opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2856 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: BharatNet Phase-II and Phase-III Projects
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Smt. Jyotsna Charandas Mahant, Shri Benny Behanan, Shri Charanjit Singh Channi, Shri Arun Bharti, Shri Joyanta Basumatary, Dr. Kirsan Namdeo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2856 ANSWERED ON 6 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## BHARATNET PHASE-II AND PHASE-III PROJECTS

## 2856.   SHRI CHARANJIT SINGH CHANNI: SMT. JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT:

SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:

SHRI JOYANTA BASUMATARY:

DR. KIRSAN NAMDEO:

SHRI ARUN BHARTI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

(a) the current status of BharatNet Phase-II and Phase-III projects across the Country including the North Eastern States as of June, 2025;

(b) the details of the number of Gram Panchayats where optical fibre connectivity is operational and functional, and their targets thereof;

(c) the  reasons  for  delays  or  cost  overruns  if  any,  including  the  performance  of  State-level implementing agencies;

(d) whether it is fact that mobile and internet connectivity still is a big concern in the North Eastern Region particularly in International Border areas like Bodoland, if so, action taken by the Government;

(e) the number of Gram Panchayats where optical fiber connectivity is live and functional and targets;  and

(f) the reasons for delays or cost overruns, if so, the performance of State-level implementing agencies?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c), (e) &(f) BharatNet  is  being  implemented  in  phased  manner  to  provide  broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country. As on 30.06.2025, a total of 2,14,325 GPs, including  6,320  GPs  in  the  North-Eastern  Region,  have  been  made  service-ready  under  the BharatNet. Of these, 94,146 GPs have been made service-ready under BharatNet Phase-II. Amended BharatNet  program  (ABP)  is  being  implemented  across  the  country  to  provide  connectivity  to villages on the demand basis under which 12 packages have been started covering 15 states and 3 Union territories. The timeline for completion of the construction phase under the ABP is three years from the date of sign of agreement.

(d) In Bodoland territorial reason out of total 3,064 villages, 3059 villages have 4G coverage and remaining 5 villages are planned under 4G saturation scheme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2849 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Contractual Employees in BSNL
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Brijmohan Agrawal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2849 ANSWERED ON 6 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## CONTRACTUAL EMPLOYEES IN BSNL

## †2849.  SHRI BRIJMOHAN AGRAWAL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there has been inordinate delay in rolling out of the 4G and 5G  by BSNL mainly due  to  shift  towards  indigenous  equipment  and  challenges  pertaining  to  their  development  and deployment and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the number of contractual employees in BSNL along with the date of induction into service, State-wise;
- (c) whether there is any plan to regularise the services of these employees;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether BSNL employees are governed by Industrial Dearness Allowance (IDA) pattern in place of Central Pay Commission and if so, whether there is any plan to bring back them under the CPC format along with details thereof;
- (f) whether there are about 30,000 non-executive employees in BSNL out of which about 12,000 employees  are facing  the  issue  of  stagnation  and  as  a  result  they  are  not  being  provided  annual increments and whether there is any plan to implement any promotion policy for them; and
- (g) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- ( a ) In line with Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, BSNL has placed purchase order for indigenously developed 4G sites for pan India deployment. Supply of 4G equipment has started from September 2023 and as on 30.06.2025, total 95,537 4G sites have been installed and 90,035 sites are ON-Air. The equipment is 5G upgradable from technology perspective.
- (b) to ( d ) BSNL does not employ contract workers directly. All non-core activities like repair and maintenance, housekeeping, security etc. are on Service Level Agreement/ Service Model.
- (e) BSNL employees are governed by Industrial Dearness Allowance (IDA) pattern and there is no such plan to bring them under CPC format.
- (f) & (g) The stagnation of pay of non-executives is due to non-revision of pay scales due to poor financial condition of BSNL, as BSNL does not meet the affordability criteria prescribed by the Department of Public Enterprises.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2848 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Quality of Mobile/Internet Services in Remote Areas of Ladakh
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Mohmad Haneefa

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2848 ANSWERED ON 6 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## QUALITY OF MOBILE/INTERNET SERVICES IN REMOTE AREAS OF LADAKH

