opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4287 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Road To Game Jam
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Dr. Vinod Kumar Bind, Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4287

## TO BE ANSW ERED ON 26.03.2025

## ROAD TO GAME JAM 4287: DR. VINOD KUMAR BIND: SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI:

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

- a)  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  support  the  growth  of  the AVGC-XR  (Animation,  Visual  Effects,  Gaming  and  Comics  along  with Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality  and the  Metaverse)  sector  in  India  in line with initiatives like the 'Road to Game Jam';
- b)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  provide  financial  assistance, tax incentives or grants  for  young  game  developers  and  startups participating in such competitions and if so, the details thereof; and
- c)  whether there are any plans to introduce a national-level AVGC-XR policy to promote India as a global hub for gaming and immersive technologies and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  INFORMATION  &  BROADCASTING  AND

## PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a): In a significant step toward making India a global hub for AVGC(Animation, Visual  Effects,  Gaming  and  Comics),  the  Union  Cabinet  has  approved  the establishment of Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) in Mumbai.

IICT is registered as a section 8 company under the Companies Act, 2013. The Ministry has sanctioned Rs. 391.15 crore  for setting up of IICT, Mumbai. Further,  Ministry  of  Information  and  Broadcasting  is  organizing  World  AudioVisual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, focused on broadcasting, digital media,  AVGC-XR,  and  films.  The  WAVES,  2025  in  its  first  edition  is  a  unique platform poised for the convergence of the entire global Media and Entertainment (M&E) sector. (b): The challenge 'Road to Game Jam' is one of the challenges under 'Create in India  Challenge  (CIC)  -  Season  1'  which  is  supported  by Government  of  India. CIC has been launched as a precursor to the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 with the Grand Finale to be hosted during WAVES 2025 from 1 st May - 4 th May 2025.

(c):  A  dedicated  AVGC  Task  Force  was  constituted  in  April  2022  to  devise  a strategic  framework  for  development  of  this  sector.  The  AVGC  Task  Force submitted its report to the Ministry in December 2022, with the recommendation to support the AVGC-XR sector in a mission-mode approach.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4285 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Fire Safety Norms in Railway Coaches
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Anto Antony

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4285

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.03.2025

## FIRE SAFETY NORMS IN RAILWAY COACHES

## 4285 SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the current total number of railway coaches in operation and equipped with fire extinguishers;
- (b) the  timeline  for  ensuring  100  per  cent  compliance  with  fire safety norms across all railway coaches;
- (c) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations in railway coaches; and
- (d) the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  regular inspection and maintenance of fire safety equipment in railway coaches?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d)  The inherent design of rolling stock is done keeping in mind various safety provisions. Further modification and upgradation of coaches to enhance fire  safety  is  a  continuous  and

ongoing process on Indian Railways (IR). Following measures have been taken for safety including fire safety in coaches:

1. Provision  of  Minimum  two  Fire  Extinguishers  in  all  coaches over Indian Railways.
2. Fire Detection & Suppression System has been provided in fire prone areas of Power cars and Pantry cars.
3. Fire and smoke  Detection system  has been provided in coaches as per extant guidelines.
4. Water mist type fire suppression system is being provided on pantry cars and power cars in phased manner.
5. Provision of emergency windows in coaches for evacuation in case of fire.
6. Use  of  Fire-retardant  material  as  per  global  fire-retardant norms in coaches for seats/berths, panels, flooring, insulation, toilets etc for improved fire safety.
7. Use of fire retardant E-beam cable in coaches.
8. Use  of  different  level  of  protection  in  the  form  of  fuses, Miniature Circuit breaker (MCBs) and Motor protection Circuit Breakers  (MPCBs)  in  the  electrical  circuits  to  prevent  the
8. damage from electrical faults/surges.
9. Provision of Aerosol based fire suppression system electrical cabinets.
11. in

10. Further, up-gradation of material in line with global standards is  regularly  being  carried  out  with  fitment  of  new  generation material in Amrit Bharat & Vande Bharat Sleeper trains.
11. Display  of  "Fire  Notices"  for  widespread  information  in  all coaches  to  inform  and  alert  passengers  regarding  various 'Do's'  and  'Don'ts'  to  prevent  fire.  These  include  messages regarding  not  to  carry  any  inflammable  material,  explosives, prohibition of smoking inside the coaches and penalties etc.
12. Prohibition of flame based cooking in coaches.

