opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4215 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Rejected and Expired Food Items
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Eatala Rajender

## Government of India

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4215

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.03.2025

## REJECTED AND EXPIRED FOOD ITEMS

## 4215.  SHRI EATALA RAJENDER:

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

- (a) whether the Government is ensuring that rejected and expired food items are not being rebranded and sold for public consumption and also FSSAI has directed all licensed food manufacturers and importers to submit quarterly data on such foodstuffs through an online portal and the latest directive covers three key areas i.e. quantity of products failing internal quality testing, volume of expired or returned  products  from  the  food  supply  chain  and  detailed  records  of  product  disposal  including destruction, auction or alternative use with specific buyer and waste disposal agency information; and
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  steps  being  taken  in  this  direction  along  with  action  taken  on violations found till now, State-wise and the corrective steps proposed for future?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI B.L.VERMA)

(a) to (b) : Food Safety & Standards Authority of India has issued an advisory dated 16.12.2024 regarding the proper management of expired or rejected food products to ensure that such products do not re-enter the supply chain and compromise consumer safety.

As per regulatory provision under Section 26 and 27 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and Schedule IV of FSS (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011, Food Business Operators (FBOs) are mandated to segregate and clearly mark rejected/ expired products and follow FIFO (First In First Out)/ FEFO (First Expired First Out) stock rotation systems.

FBOs  are  directed  to  maintain  accurate  records  of  actions  taken  on  such  products,  including destruction, auction for alternative use, or disposal through authorized agencies, ensuring these items do not re-enter the food chain.

As per Schedule IV of the FSS (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011, FBOs are mandated to ensure proper segregation and distinguishable marking of raw, processed, rejected, recalled, or returned products to prevent cross-contamination and misuse.

In order to ensure the above, regular inspections and audits are conducted by FSSAI through Food Safety Officers of Central and State Authorities to verify compliance with storage, segregation, and hygiene requirements under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The provisions under Chapter IX of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 related to offenses and penalties, empower  FSSAI  to  take  appropriate  action, including imposing  penalty, suspension or cancellation of licenses etc. against FBOs found violating storage and segregation norms.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4213 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Promoting Climate-Resilient Crops under PDS
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri E T Mohammed Basheer

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.42 13

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26TH MARCH, 2025

## PROMOTING CLIMATE-RESILIENT  CROPS UNDER PDS

## 4213. SHRI E T MOHAMMED BASHEER:

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

- (a) the manner in which the Government is preparing the food distribution system to handle climate impacts like droughts or floods; and
- (b) the initiatives taken by the Government to promote climate-resilient crops under PDS?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

(a) and (b): National Agricultural Research System (NARS) including Indian Council of Agricultural Research  (ICAR) Institutes and State/Central Agricultural Universities (CAU/SAU) under the aegis of ICAR  during  2014-2024,  has developed 2900 location  specific improved field crop varieties/ hybrids including cereals, oilseeds, pulses, fibre crops, forage crops, sugarcane, and other crops. Out of these 2900 varieties, 2661 varieties are tolerant to one or  more biotic  and/or abiotic  stresses. Of  these, 537 varieties have been developed specially for  extreme climate using the precision phenotyping tools.

Millets  are resilient and climate-adaptable  in both hot and drought environments.  Millets are a good way  to increase agricultural  and dietary  diversity.  States/UTs have been requested to procure and distribute millets under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS)/Other Welfare Schemes(OWS).In addition to Wheat and Rice, Millets are also part of PDS. The allocation of  approved quantity of millets  for  distribution  under PDS is made by Department of Food and Public Distribution  (DFPD)  in lieu of equal quantity of wheat/rice. The millets are being given free of cost under Pradhan Mantri  Garib Kalyan  Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) from lst  January 2023 onwards. DFPD and field offices of Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Central  Warehousing  Corporation  (CWC)  have  organized  millets  awareness programme/ competition/ seminars etc.  An  advisory has been issued to  all  the States/UTs to  procure millets  and distribute to NFSA  beneficiaries as per local  consumption preferences and as per guidelines issued by the Central Government from time to time.

Further, DFPD allocates additional food grains (over and above regular allocation) to States/U'I's on account of Natural Calamities, Law &  Order Situations and Festivals on the basis of requests made by States/UTs in accordance with  the extant guidelines.

