opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 627 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: BharatNet Projects in Karnataka
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Captain Brijesh Chowta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 627 ANSWERED ON 23 RD  JULY, 2025

## BHARATNET PROJECTS IN KARNATAKA

## 627. SHRI CAPTAIN BRIJESH CHOWTA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

(a) the details of Gram Panchayats (GPs) covered under Phase I and II of the BharatNet Project in Karnataka, especially in Dakshina Kannada, along with GPs and non-GP villages proposed to be connected under Phase III and the Accelerated BharatNet Programme (ABP);

- (b) the timeline for completion of remaining coverage under BharatNet and ABP in Karnataka;
- (c) the details of total optical fibre laid, number of FTTH connections and public Wi-Fi hotspots established in Karnataka, district-wise data for Dakshina Kannada;
- (d) the extent of utilisation of BharatNet infrastructure in the State including FTTH uptake, dark fibre leasing and operational Wi-Fi; and
- (e) the details of funds allocated and utilised phase-wise and district-wise, including proposals received for connectivity to non-GP villages?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) BharatNet  is being  implemented  in  a  phased  manner  to  provide  broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) across the country, including Karnataka. Under BharatNet Phase-I,  6,084 GPs  in Karnataka have been made service-ready, including 393  GPs  in Dakshina Kannada. Providing connectivity to  remaining  GPs in the state and further strengthening  of the network is under the scope of Amended BharatNet Program (ABP). ABP also includes connectivity to all non-GP villages on demand basis. ABP is being rolled out and that work in Karnataka has started.  The  timeline  for  completion  of  the  construction  phase  under  the  Amended  BharatNet Program is three years from date of signing of agreement.

(c) & (d) As of the end of June 2025, a total of 14,221 km of Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) has been laid under the BharatNet project in Karnataka, including 629 km in Dakshina Kannada. The total number of FTTH connections provided in the state is 55,978, of which 1,618 are in Dakshina Kannada. Total Wi-Fi hotspots installed under BharatNet in the state is 3,213 GPs.

(e) In Karnataka, as on 30.06.2025, total amount of Rs. 1,963 Crore has been allocated/ utilized under BharatNet Project and ABP is being implemented in the state to provide connectivity to all non-GP villages.  The Phase-wise detail is as follows:-

(Rs. in Cr.)

|   Phase-I |   Phase-II |   Amended BharatNet Program | Total   |
|-----------|------------|-----------------------------|---------|
|       665 |        534 |                         764 | 1,963   |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 626 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Proposed Jhalawar-Ujjain Railway Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Dushyant Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 626 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025

## PROPOSED JHALAWAR-UJJAIN RAILWAY LINE

626.     SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the newly proposed Jhalawar- Ujjain railway line and the expected benefits for the region in terms of connectivity and economic development therefrom;
- (b) the details of the timeline for the commencement and completion of the Jhalawar-Ujjain railway line project; and
- (c) the details of the reasons for delays in its execution?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (c):  Final Location Survey of Ujjain-Agar-Jhalawar New Line(190 Km)  has  been  sanctioned  for  preparation  of  Detailed  Project  Report (DPR). The survey work has been taken up.

The sanctioning of the project requires consultation with various stakeholders  including  State  Governments   and   necessary   approvals viz.

appraisal  of  NITI  Aayog,  Ministry  of  Finance  etc.  As  sanctioning  of project is a continuous and dynamic process, exact timelines cannot be fixed.

The railway projects provide regional connectivity, comfortable journey and  promote  socio-economic  development  of  the  region.    It  also provides  employment  generation  and  contributes  to  environmental sustainability by usage of cleaner mode of energy for train operations.

Railway  projects  are  sanctioned  on  the  basis  of  remunerativeness, traffic  projections,  last  mile  connectivity,  missing  links  and  alternate routes, augmentation of congested/saturated lines, demands raised by State  Governments,  Central  Ministries,  Members  of  Parliament,  other public  representatives,  Railway's  own  operational  requirement,  socioeconomic considerations etc. depending upon throwforward of ongoing projects and overall availability of funds.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 621 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Stoppage of Hubballi Express at Navandgi Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Konda Vishweshwar Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 621 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025

## STOPPAGE OF HUBBALLI EXPRESS AT NAVANDGI STATION

621. SHRI KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry has received a representation requesting stoppage of Train Nos. 17319/17320 Hubballi Express at Navandgi Railway Station in Vikarabad district, Telangana, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is a fact that the Hon'ble Minister for Railways has forwarded the request to the concerned directorate for detailed examination as confirmed in the letter dated 04 February 2025 and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  the  details  of  the  current  status  of  the  examination  by  the directorate and by when a final decision regarding the stoppage is expected?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (c)  Representation  including  from   Hon'ble  Member  of Parliament   Shri  Konda  Vishweshwar   Reddy  for  provision  of stoppage of 17319/17320 HubballiHyderabad Express at Nawandgi has been  received.

