opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 606 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Delay in MANF Scholarship
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Raja Ram Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 606

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23/072025

## DELAY IN MANF SCHOLARSHIP

## 606.   SHRI RAJA RAM SINGH:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) scholars are protesting against the non-payment of monthly fellowship dues for several months as widely reported and raised directly with the Ministry;
- (b)  if  so,  the  reasons  for  the  inordinate  delay  in  disbursal  of  sanctioned  fellowship  amounts despite repeated representations;
- (c) the details of mechanisms put in place to ensure time-bound release of fellowships to current awardees post;
- (d)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  prevent  systemic  delays  in  scholarship  disbursal  to minority scholars; and
- (e) whether any committee has been constituted to look into these recurring lapses and if so, the details thereof along with findings of the committee report as well as action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a)  to  (d):  Maulana  Azad  National  Fellowship  (MANF)  scheme  has  been  discontinued  from 2022-23  onward  in  view  of  the  overlap  among  the  other  fellowship  schemes.  However,  the existing  MANF  fellows  will  continue  to  receive  fellowships  till  the  end  of  their  respective tenure.  Committed  liabilities  under  MANF  were  not  paid  from  January  onwards  pending approval.  Recently, necessary approval was obtained on the release of funds to those students who have been on-boarded under the MANF in terms of the scheme guidelines/ DBT Mission guidelines.  Following  this,  Ministry  has  released  funds  to  nodal  agency  for  disbursement  of fellowship.

- (e)   No specific committee has been constituted in the matter.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 604 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Community Radio Content Challenge
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Basavaraj Bommai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 604

## (TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025)

## COMMUNITY RADIO CONTENT CHALLENGE

## 604. SHRI BASAVARAJ BOMMAI:

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

(a) whether the Community Radio Content Challenge platform contributes to empowering local communities and amplifying their voices;

(b)      if  so,  the  details  of  initiatives  undertaken  by  the  Government  to  enhance  the  role  of community radio in addressing region-specific issues;

(c)      the  details  of  measures  that  are  being  implemented  to  ensure  greater  participation  from diverse regions in the Community Radio Content Challenge;

(d)      whether  the  Government  plan  to  leverage  community  radio  to  promote  public  health awareness and rural development; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e):  The Community Radio Content Challenge was organized as part of the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) held in Mumbai from 1 st  to 4 th May, 2025. Its objective was to highlight the impactful work Community Radio Stations (CRSs) are doing to drive positive change across diverse sectors.

The challenges provided an opportunity for the CRSs to showcase their creative, impactful, and innovative  content.  Entries  were  invited  under  various  categories,  covering  crucial  aspects  of community development, including programmes on public health & rural development.

To strengthen the development of CRSs, the Government implements a Central Sector Scheme 'Supporting Community Radio Movement in India'. With an outlay of Rs. 50.00 Crores, the scheme is functional for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26.

The main features of the scheme are as follows:

1. Financial assistance to newly established CRSs after they have been operational for three months
2. Stations operating for over five years receive support for renewing or replacing old equipment.
3. Training and awareness through workshops, webinars, and sammelans.
4. Stakeholder Engagement through regional and national events to enable peer learning among CR stakeholders

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 603 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: PMGDISHA
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Mani A

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 603

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 23.07.2025

## PMGDISHA

## 603. SHRI MANI A:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  implementing  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Gramin  Digital  Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) scheme to promote digital literacy among rural households particularly targeting socio-economically disadvantaged families in Tamil Nadu;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  the  progress  made  under  the  scheme  in  Tamil  Nadu  particularly  to Dharmapuri  district  including  the  number  of  eligible  rural  households  identified,  number  of beneficiaries enrolled and those certified as digitally literate so far;
- (c) whether the Government has set any specific targets under PMGDISHA for rural households in Dharmapuri district and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  whether  any  steps  have  been  taken  by  the  Government  to  strengthen  the  digital  literacy ecosystem in rural and tribal pockets of Dharmapuri such as by deploying mobile training units, appointing Village-Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) or facilitating training through Common Service Centres (CSCs) and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) to (d): Government launched Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta  Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) in 2017 to ensure digital literacy. Against the target to train 6 Cr individuals, a total of 6.39 crore individuals were trained across the country. Scheme was officially concluded on 31 st March 2024.