#  # #  #
Lok Sabha Question No. 4212 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Construction of Camp Offices
Ministry: PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. Kadiyam Kavya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 4212

## ANSWERED ON 26/03/2025

## CONTRUCTION OF CAMP OFFICES

## 4212.   DR. KADIYAM KAVYA

Will the MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a)        whether  there  is  a  proposal  to  construct  camp  offices  for Members  of  Parliament  in  their  constituency  headquarters  across the country;

- (b)     if so, the details of the proposal, including the estimated cost, timeline  for  completion,  and  the  facilities  to  be  provided  in  these camp offices;
- (c) whether the Government has consulted with the Members of Parliament  and  other  stakeholders  on  this  proposal  and  if  so,  the details of the feedback received; and
- (d)    the steps taken by the Government to ensure that these camp offices  are  utilized  effectively  and  efficiently  by  the  Members  of Parliament for the benefit of their constituents?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; AND THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

- (a) There is no such proposal under consideration of the Ministry.

(b) to (d) Question does not arise. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4211 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Passengers fined without Ticket
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Ujjwal Raman Singh, Smt. Mala Roy, Shri Adhikari Deepak Dev

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4211

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.03.2025

## PASSENGERS FINED WITHOUT TICKET

4211. SMT. MALA ROY:

SHRI ADHIKARI DEEPAK DEV:

SHRI UJJWAL RAMAN SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of passengers caught without ticket by the Government across the Country during the year 2023-24;
- (b) the  number  of  passengers  fined  for  travel  without  ticket  in  New Delhi  &  Prayagraj  and  Varanasi  railway  stations  during  the  period  from 15.01.2025 to 28.02.2025, State-wise;
- (c) the number of special ticket checking campaigns conducted across the Country to curb without ticket passengers during the said period; and
- (d) the  amount  of  fine  collected  by  the  Government  from  the  said passengers during the said period, State-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (d):  During  the  year  2023-24  a  total  of  approximately  2.16  crore passengers  were  detected  travelling  without  ticket  across  the  Indian

Railways  and  an  amount  of  approximately  ₹  562.40  crores  as  excess charges  (excluding  fare)    was  realized  from  these  passengers.  Statewise/Station-wise data of ticketless travel is not maintained. Special  ticket  checking  campaigns  are  undertaken  by  zonal  Railways from time to time keeping in view the local conditions or as per directions issued  by  Ministry  of  Railways.  Centralised  data  of  such  drives  is  not maintained. Further, conducting ticket checking activity and special ticket checking campaigns is a continuous and ongoing exercise in Indian Railways. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4210 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Railway Policy on Base Kitchen Supervisor and Catering Manager
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Arvind Ganpat Sawant, Shri Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4210

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.03.2025

## RAILWAY POLICY ON BASE KITCHEN SUPERVISOR AND CATERING MANAGER

†4210. SHRI ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT:

SHRI SANJAY UTTAMRAO DESHMUKH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the Railway Board's Policy on Base Kitchen Supervisor and Catering Manager as per Commercial Circular No. 24/2023;
- (b)  whether Hotel Management graduates were to be appointed as per the above policy;
- (c)  if  so,  the  details  of  the  places  where  the  Management  Graduates have been appointed;
- (d) the number of Base Kitchens set up under the above policy;
- (e)  the  number  of  Base  Kitchens  where  Hotel  Management  Graduates have been appointed;
- (f)  the number of trains and rakes contracted along with the number of
- rakes manned by hotel management graduates under the above policy;
- (g)  whether  the  Railway  Board's  Policy  has  been  violated  by  Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation; and
- (h) if so, the action being taken by the Government against the officials?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (h):  With  the  objective  of  bringing  about    improvement  in  train catering  services,  Ministry  of  Railways  has  issued  instructions  vide
- Commercial Circular No. 24 of 2023.

These  instructions  stipulate  supply  of  meals  in  trains  only  from designated base kitchens. Emphasis has been placed on infrastructure development and fixing end-to-end accountability for food production and services onboard. The Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) has undertaken tendering of these clusters of trains under the framework of the extant policy guidelines.

To ensure upgradation in services, various provisions have been made in the Circular which inter-alia include instructions regarding qualification  and  training  of  staff  deployed  for  managing  catering services.

