opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4405 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-20
Subject: Telecom Connectivity in Tribal Areas
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Smt. Delkar Kalaben Mohanbhai, Dr. Shivaji Bandappa Kalge, Shri Bhumare Sandipanrao Asaram, Shri Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke, Shri Gyaneshwar Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4405 ANSWERED ON 20 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## TELECOM CONNECTIVITY IN TRIBAL AREAS

†4405.  DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE: SMT. DELKAR KALABEN MOHANBHAI: SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE: SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL: SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the various measures taken by the Government to improve telecom connectivity in the tribal areas of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh Union Territories of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu under the Bharat Net Project initiative;
- (b) whether the Government has initiated any work in the extremely rural areas of Maharashtra, Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu and Madhya Pradesh under the said Project or under any other similar initiative;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the details of the targeted approach for enhancing internet and technological literacy and the affordability of an individual on personal electronic devices and internet packages along with the access to internet?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) BharatNet is being implemented in the phased wise manner to provide connectivity to Gram Panchayats (GPs) across the country. As on 30.06.2025, 2,14,325 GPs have been made service ready including 24,575 GPs in Maharashtra, 38 GPs in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu and 17,850 GPs in Madhya Pradesh. Amended BharatNet program (ABP) is proposed to be implemented to provide connectivity to remaining GPs and non GP villages on the demand basis.
- (b) & (c) Government has taken up 'BharatNet' and various mobile projects with funding from Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) for expansion of telecom network coverage in uncovered remote and rural areas, including tribal areas of the country. Till June 2025, under DBN-funded 4G saturation schemes, 2,574  Particularly  vulnerable  tribal  group  (PVTG)  villages  and  a  total  of  21,748  mobile  towers (including 3,804 in Maharashtra, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, and Madhya Pradesh) have been commissioned across India.
- (d) The  Government  has  undertaken  various  initiatives  to  enhance  digital  accessibility  and inclusion. This includes the establishment of Common Service Centres (CSCs) to deliver e-services to  citizens  in  rural  areas.  Furthermore,  incentives  and  subsidies  for  Fibre-to-the-Home  (FTTH) connections are being provided under the BharatNet Udyami Model to ensure last-mile connectivity. Additionally,  a  Tripartite  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU)  has  been  signed  between  the Government, Prasar Bharati, and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to proliferate affordable and accessible digital services across the country.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4404 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-20
Subject: Planetarium at Kavaratti Island
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4404

## ANSWERED ON 20/08/2025

## PLANETARIUM AT KAVARATTI ISLAND

## 4404. SHRI MUHAMMED HAMDULLAH SAYEED:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  upgrade  the existing planetarium at Kavaratti Island under department of science and technology promotion schemes;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  proposal,  including  the  scope  of upgradation, estimated cost, and implementing agency;
- (c) whether the planetarium is currently functional and serving its intended  purpose  of  promoting  scientific  temper  and  awareness among students and the general public in Lakshadweep;
- (d) whether any assessment has been carried out regarding the need for modernization of the planetarium infrastructure and content;
- (e) if  so,  the  outcome  of  such  assessment  and  the  timeline  for upgradation; and
- (f) if  not,  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  take  necessary steps to strengthen science and technology infrastructure in Lakshadweep, especially through educational and outreach facilities like planetariums?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

विज्ञान और प्रौद्योगिकी तथा पृ थ्िी विज्ञान मंत्रालय क े राज्य मंत्री ( स्ितंत्र प्रभार ) ( डॉ . जितेंद्र स ंह )

(a) to (e): Yes, Sir. The Science and Technology Department of the Lakshadweep  Administration  has  a  proposal  to  phase  by  phase upgradation  of  the  existing  planetarium  at  Kavaratti  lsland.  An

assessment was carried out regarding the need for modernization of the planetarium infrastructure and content. The service report in this regard suggests upgradation of the existing planetarium projection system,  computers,  and  software.  The  estimated  cost  of  the  first phase  of upgradation of existing  computers  and  hardware  is approximately Rs. 2,12,01,442/- (Rupees two crore twelve lakh one thousand four hundred and forty-two). The timelines and implementing agency is to be decided by the Science and Technology Department of the Lakshadweep Administration.

