opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 398 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Programmes for Rural People in Forest Areas
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Ashish Dubey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.398

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2024)

PROGRAMMES FOR RURAL PEOPLE IN FOREST AREAS

398. SHRI ASHISH DUBEY:

Will the minister of information and broadcasting be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  emphasized  on  broadcasting  more programmes related to rural people living in the forest areas of the country to promote their culture during the last five years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  if  not,  the  reasons  therefor  and  the  number  of  such  programmes broadcasted by All India Radio, jabalpur?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (c):  Prasar  Bharati  regularly  telecasts/broadcasts  programmes for creating awareness and promotion of rich culture and heritage of rural/tribal  people  living  in  the  forest  areas  of  the  country  through various channels of Doordarshan and Akashvani stations.

News  Network  of  Prasar  Bharati  broadcasts  various  programs  and news  stories,  showcasing the  rich  cultural  heritage  of  the  country, including that of people living in rural areas and the tribal communities. These  include  broadcast  of  documentaries  and  stories  focused  on North East and coverage of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas (annual celebration with stories about tribal leaders and traditional practices) and Tribal Festivals like Hornbill Festival (from Northeast India) etc. Programs like Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat include stories relating to India's  diverse  tribal  heritage,  providing  insights  into  their  dances, handicrafts,  and  folklore.  Local-language  news  coverage  on  Prasar Bharati's regional channels/radio stations, ensures broader reach and representation of specific tribal cultures. Akashvani network including Akashvani Jabalpur, broadcasts various programmes  on  empowerment  of  women,  diffusion  of  agricultural innovation,  rural  regeneration  with  farmers'  welfare  etc.,  covering target audience of rural people living in the forest areas of the country. Akashvani Jabalpur is also broadcasting various programmes for rural people on daily basis in 'KrishiJagat' from 7.21 pm to 8.00 pm.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 392 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Biometric Authentication under National Food Security Act
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Vijay Baghel

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.392 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27TH NOVEMBER, 2024

## BIOMETRIC  AUTHENTICATION  UNDER NATIONAL  FOOD SECURITY ACT

## t392  SHRI VIJAYBAGHEL:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION w+nr qTld, mg aM tIT§xfi% fadWT Ht be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of primary ration card-holder families  in Chhattisgarh under the National Food Security Act;

- (b) the details of the system of biometric authentication for obtaining eligibility for rice as prescribed by the Union Government;

- (c) whether there is a provision for the State Government to provide additional rice from the State pool  to  Chhattisgarh State in  addition  to  the Central Government and Biometric authentication is also recorded for this purpose;

- (d) whether there is a provision to have the twice biometric done at present for  the beneficiary to  receive rice  from  the pool  of  the  Central Government and the  State Government;

- (e) whether a proposal from  State Government of  Chhattisgarh to have said biometric once is pending  with  cent(aI  level;  and

- (f) if so, the details thereoP

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIM ATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI  BAMBHANIYA)

(a): At  present, a total  54.96 lakh  households have ration card in  Chhattisgarh under National Food Security Act (NFSA).

(b): All  Fair Price Shops (FPSs) in the Chhattisgarh have been automated by installing ePoS devices for  the  distribution  of  foodgrains  in  a transparent manner (electronically) through biometric/Aadhaar  authentication of  beneficiaries. The NFS A  beneficiaries first have to  validate their  biometric/Aadhaar credentials and then  obtain their  entitled foodgrains.

- (c) : Yes.
- (d) : Yes.
- (e) & (f): No proposal is under consideration of the Department.

###8:k
Lok Sabha Question No. 391 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Vande Bharat Express Train for Lucknow-Delhi-Kolkata
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Virendra Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 391 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2024