Under  this  policy,  as  on  15.03.2025,  a  total  of  717  base  kitchens, covering 605 trains, have been commissioned.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4208 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Increase in Nuclear Power Generation
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Mani A

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4208

ANSWERED ON 26/03/2025

## INCREASE IN NUCLEAR POWER GENERATION

## 4208.  SHRI MANI A

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  set  any  target  to  increase  the  country's  nuclear  power generation capacity by 70 per cent in the next five years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to achieve this target;
- (c) the number of atomic power station functioning in the State of Tamil Nadu along with its total capacity;
- (d) whether the Government has proposed a nuclear power project in Tamil Nadu which would be largest nuclear power generation in the world, if so, the details thereof along with the current status of the project and the time by which it is likely to be completed; and
- (e)  the other steps taken by the Government to augment the nuclear power generation in the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) A target of reaching a capacity of 14080 MW in five years from the then existing capacity  of  8180  MW  (an  increase  of  about  70%)  was  set  in  2024.  The  capacity  was proposed to be increased by progressive completion of RAPP 7&8 (2X700 MW), KKNPP 3&4 (2X1000 MW), KKNPP 5&6 (2X1000 MW) and PFBR (500 MW) by BHAVINI. The progress on the projects is being closely monitored and RAPS-7 has already been connected to the grid on March 17, 2025.
- (c) There are four nuclear power plants in operation in the state of Tamil Nadu with a total capacity of 2440 MW.
- (d) At Kudankulam site in Tamil Nadu, there are two units KKNPP 1&2 (2X1000 MW) already in operation and four units KKNPP 3&4 (2X1000 MW) and KKNPP 5&6 (2X1000 MW) are under construction. On their completion, Kudankulam site with a total capacity of 6000 MW is expected to be the largest generating station in the country. KKNPP 3 to 6 are expected to be completed progressively by 2027-28.
- (e)  The  Government  has  accorded  sanction  for  more  nuclear  power  projects  and  made arrangements for ensuring availability of adequate quantity of fuel.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4206 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Coal Supply to Power Plants
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shri Ummeda Ram Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4206

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.03.2025

## Coal Supply to Power Plants

†4206. Shri Ummeda Ram Beniwal:

- Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state: (a) the number of power plants to which Coal has been allocated in Barmer of Rajasthan during the last ten years and the details of norms and rules under which such allocation has been made; (b) the price of allocation made in addition to the total quantity of coal allocation made to the said power plants; (c) whether any variations have been observed in such allocations and if so, the details thereof; (d) whether scant supply of coal has been made in Barmer which is adversely affecting power generation and if so, the remedial measures taken in this regard; (e) whether any coal depots exist in Barmer and if so, the current status of operation of such depots; (f) whether any operational power plant is lying closed in Barmer and if so, the reasons therefor; and (g) the time since when such projects have been closed and the reasons of the said closure along
- with the details of the revenue losses during the above closure, year-wise?

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

- (a) to (e): No power plant in Barmer of Rajasthan has been allocated coal linkage from Coal India Limited and Singareni Collieries Company Limited. The information on coal depots is not maintained by the coal companies.

(f) & (g): There are two lignite based power plants in Barmer of Rajasthan, namely, Giral TPS (2 x 125 MW = 250 MW) and Jalipa Kapurdi TPP (8 x 135 MW = 1080 MW). Out of these two plants, Jalipa Kapurdi TPP is currently operational, whereas Giral TPS is non-operational. Giral  TPS  Unit-1  has  been  out  of  operation  since  11.07.2014  and  Unit-2  has  been  nonoperational since 27.01.2016. Both the units of Giral TPS are currently under shutdown. The generation from Jalipa Kapurdi TPP during 2024-25 (April - February) is about 6.14 Billion Units (BU) as against 6.45 BU during the same period of last year.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4203 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: 5G Lab at Gauhati University
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Dr. Bhola Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4203 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 TH  MARCH, 2025

