opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2535 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: BharatNet Projects in Punjab
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Amrinder Singh Raja Warring

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2535 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## BHARATNET PROJECTS IN PUNJAB

## 2535.   SHRI AMRINDER SINGH RAJA WARRING:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the current status of implementation of Bharat Net Projects in Punjab, including the number of  Gram Panchayats connected to  high-speed internet and optical fiber  along with the details of number of uncovered Panchayats and villages;
- (b) the details pertaining to the fund allocated and utilised for Bharat Net projects in Punjab since its inception;
- (c) the challenges being faced in extending Bharat Net connectivity to the rural and remote areas of Punjab and the steps being taken to address them; and
- (d) the manner in which the Government monitors the quality and reliability of internet services provided under Bharat Net Projects in Punjab?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) BharatNet  project  is  being  implemented  in  a  phased  manner  to  provide  broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country, including Punjab. So far, 12,668 GPs, out of total 13,337 GPs have been made service ready in Punjab.
- (b) In  Punjab,  as  on  30.09.2024,  total  amount  of  Rs.  1422.98  crore  has  been  utilized  under BharatNet project.
- (c) Difficult terrain in rural & remote areas, difficulty in getting right of way permissions (RoW), and non-availability of stable power supply are the main challenges faced in extending BharatNet connectivity in rural and remote areas in the country including Punjab. However, the work under the scope of Phase-I and Phase-II is already complete in the state.
- (d) The operation and maintenance of the BharatNet network is done by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited  (BSNL)  through  professional  agencies  based  on  service  level  agreement  (SLA)  based contracts. BharatNet network is monitored through centralised Network Operating Centre (NOC) and its reports are being monitored on a regular basis.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2534 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Internet and Wi-Fi facility in Gram Panchayat
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Damodar Agrawal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2534 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## INTERNET AND WI-FI FACILITY IN GRAM PANCHAYAT

## †2534.  SHRI DAMODAR AGRAWAL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to provide internet and Wi-Fi facilities in every Gram Panchayat across the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the number of Gram Panchayats of Rajasthan including Bhilwara Parliamentary Constituency that have been provided with internet and Wi-Fi facilities?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country. Further, Government has approved the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) for upgradation of existing network of BharatNet Phase- I & Phase-  II,  creation  of  network  in  balance  GPs.  The  program  also  provides  Optical  Fibre  (OF) connectivity to the remaining Non-GP villages (approx. 3.8 lakhs) on demand basis. Wi-Fi service is supported by equipment installed at many GPs.

- (c) The details of Gram Panchayats are given below.

| Details                                              | Rajasthan   | Bhilwara Parliamentary constituency   |
|------------------------------------------------------|-------------|---------------------------------------|
| No. of GPs service ready                             | 8776        | 384                                   |
| No. of GPs where internet connection (FTTH) provided | 4750        | 176                                   |
| No. of FTTH connection commissioned                  | 49,252      | 1,362                                 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 219 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Restoration of Old Pension Scheme
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Harish Chandra Meena

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *219

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 TH  DECEMBER, 2024/ AGRAHAYANA 19, 1946 (SAKA)

WELFARE BOARD OF CAPF

†*219.     SHRI HARISH CHANDRA MEENA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has received any requests from the Ex-Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) Welfare Association regarding the establishment of a welfare board aimed at the welfare and rehabilitation of the retired officers and the families of martyr personnel; and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) to (b): A Statement is laid on the table of the house.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (B) IN RESPECT OF LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  *219  FOR  REPLY  ON  10-12-2024 REGARDING  WELFARE  BOARD  OF  CAPF  ASKED  BY  SHRI  HARISH CHANDRA MEENA.