## VANDE BHARAT EXPRESS TRAIN FOR LUCKNOW - DELHI - KOLKATA

†391  SHRI VIRENDRA SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of district headquarters in the country which are connected to railway  lines  but  no  major  trains  are  being  operated  from  the  said  district headquarters;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  run  any  train  with  good  facilities like  Vande  Bharat  Express  train  from  Lucknow  to  Delhi  and  Kolkata  via Chandauli (Majhwar) Station in district Chandauli in Uttar Pradesh which has been a district headquarters for about 27 years;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to  (d)    As  the  Railway  network  straddles  across  State  and  District boundaries,  trains are introduced, as per network requirement across such boundaries.  Chandauli  Majhwar  is  located  at  a  distance  of  16  km  from  Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay station, which is well connected to both Delhi area and Kolkata area.  Further, Lucknow - Delhi sector is being served by 54 pairs of regular  Mail/Express  train  services  and  12  pairs  of  Special  trains,  while Lucknow is connected to Kolkata by 14 pairs of Mail/Express train services and  01  pair  of  Special  train.  Furthermore,  introduction  of  train  services, including Vande Bharat services, is an ongoing process on Indian Railways subject  to  traffic  justification,  operational  feasibility,  resource  availability, etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 386 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Software Technology Park in Bihar
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Ajay Kumar Mandal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 386

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 27.11.2024

## SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY PARK IN BIHAR

## †386.   SHRI AJAY KUMAR MANDAL:

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

- (a)  whether any Software Technology Park (STP) has been set up at Bhagalpur in Bihar;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the target fixed for STP Bhagalpur; and
- (d)  the current status regarding percentage of the target completed?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d):    The  Government  of  India is  supporting  IT industry  in  Tier-2 and Tier-3  cities across the country. As a part of this initiative Software Technology Park has been set up in Bhagalpur, Bihar in Government Industrial Training Institute. This is state-of-the-art facility. It  has  incubator  with  110  incubation  seats  so  that  entrepreneur  with  innovative  ideas  can establish their startups  with the help of Software Technology Parks of  India (STPI). It has other facilities for meeting investors, mentors and IT professionals so that young students of Bhagalpur and nearby areas get good opportunity for developing their ideas into startups.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 385 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Demand for a Railway Station in Nalanda
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Kaushalendra Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.385 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2024 DEMAND FOR A RAILWAY STATION IN NALANDA

## †385.  SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state :

- (a)  whether  it  is  true  that  Rahui  Road  in  Nalanda  under  East  Central  Railway, Danapur  Division,  a  very  old  railway  station  was  functional  as  a  full-fledged railway station;
- (b)  whether the  Government is aware that the residents of the area  have been demanding to give the status of a railway station to Rahui Road Halt for the last several years;
- (c) whether land has been acquired from the farmers for this purpose;
- (d)  whether  the  Express  trains  are  not  stopping  there  due  to  non-grant  of  the status of the railway station to it and owing to which the residents of the area are facing much difficulties; and
- (e) if so, the time by which Rahui Road Halt is likely to be given the status of a railway station and if not, there reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.385 BY SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR TO BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  27.11.2024  REGARDING  DEMAND FOR A RAILWAY STATION IN NALANDA.

(a) to (e): Rahui Road is a Halt Grade(HG)-3 railway station. The land of farmers of the region has not been acquired for this purpose. Rahui Road station is presently being served by 05 pairs of passenger trains services. Further, stoppage of train is an ongoing process over Indian Railways subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, commercial viability etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 384 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Employment Outsourcing in Mahanadi Coalfields Limited
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shri Pradeep Purohit

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 384 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2024

## Employment Outsourcing in Mahanadi Coalfields Limited

## 384.  SHRI PRADEEP PUROHIT:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  most  excavation,  safety,  OB  dumping  and  transportation  work  of  Mahanadi Coalfields  Limited  (MCL)  outsourced  or  assigned  to  private  companies  on  temporary contracts. Is there a policy in place to ensure that local unemployed youth can secure jobs with these companies according to their qualifications and experience during these contract periods;
- (b) if so, whether there is any policy in place to ensure that local unemployed youth can secure jobs with these companies according to their qualifications and experiences during these contract periods and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Ministry is aware that when a contract ends, a new company often takes over and hires new workers for the same roles, leading to significant dissatisfaction among local unemployed youth;
- (d) if  so,  whether  there  is  any  existing  policy  or  law  to  protect  the  interests  of  these  local workers who are engaged in contracted or outsourced work and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Ministry is considering introducing legislation to safeguard the interests of local workers involved in contracted or outsourced projects within MCL in case no such policy or law exists?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Yes  sir,  the  mining  activities  such  as  coal  production,  Overburden  (OB)  removal  and transportation  of  coal  have  been  outsourced  to  private  companies  on  temporary  contracts. However, no safety work of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) is outsourced or assigned to private companies on temporary contracts.