(f) ln order to strengthen Science and Technology in Lakshadweep, the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of lndia, is conducting outreach programs, viz. National Children's Science Congress and lnnovation in Science Pursuit for lnspired Research (INSPIRE) - Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge (MANAK) in different schools of Lakshadweep. These programs encourage young students in the age group of 10-17 to explore and solve local problems through Science and Technology.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4402 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-20
Subject: Dilapidated Condition of Railway Over Bridge of Kanjauli Railway Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Smt. Sanjna Jatav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4402

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025

## DILAPIDATED CONDITION OF RAILWAY OVER BRIDGE OF KANJAULI RAILWAY LINE

†4402. SMT. SANJNA JATAV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the Railway Over Bridge on Kanjauli Railway line is situated on the main highway of three districts Bharatpur-Alwar-Deeg and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the said overbridge is in a dilapidated condition and it could be a cause of a big accident anytime and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to reconstruct/repair the said overbridge soon; and
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (d)  :  There  is  a  Road  Over  Bride  (ROB)  No.  573/A  situated between  Sewar  and  Bharatpur  stations  on  Kota-Mathura  section. This  was  constructed  by  Rajasthan  State  Road  Development  & Construction  Corporation  Ltd.   (RSRDC)  in  2013  in  lieu  of  Level Crossing (LC) No. 244.

As  per  extant  policy  'The  portion  of  ROB  within  railway  land area shall be maintained by Railways at its own cost. The remaining portion outside railway land area, including maintenance and lighting of the roadway of the bridge and its approaches, will be maintained by State Government /Road owning Authority/ Local Authority at its own cost'. Inspection  and  maintenance  of  the ROB  is a  continuous process. Concerned authorities take up such maintenance works in their respective portion on the basis of inspection report. This aforesaid ROB has been inspected and it was found that structural part of Railway portion is in safe and sound condition. The repair  work  in  non-railway  portion  including  road  surface  of  the bridge and its approaches will be taken up by State Govt.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4401 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-20
Subject: Direct Train from Haryana to Ringas and Indore
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Satpal Brahamchari, Shri Jai Parkash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4401 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025

## DIRECT TRAIN FROM HARYANA TO RINGAS AND INDORE

†4401. SHRI SATPAL BRAHAMCHARI:

SHRI JAI PARKASH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is planning to start a direct rail service from Jind/Sonipat (Haryana) to Ringas (Rajasthan) and Hisar (Haryana) to Indore (Madhya Pradesh) via Bhiwani - Rewari - Ateli Narnaul - Ringas for the convenience of passengers, if so, the details thereof including the proposed routes, stoppages and the likely date of commencement of the said rail services;
- (b) if not, whether the Government  proposes to examine the feasibility  of  this  rail  route  in  future  and  take  steps  towards  its implementation; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (c)  Introduction of new trains on any route/section depends on
- various factors which include:
- 
- Capacity of that section,
- 
- 
- Availability of path,
- Availability of required rolling stock,
-  Availability of matching infrastructure for rolling stock,
-  Maintenance requirement of railway tracks and other assets

Considering the above factors,  presently, Jind-Delhi sector is served by 27 pairs, Sonipat-Delhi sector by  28 pairs and Hisar-Delhi sector by 07 pairs of train services. Moreover, Delhi is well connected to Ringas by 08 pairs of train services while Delhi is connected to Indore by 08 pairs of train services. To increase the capacity of the rail  network  and  hence  to  run  more trains,  Indian  Railways have taken  up network expansion works in a big way.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4400 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-20
Subject: NavIC Navigation System
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Shri Prabhakar Reddy Vemireddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2025

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4400 NAVIC NAVIGATION SYSTEM

## 4400.  SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY VEMIREDDY:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  people  of  the  country  barely  know about Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) navigation system  developed  indigenously  by  Indian  Space  Research Organisation (ISRO);
- (b)
- if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the details of efforts made by the Government to make NavIC inbuilt App mandatory for all phones like GPS; and
- (d) the  manner  in  which  the  Government  is  planning  to  project NavIC an alternative to GPS in view of GPS is not binding to provide services uninterrupted?

## ANSWER

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

****

(a) & (b)

People  of  the  country  are  well  aware  about  Navigation  with Indian Constellations (NavIC) system.