Regular maintenance of various fire safety equipments/components  as  per  the prescribed periodicity is carried out by the designated  officials at Depots/Sheds  for ensuring their proper upkeep.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4284 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Increase in number of attempts and age limit for UPSC-CSE Examination
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Shri R K Chaudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4284

(ANSWERED ON 26.03.2025)

## INCREASE IN NUMBER OF ATTEMPTS AND AGE LIMIT FOR UPSC-CSE EXAMINATION

## †4284. SHRI R K CHAUDHARY:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the basis on which the rules related to the number of attempts and age limit in the UPSC-CSE examination decided;
- (b) whether there is any demand to increase the number of attempts and age limit in the UPSC exam;
- (c) whether the number of attempts and the age limit for the UPSC-CSE examination has been increased and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether any discussion is going on at the Judiciary or Government level regarding the number of attempts and age limit in the UPSC-CSE examination and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the role of DoPT in conducting the UPSC examination; and
- (f) the role of DoPT in determining the service conditions and promotion policies of the officers selected by the UPSC?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a)  to  (e):    The  Civil  Services  Examination  (CSE)  is  conducted annually  by  the  Union  Public Service Commission (UPSC) in accordance with the CSE Rules notified by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). The CSE Rules are finalised by this Department in consultation with  various  stakeholders  including  the  UPSC,  Cadre  Controlling  Authorities  (CCAs)  of participating Services and other Ministries / Departments. Number of attempts and age criteria being one of the aspects of the CSE Rules are decided accordingly.
- (f): As per the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961, the Department of Personnel & Training is concerned with the general questions relating to recruitment, promotion and seniority and also the conditions of service of Central Government employees (other than those having a financial bearing and in so far as they raise points of general service interests) pertaining to Central Services except Railways Services and services under the control of the Department of Atomic Energy, the  Department of Space  and the Scientific  and  Technical  Services  under the Department of Defence Research and Development.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4283 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Re-examination of Tungsten Blocks
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4283 ANSWERED ON 26.03.2025

## RE-EXAMINATION OF TUNGSTEN BLOCKS

4283. SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has instructed Geological Survey of India (GSI) to reheritage sites famous for archaeological monuments and if so, the details thereof;

examine the various tungsten blocks in the country particularly in notified biodiversity (b)  whether  GSI  has  been  suggested  to  explore  the  possibility  of  redefining  the boundaries by excluding the biodiversity heritage site from the block and if so, the details thereof;

- (c) whether Union Government has requested various States to keep the process of issuing the Letter of Intent to the preferred bidder, Hindustan Zinc Limited on hold for the time being considering the representations received against auctioning the blocks in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details and the present status thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): In case of Nayakkarpatti Tungsten Block, Tamil Nadu, Geological Survey of India (GSI) was requested to re-examine and explore the possibility of redefining the block boundary by excluding the bio-diversity site area for Nayakkarpatti Tungsten Block.
- (c)  &  (d):  Subsequently,  the  auction  of  Nayakkarpatti  Tungsten  Block  has  been annulled on 25.01.2025 by the Central Government.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4279 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Periodical Medical Examination for Loco Pilots
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri S Venkatesan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4279 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.03.2025

## PERIODICAL MEDICAL EXAMINATION FOR LOCO PILOTS

4279. SHRI S VENKATESAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the maximum speed of trains in the Country;
- (b)  whether average speed of train is increasing year by year, if so, the details of average speed for the last five years;
- (c)  the  details  of the norm for PME (Periodical Medical Examination) for loco pilots operating high-speed trains and number of trains coming under this category along with details of names of trains with numbers; and
- (d)  the  details  of  the  number  of  loco  pilots  of  High  speed  trains getting PME every year along with intervals during the last five years; and
- (e) whether only pilots getting PME are allowed to operate the trains with high speed and only after any deviations noticed and action taken, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) and (b)  Speed of train services is dependent on various factors like Maximum Permissible speed and gradient of the sections enroute, speed potential of rolling stock/Loco, availability of path, maintenance corridor blocks, permanent and temporary speed restrictions,  signalling system, number of stoppages etc. Accordingly, train services are being charted at the  Maximum  Permissible  speed  of  section  enroute,  so  as  to  ensure optimal utilisation of available resources.

