opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2035 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-31
Subject: Operation Greens Scheme in West Bengal
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Jagannath Sarkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 2035

ANSWERED ON 31 ST     JULY, 2025

## OPERATION GREENS SCHEME IN WEST BENGAL

## 2035. SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR:

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) the  current  status  of  the  implementation  of  the  Operation  Greens  Scheme  in  West Bengal particularly focusing on long-term interventions aimed at stabilizing the supply and prices of Tomato, Onion, and Potato (TOP) crops;
- (b) the  specific  measures  taken  thereunder  to  benefit  potato  farmers  in  West  Bengal including the establishment of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), development of agrilogistics and creation of processing facilities;
- (c) the total funds allocated and disbursed to West Bengal under the said scheme since its inception; and
- (d) the challenges faced in the implementation of this scheme in West Bengal particularly concerning infrastructure development, farmer participation and funds utilization along with the steps taken by the Government to address these challenges?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)

(a) to (d):   Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been implementing a central sector  umbrella  scheme  called  'Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan  Sampada  Yojana  (PMKSY)'  since 2017-18 across the country. The scheme is demand driven in nature and the proposals under the  scheme  are  invited  through  Expression  of  Interest  (EOI).  Under  the  Operation  Greens component of PMKSY scheme, the Ministry is providing financial assistance for value chain development of 10  fruit  crops,  11  vegetable  crops  and  shrimp  in  the  identified  production clusters.  The  production  clusters  for  these  crops  are  identified  based  on  the  horticultural production data provided by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, in consultation with the Horticulture Departments of the respective states. Based on the criteria, the Ministry has already identified West Bengal as production cluster for Pineapple, Tomato, Potato, Beans, Gourd  Family,  Carrot,  Cauliflower,  Okra  and  Ginger  crops.  Any  entity  including  Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), willing to setup processing facilities and development of agrilogistics for these crops in the identified production clusters may submit their proposal against the EOI floated by Ministry from time to time.

So  far,  under  Operation  Greens  long-term  intervention  scheme,  the  Ministry  has  not approved any project in the West Bengal.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2033 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-31
Subject: Alerts raised about Problems in Flights
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Arun Govil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2033

(To be answered on the 31 st  July 2025)

## ALERTS RAISED ABOUT PROBLEMS IN FLIGHTS

2033. SHRI ARUN GOVIL

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

(a) whether there is any provision for reward or penalty in cases where individuals provide true or false information regarding problems in flights and if so, the details thereof; and

(b) whether the Government is considering any proposal to increase the amount of reward for genuine alerts and penalty for false or mischievous information and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

(a): There is no provision for rewards. However, the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982 (SUASCA Act) and the Aircraft Security Rules, 2023 (ASR) do provide for penalty/punishment for providing false communication regarding problems in flights.

(b): There is no such proposal under consideration of the Government at present.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2031 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-31
Subject: Development of Airports in Punjab
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Charanjit Singh Channi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2031

(To be answered on the 31 st  July 2025)

## DEVELOPMENT OF AIRPORTS IN PUNJAB

## 2031. SHRI CHARANJIT SINGH CHANNI

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  under-utilisation  of  available facilities/resources and lack of adequate infrastructure at regional airports in major cities of Punjab such as Adampur, Ludhiana and Pathankot and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has taken any steps under the UDAN scheme and other initiatives to improve air connectivity in these cities and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number of flights operational from the said airports along with the expected increase in the next year; and
- (d) the amount of funds allocated along with the timeline fixed for completion of infrastructure upgradation at these airports?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a) to (c): Four airports, namely Adampur, Bhatinda, Ludhiana and Pathankot, have been identified and operationalised in the State of Punjab under the UDAN Scheme.

UDAN is a market-driven scheme wherein bidding rounds are conducted from time to time. Based on their assessment of demand on particular routes, interested airlines submit their proposals at the time of bidding under UDAN. Valid bids are evaluated and awarded for the operationalisation of routes. 34 routes have been operationalised under the UDAN Scheme in the State of Punjab.