As MCL is operating in Odisha state, it is following the Guidelines issued by Government of Odisha for providing employment to local people in private companies as per their skill level, which is mentioned below:

I. Minimum 90% of total requirement from among local people in unskilled & semi-skilled category.

II.Minimum of 60% from among local people in skilled level. III. Minimum of 30% from among local people in Supervisory Managerial level.

(b): Reply has already been furnished at (a) above.

(c): Whenever there is a change of contract, it is being ensured that, as far as possible, existing contract workmen who are working may be given preference in employment by the incoming contractor, subject to satisfactory performance of duties.

(d): For protecting the interests of the local people, the policy is already in existence as has been mentioned in reply to (a) above, and for protecting the interests of the local people in case of change in contractor the position is as stated in the reply to (c) above.

(e): In view of the mechanism mentioned above, there is no such proposal under consideration.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 382 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Mining Lease Contract
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Ganesh Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 382

ANSWERED ON 27.11.2024

## MINING LEASE CONTRACT

†382 SHRI GANESH SINGH:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether it is a fact that there is a provision to auction mineral bearing areas on mining lease;
- (b) Whether it is a fact that there is a provision to execute contract for the auctioned lease mining area;
- (c) whether it is a fact that a lot of time is taken for obtaining environmental no-objection certificate under environmental rules framed for the purpose which delay execution of mining lease contract and as such leads to revenue loss to the State Government;
- (d) Whether any action is being taken to make the above process easy and quick; and (e) If so, the details of action being taken in this above regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Yes Sir. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 [MMDR Act, 1957] provides for grant of mining leases through auction.
- (b):  The  mining  lease  which  is  executed  between  the  State  Government  and  the successful bidder in auction is a contract.
- (c): Before execution of mining lease, every successful bidder is required to obtain the requisite statutory clearances from various departments of the Central Government and respective State Government. Therefore, a period of three years, extendable by another  2  years,  from  the  date  of  issue  of  Letter  of  Intent(LOI),  issued  after  the completion of auction process, is prescribed for execution of mining lease.
- (d) to (e): The Government is taking several measures to expedite the environmental clearance process and reduce delays in operationalization. These include introduction

of  e-governance platforms like  parivesh portal and mining tenement system which streamlines  submissions  and  approvals;  implementation  of  time-bound  approval processes to ensure quicker decision-making; time to time revision of environmental guidelines to simplify clearance requirements etc. Additionally, the Ministry of Mines holds regular review meetings with State Governments and concerned authorities for faster issue of clearances.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 380 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Demand for Train stoppage at Viswanath Chariali Railway Station, Assam
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Ranjit Dutta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 380 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2024

DEMAND FOR TRAIN STOPPAGE AT VISHWANATH CHARIALI RAILWAY STATION, ASSAM

380  SHRI RANJIT DUTTA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  considered  for  a  stoppage  of  the New Delhi  to  Dibrugarh  Rajdhani  Express  and  Anand  Vihar  Trm.  to Naharlagun, Arunachal Express at Viswanath Chariali Railway Station in Biswanath Chariali town, Assam;
- (b) if so, the details of steps being taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (c)  if  not,  the  reasons  therefor,  despite  the  pressing demand by the passengers in this region?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (c) At present, Viswanath Chariali station is being served by 08 pairs of Mail/Express services. 20505/20506 Dibrugarh - New Delhi Rajdhani  Express    and  22411/12  Anand  Vihar(Terminal)-  Naharlagun Arunachal Express have scheduled stoppages at Harmuti and Rangapara North stations, from where these services may be availed by the passengers. Besides, provision of stoppage of train services is an ongoing process on Indian Railways subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 379 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: High Speed Train at Darbhanga Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Gopal Jee Thakur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 379 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2024

## HIGH SPEED TRAIN AT DARBHANGA STATION

†379  SHRI GOPAL JEE THAKUR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  high  speed  train  facility  to  bigger  cities  is  not  available  at Darbhanga station despite being the highest revenue generating station in Samastipur Railway Division, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  run  Vande  Bharat  trains  from Darbhanga to Delhi via Sitamarhi and Ayodhyadham and from Darbhanga to Kolkata which will facilitate  the  people  in  commuting  and  also  save  the time; and

(c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): Presently, Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project is  the  only sanctioned project of High Speed Rail in India which is under execution.