Presently,  Nawandgi  is  served  by  05     train  services.  Further, 17319/17320 Hubballi-Hyderabad Express has scheduled stoppage at Sedam/Tandur.

Besides,  provision  of  stoppage  of  train  service  is  an  ongoing process  on  Indian  Railways  subject  to  operational  feasibility, traffic justification, etc.,

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 620 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Review of Coal Distribution Policy
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shri Azad Kirti Jha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 620 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025

## Review of Coal Distribution Policy

## †620. Shri Azad Kirti Jha:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  review  and  amend  the  coal  distribution  policy  to ensure supply of coal to small and medium industrial units in view of re-allocation of coal

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state: blocks; (b) if so, the details thereof; and

- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a), (b) & (c): Allocation of coal to Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are made as per New Coal Distribution Policy (NCDP) dated 18.10.2007, followed by amendments dated 26.07.2013, 04.09.2013, 27.09.2016 and 11.04.2022, where the MSMEs whose requirement is less than 10,000 tons per annum are distributed coal through the State Nominated Agencies (SNAs) notified by the State Governments. Besides, the MSME units are also eligible to obtain coal  through  the  Single  Window Mode Agnostic e-auctions and the Non-Regulated Sector Linkage  Auctions  conducted  by  the  coal  companies,  subject  to  meeting  the  eligibility criteria.  At present, no proposal is under consideration to review and amend the extant coal distribution policy for supply of coal to small and medium industrial units.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 618 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Optical Fibre under BharatNet Project in Bahraich
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Dr. Anand Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 618 ANSWERED ON 23 RD  JULY, 2025

## OPTICAL FIBRE UNDER BHARATNET PROJECT IN BAHRAICH

## †618.   DR. ANAND KUMAR:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

(a) the  number  of  villages  of  Uttar  Pradesh  especially  Bahraich  Lok  Sabha  Constituency connected with optical fibre under BharatNet project and the number of villages yet to be provided with internet facility under this scheme;

(b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  include  all  the  villages  of  Bahraich  Lok  Sabha Constituency  under  BharatNet  project  Phase-2,  keeping  in  view  that  it  is  basically  a  rural  and backward area, where most of the population is still deprived of high-speed internet facilities, so that new avenues for education, employment and social development may be created in the area, if so, the details thereof; and

(c) whether the Government proposes or is likely to propose to provide internet facility through WiFi using satellite in such remote areas where it is difficult to provide internet facility through optical fibre and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) To  improve  mobile  and  internet  connectivity  in  rural  and  backward  areas  of  the country  including Baraich Constituency, Government has taken up 'BharatNet' and various mobile projects with funding from Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN). As of date, 46,746 Gram Panchayats (GPs) in Uttar Pradesh have been made service-ready under the BharatNet Project, including 72 GPs in the Baraich  Constituency.  Further,  the  Government  has  approved  the  Amended  BharatNet  Program (ABP)  covering  all  GPs  in  the  country,  including  Baraich  Constituency,  on  ring  network  for upgrading of existing network of BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II.  ABP is being rolled out and that work  in  Uttar  Pradesh  has  started.  The  time  of  construction  is  3  years  from  date  of  signing  of agreement and then O&M for 7 years will start.

(c) Since ABP is now being implemented in the state, use of alternate technology is proposed wherever connectivity through optical fibre is not feasible.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 613 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Digi-Gram Project
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Narayan Tatu Rane

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 613

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 23.07.2025

## DIGI-GRAM PROJECT

## †613. SHRI NARAYAN TATU RANE:

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

- (a) the current/revised details of the Digi-Gram Project;
- (b) the number of villages in Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg Lok Sabha Constituency of Maharashtra have been covered under the said project as on date;
- (c) whether the Government has received any request from Maharashtra for setting up DigiGram;
- (d) if so, the details and the action taken by the Government thereon;
- (e) the details of proposals for expansion of the said project in the country; and
- (f) the details of expenditure incurred on the said project?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (f):   'Digital Village Pilot Project' was launched by Government on 31.10.2018. It aimed to provide education services, health services, skill development services, solar powered street lights and financial inclusion services along with government-to-citizen services and business-tocitizen services in 700 villages (one village from each district of States and Union Territories) across the country.