## 2848.   SHRI MOHMAD HANEEFA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that despite recent improvements in digital infrastructure, network congestion continues to severely affect the quality of mobile and internet services in remote areas  of  Ladakh  such  as  regions  like  144  RCC  NPD  Road  Neyraks  Village  as  these  areas  have become highly populated due to the presence of labour settlements, camps of GREF and heavy traffic along the Nimmu-Padam-Darcha (NPD) road and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  steps  taken  or  proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  enhanced,  high bandwidth, and uninterrupted mobile network coverage in rural and border villages of Ladakh that can address the increasing pressure of tourists, students and essential services dependent on digital connectivity; and
- (c) whether the Government proposes to launch any special telecom development package or scheme for hilly, tribal and border regions such as Ladakh under the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) or Digital India initiatives and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) As per the Performance Monitoring Report for June-2025 published by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India for mobile services, all Telecom Service Providers have met the prescribed quality of service benchmarks in Jammu & Kashmir License Service Area, which includes Ladakh region.
- (b) & (c) For providing high bandwidth capacity internet/broadband connectivity and mobile services to remote, hilly, tribal, border & rural villages in the country, including Ladakh, following projects have been taken under Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) [erstwhile Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)]:
- i. BharatNet project -BharatNet project is to provide broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages in the country. All 193 Gram Panchayats (GP) of Ladakh have been made Service Ready through satellite.
- ii. Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) - Under this program, existing network of BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II to be upgraded in the country and creation of network in balance 42,000 GPs.  The  connectivity  to  remaining  non-GP  villages  (about  3.8  lakhs)  of  the  country  are proposed to be provided on demand basis from their respective GPs.
- iii. 4G Saturation and other mobile projects - 175 mobile towers have been commissioned in uncovered remote & rural villages of Ladakh.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2845 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Rural Broadband Connectivity under BharatNet Project
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Sudama Prasad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2845 ANSWERED ON 6 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## RURAL BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY UNDER BHARATNET PROJECT

## 2845.   SHRI SUDAMA PRASAD:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  cognizance  of  the  media  report  that  only  1.99  lakh villages out of 6.5 lakh villages have broadband internet access under the BharatNet project, if so, the details thereof and the steps taken along with the action taken reports thereon;
- (b) whether the Government has conducted any assessment for the delay in achieving full rural broadband connectivity under the project, if so, the details of the assessment report;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the details of broadband implementation under the project, State/district-wise; and
- (e) targeted completion date of the BharatNet project and the details of the alternative measures taken to expedite the progress?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e) BharatNet is being implemented in phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country. Under BharatNet, total 2,14,325 GPs have been made service ready as on 30.06.2025. State-wise details of GPs in the country under BharatNet is available on Digital Bharat Nidhi website (https://usof.gov.in/home). Further, Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) has been approved to provide Optical Fibre (OF) connectivity to approx. 2.65 lakh GPs in ring topology and to connect  remaining  non-GP  villages  (approx.  3.8  lakh)  on  demand  basis.  The  program  envisages construction period of three years Operation and Maintenance of remaining seven years.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2844 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Objectives of PMGKAY
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Chintamani Maharaj, Smt. Himadri Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2844

TO BE ANSWERED ON 6TH AUGUST, 2025

## OBJECTIVES OF PM(,KAY

## 2844. SMT. HIMADRI SINGH: SHRI CHINTAMANI MAHARAJ:

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

- (a): the  details and  the  objectives of  Pradhan IVlantri Garib  Kalyan Anna  Yojana (PMGKAY);
- (b): the number of beneficiaries/families covered under the said  scheme at  present particularly in Shahdol Lok Sabha Constituency;  and
- (C): the quantity offoodgrains  distributed by the States/UTs in the current year?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAiRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

- (a): The Pradhan IVlantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)  was launched with the specific purpose of ameliorating the hardships faced by the poor and needy due to economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19  outbreak in the country. In  view of COVID  crisis, the allocation of  free foodgrains, under PMGKAY  was in  addition to  regular allocation for around 80 crore beneficiaries. A  total quantity of  approx. 1118 LIVIT foodgrains was allocated  under  PMGKAY (Phase I-VII) for  the  period  of  28  months  with a total  planned financial outlay was about Rs. 3.91 lakh crore.

In  order to  remove the  financial  burden of  the  poor  beneficiaries  and to  ensure nationwide uniformity  and effective implementation of  the programme for  support of the poor, the Central Government had decided to provide food  grains free of cost to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)  households and Priority Households (PHH) beneficiaries,  beginning from  lst  January 2023 under the PMGKAY. The period for distribution of  free of  cost foodgrains  has been extended for  five  years from  1  st January, 2024.

