opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3287 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: Disinvestment of MMTC
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Srinivas Kesineni

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3287 ANSWERED ON 09/08/2023

## DISINVESTMENT OF MMTC

## 3287.   SHRI KESINENI SRINIVAS:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) the current status of the Government`s strategic disinvestment of equity shareholding from the Metals & Minerals and Trading Corporation of India Ltd. (MMTC);
- (b) whether MMTC is a loss-making CPSE and if so, the details of its profit/loss statements starting from FY 2012-13 including provisional data for the current year;
- (c) whether the Government is planning the closure of MMTC;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether the decision was based on recommendations of the Committee of Group of Officers under the Chairmanship of the NITI Aayog CEO and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jherh vuqfiz;k iVsy½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) , (c) , (d) & (e): The Government has not taken any decision on  strategic disinvestment of MMTC.

- (b): Profit/Loss statement of MMTC from FY 2012-13 to 2022-23 is given below:

(

Rs. in Crore)

| Year        |   2012- 13 |   2013- 14 |   2014- 15 |   2015- 16 |   2016- 17 |   2017- 18 |   2018- 19 |   2019-20 |
|-------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|-----------|
| Profit/Loss |     -70.62 |      18.64 |      47.91 |      54.86 |      57.06 |      48.84 |      81.43 |   -227.11 |

| Year        |   2020-21 |   2021-22 |   2022-23 |
|-------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Profit/Loss |   -769.69 |   -241.93 |   1076.07 |

Currently, the accounts for 2023-24 are under finalization.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3286 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: Losses of Steel Plants
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Ashok Mahadeorao Nete

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3286

FOR ANSWER ON 09.08.2023

## LOSSES OF STEEL PLANTS

3286. SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether major steel plants run by the Government have suffered losses during the last three years and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of steps taken for the revival of the Government run steel plants apart from disinvestment; and
- (c) the details of the new revenue model launched by the Government during the last three years to ensure the revival of these plants?

## ANSWER

(SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF STEEL

- (a) Yes, Sir.   Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd. (RINL) which operates Visakhapatnam Steel Plant suffered losses in two of the last three years viz. in the year 2020-21 and 2022-23.   The details are as under:-

Rs. in Cr

| Particulars             | 2020-21         | 2021-22         | 2022-23 (*)     |
|-------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
| Revenue from Operations | 18,080.88       | 28,359.35       | 22,809.40       |
| Profit Before Tax (PBT) | (-)1035.96      | 941.58          | (-)3,236.46     |
| Profit After Tax (PAT)  | (-)789.10       | 913.19          | (-)2,858.74     |
| (*) Provisional         | (*) Provisional | (*) Provisional | (*) Provisional |

(b)&(c):    To reduce the cost of raw-material of RINL, Ministry of Steel has taken up with  Ministry  of  Coal  for  supply  of  domestic  coking  coal  and  thermal  coal  to  RINL. Ministry of Steel has also requested State Government of Odisha for allocation of Iron Ore block through reservation route.   In addition, RINL has taken following initiatives from time to time to arrest losses:-

-  To  bring  down  fixed  costs,  various  Models  are  being  tried  to  ensure availability  of  Raw  Material  /  Working  Capital  for  increase  in  production levels.
-  Optimization of product mix in line with market requirement to achieve higher realization and increase in production and sales of value added steel.
-  Maximization of indigenous coking coals in the coal blend to reduce costs.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3285 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: Resumption of Passenger/Express-type Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Chandra Prakash Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3285 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2023

