opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3073 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: IIAS-DARPG India Conference 2025
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Shri Shashank Mani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS AND PUBLIC GRIEVANCES)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3073 (ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025)

## IIAS-DARPG INDIA CONFERENCE 2025

## 3073. SHRI SHASHANK MANI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the manner in which the participation of 58 countries in the IIAS-DARPG India Conference 2025 contributed to advancing administrative reforms in India;
- (b) the manner in which the conference addressed the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital transformation in governance;
- (c) whether the Government plans to introduce follow-up training programmes or collaborations to strengthen administrative capabilities and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the action plan formulated by the Government to implement the key recommendations emerging from the conference?

## 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) to (d):  As a Member State of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences, India hosted the  IIAS-DARPG  India  Conference  2025  from  February  10-14,  2025  on  the  theme  'Next Generation Administrative Reforms: Empowering Citizens and Reaching the Last Mile'. India brought  out  a  seminal  book  publication  under  the  IIAS  publication  series  titled  'Viksit Bharat@2047:Governance  Transformed'  to  advance  international  knowledge  creation  and exchange in public administration. The Conference witnessed presentation of over 300 Research papers in Plenary/ Breakout sessions from delegates representing 58-member countries. A number of research papers focused on digital transformation in governance using AI, including papers from Indian  delegates.  This  Conference  is  an  academic  multilateral  forum  for  dissemination  of knowledge.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3068 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Resumption of Maduadih Express
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Sunil Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3068 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025

## RESUMPTION OF MADUADIH EXPRESS

†3068. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  operation  of  Maduadih  Express  train  (12537  and  12538) from Muzaffarpur to Varanasi via Bettiah-Narkatiyaganj has remained discontinued for a very long time period;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  the  Government proposes to resume the said train operation in the near future;
- (c) whether a large number of people from North Bihar travel through this route for treatment and education at BHU and for religious tourism to Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and places in Vindhyachal region; and
- (d) if so, whether the Government is likely to resume the operation of the said train at the earliest or proposes to introduce a new train on this route?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (d)  Operation  of  12537/12538  Muzaffarpur-Prayagraj  Rambag Express(via  Banaras),  which  remained  temporarily  discontinued  from 02.12.2024 to 26.02.2025 due to foggy weather conditions, has been resumed w.e.f. 03.03.2025.

Besides, Muzaffarpur-Banaras sector is presently  being  served  by  11 pairs of train services.  Moreover, introduction of new train services is an ongoing process on Indian Railways subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, resource availability etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3066 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Vandalism against AC Coaches Trains in Bihar
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri M K Raghavan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  3066

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025

## VANDALISM AGAINST AC COACHES TRAINS IN BIHAR

## 3066.   SHRI M K RAGHAVAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  have  been  any  incidents  of  vandalism  against  AC coaches of trains in Bihar during February 2025;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the RPF has registered FIR in the matter; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof including the estimated loss incurred by the Railways due to the incident of vandalism;

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d):  'Police'  and  'Public  Order'  are  State  subjects  under  the  Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India and, therefore, State Governments are responsible for prevention, detection, registration and investigation of crime law enforcement agencies viz. Government Railway Police (GRP)/District Police. Railway  Protection  Force  (RPF)  supplements  the  efforts  of  GRP/District property, and maintenance of law and order on Railways through their Police to provide better protection and security to railway passenger area and passengers and for matters connected therewith.

During  February  2025,  12  cases  have  been  registered  in  the  incidents  of vandalism against AC coaches of trains in Bihar, in which Indian  Railways has suffered loss of Rs. 1,49,817/-.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3061 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Research and Develoment in Air Mobility Solution
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Nishikant Dubey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3061