As part of the Digital Village Pilot Project, two villages namely Ainavare and Kadawal in the Ratnagiri,  Sindhudurg  district  of  Maharashtra  are  covered.  The  project  'Digital  Village  Pilot Project' has been successfully closed on 31 st March, 2024. Under the project, an expenditure of Rs. 62.57 crore has been incurred.

The enhancement and proliferation of technologies such as 4G/5G, UPI, DigiLocker, UMANG etc.  has further led to penetration of digital services in rural India.

Government  is  not  in  receipt  of  any  request  from  the  Government  of  Maharashtra  regarding DigiGram.

*******

†O.I.H
Lok Sabha Question No. 612 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Dedicated Kisan Rail Corridors
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Adv Gowaal Kagada Padavi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 612

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025

## DEDICATED KISAN RAIL CORRIDORS

## 612.      ADV  GOWAAL  KAGADA PADAVI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  any  dedicated  Kisan  Rail  Corridors  now  include  tribal regions for perishable produce, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the number of shipments originated from tribal districts in the past year;
- (c) whether the rates are subsidized for smallholder farmers and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  the  details  of  the  cold-chain  infrastructure  available  at collection
- centres; and
- (e) whether any consultation has involved  tribal farmer association
- and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (e) : Kisan Rail enables movement of perishables including fruits and vegetables from production or surplus regions to consumption or deficient regions in reasonable time.

Potential circuits for movement  of  vegetables, fruits and other perishables are identified in consultation with Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Agriculture/Animal Husbandry/Fisheries Departments  of  State  Governments  as  well  as  local  bodies  and agencies, Mandis etc., and services at applicable tariff are planned on the  basis  of  demands  placed  taking  into  consideration,  operational feasibility.

Since  the  launch  of  Kisan  Rail  service  on  7 th   August  2020,  Railways have operated around 2,364 Kisan Rail services, transporting approximately 7.9 lakh tonnes of perishables.

Recently an initiative has been undertaken with operation of Shetkari Samrudhi special train 01153 between Devlali-Danapur w.e.f 15.10.2024  for  transporting  of  perishable  products.  The  service  has halts  at  Nashik,  Lasalgaon,  Manmad,  Jalgaon,  Bhusawal,  Burhanpur and  Khandwa.  Till  date  40  trips  have  been  run  and  3,256  tonnes  of perishable have been loaded earning Rs. 1.16 Cr.

Indian Railway is providing rail based refrigerated container services through  Container  Corporation  (CONCOR)  to  facilitate  movement  of cargo  that  requires  temperature-controlled  environment,  including fruits  and  vegetables.  During  2024-25,  a  total  of  85,140  TEUs  have been  moved  through  Rail  by  CONCOR.  The  temperature  controlled storage  facilities  of  CONCOR  have  been  established  at  Nashik,  New Azadpur,  Dadri  and  Sonipat  at  a  total  investment  of  about  Rs  129 crore.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 611 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Crime on Social Media Platforms
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Khalilur Rahaman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 611

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025)

CRIME ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

611.  SHRI KHALILUR RAHAMAN:

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

- (a)  whether  the  crime  on  Social  Media  Platforms  have  increased manifold in the last few years;
- (b)  if  so,  the  number  of  cases  that  have  been  registered  against persons and institutions for spreading hatred and fake news during the last five years; and
- (c)  the details of the conviction rate in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

(DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a) to (c): The Government has notified the Information Technology (Intermediary  Guidelines  and  Digital  Media  Ethics  Code)  Rules, 2021,  under  the  Information  Technology  Act,  2000,  (dated  25 th February, 2021).

Part-III  of  these  Rules  inter  alia  provides  for  Code  of  Ethics  to  be followed  by  publishers  of news  &  current  affairs. It  includes adherence  to  the  Programme  Code  laid  down  under  the  Cable Television  Networks  Act,  1995,  and  the  Norms  of  Journalistic Conduct under the Press Council Act, 1978.

A  three-tier  grievance  redressal  mechanism  for  adherence  to  the Code of Ethics is also provided under the IT Rules.

The Programme Code and Norms of Journalistic Conduct, inter alia, require  publishers  not  to  disseminate  content  that  is  inaccurate, misleading, false, or half-truths.

