- (d) The PMSG: MBY is open for all residential consumers, with a valid consumer account number from an electric distribution utility (i.e. DISCOM) across the country including the Sultanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. As on 26.3.2025, a total of 561 households have reported installed rooftop solar under the scheme in Sultanpur district of Uttar Pradesh.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5240 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Open Market Sale Scheme for Domestic Purpose
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Shri Rajesh Ranjan

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5240

(ANSWERED ON 02.04.2025)

## OPEN MARKET SALE SCHEME FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSE

## †5240. SHRI RAJESH RANJAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that under Open Market Sale Scheme for Domestic Purpose (OMSS-D), about five lakh metric tonnes of wheat was allocated to Kendriya Bhandar for sale of atta during the launch of Bharat Brand Scheme Phase-1 to provide atta to the common consumers at subsidized rates;
- (b) if so, whether Kendriya Bhandar has sold only nine lakh bags through its retail shops during the period from 2023 to January 2025 against the target fixed for selling about 4 crore bags of 10 kg Bharat Atta manufactured from the allotted wheat;
- (c)  if  so,  whether  Kendriya  Bhandar  sold  the  remaining  Bharat  Atta  bags  in  the  open  market  by taking a bribe of Rs. 3 to 4 per kg thereby leading to scam of about Rs. 250 to 300 crore;
- (d) if so, whether the Government proposes to conduct a performance audit and investigation by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and CBI respectively; and (e) if so, the details thereof?

## 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): Bharat Atta was launched on 6.11.2023 with a view to provide atta (wheat flour) to general consumers at subsidized rates under Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) policy through SemiGovernment and Cooperative Organizations like Kendriya Bhandar/NAFED/NCCF and tie-ups of these Organizations with other retail outlets (like  SAFAL in Delhi, other retail chains/cooperatives  in  other  States)  to  make  Bharat  Atta  available  at  large  number  of  outlets throughout the country. A quantity of 5,09,000 MT of wheat was allocated to Kendriya Bhandar for sale as Bharat Atta  during Phase-I.
- (b)  and  (c):  5,07,399  MT  of  wheat  was lifted for Bharat  Atta  by Kendriya  Bhandar from  FCI during Phase-1 and entire quantity of lifted wheat was sold as Bharat Atta.
- (d) and (e): No such proposal is under consideration.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5239 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Energy Storage System
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Balabhadra Majhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5239

ANSWERED ON 02/04/2025

## ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM

## 5239. SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI

Will the Minister of New and Renewable Energy be pleased to state:

- (a) the manner in which the co-location of Energy Storage Systems (ESSs) with solar PV enhance grid stability and reliability in India;
- (b) the expected benefits of mandating a minimum two-hour ESS duration for future solar PV tenders;
- (c) the manner in which the integration of storage with solar PV contributes to India's goal of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel generation by 2030; and
- (d) the manner in which introduction of double-cycle operation for energy storage improves power availability during the peak demand period;

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Renewable Energy sources are variable and intermittent in nature and Co-locating Energy Storage Systems (ESS) with Solar PV enhances grid stability by addressing intermittency and variability and ensuring reliable power supply. Co-located Energy Storage Systems can help by storing excess Solar PV energy generation during solar hours and supply the same during nonSolar  hours  and  during  peak  demand.  This  also  enables  peak  load  management,  frequency regulation, reduces Renewable Energy curtailment and enhances grid resilience.
- (b)  Central  Electricity  Authority  (CEA),  Ministry  of  Power  on  18/02/2025  has  issued  an 'Advisory on co-locating Energy Storage Systems with Solar Power Projects to enhance grid stability and cost efficiency'. Mandating a minimum 2-hour Energy Storage Systems in future Solar PV tenders can enhance the grid reliability and mitigate intermittency issues by ensuring consistent power supply during peak demand periods, and reducing reliance on conventional power sources.
- (c) India has set a target of achieving 500 GW installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. As per the National Electricity Plan published by the Central Electricity Authority, in order to integrate the 364 GW of solar and 121 GW of wind capacity by 2031-32, India would require 411.4 GWh of storage capacity (175.18 GWh from PSP and 236.22 GWh from BESS). Integration of storage with Solar PV ensures a steady, reliable supply of power and facilitating a higher share of solar in the energy mix.
- (d) In double-cycle operation, energy storage can be charged not only from solar power but also from the grid during low-demand hours and can be discharged during peak periods and during non-solar hours. This approach enhances power availability, ensuring more stable and reliable energy supply to optimize the grid efficiency.
Lok Sabha Question No. 5238 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Employees in Rail Reservation Centres
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Laxmikant Pappu Nishad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5238