(a) & (b):   The Ministry has already established the Welfare and Rehabilitation Board (WARB) to look after the welfare and rehabilitation of retired CAPFs personnel and their families including Next of Kins (NoKs) of deceased/disabled  personnel.  Welfare  and  Rehabilitation  Board  (WARB) has further designated State Welfare Officers (SWOs) and District Welfare Officers (DWOs) in States/UTs. The Board focuses on various objectives, including the development of a system to monitor welfare and resettlement programs while ensuring efficient budgeting and allocation of funds. The key activities of WARB include formulating policies for rehabilitation and welfare, maintaining up-to-date records of personnel and dependents, and facilitating financial relief, career support, and medical care. It ensures data accessibility and transparency through a dedicated website and uses welfare grants to support its initiatives.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 217 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Compliance Mechanism for RPwD Rules
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Azad Kirti Jha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWRERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILTIES

## LOK SABHA

- (a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STARRED QUESTION NO. *217

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2024

## COMPLIANCE MECHANISM FOR RPwD RULES

*217. Shri Kirti Azad:

Will the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry is the nodal authority to ensure compliance with the accessibility guidelines notified under RPwD Rules, if not, the reasons therefor along with details of compliance mechanism for the above Rules;
- (b) whether it is a fact that there is no provision of criminal liability under the RPwD Act, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details and number of people prosecuted under RPwD Act since its inception, year wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

(DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)

Statement referred to in reply to part (a) to (c) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 217 raised  by  Shri  Kirti  Azad,  Hon'ble  M.P.  regarding  'Compliance  Mechanism  for  RPwD Rules' for answer on 10.12.2024.

(a) : As per Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 and amendments made thereto, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities is the nodal Department for the overall policy, planning and coordination of programmes for Persons with Disabilities. However,  overall  management  and  monitoring  etc.  of  the  sectoral  programmes  in  respect  of Persons  with  Disabilities  is  the  responsibility  of  the  concerned  Central  Ministries,  State Governments and Union territory Administrations.

In addition to this, Section (40) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 read with Rule 15 (2) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2017 mandates respective Ministries and Departments to ensure compliance of the standards of accessibility specified under the said Rule through concerned domain regulators or otherwise.

(b):   There are following punishments prescribed for contravention of provisions of the RPwD Act:

(i) Section 89 provides for penalty in the form of fine ranging from Rs ten thousand to 5 lakhs for violation of the provisions of the Act.

(ii) Section 92(1) provides for penalty in the form of imprisonment (not less than 6 months and upto 5 years) for intentionally insults with intent to humiliate a PwD in public place.

(iii) Section 93 provides for penalty in the form of fine which may extend upto Rs twenty five thousand in respect of each offence for non-submission of books/accounts/information sought in pursuance of the said Act.

(c):  No such information is centrally maintained in the Ministry.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 216 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Vacant Post of Chief Commissioner in CCPD
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Amra Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWRERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILTIES

## LOK SABHA

- (a) to (f) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *216

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10/12/2024

## VACANT POST OF CHIEF COMMISSIONER IN CCPD

## *216. Shri Amra Ram:

WILL THE MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT BE PLEASED TO STATE:

- (a)  whether  the  post  of  Chief  Commissioner  been  lying  vacant  in  the  Office  of  Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD);
- (b) the time by which the Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities has been given the additional charge of the CCPD;
- (c)  the  number  of  times  and  dates  on  which  the  Government  has  published  advertisements inviting applications for the post of CCPD;
- (d) whether the Government has received responses of these advertisements;
- (e) if so, the number of persons who applied; and
- (f) whether applications were received from the persons who are eligible and experienced as per the  Rights  of  Persons  with Disabilities  (RPwD)  Act  and  if  so,  the  reasons  for  not  making  the recruitment on the said post?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

(DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)

Statement referred to in reply to part (a) to (f) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 216 raised by Shri Amra Ram, Hon'ble M.P. regarding 'Vacant Post of Chief Commissioner in CCPD' for answer on 10.12.2024.

(a) & (b) Yes, sir. The tenure of last regular CCPD ended on 27.01.2019. Since then Secretary, Department  of  Empowerment  of  Persons  with  Disabilities  has  been  holding  the  additional charge of CCPD which, as on date, stands extended up to 31.01.2025. For the period of a few months in the year 2022-23, the additional charge of CCPD was held by Secretary, National Commission for Scheduled Castes.

## (c)    4 times.

-  First time the Department published advertisement in Employment News on 24-30 November, 2018.
-  Second time the Department published advertisement in Employment News on 10-16 October, 2020.
-  Third time, Department published advertisement in Employment News on 16.12.2023.
-  Fresh advertisement has been issued on DEPwD's website on 03.12.2024.