- (b): At  present, against the  intended coverage of  81.35 crore,  the  States/UTs have identified 80.56 crore beneficiaries  (including 8.28 lakh beneficiaries  in the Shahdol Lok Sabha Constituency).
- (c): During the current financial year (Till  31.07.2025), 303.42 Lakh MT  of  foodgrains has been distributed by all the States/UTs.

+: seesc +:+:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2843 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Advanced Safety Measures in Coal Mines
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shri Kali Charan Singh, Smt. Himadri Singh, Shri Balabhadra Majhi, Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2843

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025

## Advanced Safety Measures in Coal Mines

†2843. Shri Kali Charan Singh: Smt. Himadri Singh: Shri Balabhadra Majhi: Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of coal mines where advanced safety measures like strata management and environmental monitoring have been implemented;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to implement stringent penal provisions in case of noncompliance of such advanced safety standards/protocols;
- (c) if so, the details of the proposed penalty framework including the nature of enforcement measures and any institutional changes envisaged; and
- (d) the total number of safety audits carried out in coal mines across the country during the last five years along with the proportion of these audits carried out in the State of Odisha?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): All  647 operating coal mines registered with DGMS ( Directorate General of Mines Safety) have the Strata management and environmental monitoring systems as mandated under the Coal Mines Regulation, 2017.
- (b) & (c): Adequate provisions have been specified under Chapter IX of the Mines Act, 1952 to address non-compliance with safety standards in mines, which include fines, prosecution, and imprisonment etc.
- (d): Total safety audits conducted in coal mines of CIL, SCCL, and NLCIL, during the last five years, along with audits carried out in the State of Odisha, are as under:

|                                                | Years    | Years    | Years    | Years    | Years    |
|------------------------------------------------|----------|----------|----------|----------|----------|
| Name of coal companies                         | 2020- 21 | 2021- 22 | 2022- 23 | 2023- 24 | 2024- 25 |
| CIL (including MCL, Odisha)                    | 300      | 286      | 293      | 284      | 286      |
| SCCL                                           | 12       | 9        | 16       | 21       | 10       |
| NLCIL ( Including 1 mine in Odisha)            | 5        | 5        | 5        | 5        | 10       |
| Audit in State of Odisha by MCL in coal mine   | 18       | 18       | 18       | 18       | 18       |
| Audit in State of Odisha by NLCIL in coal mine | 1        | 1        | 1        | 1        | 2        |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2839 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Lack of Digital Payment System in India Post
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri M K Raghavan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2839 ANSWERED ON 6 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## LACK OF DIGITAL PAYMENT SYSTEM IN INDIA POST

## 2839.   SHRI M K RAGHAVAN:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that post offices are not accepting digital payments for their services to the public;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the India Post has any plan to introduce digital payment system for their services; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof including timeframe set for its implementation?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) Sir, all Head Post Offices and Branch Post Offices of India Post were enabled for accepting the QR Code - based digital payment. Further, India Post is currently migrating to a new application namely, Advance Postal Technology (APT) wherein Post Offices are enabled to accept payments for booking of articles through Dynamic QR Code- based digital payment.

(c)  & (d) Sir,  as  on  22 nd   July  2025,  APT  application  has  been  implemented  in  81654  Post Offices and all these Post Offices can accept the Dynamic QR Code-based digital payment.  APT application  will  be  rolled  out  in  the  remaining  Post  Offices  by  05.08.2025.  Consequently,  the complete network of 1,64,987 Post Offices of India Post will be able to accept digital payments.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2838 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Beneficiaries under Scholarship Schemes for Minority Students
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, Shri Benny Behanan, Shri Balwant Baswant Wankhade, Adv Dean Kuriakose, Shri Pradyut Bordoloi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2838

ANSWERED ON 06/08/2025

## BENEFICIARIES UNDER SCHOLARSHIP SCHEMES FOR MINORITY STUDENTS

## 2838.   SHRI SAPTAGIRI SANKAR ULAKA:

SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:

SHRI BALWANT BASWANT WANKHADE:

ADV DEAN KURIAKOSE:

SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of beneficiaries under the Pre-Matric, Post-Matric and Merit-cum-Means scholarship schemes for minority students during the Financial Years 2023-24 and 2024-25, State and gender-wise;
- (b) the total funds allocated, released, and disbursed under each of these schemes during the said period;
- (c) whether any States or Union Territories have reported delays in application verification or scholarship disbursal and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the details of steps taken to streamline the National Scholarship Portal and prevent exclusion due to Aadhaar, bank account or institutional verification errors?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a):  The Ministry of Minority Affairs has implemented Pre-Matric, Post-Matric and Merit-cumMeans based Scholarship Schemes for minority students. The schemes have not been approved for implementation beyond 2021-22.