The Scheme was implemented by CSC e-Governance Services India Limited through 4.39 Lakh Common Service Centres (CSC) run by Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs). In the State of Tamil Nadu, a total 14,07,880 candidates were trained under the Scheme.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 602 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Foodgrains for BPL Families
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Adhikari Deepak Dev

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 602

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23m JULY, 2025

## FOOD(JRAINS FOR BPL FAMILIES

## 602.  SHRI ADHIKARI DEEPAK DEV:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any data on the BPL  family  in the country as on 30 June 2025 9
- (b) if  so, the details of the last five  years; and
- (c) if  not, the mechanisms followed by the Government for the distribution of Government foodgrain schemes to the BPL  families?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

- (a) to (c) in 2021, the Government has developed a comprehensive index known as Multidimensional  Poverty  Index  (MPI) to  measure poverty  by  capturing  overlapping deviations in  dimensions such as health,  education and standard of  living,  covering  12 indicators. It  measures both the share of people in poverty  and the degree to which  they are deprived. The second edition of the index was released in 2023. As per the National MPI Report, 2023 released by NITI  Aayog, the proportion of population in multidimensional poverty declined from  24.85% to  14.96% between 2015-16 and 2019-21, indicating that about 135.5 million  persons have escaped poverty during the period.

The National Food Security Act,  20 13 (NFSA). being implemented in  all  the States/UTs on an all-India  basis, aims to  supplement the food requirements of up to 75% of the rural and up to 50% of the urban population. which, as per Census 2011, comes to 81 .35 crore persons. There are two  categories of beneficiaries under the Act:  (1) Antyodaya Anna Yojana and (2) Priority  Households. There is no BPL  category under the Act.  Under the Act, while Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)  households, which  constitute the poorest of the poor, are entitled to  35 kg  of  foodgrains per family  Der month, Priority  Households (PHII)  are entitled  to  5 kg  of  foodgrains per  person per month  free  of  cost. At  present, against the intended coverage of 81.35 crore, 80.56 crore beneficiaries are receiving foodgrains free of cost. The Coverage under the Act  is substarKialiy high to  ensure that all the vulnerable and needy sections of the society get its benefit.

The NFSA is operated under the .joinl' responsibilities of the Central and State/UT Governments, wherein the operational fesp6nsibilitiei,  including the identification  of eligible beneficiaries/families and distribution,  rest with the conchned State/UT Government.

+ >:C #  # #
Lok Sabha Question No. 600 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Internet and Wi-Fi Connection Facilities in Rural India
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Smt. Vijaylakshmi Devi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 600 ANSWERED ON 23 RD  JULY, 2025

## INTERNET AND WI-FI CONNECTION FACILITIES IN RURAL INDIA

## †600.   SMT. VIJAYLAKSHMI DEVI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has made available internet and Wi-Fi connection facilities across all the villages of the country for the benefit of farmers so that they can enhance their knowledge about agriculture sector and continuously receive information regarding the new developments in agriculture sector;

- (b) if so, the measures/actions taken/being taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (c) if  not,  the  delay  by  which the target for providing internet and Wi-Fi facilities across all villages of the country is likely to be achieved?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Government  is  implementing  various  schemes  under  Digital  Bharat  Nidhi  for expansion of internet facilities through installation of 4G mobile towers in the rural and remote areas of the country under 4G saturation project. In addition, BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased  manner  to  provide  broadband  connectivity  such  as  Wi-Fi  Hotspots,  Fibre  to  the  Home (FTTH) connections etc. to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages on demand basis.

Further to improve Wi-Fi proliferation, Government has launched PM-WANI scheme which aims to accelerate proliferation of internet services for public including farmers by setting up public Wi-Fi Hotspots in the country. As on 30.06.2025, 3,33,300 PM-WANI Wi-Fi hotspots have been installed in the country.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 598 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: AIR Centre in Meerut
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Arun Govil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 598

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025)

AIR CENTRE IN MEERUT

598. SHRI ARUN GOVIL:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that the All India Radio (Akashvani) centre was inaugurated in the year 2019  on Parikshitgarh Road  in  Meerut metropolis with a view to showcase the cultural and folk art, economy, politics  and  social  life  of  Meerut  through  said  station  and  farmers, industries, artists, poets etc. will also get a chance to showcase their art and the programmes will be made at local level;
- (b) whether it is also a fact that during the last six years, said centre is relaying the programmes of Delhi centre only and no programmes are being made there at local level;
- (c) whether the Government has any plan for programme production in the Meerut centre at Akashvani; and
- (d) if so, the time by which the production of programmes are likely to be commenced in the Meerut centre at local level?