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025

## RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN AIR MOBILITY SOLUTION

3061. DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)    the  details  of  the  funding  provided  by  the  Government  for  the research and development in Air Mobility solution;
- (b) the estimated timeline for the completion of the proposed 11.5km Hyperloop track;
- (c) the expected benefits of Hyperloop technology in terms of speed, energy efficiency, and environmental impact;
- (d)  whether the Government plans to scale up Hyperloop technology for commercial transportation; and
- (e)  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (e):   Hyperloop is an emerging technology and is at nascent stage  of  development.    The  technical  and  safety  parameters  of Hyperloop are yet to be framed worldwide. Hyperloop is expected to be faster, more energy efficient and sustainable than other transportation  modes.    As  an  initiative,  Research  Designs  and Standards  Organisation (RDSO),  a unit  under  Ministry  of Railways,

has  signed  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU)  with  IIT/Madras with  a  funding  of  Rs.20.89  crores  for  setting  up  a  Centre  of Excellence for Hyperloop technology with the objective of development of sub scale model of Pod, Test Track & Vacuum Tube facility  of  the  futuristic  full  scale  Hyperloop  at  IIT/Madras  for validation of this technology.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3059 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Frequency of Vande Bharat Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Com. Selvaraj V

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3059 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025

## FREQUENCY OF VANDE BHARAT TRAINS

3059. COM. SELVARAJ V:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)   the   details   of   the   Vande   Bharat   trains   introduced   so   far   with   frequencies of each route;
- (b)    the    details    of    Vande    Bharat   trains   proposed   to   be   introduced   during   the current year;
- (c)   whether   the   Government   has   any   plan   to   introduce   Vande   Bharat   sleeper trains;
- (d)    if    so,    the    details    of    the    routes    selected    and    expected    timeline    of    their operation;
- (e)   whether   it   is   a   fact   that   after   the   introduction   of   the   Vande   Bharat   trains, there    has    been    inordinate    delays    in    the    schedules    of    other    trains    in    such routes; and
- (f)    if    so,    the    details    and    steps    being    taken    to    reschedule    the    time    table   of other trains so that the passengers are not put into troubles?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)   to (f) As   on   18 th ,   March,   2025,   136 Vande   Bharat   train   services,   having Chair Cars, are operational on Indian Railways. On Indian Railways, passenger   train    services,   including   Vande   Bharat   services,   are   operated   as per    charted    time    table    and    General   Order   of   Precedence   of   Trains,   without infringing   other   services   and   all   efforts are   made   to   run   trains   as   per   their schedule.   Of   the   136   Vande   Bharat   services,   122   services   are   operating   as   6 -days   a   week,   02   services   as   4-days   a   week,   08   services   as   Tri-weekly   and 04 services as weekly services. Besides,   introduction   of   new   train   services,   including   Vande   Bharat   services and   its   variants,   is   an   ongoing   process   on   Indian   Railways   subject   to   traffic justification, operational feasibility, resource availability, etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3057 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Socio-Economic Challenges faced by Minorities
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Zia Ur Rehman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3057

ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025

## SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHALLENGES FACED BY MINORITIES

## 3057. SHRI ZIA UR REHMAN:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has taken cognizance of the socio-economic challenges faced by minority communities in the country;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  the  initiatives  proposed  by  the  Government  to  enhance  education, employment and welfare opportunities for minorities in the coming years;
- (c) whether the Government has launched any new scheme for the socio-economic empowerment of minorities in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the plan of the Government for providing scholarships to the students of minority communities indicating the changes made in this regard as compared to the previous years?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (d): Yes. The Government of India has been striving to improve the socio-economic status of all communities, including minority communities, through various schemes and incentives through a saturation  model,  thereby  ensuring  that  socio-economic  status  of  all  communities  at  par  with  the national mainstream. Ministry of Minority Affairs specifically implements various schemes across the  country  for  socio-economic  and  educational  empowerment  of  the  six  (6)  centrally  notified minority  communities.  These  schemes  are  meant  for  the  weaker  segments  of  minority.  The schemes/programmes implemented by Minority Affairs for the welfare of minority communities are as under:

## 1.  Educational Empowerment Schemes

- (i) Pre-Matric, (ii) Post-Matric and (iii) Merit-cum-Means based scholarships

## 2.  Employment and Economic Empowerment Schemes

- (i) Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS)
- (ii) Equity to National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) for providing concessional loans to minorities.