(c) & (d)

Department of Space (DoS) is constantly engaged in broadening the use of NavIC  in various sectors. Towards  this, it has undertaken activities related to pilot projects, technology transfer to  Indian  industry,  technical  support,  testing  support,  utilisation programmes, etc. DoS has made efforts for inclusion of NavIC in national / international industry standards, thereby enabling efficient,  consistent,  and  seamless  adoption  of  NavIC  in  the products  and  solutions.  A  new  signal  in  L1  frequency  is  being introduced  so  as  to  help  in  faster  adoption  in  mass  market.  At present  60+  smartphones  from  various  manufacturers  support NavIC.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4397 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-20
Subject: Contractual Labourers in BSNL
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Arvind Ganpat Sawant

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4397 ANSWERED ON 20 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## CONTRACTUAL LABOURERS IN BSNL

## 4397.   SHRI ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the contractual labourers are engaged for rendering the services of BSNL;

- (b) if so, the details of the strength of such contractual labourers;

- (c) the details of services for which they are engaged;

- (d) whether the contractual labourers are trained for rendering the required services of BSNL and if so, the details thereof;

- (e) if not, the alternate method adopted for rendering prompt services of BSNL;

- (f) whether it is true that frequently the contractors are being changed in BSNL and if so, the details thereof;

- (g) whether the contractors are providing prompt services; and

- (h) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for drastically deteriorating services of BSNL day by day?

## ANSWER

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

( a ) to (h) BSNL does not employ contractual labourers directly. BSNL floats tender for all noncore activities like repair & maintenance, housekeeping, security etc. on Service Level Agreement (SLA)/ Service Model in accordance with General Financial Rules (GFR) and Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) guidelines.  Periodic performance evaluations and field level monitoring are conducted by BSNL to ensure adherence to stipulated timelines and quality standards as per SLA and performance benchmark.

Telecom  Regulatory  Authority  of  India  (TRAI)  regularly  monitors  the  performance  of Telecom service providers against the benchmark for various Quality-of-Service (QoS) parameters. As  per  performance  monitoring  report  (PMR),  BSNL  is  meeting  the  benchmark  of  most  of  the network  related  QoS  parameters  of  Cellular  services.  The  PMR  reports  are  published  on  TRAI website (https://trai.gov.in/release-publication/qos-reports/pmr-reports).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4394 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-20
Subject: Expenditure on Newspaper Advertisements
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri  Radhakrishna

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4394 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025)

## EXPENDITURE ON NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENTS

4394. SHRI RADHAKRISHNA:

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

- a) the details of total expenditure on newspaper advertisements by the Union Government during each of the last five years;
- b) the details of total expenditure by each Ministry for such advertisement, State-wise; and
- c) the  details  of  the  publications  in  which  such  ads  were  published  including  expenses incurred for each publication?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION & BROADCASTING; AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L.MURUGAN)

(a) to (c): The Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) issues advertisement on behalf of  various  Ministries/Departments  related  to  schemes/programmes  and  other  initiatives  of Government of India.

The Ministry wise and publication wise details of the expenditure on advertisements issued is available on the website of CBC i.e. www.davp.nic.in.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4393 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-20
Subject: Unauthorised Railway Station Hawkers
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Sharmila Sarkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4393 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025

## UNAUTHORIZED RAILWAY STATION HAWKERS

4393. DR. SHARMILA SARKAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the number of authorised platform hawkers and the revenue collected from them during the last five years, State-wise;
- (b) whether it is a fact that a large number of so-called authorized hawkers have illegally occupied station premises with the support of local leaders/railway staff/police/otherwise and if so, the details thereof; and (c) if not, the relevant statistics and the current status?

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

(a)  to  (c):  Catering  services  at  stations  are  made  available  to  passengers through static catering units. Sale of catering and other miscellaneous items of  travelling  needs  is  permitted  only  through  authorized  vendors/waiters deployed by licensees of mobile and static units.

Unauthorized  hawking  and  vending  in  the  passenger  area  is  prohibited  on Indian Railways. It is an offence punishable under Section - 144 of Railways Act,  1989.  Regular  drives  are  conducted  against  any  such  activities  in accordance with legal provisions and established procedure of law.