## (d) and (e):

-  79 applicants applied against the advertisement published in employment news dated 24-30 November, 2018.
-  51 applicants applied against the advertisement published in employment news dated 10-16 October, 2020.
-  28 applicants applied against the advertisement published in employment news dated 16.12.2023.
- (f)        Subsequent to shortlisting by the concerned Committee, in all the 3 attempts to fill up the post of CCPD, finally, no suitable candidate was found. A fresh vacancy circular for the post of CCPD has been uploaded on DEPwD's website on 03.12.2024.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2524 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Survey by World Bank
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Tatkare Sunil Dattatrey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2524. TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, THE 10 TH  DECEMBER, 2024.

## SURVEY BY WORLD BANK

## 2524.  SHRI TATKARE SUNIL DATTATREY:

## Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether  it  is  true  that  according  to  a  recent  survey  by  the  World  Bank, manufacturers in India face significant challenges and many of the manufacturers cites business licensing and permits as major constraints;
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) measures taken by the Government for smoothening the manufacturing sector and to make it hurdle free sector by introducing single window clearance; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री णिणिन प्रसाद ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

- (a) & (b): No  such  survey  conducted  by  the  World  Bank  has  been  submitted  to  the Department.
- (c) & (d): National Single Window System (NSWS), initiated by DPIIT and accessible through nsws.gov.in,  acts  as  a  one-stop  digital  platform  for  facilitating  Government  to Business (G2B) approvals and investor-related clearances for industry, including manufacturing with transparency and accountability in the country. It streamlines the G2B approvals process by creating information symmetry and minimizing the need to visit multiple Departmental portals, thereby making it hurdle free for the businesses. The portal also enabled online payment gateways to facilitate seamless transactions.

Currently, 32 Central Ministries/Departments and 29 States/UTs are integrated with NSWS with access to 277 Central approvals and 2977 State approvals. Additionally, Know Your Approvals (KYA) module is live for 659 Central approvals and 6,353 State  approvals  to  facilitate  free  flow  and  access  of  information  for  business enterprises.  Till  date,  more  than  7.6  lakh   approvals  have  been  applied  through NSWS.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2522 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Growth of Textile Industry
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Dr. Shivaji Bandappa Kalge

## GROWTH OF TEXTILE INDUSTRY

## 2522. DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE:

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

(a)  whether  India  is  placed  far  behind  in  growth  of  the  textile  industry  and  the  quantum  of  clothes produced affecting the volume of export;

(b) if so, the major reasons besides the cheaper labour workforce;

(c) whether measures have been initiated to address the problems of the textile industry in the country to reach the top position in textile manufacturing and exports surpassing even Bangladesh; and

(d) the future of the textile industry in the country?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a) & (b): India  is  ranked  among  the  top  textile  exporting  countries  in  the  world  with  a  share  of approx. 4% of global textiles and apparel exports.

(c) & (d): The Government is implementing various schemes/initiatives to promote Indian textiles. The major schemes/initiatives include PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks  Scheme  to  create  a  modern,  integrated,  world  class  textile  infrastructure;  Production  Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme focusing on MMF Fabric, MMF Apparel and Technical Textiles to boost large scale  manufacturing and enhancing competitiveness; National Technical Textiles Mission focusing on Research Innovation & Development, Promotion and Market Development; SAMARTH - Scheme for Capacity  Building  in  Textile  Sector  with  the  objective  providing  demand  driven,  placement  oriented, skilling program; Silk Samagra-2 for comprehensive development of sericulture value chain; National Handloom Development Program for end to end support for handloom sector. Ministry of Textiles is also  implementing  National  Handicrafts  Development  Programme  and  Comprehensive  Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme for promotion of handicrafts.