## 3. Infrastructural Development Scheme

- (i) Pradham Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakaram (PMJVK)

All the  schemes  together  have contributed in the acquisition of high level skills, greater opportunities  in  livelihood,  high  employability  potential,  improved  access  to  better  infrastructure, improved health and in the overall welfare of the Minority Communities.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3056 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: New Railway Line Passing through Telangana State
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3056

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025

NEW RAILWAY LINE PASSING THROUGH TELANGANA STATE

3056.  SHRI CHAMALA KIRAN KUMAR REDDY:

## Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the Government  of Telangana has requested for sanctioning  the  100%  Railway  cost  for  construction  of  new Railway  lines  which  are  passing  through  Telangana  State especially from Vikarabad to Krishna connecting Parigi, Kodangal, Chitlapalle, Tekalkode, Ravalpalle, Matoor, Doulatabad, Damargidda, Narayanpet and Makthal; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) and (b) Final Location Survey for new line between Vikarabad and Krishna (121.70 km) connecting Chitlapalle, Parigi, Kondagal, Tekalkode,  Ravalpalle,  Matoor,  Doulatabad,  Damargidda,  Narayanpet and Maktal  has been sanctioned for preparation of Detailed  Project Report(DPR). The physical survey work has been completed. Government  of  Telangana  has  requested  to  sanction  the  project  at

100% Railway cost.

Sanction  of  project  requires  consultation  with  various  stake-holder including State Government and necessary approvals viz. appraisal of NITI Aayog, Ministry of Finance etc. Timelines can be estimated only after approval process is completed.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3050 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Minerals to Milestones Pavilion at IITF 2024
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Ravindra Shukla Alias Ravi Kishan, Shri Khagen Murmu, Shri Gajendra  Singh Patel, Smt. Kamlesh Jangde, Shri Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †3050

ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025

## MINERALS TO MILESTONES PAVILION AT IITF  2024

†3050 SHRI CHHATRAPAL SINGH GANGWAR:

SHRI RAVINDRA SHUKLA ALIAS RAVI KISHAN:

SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH PATEL:

SHRI KHAGEN MURMU:

SMT. KAMLESH JANGDE:

Will the Minister of MINES be please to state:

- (a) the key objectives of the 'Minerals to Milestones' pavilion, presented at the IITF 2024;
- (b) the  manner  in  which  the  said  pavilion  aligns-with  the  vision  of  the  developed India 2047;
- (c) whether the Ministry has carried out any assessment of the impact of innovations in the mining sector on local employment creation and economic growth; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b)    The key objectives of 'Minerals to Milestones' pavilion of  Ministry of Mines at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2024, New Delhi are to showcase the essential role minerals play in fostering a self-reliant India and achieving key national milestones, with  a  focus  on  sustainable  and  innovative  mining  practices.    Mineral  security  is important for the vision of 'Viksit Bharat' 2047, for which focused attention has been laid on key drivers such as exploration, auctioning and operationalizing of mineral blocks, recycling, research & development and skilling. Most of these aspects were showcased in the pavilion, thereby aligning with the Vision of a developed India 2047.
- (c)  &  (d)      Key  innovations  in  the  mining  sector  over  the  last  ten  years  include introduction  of  auction  method  for  allocation  of  mineral  blocks,  setting  up  of  National Mineral Exploration Trust to fund exploration activity uniform lease period of 50 years

and setting up of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) to undertake welfare activities for people in mining areas which also include supporting various Self Help Groups (SHGs.) in DMF Districts.  Many of these SHGs also presented and sold their products of value of  above  8  lakhs  in  IITF.  These  innovations  have  led  to  increase  in  employment  and contributed to economic  growth. As  per a Study, 'Human  Resource  and  Skill Requirement in the Mining Sector in India 2019-2025', conducted by the Skill Council for Mining Sector (SCMS), total employment in mining sector stood at 117 lakh in 201819,  and  incremental  employment  from  2019-2025  at  8.5  lakh.  Mining  and  quarrying sector contributes about 2 percent of India's Gross Domestic Product.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3049 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Transfer of Pension Fund of Employees
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Dr. M K Vishnu Prasad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3049 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025