- (d): The present air connectivity and details of funds allocated for Adampur, Bhatinda, Ludhiana and Pathankot are at Annexure.
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Lok Sabha Question No. 2029 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-31
Subject: Disposal of Slag Emitted from Power Plants
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Smt. Kamlesh Jangde

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2029 ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025

## DISPOSAL OF SLAG EMITTED FROM POWER PLANTS

†2029.  SMT. KAMLESH JANGDE:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Prakash Industries Limited Champa in Janjgir-Champa district of Chhattisgarh is operating a power plant of 500 MW with two units of 100 MW and two units of 150 MW each;
- (b) if so, the arrangements made for the disposal of slag emitted from the coal used  in  the  said  power  plant  and  the  place/location  where  this  slag  is  being dumped;
- (c) the total quantity of slag emitted since the year 2024-25 till date; and
- (d) the  details  of  the  land  used/to  be  used  for  construction  of  slag  dam  by indicating total area, location, the names of affected villages, the present status of slag dam etc.?

## A N S W E R

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

- (a) :   No.  M/s Prakash Industries Limited, Champa, District Janjgir-Champa is operating a 75 MW Co-generation power plant based on Waste Heat Recovery Boiler and 162.5 MW Coal Based Captive Power Plant (1x12.5 MW + 6x25 MW).
- (b)  &  (c)  :  Slag  is  not  generated  from  Coal  Based  Power  Plant.  The  slag  is generated from Induction furnaces and submerged arc furnaces. As reported by  Chhattisgarh  Environment  Conservation  Board,  the quantity of slag generated from the industry since 2024-25 till date is 3,90,402 Tonnes.
- (d) :   No slag dam has been constructed by M/s Prakash Industries Limited, Champa, District Janjgir-Champa and there is no proposal for construction of slag dam.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2028 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-31
Subject: Sittings of Smart City Advisory Forums
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. Kalyan Vaijinathrao Kale

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2028 TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 31, 2025

## SITTINGS OF SMART CITY ADVISORY FORUMS

NO. 2028.    DR. KALYAN VAIJINATHRAO KALE:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken steps to ensure the regular sittings of the Smart City Advisory Forums in cities;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the number of sittings held during each of the last three years;
- (c)   whether Members of Parliament have been included in the State-level Smart City Advisory Forums, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d)   the proposed plan of the Government to address the delays in project occurred due to irregular sittings under the Smart Cities Mission; and
- (e)   the  time  by  which  the  work  of  Smart  Cities  project  is  likely  to  be completed in the country?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)

- (a) to (e) For smooth planning & implementation of Smart Cities Mission (SCM),  there  is  a  provision  of  State  Level  High  Powered  Steering Committee (HPSC), chaired by the Chief Secretary.  At the City level, there is provision for establishing Smart City Advisory Forum (SCAF) for all  100  cities  to  advise  and  enable  collaboration  among  various stakeholders.

Ministry  of  Housing  and  Urban  Affairs  (MoHUA)  has  issued  various advisories to the States and Project Implementing Agencies reiterating the importance of consultation process especially the participation of public representatives be scrupulously followed. A total of 1,105 SCAF meetings have been held so far.

As per the information provided by the States/UTs, as on 11.07.2025, out of a total 8063 projects amounting to ₹ 1,64,695 Cr undertaken in the 100 cities selected under SCM, 7,636 projects (95% of total projects) amounting to ₹1,53,977 Cr have been completed.

Post  the  financial  closure  of  Mission  on  31  March  2025,  MoHUA  has issued Advisory No 27 dated 10 June 2025 to all States/ UTs, wherein all Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) are requested to ensure the timely completion of all ongoing SCM projects.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2026 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-31
Subject: Service Road Access on NH-71 and 4 laning of NH-716
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2026