ANSWER THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  INFORMATION  AND  BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN) (a)  to  (d):  A  10  kW  FM  relay  station  of  All  India  Radio  (AIR)  was commissioned  at  Meerut  on  6 th   March,  2019.  The  station  presently relays the FM Rainbow channel of Akashvani Delhi. However, listeners in  Meerut  and  its  adjoining  areas  benefit  from  a  wide  range  of  AIR content through multiple platforms. Over 260  Akashvani  channels,  including  FM  Rainbow,  Vividh  Bharati, FM  Gold,  and  15  regional  stations  from  Uttar  Pradesh  having  studio facilities, are available through the 'NewsOnAIR' mobile app and website. Moreover, 48 Akashvani channels are also accessible free-of-cost via DD Free Dish, ensuring reach even in remote and rural areas. *******
Lok Sabha Question No. 594 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Request for Railway Projects in Jalagaon
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Smt. Smita Uday Wagh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 594

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025

## REQUEST FOR RAILWAY PROJECTS IN JALAGAON

594. SMT. SMITA UDAY WAGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government  has received representations from Hon'ble  Members  of  Parliament  regarding  various  railway  demands from Jalgaon district in Maharashtra through letters and in Parliament, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to introduce new train services between Bhusaval-Pune and Bhusaval-Mumbai to enhance connectivity for passengers in the region, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether there is any proposal to provide new stoppages or restore stoppages for long-distance trains at Amalner, Dharangaon, Pachora, Chalisgaon and Jalgaon stations and if so, the details thereof, trainwise;
- (d) whether the Government has considered any proposal for extension of existing trains to or from Bhusaval to meet public demand, if so, the status thereof; and
- (e)  the  details  of  the  action  taken  or  proposed  to  be  taken  on  the above demands along with expected timelines for implementation in Jalgaon Lok Sabha Constituency?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (e)  Representations  including  from  the  Hon'ble  Member  of Parliament Smt. Smita Uday Wagh, inter-alia for provision of stoppage

& extension of trains have been received. These have been examined and based on the request(s), stoppage of 01211/01212 Badnera-Nasik Road  Special  has  been  provided  at  Kajgaon  w.e.f  11.06.2025.  It  has also  been  decided  to  provide  stoppage  of  22663/22664  TambaramJodhpur Express at Amalner. Presently, Amalner, Dharangaon, Pachora,  Chalisgaon  and  Jalgaon  stations  are  respectively  being served by 54, 20, 27, 52 and 159 trains. Indian  Railways  have  decided  to  introduce  Pune-Rewa  Express with scheduled stoppage at Bhusaval. This train would be in addition to  the  29  pairs  of  trains  already  serving  the  Bhusaval-Pune  sector. Similarly, Bhusaval-Mumbai sector is well served by 74 pairs of train services. Besides, stoppage/extension of train services is an on-going process on Indian Railways, subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 593 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Blasting in Mining beyond the Prescribed Norm
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Damodar Agrawal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. †593

ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025

## BLASTING IN MINING BEYOND THE PRESCRIBED NORM

†593. SHRI DAMODAR AGRAWAL:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that heavy blasting beyond the prescribed norms in the mining work being carried out by the Jindal SAW Limited in Bhilwara district of Rajasthan is causing serious loss of life and property to the common people;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  seeking  a  report  from  the  State Government to probe this matter;
- (d) if so, the details and time-limit thereof; and
- (e) if not, the steps likely to be taken by the Government to protect the life and property of the local residents?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (e):  The  Central  Government  has  enacted  the  Mines  Act,  1952  to  ensure occupational safety and health of mine workers. The said Act is administered by the Ministry  of  Labour  and  Employment  (MoLE).  Directorate  General  of  Mines  Safety (DGMS), under MoLE, is entrusted with the task of inspection of mines to ensure the compliance of the provisions of the Mines Act, 1952 and the Rules and Regulations framed thereunder for enhancing the safety of mine workers.

