opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2159 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Budget allocation Educational Schemes for Minorities
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri S Venkatesan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2159

ANSWERED ON 12/03/2025

## BUDGET ALLOCATION EDUCATIONAL SCHEMES FOR MINORITIES

2159. SHRI S VENKATESAN:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of Budget  allocations made  and  Actual  expenditure  incurred  for Educational Empowerment  schemes  for  minorities  i.e.  Pre  and  post-matriculation  scholarships,  Maulana  Azad National  Fellowship  (MANF),  free  coaching  and  interest  subsidy  on  education  loan  for  minorities during the last five years and revised estimate for the current year in this regard; and (b) the Budget Estimate proposed for the said schemes in 2025-26 budget?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a) and  (b):  The  details  of  Budget  allocations  made  and  actual  expenditures  incurred  during  the  last  5 years and proposed Budget allocation for FY 2025-26 for Educational Empowerment Schemes for minorities including the Free Coaching Scheme are as under:

(Amount in Rs. Crore)

| Year Scheme Name   | 2019-20   | 2019-20   | 2020-21   | 2020-21   | 2021-22   | 2021-22   | 2022-23   | 2022-23   | 2023-24   | 2023-24   | 2024-25   | 2024-25   | 2025-26   |
|--------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Year Scheme Name   | BE        | AE        | BE        | AE        | BE        | AE        | BE        | AE        | BE        | AE        | RE        | AE        | BE        |
| Pre- Matric        | 1220.30   | 1324.85   | 1330.00   | 1325.54   | 1378.00   | 1350.99   | 1425.00   | 43.95     | 433.00    | 95.84     | 90.00     | 1.55      | 195.70    |
| Post- Matric       | 496.08    | 428.77    | 535.00    | 512.81    | 468.00    | 411.87    | 515.00    | 29.00     | 1065.00   | 85.02     | 343.91    | 5.31      | 413.99    |
| Merit- cum- Means  | 366.43    | 285.63    | 400.00    | 396.34    | 325.00    | 345.77    | 365.00    | 34.90     | 44.00     | 152.74    | 19.41     | 3.50      | 7.34      |
| MANF               | 155.00    | 100       | 175.00    | 73.50     | 99.00     | 74.00     | 99.00     | 98.85     | 96.00     | 83.45     | 45.08     | 25.00     | 42.84     |
| Padho Pardesh      | 30.00     | 14.43     | 30.00     | 20.19     | 24.00     | 22.15     | 24.00     | 24.00     | 21.00     | 0.0       | 15.30     | 0         | 8.16      |
| Free Coaching      | 75.00     | 13.97     | 50.00     | 18.44     | 79.00     | 37.15     | 79.00     | 25.00     | 30.00     | 11.70     | 3.50      | 2.23      | 10.00     |

BE- Budget Allocation; AE- Actual Expenditure.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2158 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Konkan Railway Connectivity
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Narayan Tatu Rane

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2158 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.03.2025

## KONKAN RAILWAY CONNECTIVITY

†2158.  SHRI NARAYAN  TATU  RANE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  Konkan  Railway  touches  more  cities  and  rural  areas  of Maharashtra than those  of Goa and Karnataka;
- (b) if so, the share of Maharashtra in this project and the steps taken by the Government to increase the share of Maharashtra in it;
- (c)  the  details  of  the  proposed  plan  for  giving  lion's  share  to  Maharashtra post merger;
- (d) whether the Government assumes that the financial problems of Konkan Railways are likely to be solved by its merger;
- (e)  the  other  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  increase  the  share  of Maharashtra in the above project and solve the problem of unemployment; and
- (f) the details of workplan of the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (f): There  are  five  shareholders  in  Konkan  Railway  Corporation Limited (KRCL), namely, Ministry of Railways, Government of Maharashtra,

Government of Karnataka, Government of Goa and Government of Kerala. The present shareholding structure of KRCL is as under:

| Shareholder                                      |   Share in %(as on 04.03.2025) |
|--------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------|
| Government of India through Ministry of Railways |                          62.44 |
| Maharashtra                                      |                          16.86 |
| Goa                                              |                           4.6  |
| Karnataka                                        |                          11.5  |
| Kerala                                           |                           4.6  |
| Total                                            |                         100    |

Konkan  Railway  alignment  of  738.94  Kms.  passes  through  three  States, namely, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka having a total of 72 stations, out of  which  37  stations  (381.18  Kms.)  are  in  the  State  of  Maharashtra,  10 stations (106 Kms.) in the State of Goa and 25 stations (251.76 Kms.) in the State of Karnataka.