## RESUMPTION OF PASSENGER/EXPRESS-TYPE TRAINS 3285. SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH CHOUDHARY

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  resume  all  passenger  and express-type train services in the country including those running in the State of Jharkhand as per pre-COVID-19 period and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the list of passengers and express-type train services originating or passing from Jharkhand, which are yet to resume the services after COVID-19 period;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any policy decision to increase the minimum fare in passenger trains from Rs. 10 to Rs. 30, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  if  not,  the  rationale  behind  the  decision  of  the  Government  to  run  all  the passenger trains as express specials like 13553/1355 Asansol-Varanasi, 13545/13546 Gaya-Asansol, 13503/13504 Bardhman-Hatiya trains which are passenger trains but passengers are charged rates of express trains even after all the restrictions of COVID-19 have been lifted?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d) With a view to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic, Indian Railways had discontinued the operation of all regular passenger carrying trains with effect from 23rd March, 2020 and only special train services were being operated.  Since November-2021, Mail/express train services are being operated as per rationalized time  table  and  regular  train  numbers.  Further,  Indian  Railways  have  undertaken rationalization  of  time  table,  in  a  scientific  manner  with  the  assistance  of  IITBombay  inter-alia  to  provide  better  passenger  safety  by  creating  maintenance corridor  blocks,  minimise  conflicts  in  existing  time-table  and rationalising  train services by converting passenger services into Express services. Fare of 13553/13554  Asansol-Varanasi  Express,  13545/13546  Gaya-Asansol  Express  and 13503/13504 Barddhaman-Hatia Express is being charged as per categorization of these services.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3284 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: Modification in Standards
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Gowdar Mallikarjunappa Siddeshwara

## Government of India

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

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3284

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2023

## MODIFICATION IN STANDARDS

3284.  SHRI G.M. SIDDESHWAR:

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 Ministry has any past precedent, where the Department of Consumer Affairs superseding the  technical  committee  such  as  CHD  01  of  the  Bureau  of  Indian  Standards  (BIS)  directed changes/modifications in standards of chemicals or any products; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h ( श्री अश्विनी कु मार चौबे )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) &  (b)  :   The work of setting up standards is undertaken by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) through its  technical  committee(s).  The  process  of  setting  up  standards  is  an  evolving  exercise  based  on  quality considerations,  technical  processes  and  other  specific  requirements.  In  order  to  address  the  concerns  of stakeholders, detailed and wide stakeholder consultations are conducted and the recommendations of the said meetings are considered by BIS. BIS technical committees independently considers the inputs received from the stakeholders concerned for either bringing out modifications in the standards; or for continuing with the existing standard for the product concerned.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3283 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: ROBs at Belagavi Constituency
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Mangal Suresh Angadi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3283 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2023

## ROBs AT BELAGAVI CONSTITUENCY

## 3283. SHRIMATI ANGADI MANGAL SURESH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)   the number of Road Over Bridges (ROBs) sanctioned in the Belagavi Lok Sabha Constituency so far; and
- (b)   the current status of the on-going second lane work of the ROB being constructed in lieu of LC No. 381 in Belagavi City and the reasons why the process of ongoing construction work has been stalled?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a):  Presently,  there  are  total  06  Nos.  sanctioned  works  of Road  Over  Bridges  (ROBs)  falling  in  the  Belagavi  Lok  Sabha area, which are at different stages of planning , tendering  & execution.

(b): The work of ROB (Road Over Bridge) is sanctioned in lieu of LC No: 381 in Belagavi City on cost sharing basis.  This is a 4lane  ROB  planned  to  be  constructed  in  two  stages,  being executed by Railway on single entity basis. The first two lane of  ROB  was  commissioned  on 12.10.2022. The work of construction of approach towards Belagavi side of another 2lane ROB has been taken up. However the work of construction of approach towards khanapur side of  another 2lane  of  ROB  has  been    stopped  as  per  advice  of  State  Govt. State  Govt.    has  proposed  to  modify  the  already  approved General arrangement  drawing  (GAD). Feasibility report of modified GAD has been taken up.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3282 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: Building a New Spaceport
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: D. M. Kathir Anand

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3282

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 09, 2023

## BUILDING A NEW SPACEPORT

## 3282.  SHRI D.M. KATHIR ANAND:

## Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  decided  to  build  a  new spaceport in Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu to be used by private companies to launch small satellites into orbit;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  time  by  which  the spaceport would be established;
- (c) whether it is a fact that the global small satellite market is projected to grow to reach $14 Billion by 2030; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  measures  taken  by  the Government to harness most of the potential global small satellite market?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE

## (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

****

- (a) Yes Sir. The government has approved the establishment of a new spaceport in Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu for carrying  out  the  launches  of  the  Small  Satellite  Launch Vehicles (SSLV) developed by ISRO and also the Government has announced the Indian Space Policy 2023 that  has  the  provision  for  utilization  of  spaceport  for carrying out launch activities by Non-Government Entities (NGEs),  subject  to  technical  feasibility  and  range  safety constraints.
- (b) Land  acquisition  by  Government  of  Tamil  Nadu  is  in progress. Currently, out of the 2350 acres of land identified, around 2000 acres of land have been acquired. Once the acquisition of land is completed, the launch pad at the new site is expected to be realized.
- (c) The  exact  sizing  of  the  global  small  satellite  market including future projections, is a complex exercise and a matter  of  much  debate,  with  several  global  consulting firms predicting varied current and future numbers, based
- (d)

on different underlying assumptions. However, such projections  do  indicate  a  general  trend  that  the  small satellite market is slated to grow in the coming years. The government has initiated various developments  with regards  to  the  potential  global  small  satellite  market. ISRO  has  successfully  proven  the  Indian  Mini  Bus  (IMS) and  Indian  Nano  Satellite  (INS)  Bus  which  enable  small satellite  mission  The  IMS-1  Bus  technology  has  been transferred to Indian Industries via NSIL. Further,  ISRO  has  also  developed  the  Small  Satellite Launch  Vehicle  (SSLV)  to  cater  to  the  need  for  cost satellites. IN-SPACe has recently released the Expression of Interest for  technology  transfer  of  the  Small  Satellite  Launch effective and on demand  launch  of small Vehicle (SSLV) for Indian Industries.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3281 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: Burning of Coal Mines
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shankar Lalwani, Arvind Kumar Sharma, Bharatiben Dhirubhai Shyal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3281 ANSWERED ON 09.08.2023

## Burning of Coal Mines

## †3281. SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI: DR. ARVIND KUMAR SHARMA: DR. BHARATIBEN DHIRUBHAI SHIYAL:

Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the coal mines in Jharkhand have been burning for many years and are yet to be controlled;
- (b) if so, the details of the amount of coal estimated to be destroyed by the said fire;
- (c)  the  time  by  which  the  said  fire  is  likely  to  be  controlled  along  with  the  details  of  the measures taken in this regard; and
- (d) the number of mines which have been burning at present?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a) & (b): Some coal mines of Jharia in Jharkhand have been burning for many years due to unscientific mining prior to nationalisation of coal mines and it was estimated that about 37 MT of good quality prime coking coal has been destroyed due to fire, as per Jharia Master Plan approved in 2009.

(c) & (d): BCCL is periodically conducting survey by National remote Sensing Center (NRSC) Hyderabad for delineation of surface fire. As per the latest survey report done in year 202021, the surface fire area has been reduced to 1.8 sq km spread over 27 locations. Out of these 27  locations,  fire  at  16  locations  is  being  dealt  by  operating  fire  dealing  projects  through excavation and balance locations are being dealt by blanketing. Surface fire at these locations are likely to be controlled by December 2025. These 27 locations fall under 19 coal mines.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3279 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: Ban on Foreign Apps
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Gopal Chinayya Shetty

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3279

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2023

## BAN ON FOREIGN APPS

## 3279.   SHRI GOPAL CHINNAYA SHETTY:

Will the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken or proposes to take steps to prepare indigenous Apps after imposing an immediate ban on all the foreign Apps such as Google etc. in the country which post a serious threat to the youth and safety of the nation and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  China  has  developed  indigenous  Apps  after  imposing  foreign  Apps  such  as Google etc. keeping in view the culture and safety of the country in mind;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether requests have also been received from the representatives of the people in this regard and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the action taken or proposal to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR)

(a) to (e):The policies of the Government are aimed at ensuring an Open, Safe & Trusted and Accountable Internet for its all users.