Also,  Part  II  of  the  IT  Rules,  administered  by  the  Ministry  of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), inter alia, casts an obligation on intermediaries like YouTube and Facebook to prevent the  dissemination  of  information  that  is  patently  false,  untrue,  or misleading in nature.

The  data related to the  number  of cases  registered against individuals and institutions for spreading hatred and fake news can be accessed on the website of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) at https://www.ncrb.gov.in/.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 610 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Warehouses of FCI in Rajasthan
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Smt. Manju Sharma

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 610

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23RD JULY, 2025

## WAREHOUSES OF FCI IN RAJASTHAN

## t610. SMT. MANJU SHARMA:

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

- (a) the number of warehouses of Food Corporation of India (FC:1) operational in Rajasthan at present;

- (b) whether foodgrains are stored in these warehouses beyond their capacity due to which  a large quantity of  foodgrains get rotten;

- (c) if  so, the details thereof;

- (d) whether the Government has received any proposal regarding setting up of  new warehouses in Rajasthan or any proposal in  this regard is pending with  the Government;  and

- (e) if so, the time limit fixed in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

- (a): As on 01.07.2025, 39 warehouses owned by FCI  are operational in Rajasthan. Further, one Silo of capacity 75,000 MT  for storage of wheat is operational in Al\&ar, Rajasthan.
- (b) &  (c): FCI  is storing and handling large quantities of  foodgrains (mainly rice &  wheat) for distribution under various welfare schemes of  Government. It  also maintains buffer  and strategic  reserve for the country to ensure food security. No food grains are stored in excess of storage capacity, and none have spoiled due to over-storage in the state of Rajasthan.
- (d): Tenders for  construction of  2.25 LVFI' capacity Silos at 07 locations in  Rajasthan are under process under Hub &  Spoke Silo Phase-11 model,
- (e): The time-limit  fixed  for the construction of the go(lawns under various schemes vary and is as per the Contract.

q: # 8 kB
Lok Sabha Question No. 607 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Encouraging South Indian Language Channels
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Appalanaidu Kalisetti, Dr. Byreddy Shabari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 607

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025)

ENCOURAGING SOUTH INDIAN LANGUAGE CHANNELS

607.  DR. BYREDDY SHABARI:

## SHRI APPALANAIDU KALISETTI:

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

- (a) the  details  of  subscriber  base  of  DD  Free  Dish  in  the country  during  the  last  five  years,  State-wise  along  with trends observed during the said period;
- (b) the  details  of  Government  programmes  broadcast  through DD Free Dish along with their State-wise viewership;
- (c) whether  the  Government  acknowledges  the  challenges  in expanding the reach of DD Free Dish in South India and if so,  the  details  of  specific  factors  contributing  to  these challenges; and
- (d) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  encourage  South Indian language channels to secure slots on DD Free Dish and the results achieved through these measures?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

## (DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a) to (d): DD Free Dish is the free-to-air (FTA) Direct-To-Home (DTH) platform  of  Prasar  Bharati.  Its  footprint  spans  the  entire  country, including remote, border, and otherwise inaccessible areas.

Government  flagship  schemes  and  public  awareness  campaigns  are disseminated through programs on various national & regional channels of Doordarshan on DD Free Dish.

It  has  experienced  consistent  growth  in  its  reach  over  the  past  few years.  As per industry estimates, DD Free Dish reaches approximately 49 million households nationwide as of 2024. The figure was 33 million in 2018, signifying the positive audience growth.

The Government has taken various proactive measures to increase the representation  of  South  Indian  language  channels  on  DD  Free  Dish, including:

- For  better  regional  representation,  slots  had  been  reserved  for South Indian language channels in the e-auctions of DD Free Dish platform (done in 2025)
- Eligibility norms have been simplified to ensure greater participation from private broadcasters in the southern region
- Furthermore,  dedicated  slots  were  offered  for  Tamil,  Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam channels in recent e-auctions.
- Three additional South Indian language private channels viz. TV9 Telugu, Aastha Kannada & Aastha Telugu, have been onboarded on DD Free Dish since 01.04.2025.

Doordarshan's own regional channels, such as DD Tamil, DD Saptagiri, DD  Chandana,  DD  Yadagiri,  and  DD  Malayalam  have  also  been onboarded.  The  channels  are  being  technologically  upgraded  and better promoted to enhance their visibility.

Apart  from  this,  there  are  27  educational  channels  on  DD  Free  Dish, which are relaying programs in various South Indian languages.

*****