The infrastructure of KRCL has become more than 25 years old, requiring major  renewal/replacement  of  capital  assets  to  ensure  safety  of  traffic including doubling and rehabilitation of tunnels. This requires major capital expenditure.  To  meet  the  capital  expenditure,  all  the  above  shareholder State  Governments  have  been  approached  by  the  Ministry  of  Railways  to contribute for capital expenditure in KRCL as per their share or to relinquish their share in favour of Ministry of Railways. Only the State Government of Goa has conveyed willingness to relinquish its share.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2157 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Deprived Districts of 4G Network
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Tanuj Punia

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2157 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH  MARCH, 2025

## DEPRIVED DISTRICTS OF 4G NETWORK

## 2157.   SHRI TANUJ PUNIA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  many  districts  in  the  country  including  Uttar  Pradesh  are  still  deprived  of  4G network;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
- (c) the time by which 4G services will reach the said deprived districts and villages completely in the country especially Uttar Pradesh?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) The 4G services are available in all districts of the country including in Uttar Pradesh.

(c) Government is implementing  schemes  for  provision  of  4G  mobile  services  under  Digital Bharat Nidhi for expansion of 4G services in rural areas. 36,536 villages in the country are being covered under this scheme for 4G services, out of which 21,844 villages have already been covered. Under this scheme, 369 villages of Uttar Pradesh are also being covered, out of which 285 villages have already been covered.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2154 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Installation of Mobile Towers in Left Wing Extremism affected Areas
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Dr. Kirsan Namdeo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2154 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH  MARCH, 2025

## INSTALLATION OF MOBILE TOWERS IN LEFT WING EXTREMISM AFFECTED AREAS

## 2154.   DR. KIRSAN NAMDEO:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the measures taken by the Government to install mobile towers in the areas affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE) particularly in Gadchiroli in Maharashtra; and
- (b) the measures taken by the Government to provide mobile connectivity to the villages in the country which currently do not have network coverage?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) funded schemes are planned by Governmnet to provide mobie connectivity  to  uncovered  villages  of  the  Country  including  areas  affected  by  Left  Wing Extremism (LWE) in Gadchiroli District, Maharashtra:

- i. 354 uncovered Village Scheme.
- ii. 502 uncovered villages of Aspirational District Scheme.
- iii. 7287 uncovered villages of Aspirational District Scheme.
- iv. Provision of 4G mobile services in uncovered villages of Meghalaya and along National Highway (NH).
- v. Provision of 4G mobile services in uncovered villages of Arunachal Pradesh and Two (2) Districts of Assam (Karbi Anglong & Dima Hasao).
- vi. Provision of 4G Mobile Services in uncovered villages of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and along National Highway-4.
- vii. Provision  of  4G  Mobile  Services  and  Augmentation  of  OFC  Network  in  Lakshadweep Islands.
- viii. Provision  of  2G  mobile  services  at  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  (MHA)  identified  tower locations in Left Wing Extremism affected areas under LWE Phase-I project. Upgradation of 2G sites installed under this project to 4G is being done.
- ix. Provision of 4G mobile services at MHA identified tower locations in Left Wing Extremism affected areas under LWE Phase-II project.
- x. 4G Saturation Scheme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2153 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Namo Bharat Trains for Shorter Distance
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Prabha Mallikarjun

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2153 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.03.2025

## NAMO BHARAT TRAINS FOR SHORTER DISTANCE

2153 Dr. Prabha Mallikarjun:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to launch Namo Bharat trains to run between shorter distance cities/routes;
- (b) if so, the details of number of trains and routes to be made operational during the current year across the country;
- (c) the details of number of routes/cities identified for Namo Bharat trains in the State of Karnataka including Davanagere;
- (d) the time by which the routes in Karnataka would be operational; and
- (e) the details of the speed at which Namo Bharat trains will be running?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (e)  With a view to provide faster service and better travel experience to  the  passengers, Indian Railways are operating Namo Bharat Rapid Rail service. The first Namo Bharat Rapid Rail service viz. 94801/02 AhmedabadBhuj Namo Bharat Rapid Rail has been operationalised w.e.f 17 th  September, 2024. Besides, introduction of train services, including Namo Bharat Rapid Rail  services,  is  an  ongoing  process  on  Indian  Railways  subject  to  traffic justification, operational feasibility, resource availability, etc. However, as the Railway network straddles across State boundaries, train such services are introduced, as per network requirement across boundaries.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2147 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: 5G Rollout
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2147 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH  MARCH, 2025

## 5G ROLLOUT

## 2147.   SHRI MUHAMMED HAMDULLAH SAYEED:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of proposals and actions initiated by the Government to ensure 5G rollout across the country and Union Territories especially in Lakshadweep;
- (b) the progress achieved so far including the funds allocated and spent, State/UT-wise; and
- (c) the  challenges identified in deploying 5G in remote regions and the steps being taken to address these challenges?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) The Government has taken several initiatives for rollout of 5G services in the country, which, inter alia, include the following:

- i. Auction of spectrum for 5G mobile services.
- ii. Financial reforms to rationalize Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), Bank Guarantees (BGs) and interest rates.
- iii. Removal of Spectrum Usage Charges for spectrum acquired in auction of 2022 and thereafter.
- iv. Simplification  of  procedure  for  SACFA  (Standing  Advisory  Committee  on  Radio Frequency Allocations) clearance.
- v. Launch  of  PM  GatiShakti  Sanchar  portal  and  RoW  (Right  of  Way)  Rules  to streamline RoW permissions and clearance of installation of telecom infrastructure.
- vi. Time-bound permission for use of street furniture for installation of small cells and telecommunication line.