Further, The Government is also implementing Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) scheme for Apparel/Garments and Made-ups in order to enhance competitiveness by adopting principals of  zero  rated  exports.  Further,  textiles  products  not  covered  under  the  RoSCTL  scheme  are  covered under Remissions of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) along with other products. In addition,  Government  provides  financial  support  to  various  Export  Promotion  Councils  and  Trade Bodies under Market Access Initiative Scheme implemented by Department of Commerce for organising and participating in trade fairs, exhibitions, buyer-seller meets etc at national and international levels.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2520 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Krishi Upaj Mandis
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Bharat Singh Kushwah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2520

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## KRISHI UPAJ MANDIS

2520. SHRI BHARAT SINGH KUSHWAH:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state:

(a) whether there is any provision for selling the agricultural and horticultural produce of farmers on the basis of open auction in Krishi Upaj Mandis;

(b) whether the small horticultural farmers are unable to bring their horticultural produce to Krishi Upaj Mandis; and

(c) if  so,  whether  the  Government  propose  to  conduct  any  study  in  the  form  of  a  pilot project  to  create  separate  Krishi  Upaj  Mandis  and  Horticultural  Upaj  Mandis  for  selling agricultural and horticultural produce, separately?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a)  &  (b):  Agriculture  Marketing  is  a  State  Subject.  The  Agricultural  Produce  Market Committees (APMCs) are statutory market committees, constituted by State Governments to regulate  trade  in  notified  agricultural  or  horticultural  produce,  in  the  Krishi  Upaj  Mandis  or APMCs, set up under the APMC Acts across the States.

The most prevalent provision for selling the  produce in  the APMCs is through open auction.  Since horticultural produce is perishable, in  order to reduce handling losses, most states have permitted trade in mandis as well as outside market yards.

(c):  No  sir,  there  is  no  proposal  for  conducting  any  study  at  present.    States  have  the autonomy  to  open  and  operate  APMCs  as  per  provisions  of  the  State  Acts  including separate Mandis for grains, fruits & vegetables and flowers.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2515 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Review of IPS Cadre
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2515

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 th  DECEMBER, 2024/ AGRAHAYANA 19, 1946 (SAKA)

REVIEW OF IPS CADRE

2515.     SHRI CHAMALA KIRAN KUMAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Ministry is aware that the Telangana State Indian Police Service (IPS) cadre review, due since 2021, has not been conducted and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  whether  the  Ministry  received  a  request  from  Chief  Minister  of Telangana for an increase of 29 IPS cadre posts to meet State security demands;

(c) if so, the current status of this request and the reasons for any delay;

(d)  whether  there  is  a  plan  to  complete  the  review  within  this  financial year; and

(e)  the  steps  taken  to  address  the  State's  policing  requirements  in  the interim?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYNANAD RAI)

(a) Yes. As per Rule 4(2) of the Indian Police Service (Cadre) Rules 1954, the Central Government shall, ordinarily at the interval of every five years,  re-examine  the  strength  and  composition  of  each  such  cadre  in consultation with the State Government concerned and may make such alterations therein as it deems fit.

The  last  cadre  review  of  Telangana  Cadre  was  done  in  year  2016 and  accordingly,  the  cadre  review  of  the  state  is  due  since  2021.  The state  government  was  requested  vide  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs'  letter dated 28.01.2021 to send the complete proposal for Cadre Review of IPS. The  proposal  has  been  received  and  is  under  active  consideration  in consultation with the stakeholders.

(b to d) Yes.

Hon'ble  Chief  Minister  of  Telangana  had  sent  DO  letters  dated 04.01.2024,  04.07.2024  and  dated  07.10.2024  to  consider  the  cadre review proposal of the state. Hon'ble Chief Minister has been informed the status of the Cadre Review vide this Ministry's DO  letter dated 31.03.2024, 13.08.2024 and 27.11.2024 respectively.

The cadre review proposal of Telangana cadre is in active consideration; however, it is not feasible to prescribe any definite timeframe.

- (e): 'Police'  is  a  State  subject  falling  in  List-II  (State  List)  of  the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India and accordingly the policing requirements  are  assessed  and  addressed  by  the  state  government concerned.

However, being the cadre controlling authority of the Indian Police Service, the Central Government assess the cadre and strength requirements  of  IPS.    Since  year  2021,  49  IPS  officers  have  been appointed in Telangana Cadre.

****