opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2815 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Telecommunication Services
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav, Vinayak Bhaurao Raut

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2815 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES

## †2815. SHRI SANJAY JADHAV: SHRI VINAYAK RAUT:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the mobile and internet services along with other telecommunication services are not satisfactory in the rural areas of the Country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of the areas in Maharashtra where the telecommunication services are not good, Parliamentary Constituency, district and tehsil-wise;

(c) whether the Government proposes to improve the situation in the said areas and if so, the details thereof including the steps taken in this regard; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to install mobile towers at various places in Parbhani and Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg Parliamentary Constituencies as per demand and requirement of the land areas, if so, the details thereof, location-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

(a) to (d) Telecom connectivity in Country has improved significantly in last 10 years. The total number of BTSs (Base Transceiver Station) have increased from 6.49 Lakh in March-2014 to 25.42 Lakh in March-2023. Total mobile subscribers  have increased from 90.45 Cr  in  March 2014 to 114.84 Cr. in August 2023. Internet subscribers have increased from 25.15 Cr. in March-2014 to 88.12 Cr. in March-2023.

As of September '2023, out of 6,44,131 villages in the country (village data as per Registrar General of India), around 6,16,300 villages are covered with mobile connectivity at a coverage of 95.7%. In Maharashtra out of 43,931 villages, 40,554 villages are covered with mobile connectivity.

In order to provide telecom connectivity in uncovered villages in the country, the Government has undertaken numerous schemes. Government has planned 41,160 towers in uncovered areas of the country to provide connectivity to more than 54,000 villages at the cost of more than Rs.41,331Cr including state of Maharashtra.

As on 31.10.2023, 6,394 Mobile towers have already been commissioned in the country in various  schemes  under  Universal  Service  Obligation  Fund  (USOF),  covering  7,535  villages including National Highway locations.

For improving the telecom connectivity in  Maharashtra, 2,691 towers have been planned under various schemes at the cost of Rs. 2,605 Cr. These towers will improve mobile connectivity in 3,529 villages including villages in Parbhani and Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg Parliamentary Constituencies.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2814 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Introduction of 5G
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Jayant Sinha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2814 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## INTRODUCTION OF 5G

## 2814.   SHRI JAYANT SINHA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the current 5G penetration in the country, State-wise;
- (b) the  details  of  the  plans  of  the  Government  to  introduce  5G  in  smaller  districts  and  nonmetropolitan cities of the country; and
- (c) the plan of the Government to integrate villages of aspirational districts for provisioning of 5G based services?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

(a) to (c) In a short period of 14 months since the launch of 5G services on 01-10-2022, 5G networks have been rolled out in 738 districts, including smaller districts, non-metropolitan cities and aspirational districts, across the country and a total of approximately 4 lakh 5G base stations have been installed. This is one of the fastest rollout of 5G networks in the world. Approximately 100 million mobile subscribers have started using 5G services in the country. With these numbers, India is now amongst the leading 5G ecosystems in the world.

The Government has taken several steps to facilitate faster rollout of 5G networks and to extend the reach of 5G services to all parts of the country, salient among which are as follows:

- (i) Series of financial reforms resulting in rationalization of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR).
- (ii) Assignment of sufficient spectrum for mobile services through open & transparent auction.
- (iii) Spectrum sharing, trading, leasing and surrender has been permitted to promote efficient use.
- (iv) Simplification  of  Procedure  for  SACFA  (Standing  Advisory  Committee  on  Radio Frequency  Allocations)  clearance.  After  implementation  of  this  simplified  procedure, average processing time for SACFA Clearance has significantly reduced to just 5 days.
- (v) Right of Way (RoW) Rules, 2016 have been notified under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. Pursuant to this, all States/ UTs have notified their RoW policies. This has resulted in streamlining of RoW permissions and expeditious clearance for installation of telecom infrastructure.
- (vi) Procedure  for  application  and  time-bound  permission  for  usage  of  street  furniture  for installation of small cells and telegraph line has been specified in Indian Telegraph Right of Way (Amendment) Rules, 2022.
- (vii)    PM GatiShakti Sanchar portal has been launched to expedite RoW permissions.