Adequate provisions have been incorporated in the Metalliferous Mines Regulations 1961 (framed under the Mines Act, 1952) for safe storage, handling, transportation, use of explosives and blasting in the mines. DGMS also conducts outreach awareness program and workshop on 'Safe Explosive Handling and Blasting practices in mines'.

As per the information received from the MoLE, a complaint related to blasting in the Lampiya Iron Ore, Copper and associated mineral mines of Jindal Saw Limited was received and an inquiry into the complaint was conducted by DGMS. After inquiry, it was found that no loss of life was reported due to blast in the said mines.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 592 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Global Risks Report 2025
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Dr. M P Abdussamad Samadani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 592

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 23.07.2025

## GLOBAL RISKS REPORT 2025

## 592. DR. M P ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the findings of the Global Risks Report 2025 that identifies misinformation and disinformation as the top short-term global threat;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  whether  the  Government  plans  to  establish  international  coalitions  to  address  cross-border disinformation?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) to (c):  Global Risks Report 2025 was published by World Economic Forum. Government of India was not involved in development of the report.

In order to protect users in India from potential  risks and harms posed by misinformation and disinformation  Central  Government  has  notified  the  Information  Technology  (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 under the Information Technology Act, 2000.

These Rules cast specific obligations on intermediaries, including social media intermediaries, to make reasonable efforts themselves and to cause their users not to host, display, upload, publish, transmit  or  store  any  information  that  constitutes  misinformation,  is  patently  false,  untrue  or misleading in nature, or that knowingly or intentionally violates any law.

Additionally, section 353 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 deals with spread of misinformation and disinformation and provides penalty for the act of making false or misleading statements, rumours, or reports that can cause public mischief or fear.

The  Government  actively  engages  with  international  forums,  including  platforms  such  as  the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), G20 Digital Economy Working Group, and Bilateral Cyber Dialogues, to strengthen cooperation in combating cross-border misinformation and disinformation.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 591 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Sanctioned Posts of Employees at the Modern Coach Factory, Raebareli
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Rahul Gandhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 591 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025

## SANCTIONED POSTS OF EMPLOYEES AT THE MODERN COACH FACTORY , RAEBARELI

591.  SHRI RAHUL GANDHI

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to increase sanctioned posts at the Modern Coach Factory, Raebareli (MCF) in light of the growing production;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to provide Productivity Linked
- Bonus to railway employees at the  MCF;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e)  whether  the  Government  has  received  complaints  regarding illegal commissions taken from contractual workers by the manpower recruitment agencies; and
- (f)  if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (f):  The  details  of  Sanctioned  posts  and  actual  strength    in Modern Coach Factory, Raebareli (MCF) is as below:

| Year    | Sanctioned strength   | On roll strength   |
|---------|-----------------------|--------------------|
| 2012-13 | 2,690                 | 588                |
| 2024-25 | 2,697                 | 2,154              |

MCF is a modern coach factory. It is technologically advanced. The staff strength is considered adequate for required production.

## Productivity Linked Bonus

Productivity  Linked  Bonus  is  being  paid  to  railway  employees  of Modern  Coach  Factory  regularly  at  the  same  rate  paid  to  railway employees  posted  at  other  places  in  Indian  Railways.  Approx Rs 3.75 cr has been paid as Productivity Linked Bonus for the year 2023-24 to MCF employees.

## Payment to outsourced staff

The  payments  to  the  outsourced  staff  are  being  made  directly  to their bank  accounts. To effectively address and prevent any malpractice, Modern Coach Factory has instituted a comprehensive set  of  measures.  These  include  mandatory  registration  of  worker details on the Shramik Kalyan Portal, strict adherence to statutory compliances, protection against arbitrary termination of contractual workers, imposition of penalties for any violations detected, organization of workers awareness camps and the establishment of dedicated grievance redressal mechanisms to ensure timely resolution of concerns.

*****