## Transfer of Pension Fund of Employees

## 3049. Dr. M K Vishnu Prasad:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) the reasons for transferring the pension fund of nearly 360 crores of the Neyveli Lignite Corporation  Limited  (NLC)  employees  from  the  Government  undertaking  Life  Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India to the private entity ICICI bank;
- (b) whether such proposals/decisions are brought to the notice of the Ministry and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the advantages of depositing pension fund in a private entity over Government run LIC?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) :  NLCIL  is  operating  Superannuation  Funds  under  the  names  'NLC  Employees' (Executives and Non-Unionized Supervisors) Superannuation Fund' and 'NLCIL Employees' (Non-Executives & Workmen) Superannuation Fund' for providing pension /superannuation benefits to its employees with effect from 1 st January, 2007 through the respective Trusts. On receipt of Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) OM for voluntary adoption of New Pension Scheme  administered  by  Pension  Fund  Regulatory  and  Development  Authority  (PFRDA), option was given to the members of both the Funds for switch over to National Pension System (NPS). In order to implement National Pension System (NPS), NLCIL was required to appoint a  Point  of  Presence  (POP) and accordingly M/s ICICI Bank  Limited (M/s ICICI) has been engaged as POP through open tendering procedure. M/s ICICI is a recognized POP of PFRDA. POPs are the Service providers appointed by PFRDA and its functions include assisting in the creation/migration  of  individual  PRAN  (Permanent  Retirement  Account  Number)  and extending  customer  services  to  NPS  subscribers.  Based  on  the  willingness  received  from members  (NLCIL  employees),  Corpus  Fund  from  NLCIL  Superannuation  Fund  is  being transferred to National Pension System (NPS).
- (b) : Department of Public Enterprises requested all the Administrative Ministries by its Office Memorandum dated 26 th  April, 2024 to bring to the notice the details of NPS to the CPSEs for its implementation.
- (c) : The pension fund will be under National Pension Fund System (NPS) introduced by the Central Government and NPS is operated under strict supervision of PFRDA.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3046 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Cancelled or Discontinued Scholarship Schemes for Minorities
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Kodikunnil Suresh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3046

ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025

## CANCELLED OR DISCONTINUED SCHOLARSHIP SCHEMES FOR MINORITIES

## 3046. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of Minority Affairs be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of scholarships and financial assistance schemes for students from minority communities that have been cancelled, discontinued or merged during the last ten years;
- (b) the total number of beneficiaries under these scholarships before their cancellation and the reasons cited for their discontinuation;
- (c) whether the Government has introduced alternative scholarship schemes to replace the discontinued schemes and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the cancellation of these scholarships has adversely affected the students from minority communities and if so, whether any study or assessment has been conducted on its the impact;
- (e) the measures being taken by the Government to ensure continued financial assistance for  students  from  minority  communities  particularly  those  from  economically  weaker sections; and
- (f) the details of financial allocation and expenditure incurred upon all scholarships and financial assistance schemes for students from minority communities?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (e): Ministry of Minority Affairs implements various schemes for socio-economic empowerment of  the six (6) centrally notified minority communities including various educational  empowerment  Schemes  such  as  (i)  Pre-Matric,  (ii)  Post-Matric  and  (iii) Merit-cum-Means based scholarships which are implemented across the country covering rural as well as urban areas.

The Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 makes it obligatory for the Government to provide free and compulsory elementary education (classes I to VIII) to each and every child.  Accordingly,  Pre-Matric  Scholarship  Scheme  has  been  restricted  to  students studying  in  classes  IX  and  X.  Similarly,  considering  the  overlap  of  Maulana  Azad National  Fellowship  and  Padho  Pardesh  interest  subsidy  scheme  for  over  studies,  with similar  schemes  of  other  Ministries/  Departments,  the  schemes  have  been  discontinued from 2022-23. Moreover, the schemes have not been approved for implementation for the year 2024-25.

A total of about 8.30 crore scholarships were awarded to minority students since inception of the aforesaid schemes.

Similar scholarship schemes,  implemented  by  the  Ministries  of  Social Justice  & Empowerment, Tribal Affairs, Education, etc, are available to  the minority students for continued financial assistance.

(f):  Out of budget allocation of ₹ 10432.53 crore, ₹ 7369.95 crore have been expended under the aforesaid schemes during the last five years including 2024-25.