State/UT  wise  details  of  5G  base  stations  installation  are  available  on  Department  of Telecommunications (DoT) website.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2808 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Colour Coding Systems on Packets
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: P. Ravindhranath

## Government of India Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

## Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2808

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2023

## COLOUR CODING SYSTEMS ON PACKETS

2808.  SHRI P. RAVINDHRANATH:

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 Government is having a proposal to amend 'Food and Safety Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations-2022', for incorporating a colour coding system, to push for warning signs, on all  type  of  ultra-processed,  perceived  and packaged foods, comprising  multiple additives, to control rising cases of Obesity, especially, among adolescent female children; 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)  :          Food  Safety  &  Standards  Authority  of  India  (FSSAI)  has  notified  draft  Food  Safety  and Standards  (Labelling  &  Display)  Amendment  Regulations,  2022  on  13th September  2022 wherein  Indian Nutrition Rating (INR) has been proposed as Front of Pack Nutritional Labelling (FOPNL).

The  INR  are  summary  labels  which  provide  nutritional  information  of  a  food  product  by  way  of number of stars ranging from 0.5 to 5 stars which are attributed to the overall nutritional profile of the food and  include  'nutrients  of  concern'  (sodium,  total  sugars,  saturated  fat  and  energy)  as  well  as  'positive nutrients' (protein, dietary fibre and any aspect of fruit, vegetable, legume or nut content). It is based on the principle that 'The more stars, the healthier the choice'.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2807 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: BSNL 5G/4G Mobile Network
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2807 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## BSNL 5G/4G MOBILE NETWORK

## †2807. SHRI JASWANT SINGH BHABHOR:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  several  villages  in  Dahod  district  of  Gujarat  do  not  have  BSNL  5G/4G  mobile network or internet connectivity;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the total number of such villages with or without internet connectivity; and
- (d) the efforts being made by the Government to provide mobile and internet connectivity?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

(a) to (d) Telecom connectivity in the country has improved significantly in last 10 years. The total number of BTSs (Base Transceiver Station) have increased from 6.49 Lakh in March, 2014 to 25.42 Lakh in March, 2023. Total mobile subscribers have increased from 90.45 crore in March, 2014 to 114.84 crore in August, 2023. Internet subscribers have increased from 25.15 crore in March, 2014 to 88.12 crore in March, 2023.

As of September, 2023, out of 6,44,131 villages in the country (village data as per Registrar General of India), around 6,16,300 villages are covered with mobile connectivity at a coverage of 95.7%. In Gujarat, out of total 18425 villages, 17,892 villages are covered with mobile connectivity including 571 villages of Dahod District.

In order to provide telecom connectivity in uncovered villages in the country, the Government has undertaken numerous schemes. Government has planned 41,160 towers in uncovered areas of the country to provide connectivity to more than 54,000 villages at the cost of more than Rs. 41,331 crore.

Further,  in  accordance  with  Atmanirbhar  initiative  of  the  Government,  BSNL  has  placed purchase order for 1 Lakh indigenously developed sites to rollout 4G services. This equipment is upgradable to 5G.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2805 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Budget for Handloom Sector
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Agatha K. Sangma

## BUDGET FOR HANDLOOM SECTOR

## 2805. KUMARI AGATHA K. SANGMA:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state :

- (a) the details about the budget allocated for the handloom sector in the current fiscal year;
- (b) whether the Government has any plan for its growth in the State of Meghalaya and the North Eastern Region, if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  detailed  information  on  any  collaborations  with  Non-Governmental  Organizations  or international agencies to support handloom workers; and
- (d) the details of the financial aid programs and schemes that are available to handloom workers in Meghalaya and their accessibility to rural and remote areas?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER )

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर्

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SMT. DARSHANA JARDOSH)

- (a): Budget allocated for the handloom sector during the current fiscal year is Rs. 360 crores for implementation of National Handloom Development Programme and Raw Material Supply Scheme.

(b) to (d): Ministry of Textiles is implementing the following schemes to promote handlooms and welfare of handloom weavers across the country, including State of Meghalaya and the North Eastern Region covering rural and remote areas:

1. National Handloom Development Programme;
2. Raw Material Supply Scheme;

Under the above schemes, financial assistance is provided to eligible handloom agencies/weavers for raw materials, procurement of upgraded looms & accessories, solar lighting units, construction of workshed, skilling, product & design development, technical and common infrastructure, marketing of handloom products in domestic/overseas markets, concessional loans under  weavers'  MUDRA  scheme  and  social  security  etc.  No  specific  collaboration  with International agencies to support handloom workers is there at present.