## ANSWERED ON 31 ST  JULY, 2025

## SERVICE ROAD ACCESS ON NH-71 AND 4 LANING OF NH-716

2026.  SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  inconvenience  being caused  to  public  due  to  the  lack  of  service  road  access  between Renigunta and Naidupeta on National Highway (NH)-71 and the absence of an  access  road  from  Srikalahasti  Rural  to  Thottambedu  Main  Road connecting Muchivolu and Venkatagiri, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)      whether  any  field  inspections  or  corrective  redesign  efforts  have been  undertaken  based  on  repeated  local  representations,  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (c)      the  status  of  the  long-delayed  4-laning  of  NH-716  from  Kadapa  to Tirupati and the reasons for delay; and
- (d) whether the Government would issue directives for early rectification of service road gaps and fast-track completion of NH-716 to prevent  further  hardship  to  commuters  and  local  industries,  if  so,  the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a)  and  (b)  Service  roads  have  been  provided  at  requisite  and  feasible locations along Renigunta-Naidupeta section of NH-71. The road connecting Muchivolu and Venkatagiri is already connected to the NH-71 through the Service Road. A  joint  site  inspection  was  conducted  by  the  representatives  from National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Safety Consultant, Independent Engineer and Concessionaire of the project and the provision of direct access road connecting Venkatagiri-Muchivolu to the main carriageway is not feasible at site from safety point of view. (c) &(d)    Four laning of NH-716 from Kadapa to Renigunta having 121.9 km  length  has  been  taken  up  in  2  packages  and  the  work  has  already been awarded and agreements signed on 28.01.2025. The service roads have  been  proposed  along  the  Highway  as  per  site  requirements  and availability of land. Out  of  121.9  km,  31.9  km  length  of  the  project  is  passing  through Forest, Wildlife/Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) and there was delay in obtaining Forest and Wildlife/ESZ Clearances. As of now, all the project clearances have been obtained including Stage-I Forest Clearance. The work can commence on obtaining working permission for Forest Clearance and financial closure by the

Concessionaires.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2025 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-31
Subject: Special Incentive to Women Entrepreneurs
Ministry: MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: Shri Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2025 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 31.07.2025

## SPECIAL INCENTIVE TO WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

## 2025.   SHRI JASWANTSINH SUMANBHAI BHABHOR:

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a) the  progress  in  connecting  Micro,  Small  and  Medium  Enterprises  (MSMEs)  units  in  Dahod district with Export Facilitation Centres (EFCs);
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  providing  special  incentives  to  women  entrepreneurs  in  tribaldominated regions of Gujarat under the TEAM MSME scheme and;
- (c) whether training programmes have been initiated in Dahod to provide digital marketing and ecommerce support for MSMEs and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

- (a): The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has established 65 Export Facilitation Centers  (EFCs)  across  the  country  with  the  aim  of  providing  requisite  mentoring  and  handholding support to MSMEs in exporting their products and services including 03 in Gujarat. A total of 3,510 MSMEs have availed the services of these Export Facilitation Centers in the country including Gujarat during the year 2024-25.
- (b) and (c): Trade Enablement and Marketing (TEAM) Initiative of the Ministry aims at supporting Micro and Small Enterprises in all parts of the country, including in tribal dominated regions of Gujarat, to  adopt  e-commerce  practices  by  providing  assistance  in  onboarding  on  to  the  Open  Network  for Digital Commerce (ONDC) platform, account management, transport and logistics.  This Initiative aims at  benefiting 5 lakh MSEs, including 2.5 lakh women -owned MSEs. One Awareness programme on MSME TEAM Initiative was conducted in Ahmedabad, Gujarat in January 2025.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2018 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-31
Subject: Promoting Entrepreneurship amongst SC/ST/OBC Categories
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Dharmendra Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2018

ANSWERED ON 31 ST  JULY, 2025

## PROMOTING ENTREPRENEURSHIP AMONGST SC/ST/OBC CATEGORIES

## †2018. SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) the specific schemes and initiatives taken by the Government to promote entrepreneurship  and  to  provide  financial  assistance,  impart  training  and  capacity  building among the persons of the SC/ST/OBC categories in food processing sector;
- (b) whether any impact assessment study has been carried out in respect of the Government schemes in reaching out and benefitting SC/ST/OBC entrepreneurs in food processing sector; and
- (c) if so, the major outcome of the study as well as corrective measures being proposed in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)

- (a) to (c) : Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is implementing two Central Sector Schemes namely Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) and Production Linked Incentive  Scheme  for  Food  Processing  Industry  (PLISFPI).  Further,  a  Centrally  sponsored scheme namely PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme is also being implemented by MoFPI.

Under Capacity building component of the PMFME scheme, training is imparted for Entrepreneurship  Development  Skilling  (EDP+)  &  product  specific  skilling  to  meet  the requirement  of  food  processing  industry  among  all  categories  of  Entrepreneur  including SC/ST/OBC entrepreneurs.