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.04.2025

## EMPLOYEES IN RAIL RESERVATION CENTRES

†5238. SHRI LAXMIKANT PAPPU NISHAD:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the number of employees and officers employed in  the  Rail  Reservation  Centre  along  with  the  number  of  years since then these employees and officers are employed;
- (b) the details of Chief Reservation Supervisors/Reservation Clerks who went on deputation and have been transferred back since 2006 along with the number of years, these Supervisors/Clerks have been working from;
- (c) whether rotation transfer applies to the employees and officers  of  Railways  have  proceeded  on  deputation,  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the employees working in the Rail Reservation Centre make reservations based on regionalism, caste, religion and any other special personal priority based on relation with any Member of Parliament and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (d): Transfer/Postings/Deputation of railway employees including  postings  in  Railway  Reservation  Centres  is  done  as  per prevailing  guidelines/norms  considering  administrative,  operation requirements and available vacancies.

Railway  employees  holding  sensitive  posts,  including  those  who frequently come into contact with public or/and contractors/suppliers,  are  required  to  be  transferred  out  of  their existing  post/seat  or  station  as  the  case  may  be,  after  specific period. The  instructions for periodical transfer of  Railway  employees includes  staff  of  Commercial  Department  (such  as  Commercial Supervisor, Reservation Clerks/Booking Clerks, Staff dealing with all types of Commercial Contracts/licenses, Ticket Checking staff etc.). Also,  employees  at  Reservation  Centre,  issue  ticket  following  the rules which are based on equity, transparency, fairness and equality. No discrimination is allowed in providing public services.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5237 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Lack of Broadband and fiber-optic Internet Connectivity
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Dharambir Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5237 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND  APRIL, 2025

## LACK OF BROADBAND AND FIBER-OPTIC INTERNET CONNECTIVITY

## 5237.   SHRI DHARAMBIR SINGH:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

(a) the number of villages in Bhiwani-Mahendragarh that still lack broadband and fiber-optic internet connectivity;

(b) the progress of BharatNet and other Government schemes aimed at providing high-speed internet access in the constituency;

(c) whether the Government has set any target to ensure 100% internet penetration in rural areas of Bhiwani-Mahendragarh, if so, the details thereof;

(d) the  number  of  public  Wi-fi  hotspots  established  under  the  Digital  India  initiative  in  the constituency; and

(e) whether  any  measures  are  being  taken  to  improve  telecom  and  internet  services  in educational institutions and small businesses in the region and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) In the Bhiwani-Mahendergarh constituency, 768 Gram Panchayats (GPs) have been made service ready under the BharatNet project. All villages in the constituency have 4G mobile coverage. Wi-Fi service is supported by equipment installed at many GPs. Further, under the Prime Minister's Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) framework, the total number of PM-WANI compliant Wi-Fi hotspots installed in Bhiwani and Mahendragarh districts are 226 and 51 respectively. Providing connectivity to remaining GPs and further strengthening of the network is under the scope of Amended BharatNet Program (ABP). ABP also includes connectivity to all non-GP villages on demand basis. Presently, process for selection of project implementation agency is under tender stage.

(e) In Haryana, 6,094 number of fiber to the home (FTTH) connections have been provided to educational institutions using the BharatNet network.

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