In order to support handloom workers and growth of handloom sector in the State of Meghalaya and North Eastern Region, following steps have been taken by the Government of India:

- i. 200 handloom clusters have been taken up for financial assistance in the North Eastern Region, including 6 clusters in Meghalaya.
- ii. 2  Mega Handloom Clusters at Sivasagar(Assam) and East  Imphal(Manipur) have been taken up for financial assistance.
- iii. 27,458  handloom  workers  imparted  skill  up-gradation  training  in  the  North  Eastern Region, including 1,108 workers from Meghalaya.
- iv. To integrate Craft promotion with tourism, Craft Handloom Villages are being set up at Mohpara (Assam) and Moirang (Manipur).
- v. To  enhance  productivity, marketing  capabilities and  facilitate better  incomes,  32 Handloom Producer companies (PCs) have been formed in the North Eastern Region.
- vi. Design Resource Centre has been set up in Weavers' Service Centre, Guwahati to build and create design-oriented excellence in the Handloom Sector and to facilitate weavers, exporters, manufacturers and designers to access design repositories for product development.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2802 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Atomic Energy Production
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Poonam (Mahajan) Vajendla Rao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2802

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2023

## Atomic Energy Production

2802.  MS. RAMYA HARIDAS: SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the target set for Atomic energy production by 2030 looking at the potential of Atomic energy in the country;
- (b) the total production of Atomic energy as on 31st October, 2023 against the target set;
- (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)  and  Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut  Nigam  Limited (BHAVINI) to reach the target set; and
- (d) the timeline set for completion of reactors under construction and the progress made in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  The present installed nuclear power capacity is 7480 MW comprising of 23 nuclear power reactors.  On progressive completion, it is set to increase to 22480 MW by 2031-32.
- (b)  The electricity generation from nuclear power plants in the current year 202324 (up to November 2023) is about 32017 Million Units against the aspirational MoU target of 52340 Million Units for the year.
- (c)  Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has taken steps to ensure completion of plant shutdown of operating reactors as per schedule and early start  of  generation  from  new  units  and  also  avoiding  of  any  unplanned shutdown to meet the target. PFBR is undergoing integrated commissioning.

Bharatiya  Nabhikiya  Vidyut  Nigam  Limited  (BHAVINI)  has  set  milestones against set timeline to reach the target. (d)  At present, construction and commission of ten reactors totaling 8000 MW is underway. In addition, pre-project activities in respect of ten reactors accorded sanction  by  the  Government  has  been  initiated.  These  are  scheduled  for

- progressive completion by 2031-32.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2800 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Deep Sea Bio-Diversity
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Raja Amareshwara Naik, Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, Vinod Kumar Sonkar, Bhola Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2800

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 20 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## DEEP SEA BIO-DIVERSITY

2800.      SHRI RAJA AMARESHWARA NAIK: SHRIMATI SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO: SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR: SHRI BHOLA SINGH:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Deep Ocean Mission is directed towards capacity development in Marine Biology for providing job opportunities in the marine sector in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the project-wise details of different ocean development projects being implemented in the country till date;
- (d) the details of funds allocated by the Government for ocean development projects during each of the last three years; and
- (e) the other steps being taken by the Government for Deep Ocean survey exploration and projects for the conservation of deep sea bio-diversity in the country?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES

## (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a) & (b) Deep Ocean Mission is directed towards capacity development and enterprise in Marine Biology component by integrating the ongoing advanced basic and applied research in marine biology, marine ecology and related marine engineering through national and international collaboration in education, research and excellence in the field of ocean science  and  technology.  It  aims  to  translate  research  into  industrial  application  and product  development  through  on-site  business  incubator  facilities  to  provide  job opportunities in the Marine sector in the country.
- (c) Details of projects undertaken in the Deep Ocean Mission are:-
- i. Development of Technologies for Deep Sea Mining Manned Submersible and Underwater Robotics
- ii. Development of Ocean Climate Change Advisory Services
- iii. Technological Innovations for Exploration and Conservation of Deep-Sea Biodiversity
- iv. Deep Ocean Survey and Exploration
- v. Energy and Fresh water from the Ocean
- vi. Advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology
- (d) Details of fund allocated under the Deep Ocean Mission during last three years are:-
- (e) Documentation  and  mapping  of  marine  biodiversity  is  a  primary  factor  for  their conservation. Towards this, the Ministry through Centre for Marine Living Resources and  Ecology  (CMLRE)  has  undertaken  a  survey  recently  at  a  deep  Seamount  in  the Indian EEZ through in situ data collection onboard its research vessel to document its biodiversity.  This  together  with  similar  studies  from  few  more  deep  seamounts  will help in conserving these ecosystems.