(c) to (e) Periodic Medical Examination (PME) for Loco Pilots is carried out at a periodicity defined on the basis of age. PME is carefully monitored as per the defined policy across Zonal Railways to ensure continued fitness of Loco Pilots to discharge their duties safely. The established guidelines for PME (Periodical Medical examination) of Loco Pilots are as follows:

- They  are  to  be  medically  re-examined  at  the  end  of  every  four-year period  from  the  date  of  appointment  until  they  attain  the  age  of  45 years.
- Thereafter,  re-examinations  are  mandated  every  two  years  until  the age of 55 years, and annually beyond 55 until retirement.
- If  a  loco  pilot  has  undergone  a  periodic  medical  examination  within two years prior to reaching the age of 45, then the next examination is scheduled two years from the date of the last examination.
- On the other hand, if the examination was conducted earlier than two years before attaining 45, then the next examination shall be on the day the employee turns 45, with subsequent examinations following a two-year interval until 55 years, and then annually thereafter.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4276 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Mobile Connectivity in Ladakh
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Mohmad Haneefa

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4276 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 TH  MARCH, 2025

## MOBILE CONNECTIVITY IN LADAKH

## 4276.   SHRI MOHMAD HANEEFA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

(a) the specific steps taken to improve mobile and internet connectivity in remote and rural areas of the UT of Ladakh and the timeline for completing these initiatives;

(b) whether the Government has prepared any index regarding the availability and quality of 4G and 5G connectivity;

(c) if so, the details thereof in respect of UT of Ladakh;

(d) whether there are plans to establish more digital and telecom infrastructure in the UT of Ladakh, if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the  number  of  Gram  Panchayats/villages  in  the  UT  of  Ladakh  currently  lacking  reliable mobile network coverage and the measures being taken to address this gap?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e) Out of 243 villages in Ladakh (as per data of Registrar General of India), 234 villages are covered with mobile connectivity.

Mobile  coverage  for  inhabited  uncovered  villages  is  provided  by  the  Telecom  Service Providers (TSPs) based on their techno-commercial viability. Government is implementing various schemes  under  Digital  Bharat  Nidhi  (DBN)  for  expansion  of  telecom  connectivity  through installation of 4G mobile towers in the rural, tribal and remote areas of the country, including Ladakh. As on February 2025, 136 towers have been commissioned in Ladakh under DBN funded mobile schemes, providing 4G mobile coverage to 169 villages.

BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to provide connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) for broadband services, such as Wi-Fi Hotspots, Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections  etc.  Further,  the  Union  Cabinet  has  approved  Amended  BharatNet  Program  for provisioning of connectivity to all GPs in the country in ring topology including upgrading existing network and connectivity to about 3.8 Lakh non-GP villages on demand basis.

To ensure the Quality of Service (QoS) for basic, mobile and broadband services, TRAI has laid down 'the Standards of Quality of Service of Access (Wireline and Wireless) and Broadband (Wireline  and  Wireless)  Service  Regulations,  2024'.  These  regulations  have  prescribed  QoS parameters  and  benchmarks  for  network  related  and  customer  service-related  parameters.  The Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) are required to ensure that the QoS parameters are within the benchmarks laid down by TRAI.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4275 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Connecting Solar and Wind Power to Grid
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Aditya Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4275 ANSWERED ON 26/03/2025

## CONNECTING SOLAR AND WIND POWER TO GRID

## 4275. SHRI ADITYA YADAV

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

- (a) whether the Government has formulated any action plan to achieve the goal of connecting 35 GigaWatts of solar and wind power to the country's grid by March 2025;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c) As on 28.02.2025, the country has achieved installation of ~146.57 GW of grid connected solar and wind power.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4272 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Challenges of Land Acquisition for Nuclear Power Projects
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Dr. Prashant Yadaorao Padole, Dr. Kalyan Vaijinathrao Kale