Darbhanga  is  presently  being  served  by  54  pairs  of  train  services  which include  04  pairs  of  trains  connecting  it  to  Delhi  and  08  pairs  of  train services  connecting  it  to  Kolkata  for  different  classes  with  facilities  for Divyangjan Passengers.

To cater to the needs of passenger of Darbhanga-Sitamarhi-Ayodhya DhamDelhi  sector,  the    Amrit  Bharat  service  viz.  15557/58  Darbhanga-Anand Vihar (T) Express was introduced w.e.f. 01-01-2024.

Introduction of train services including Vande Bharat trains is an ongoing process  on  Indian  Railways  subject  to  traffic  justification,  operational feasibility, availability of resources etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 377 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Establishment of Mobile Tower
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Naba Charan Majhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 377 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 TH  NOVEMBER, 2024

## ESTABLISHMENT OF MOBILE TOWER

## 377 SHRI NABA CHARAN MAJHI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any plans to establish mobile towers on the Rairangpur-Bisoi Gathi road to address network connectivity issues in the area;
- (b) if so, the proposed timelines and steps undertaken to ensure the installation of this mobile Tower;
- (c) the  measures  being  considered  to  ensure  that  the  improved  connectivity  will  enhance communication facilities for residents, businesses and emergency service in the region; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) At present, BSNL has provided 4 nos. of 2G/3G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) at four  locations  along  the  30  Kms  Rairangpur-Bisoi  route,  namely Badamtalia,  Bijatala, Bisoi and Khadangbeda. Further, BSNL has installed a 4G Mobile Tower at Patpur village along this route under the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) funded 4G Saturation Project.

Mobile coverage in an area is provided by the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) based on their techno-commercial viability. Government through funding from DBN is implementing various projects  /  schemes  for  providing  mobile  network  coverage  to  uncovered  villages  of  the  country, including the state of Odisha, through installation of Mobile Towers in the rural, tribal and remote areas of the country.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 374 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Electricity Generation from Clean Energy Sources
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Ujjwal Raman Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 374 ANSWERED ON 27/11/2024

## ELECTRICITY GENERATION FROM CLEAN ENERGY SOURCES

## 374. SHRI UJJWAL RAMAN SINGH

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

- (a) the percentage of electricity generation from total installed capacity which is likely to be based on clean sources of energy by 2030;
- (b) whether the Government has set any target for enhancing installed capacity of renewable energy source by 2024-25 which includes to source 100 GW from solar energy, 60 GW from wind energy, 10 GW from bio-power and 6 GW from Small hydro projects;
- (c) whether India would be the largest clean energy producers by achieving this ambitious target; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF  STATE  FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

(a) As per the National Electricity Plan, to meet the projected peak demand of 334.8 GW and energy requirement  of  2279.7  billion  units  (BU)  (as  per  20th  Electric  Power  Survey)  of  the  country,  the installed Capacity for the year 2029-30 is likely to be 777,144 MW comprising of fossil based capacity of 2,76,507 MW (Coal 2,51,683 MW, Gas 24,824 MW) and non-fossil based capacity of 5,00,637 MW [Hydro 53,860 MW, Pumped Storage Projects (PSP) 18,986 MW, Small Hydro 5,350 MW, Nuclear 15,480 MW, Solar 2,92,566 MW, Wind 99,895 MW and Biomass 14,500 MW] along with a Battery Energy Storage capacity of 41,650 MW/208,250 MWh.  Accordingly, the percentage of clean sources of energy in the total installed capacity is likely to be 64.4% by 2029-30.

(b) to (d)  In line with the Hon'ble Prime Minister's announcement at COP26, Government is working towards achieving 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030.  As on 31.10.2024, a total of 211.40 GW non-fossil power capacity has been installed in the country, which includes 92.12 GW Solar Power, 47.72 GW Wind Power, 11.33 GW Bio-Power, 52.05 GW Hydro Power and 8.18 GW Nuclear Power.

With the achievement of 500 GW of non-fossil power capacity by 2030, India will be one of the largest clean energy producers.

*****