| 2021- 22   | 2022-23   | 2023-24   |
|------------|-----------|-----------|
| Rs 150 Cr  | Rs 400 Cr | Rs 450 Cr |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2794 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Progress in BharatNet Project
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Goddeti Madhavi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2794 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## PROGRESS IN BHARATNET PROJECT

## 2794.   SHRIMATI GODDETI MADHAVI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the targets and deadlines set under the BharatNet project and the progress made so far;
- (b) the steps taken by the Government to fast-track progress under the BharatNet project;
- (c) whether  it  is  true  that  the  Government  failed  to  get  any  bids  for  the  implementation  of BharatNet in Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) mode;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for the same;
- (e) whether the Government has taken any corrective steps to attract more bids under PPP mode; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for the same?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

(a) to (f) BharatNet project was announced in 2011, however, the actual rollout commenced in 2014. More than 2.07 lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs) have been made service ready during the last ten years. In order to fast track the BharatNet implementation, tender was floated in 2021 under PPP model, which did not receive any response. Government has now amended the BharatNet Program as follows:

- (i) Upgradation of existing BharatNet network.
- (ii) Focus  on  utilization  of  the  network  through  BharatNet  Udyamis  i.e.  village  level entrepreneurs.
- (iii) Operation and Maintenance of the entire network.
- (iv) Dedicated Network Operation centre.
- (v) Expanding scope to connect all inhabited villages.
- (vi) To provide 1.5 crore home fibre connections.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2793 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Welfare Fund for Railway Employees
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Deepak Baij

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2793 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2023

## WELFARE FUND FOR RAILWAY EMPLOYEES

## 2793. SHRI DEEPAK BAIJ:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) in  pursuance  of  answer  to  question  number  3303  dated  09.08.2023, whether action has been initiated by the North Eastern Administration against employees found guilty for violation of Conduct Rules in regard to formation of General Body and Board of Directors of the NE and EC Railway Employees Multi State Cooperative Bank Ltd., Gorakhpur;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  manner  in  which  the  welfare  fund  formed  for  the  welfare  of shareholders/railway employees has been disbursed, when no Chairman has been nominated by the general manager, North Eastern Railway since 2016, in the light of the codal provisions of the Railway Establishment Manual; and
- (d) the  amount  of  money  that  has  been  disbursed  from  the  welfare  fund during the FYs 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) In  pursuance  to  answer  dated  09.08.2023  to  question  No.  3303,  it  is stated that the concerned employees are not involved in Private trade or  Employment,  and  hence,  the  provisions  of  rule-15  of  the  Railway Services (Conduct) Rules, 1966 are not attracted in their cases.
- (b) Does not arise.
- (c) No amount was disbursed from the welfare fund.
- (d) Nil.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2790 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Ayushman Bharat Scheme
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Ajay Kumar Mandal, Sunil Kumar Pintu

- (a) No, Sir.
- (b) As per the scheme, benefits are provided to all who are eligible under the scheme.
- (c) Does not arise in view of (a) and (b) above.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2790

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2023

## AYUSHMAN BHARAT SCHEME

†2790. SHRI AJAY KUMAR MANDAL: SHRI MAHABALI SINGH: SHRI SUNIL KUMAR PINTU:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ayushman Bharat Scheme of the Government has been reviewed by NITI Aayog and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether people are not  getting  the  benefits  of  the  said  scheme  for  the  treatment  of serious diseases and if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) whether  the  NITI  Aayog  proposes  to  forward  certain  modifications  in  the  said schemes  to  the  concerned  Ministry  so  that  the  public  can  get  complete  health benefits?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION; MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)