## 5G LAB AT GAUHATI UNIVERSITY

## 4203.   DR. BHOLA SINGH:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the manner in which the establishment of the 5G Lab at Gauhati University will contribute to research and innovation in next generation telecom technologies; and
- (b) the details of the measures being taken to bridge the digital divide in rural Assam through initiatives like Samridhi Gram Yojana?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Centre for Development of Telematics(C-DOT), the telecom R&D center of Govt of India, has established an indigenous 5G lab at Gauhati University that enables the faculty and students in gaining practical insights into an end-to-end 5G system, developing a deeper understanding of 5G technology, system capabilities while exploring new 5G use cases and applications and providing a foundation for advanced research and specification development for 6G technologies.
- (b) Government has taken following measures to bridge the digital divide in rural Assam:
-  BharatNet  project  is  being  implemented  in  a  phased  manner  to  provide  broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages beyond GPs on demand basis in the country including Assam. Under Samriddh Gram Panchayat pilot project, targeted approach  is  adopted  for  providing  Fibre  to  The  Home  (FTTH)  connections  to  public institutions,  private  enterprises/ entrepreneurs and households, in identified  one  GP of each block of the country including Assam, as per Amended BharatNet program.
-  In addition to the 5G usecase lab at Gauhati University, Government has also established 5G use case lab at IIT Guwahati and NIT Silchar to support students, startups and MSMEs in testing and developing 5G-based usecase applications and solutions.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4202 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Potash Deposits in Punjab
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4202

ANSWERED ON 26.03.2025

## POTASH DEPOSITS IN PUNJAB

4202. SHRI GURMEET SINGH MEET HAYER:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any studies have been conducted to identify potash deposits in Punjab and if so, the details thereof; (b) the estimated quantity and quality of potash reserves found in these areas; (c) the details of the plan to extract these potash reserves; (d) whether the extraction involves land acquisition or advanced drilling methods are to be employed to minimize land disruption; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof along with the projected timelines for the commencement and completion of potash extraction operations?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Since the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulations) Amendment Act, 2015, Geological Survey of India (GSI), an attached office of the Ministry of Mines, has taken up 04 nos. of G4 stage exploration projects on potash during field seasons 2016-17 to 2022-23 in Muktsar and Fazilka Districts, Punjab. During these exploration projects, GSI has established reconnaissance resources of potash and the details are given in Annexure. No reserves of potash have been established in Punjab. (c): Since there are no reserves of potash established in Punjab, plan to extract does not arise. (d) & (e): In view of (c) above, question does not arise.

*****

## Annexure

## Details of Reconnaissance resources of Potash established by GSI in the State of Punjab

| Field Season   | Block name                          | UNFC Stage   | Reconnaissance Resource                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|----------------|-------------------------------------|--------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2018-19        | Qabrwala Block                      | G4           | 5.98 MT K+ with an average grade of 3.90 K+% at 3.5% cut off.                                                                                                                                                           |
| 2019-21        | Fazilka and Sri Muktsar Sahib block | G4           | (i) 409.32 MT at 2% K+ cut off with average grade of 3.74 K+%, (ii) 300.15 MT at 3%K+ cut-off with average grade of 4.18 K+%. (iii) 194.58 MT at 4%K+ cut-off with average grade of 4.69 K+%.                           |
| 2022-23        | Shergarh-Dalmirkhera Block          | G4           | (i) 202.45MT with average grade of 3.42% K and 4.11% K2O at 2% cut-off, (ii) 22.86 MT with average grade of 6.96% K and 8.37 %K2O at 5% cut-off (iii) 4.86 MT with average grade of 10.13%K and 12.19%K2O at 8% cut-off |
Lok Sabha Question No. 4199 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: National Geospatial Mission
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Smt. D K Aruna, Shri Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy

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

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4199 ANSWERED ON 26/03/2025

## NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL MISSION

4199. SMT. D K ARUNA:

SHRI CHAMALA KIRAN KUMAR REDDY:

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

- (a) whether the Government is working out a National Geospatial Mission to develop foundational geospatial infrastructure and data and using PM-Gati Shakti, this Mission will facilitate modernization of land records, urban planning and design of infrastructure projects'; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and present status thereof, State-wise including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh?

## 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 (b): The Government has announced the National Geospatial Mission in Union Budget 2025-26 to develop foundational geospatial infrastructure and data across the country, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh, to facilitate modernization of land records, urban planning and design of infrastructure projects. The foundational geospatial infrastructure and data which includes National Geodetic Reference Frame consisting of National Horizontal Reference  Frame  (NHRF)  and  National  Vertical  Reference  Frame (NVRF)  and  consist  of  Orthorectified  Imagery  (ORI)  and  Digital Elevation Model  (DEM),  along  with Geo-ICT  Infrastructure will facilitate in providing improved and efficient land records, sustainable urban development and better design for infrastructure projects to all stakeholders.

*****