During the last five years, Indian Railways have received a total license fee of Rs.1292.57 crores from licensees of static catering units at stations.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4380 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-20
Subject: FRP for Sugarcane Farmers
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4380

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 20TH AUGUST, 2025

## FRP FOR SUGARCANE FARMERS

## 4380  SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has assessed the performance of  sugar mills  in Kolhapur concerning the timely  payment of Fair  and Remunerative Price (FRP) to  sugarcane farmers in Maharashtra;
- (b) if  so, the number of mills  in Kolhapur  that have delayed FRP payments over the last three seasons;
- (c) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure strict enforcement of the Sugarcane Control Order, 1966, in this regard; and
- (d) whether the Government is considering making the FRP Policy Regulations based on contemporary times and if  so, the details thereon

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

- (a): Yes. The State Government of Maharashtra periodically (fortnightly basis) assesses all  the sugar factories in the State including  Kolhapur  district,  regarding timely payment of Fair and Remunerative  Price (FRP) to sugarcane farmers.
- (b): The  State Government of  Maharashtra has reported that during  the  Sugar Season (SS) 2022-23 and 2023-24, all the sugar factories in Kolhapur district  have paid the FRP to farmers within  time  limit.  During  SS 2024-25, 23  sugar factories have undertaken the crushing in the Kolhapur district,  out of  which  15 sugar factories have fully  paid the FRP amount and 08 sugar factories have defaulted on the FRP payment amounting to Rs. 38.81 crore

(c): The powers have been delegated and vested with  the  State Governments/UTs for monitoring the cane price payment position of  sugar factories on periodical basis and in case of delay in payments, suitable action is taken by them.

If  the FRP amount is not paid or is  delayed, action under section 3(8) of  the Sugarcane (Control)  Order,  1966, can be initiated  against the concerned factory  by issuing a Revenue Recovery Certificate (RRC) by the State Government.

The  State Government of  Maharashtra has informed that for  defaulting sugar factories RRC notice are issued for  assessing the reasons for default. A  hearing has been held before the Sugar Commissioner, Government of Maharashtra on 8/8/2025 for above 08 sugar factories. As per their written  demand, a deadline has been given to them to pay the arrears of FRP and the next hearing has been fixed  on 9/9/2025.

(d): No  such policy  is  currently  under consideration. The present policy  is sufficient  to regulate the timely payment of FRP within  stipulated time period.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4379 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-20
Subject: Setting up of Sugar Mill in Narsinghpur
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Chandan Chauhan, Shri Darshan Singh Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4379 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20TH AUGUST, 2025

## SETTING UP OF SUGAR MILL  IN NARSINGHPUR

## 4379  SHRI CHANDAN CHAUHAN: SHRI DARSHAN SINGH CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of sugar mills  closed down or facing financial problems and require to be revived in the country, State-wise; and
- (b) whether the  Government proposes to  set up  a cooperative sugar mill in  Narsinghpur district  ofMadhya Pradesh as the district produces large  quantity  of  sugarcane?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS. FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

- (a): Currently, total 573 sugar mills are registered on NSWS portal, Out of which 534 sugar mills  are operational  and 39 sugar mills  are closed in  sugar season 2024-25. The state wise detail of 39 sugar mills  is as under;

| State          | No. of Mills   |
|----------------|----------------|
| Andhra Pradesh | 4              |
| Gujrat         | 3              |
| Karnataka      | 2              |
| Madhya Pradesh | 18             |
| Maharashtra    | 18             |
| Punjab         |                |
| Tamilnadu      | 6              |
| elangana       |                |
| ttar Pradesh   | 2              |
| West Bengal    |                |
| Total          | 39             |

8 As per the Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, total 6 sugar mills are closed down in the last 15 years, out of which  5 sugar mills  are not registered on NSWS  portal.

(b): The Central Government does not set up sugar mill  in any part of the country. Further, sugar industry was deleted from  list  of  industries required compulsory licensing, vide  press note dated 31.08.1998. After  that any entrepreneur is free to set up sugar mill  in any part of  the country as per provisions laid down in  clause 6A  to 6E of Sugarcane (Control), Order as amended from time to time

Further, as per the information  received from  Govt. of  Madhya Pradesh, they have not received any application for committee formation to establish a sugar mill  in the cooperative sector.

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