MoFPI  has  not  conducted  any  specific  study  in  reaching  out  to  and  benefitting SC/ST/OBC entrepreneurs in food processing sector. However, under PMKSY and PMFME, 8.3% and 4.3% of allocated fund is earmarked for SC and ST category respectively. Further, the  following  preferential  provisions  have  been  made  in  component  scheme  guidelines  of PMKSY for SC/ST category:

- i.          Net Worth requirement reduced to amount equal to grant sought, in comparison to 1.5 times for proposals from general areas;
- ii.         Term Loan requirement reduced to 10% of eligible project cost, in comparison to 20% for proposals from general areas;
- iii.        Equity requirement reduced to 10% of eligible project cost, in comparison to 20% for proposals from general areas;
- iv.        Quantum of grant at enhanced level of 50% of eligible project cost, in comparison to 35% for proposals from general areas (Subject to the maximum ceiling under respective sub-schemes);
- v.         Requirement of minimum project cost reduced to Rupees One Crore, in comparison to rupees Three Crores in r/o Creation / Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities Scheme projects [for other component schemes, no such criteria is fixed]

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2016 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-31
Subject: Food Processing Units Operating under PPP
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri M Mallesh Babu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2016

ANSWERED ON 31 ST  JULY, 2025

## FOOD PROCESSING UNITS OPERATING UNDER PPP

## 2016. SHRI M MALLESH BABU:

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that Kolar district in Karnataka has currently only three food processing units operating under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has assessed the district's horticultural profile particularly its large scale production of mangoes and tomatoes including housing one of Asia's largest tomato markets and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government proposes to establish a centrally-supported integrated food processing facility in Kolar to address this untapped potential and if so, the details and the timeline thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)

(a) to (c): Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) does not support food processing projects  in  Public  Private  Partnership  (PPP)  model.  However,  MoFPI  is  implementing  two Central Sector Schemes namely Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) Scheme and  Production  Linked  Incentive  Scheme  for  Food  Processing  Industry  (PLISFPI).  These schemes  are  demand  driven  in  nature  and  applications  are  invited  through  Expression  of Interest (EoI) from time to time. Subsidy/incentives are provided as per the respective schemes guidelines.

The production clusters for the crops are identified based on the horticultural production data published by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for 2018-19, in consultation with the Horticulture Departments of the respective states. Kolar & Chikkaballapura districts in  Karnataka  have  been  identified  for  Tomato  Cluster  under  Operation  Greens  component scheme of PMKSY.

Under PMKSY, MoFPI has approved two food processing projects with total project cost  of  Rs  30.72  crores  and  approved  grant-in-aid  of  Rs  6.98  crores  in  Kolar  district  of Karnataka.

MoFPI is also implementing Centrally sponsored scheme namely PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme for providing financial, technical and business support for upgradation/ setting up of micro food processing enterprises. Tomato in Kolar  &  Chikkaballapura  district  and  Mango  in  Dharwad  and  Haveri  districts  have  been identified as ODOP in Karnataka.

Under PMFME Scheme, MoFPI has sanctioned 62 proposals with a total subsidy of Rs 3.19 crores in Kolar district of Karnataka.

MoFPI  does  not  establish  food  processing  plants  on  its  own.  However,  it  provides financial assistance in the form of grants-in-aid to eligible entrepreneurs for establishing related infrastructure including processing of mangoes and tomatoes through its schemes.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2014 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-31
Subject: Supportive Financial Mechanisms for Airlines
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2014

(To be answered on the 31 st  July 2025)

## SUPPORTIVE FINANCIAL MECHANISMS FOR AIRLINES

## 2014. SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether the Government is aware that Indian airlines are experiencing difficulties in increasing airfares to cover rising operational costs and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether there are any supportive financial mechanisms for the same and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  whether  there  is  any  comprehensive  strategic  framework  for  aviation affordability  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof?

## ANSWER

## Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a) : Under the provisions of Sub Rule (1) of Rule 135 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, every air transport undertaking engaged in scheduled air services is required to establish a tariff having regard to all relevant factors, including cost of operation, characteristics of services, the generally prevailing tariff etc. The prices are fixed by airlines keeping in view the market demand, seasonality and other market forces.
- (b) & (c): To ensure the affordability of regional air travel, the Government has launched  the  RCS-UDAN  scheme  in  2016.  The  Scheme  provides  financial incentives to airline operators on identified regional routes that include concessions by the Central Government, State Governments/ Union Territories and airport operators to reduce airline operation costs and also the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to bridge the gap between operational costs and expected revenues on such routes. The airfare on the RCS seats on which VGF is provided to the Selected Airline Operators (SAOs) is capped for a 3-year tenure. The above measures aim to strengthen affordability, accessibility and overall passenger convenience in the aviation sector, thereby promoting regional development and economic growth.
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