Section  69A  of  the  Information  Technology  Act,  2000  ('IT  Act')and  the  rules  made thereunder  provide  power  to  the  Central  Government  to  issue  directions  for  blocking  of access by the public any information generated, transmitted, received , stored or hosted in any computer resource if it is necessary or expedient to do so in the interest of sovereignty and integrity,  defence  of  India,  security  of  the  State,  friendly  relations  with  foreign  States  or public order or for inciting cognizable offence relating to above. Following the procedures and safeguards prescribed under the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009, the Central Government issues directions for blocking after receiving the request from the nodal officer of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Law Enforcement Agencies who, after analyzing suspicious applications based on the complaints, received from various sources, send such request to the Designated Officer  in  the  Ministry  of  Electronics  and  Information  Technology  (MeitY)  under  section 69A of the IT Act.

With regards to indigenous Apps, it is informed that the Government is creating an overall digital  innovation  and  economy  ecosystem  in  India  with  a  goal  at  becoming  trillion  dollar digital economy by 2026. Several Indian start-ups are being set up in innovating, growing and investing in developing indigenous apps.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3276 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: Stoppages at Nowrozabad Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Himadri Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3276 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2023

## STOPPAGES AT NOWROZABAD STATION

†3276. SHRIMATI HIMADRI SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  names of the trains under South East Central Railway (SECR)  zone  the  operations  of  which  were  suspended  during COVID-19 and those trains which re-started its operations;
- (b) the names  of the trains which had a stoppage at Nowrozabad prior to COVID-19 under the above railway zone;
- (c) whether all those trains have same stoppages at Nowrozabad station at present;
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e)  the  names  of  the  trains  running  under  the  above  railway zone the operation of which has not been restarted till date so far?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (e)  With  a  view  to  contain  the  spread  of  Covid-19 pandemic, Indian  Railways  had  discontinued  the  operation  of all  regular  passenger  carrying  trains  with  effect  from  23rd

March, 2020  and  only special train services were  being operated.   Since  November-2021,  Mail/Express  train  services are  being  operated  as  per  rationalized  time  table  and  regular numbers. Further, Indian Railways have undertaken rationalization  of  the  time  table,  including  rationalisation  of train services, in a scientific manner with the assistance of IITBombay inter-alia to provide better passenger safety by creating  maintenance  corridor  blocks,  minimise  conflicts  in existing  time-table  and  speed  up  train  services.   Accordingly, train  services  are  being  operated with rationalized time table in a phased manner. Further, Nowrozabad station is presently being served by 04 pairs of train services namely as under; (i) 18233/34 Indore-Bilaspur Express, (ii) 06617/18 Katni-Chirmiri MEMU Passenger Special, (iii) 08747/48 Bilaspur-Katni MEMU Passenger Special, and (iv) 08269/70 Chirmiri-Chandia Road Passenger Special Besides,  introduction  of  train  services,  including  passenger services, is an ongoing process, on Indian Railways, subject to operational  feasibility,  traffic  justification  and  availability  of resources etc.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3274 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: Increasing Deployment of GRP
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Jual Oram

## GOVERNMENT OF INIDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3274 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2023

## INCREASING DEPLOYMENT OF GRP

3274. SHRI JUAL ORAM:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has a proposal to increase the deployment of  Government  Railway  Police  (GRP)  in  the  East  Coast  Railways and South East Central Railways;
- (b)   if so, the present strength of GRP in each of these Railway Zones;
- (c)  the extent of increase of the strength of GRP proposed to be made; and
- (d)   the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS 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 UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  3274  BY  SHRI  JUAL  ORAM  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 09.08.2023 REGARDING INCREASING

DEPLOYMENT OF GRP (a) to (d) Government Railway Police (GRP) is a wing of State Police which functions under the control of respective States. The guidelines for  creation  of  the  posts  in  GRP provide  that  State Government may submit their proposals to the General Managers of the Zonal Railways concerned  after  getting  approval  of  their  respective  finances.  The General  Managers  will  get  these  proposal  examined  in  consultation with their associated finance and, if considered feasible, forward it to Railway  Board  for  approval  of  the  Ministry  of  Railways.  State  of Chhattisgarh has submitted a proposal in this regard. Present  strength  of  GRP  in  East  Coast  Railway  is  712  and  in  South East Central Railway is 464. As such, any assessment of requirement of man power and initiation of proposal for augmentation of GRP falls in the domain of concerned States  and  considered  by  the  Ministry  of  Railways  as  per  extant provisions.

- ***