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4272

ANSWERED ON 26/03/2025

## CHALLENGES OF LAND ACQUISITION FOR NUCLEAR POWER PROJECTS

## 4272.  DR. PRASHANT YADAORAO PADOLE DR. KALYAN VAIJINATHRAO KALE

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

- (a) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to address the challenges in land acquisition for  nuclear  reactor  projects  along  with  the  measures  planned  to  ensure  fair  and  adequate compensation to landowners in the future;
- (b)  the  Government's  strategy  to  overcome  obstacles  in  ensuring  a  consistent  and  reliable supply of components from domestic industries for atomic energy projects;
- (c) the measures being implemented by the Government to promote adequate production and supply of domestic components for atomic energy projects while minimising environmental impact and adhering to sustainability goals; and
- (d) the details of the number of sites explored by the Government as part of its three stage nuclear power programme to utilise thorium-based reactors?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  PERSONNEL,  PUBLIC  GRIEVANCES  &  PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a) The Government works closely with state governments to expedite land acquisition for nuclear  power  projects.  The  Government  also  provides  funds  for  the  Resettlement  and Rehabilitation (R&R) packages awarded by the states for the Project Affected Persons (PAPs) and works with the state governments in their implementation.
- (b) & (c) The Government in 2017 had accorded administrative approval and financial sanction for  ten  indigenous  Pressurised  Heavy  Water  Reactors  (PHWR)  of  700  MW  each  in  'fleet mode'. The fleet mode implementation would provide the industry continuity of business and provide orders over a period of time, ensuring their reliable and timely deliveries. The future

plans for expansion and possible requirements are also shared with the industry to enable them plan augmentation of their capacities in terms of infrastructure and human resources. Further indigenous development of specific equipment is encouraged by awarding development orders on domestic industries.

(d) The process of identification of potential sites for locating future nuclear power plants is  an ongoing activity, carried out by the Standing Site Selection Committee (SSSC) of the Department of Atomic Energy.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4271 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Roadshow on Offshore Sand Mining
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Adv Dean Kuriakose

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4271

ANSWERED ON 26.03.2025

## ROADSHOW ON OFFSHORE SAND MINING

## 4271. ADV DEAN KURIAKOSE:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  organised  a  roadshow  to  seek  proposed investment for offshore sand mining in Kerala recently;
- (b) if so, the places where the Roadshows were held and the sites which have been identified for offshore sand mining in Kerala;
- (c) the total amount spent by the Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) for the event and the break up thereof;
- (d) whether any Public Sector Unit of the Government of Kerala was involved in the local co-ordination of the event;
- (e)      if so, the details of the funds spent by the Government of Kerala towards the local hospitality and arrangement of the event; and
- (f)      whether  any  impact  study  on  the  livelihood  of  fishermen  community  was conducted by IREL and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b)  Yes, The Ministry of Mines launched the first tranche of offshore mineral auctions on November 28, 2024, offering a total of 13 offshore blocks. Out of these, three blocks are off the coast of Kerala are pertaining to construction sand.

To ensure transparency and encourage wider participation from the potential bidders, the Ministry of Mines organized two roadshows. The first roadshow was conducted at Porbandar, Gujarat, in December 2024, and the second roadshow was conducted at Kochi, Kerala, in January 2025.

(c) to (e) As per the information received from Govt. of Kerala, the cost for organizing the roadshow, of rupees five lakh, was borne by Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL).

- (f) No impact study on the livelihoods of the fishermen community was conducted by Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4265 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Solar Pumps under PM-KUSUM
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Dr. Jayanta Kumar Roy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4265

ANSWERED ON 26/03/2025

## SOLAR PUMPS UNDER PM-KUSUM

## 4265. DR. JAYANTA KUMAR ROY

will the minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of farmers in Jalpaiguri district benefitted from the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) meant for solar-powered irrigation pumps;
- (b) whether there are plans to expand the scheme to cover more agricultural lands in the district; and
- (c) if so, the details of subsidy allocations and timelines for implementation?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) PM-KUSUM is a demand-driven scheme, and capabilities are allocated based on the demand raised  by the state and milestones achieved. The responsibility of beneficiary selection and implementation is of the State Implementing Agency (SIA).

The State of West Bengal had an initial sanction of 10,000 pumps under Component-B of PM KUSUM Scheme, which was withdrawn due to no progress and no milestones achieved, after due notice to the State.

Currently, there is no proposal from the State of West Bengal for any allocation and expansion of the PM KUSUM scheme in the state.

*****