- (b) to (d):  Do not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2831 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Operationalisation of  Coal Block in West Bengal
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shri Jagannath Sarkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2831

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025

## Operationalisation of Coal Block in West Bengal

## 2831. Shri Jagannath Sarkar:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

(a)whether  the  delay  in  operationalising  the  Deucha  Pachami  coal  block  by  the Government of West Bengal has impacted the State's energy and economic growth and if so, the details thereof;

- (b) the  reasons  for  the  non-operationalisation  of  the  Deucha  Pachami  coal  block despite its significant potential for addressing the Country's coal requirements;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  provided  any  assistance  or  guidelines  to  the State Government to expedite the project and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the  estimated  economic  and  employment  benefits  that  could  be  realized  from the operationalisation of the Deucha Pachami coal block; and

- (e)  the  measures  being  considered  by  the  Union  Government  to  ensure  timely utilisation  of this  national  asset  including  potential  involvement  of  Central  PSUs  or private stakeholders?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) The Scheduled date for operationalization of Deocha Pachami Coal Block located  in  West  Bengal  is  27.09.2027.  There  is  no  delay  as  of  now  in  the operationalization of the block.
- (c)  Yes,  Sir.  For  development  of  coal  blocks  as  per  schedule,  progress  is  being monitored  on  regular  basis  through  meetings  in  the  presence  of  all  stakeholders. Further, to assist the coal blocks allocattees for timely development of coal blocks a Project Management Unit has also been engaged by the Ministry.
- (d) The Coal block, once fully operationalized has the potential to generate direct and indirect employment for around 1 lakh people and to economically transform not just the  district  or  the  adjoining  areas  but  also  the  entire  region  through  an   economic multiplier effect.
- (e)   The  coal  block  has  been  allocated  to  WBPDCL  by  the  Ministry  of  Coal,  for development as per schedule and for utilization of coal in its captive power plants to meet the growing energy demands of the state of West Bengal. For development of coal blocks as per schedule, progress is being monitored on regular basis through meetings in presence of all stakeholders. Further, to assist coal blocks allocattees a Project Management Unit has also been engaged by the Ministry which guides the project proponent at every stage.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2828 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Complaints against Private Mobile Service Providers
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Eswarasamy K

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2828 ANSWERED ON 6 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## COMPLAINTS AGAINST PRIVATE MOBILE SERVICE PROVIDERS

## 2828.   SHRI ESWARASAMY K:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

(a) the details of number of the complaints received by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) about private mobile/cellular service providers during the last three years, service providerwise; and

(b) the steps taken/being taken by TRAI for redressal of such complaints?

## ANSWER

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

(a) The details of the complaints received by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) during the last three years, private mobile/cellular service provider-wise are given below:-

| S. No.   | Private Mobile Service Provider   |   2022 |   2023 |   2024 | Total    |
|----------|-----------------------------------|--------|--------|--------|----------|
| 1.       | Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd.        |   9770 |  11431 |  13464 | 34665    |
| 2.       | Bharti Airtel Ltd.(Airtel)        |  19976 |  20570 |  18878 | 59424    |
| 3.       | Vodafone Idea Ltd. (VI)           |  11634 |   9459 |   7067 | 28160    |
| Total    | Total                             |  41380 |  41460 |  39410 | 1,22,249 |

(b) The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act, 1997 does not envisage redressal of individual consumer complaints by TRAI. Nevertheless, in order to protect the interest of consumers, TRAI has laid down a framework for redressal of complaints of telecom consumers by their Service Providers.  Telecom  Service  Providers  (TSPs)  are  required  to  redress  the  grievances  of  their customers  as  per  the  provisions  of  the  'Telecom  Consumer  Complaint  Redressal  Regulations (TCCRR), 2012' issued by TRAI.

In  terms  of  this  mechanism,  the  consumers  can  lodge  service-related  complaints  at  the complaint centre of their TSPs. In case a complaint is not redressed satisfactorily by the Service Provider at the complaint centre, an appeal can be registered with the Appellate Authority of the respective TSP.

*****