5G services have been rolled out in all States/ UTs across the country and presently it is available in 773 out of 776 districts in the country including Lakshadweep. As on 28.02.2025, 4.69 lakhs 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) have been installed by the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) across the country.

Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have expanded the 5G services across the country and have gone beyond the minimum rollout obligations, as prescribed in the Notice Inviting Application (NIA) for spectrum auction. Expansion of mobile services beyond these obligations depends on the techno-commercial consideration of the TSPs.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2144 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Checking/Controlling of Unwarranted Calls and SMS
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Dr. M K Vishnu Prasad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2144 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH  MARCH, 2025

## CHECKING/CONTROLLING OF UNWARRANTED CALLS AND SMS

## 2144.   DR. M K VISHNU PRASAD:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has initiated any steps/actions to bring relief to the telecom users by stopping/checking/preventing/controlling unwarranted calls and SMSs;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the reasons for missing the earlier deadline?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Unwarranted  calls  and  SMSs  which  are  also  known  as  Unsolicited  Commercial Communications (UCC) are regulated by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). TRAI has issued Telecommunications Commercial Communications Consumers Preference Regulations, 2018 (TCCCPR-2018)  which  deals  with  UCC.  TRAI  has  issued  amendment  to  TCCCPR-2018  dated 12.02.2025.  The  TCCCPR-2018  regulations  have  been  followed  by  a  number  of  Directions  for implementation of provisions of the regulations. TCCCPR-2018 and Directions have provisions for:

- i. Registering preferences for Commercial Communication where a telecom subscriber can opt  to  block  all  commercial  communications  or  can  selectively  block  commercial communications as per preference categories and registering complaint against senders of UCC through Mobile App, sending SMS to short code 1909 and calling on 1909.
- ii. Blacklisting of Registered Entities and Telemarketers for violation of TCCCPR-2018.
3. Action against Unregistered Telemarketer (UTM) such as giving a warning, putting them
- iii. under Usage Cap or disconnecting in case of repeated violations.
- iv. Financial Disincentives (FDs) against the Access Providers for failing to curb UCC.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2141 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Haripur Nuclear Power Plant
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Saumitra Khan, Shri Jyotirmay Singh Mahato

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2141

ANSWERED ON 12/03/2025

## HARIPUR NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

## 2141.  SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN SHRI JYOTIRMAY SINGH MAHATO

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

(a) the current status of the Haripur Nuclear Power Plant project in West Bengal and the progress made in its development and construction;

(b) whether there have been any delays or obstacles faced in the construction and operationalization of the Haripur Nuclear Power Plant and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c)  the  measures  being  taken  to  address  any  environmental  and  safety  concerns  related  to  the Haripur Nuclear Power Plant; and

(d) the projected timelines for the completion and commissioning of the Haripur Nuclear Power Plant and the manner in which it will contribute to the region's energy supply once operational?

## ANSWER

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

(a) The site at Haripur in west Bengal was accorded 'in principle' approval by the Government in 2009 and designated for setting up six units of 1000 MW (nominal capacity) in cooperation with Russian  Federation.  The  land  acquisition  for  the  project  has  not  been  initiated  by  the  state government yet. Hence, the construction of the project has not commenced.

(b) Do not arise in view of 'a'.

(c) The safety of general public around the nuclear plants is considered as one of the top priorities during the design, construction and operation of nuclear power plants. The nuclear power plants have a well-established procedure for safe processing of solid, liquid and gaseous waste without leading to any health hazard to the general public living around. Environmental survey laboratories (ESLs)  are  established  at  all  nuclear  power  plant  sites  which  regularly  carry  out  environmental monitoring to ensure that the releases are within the acceptable discharge limits. Accordingly, public outreach programmes have been carried out in the vicinity of the project site and nearby areas to address the concerns of the people regarding the project.

(d) The timelines of project completion and commissioning can be derived only after the land for the project is acquired. Once operational, it will generate about 6000MW of clean power.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2140 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Better Connectivity for Kargil
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Mohmad Haneefa

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2140 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.03.2025

## BETTER CONNECTIVITY FOR KARGIL

## 2140. SHRI  MOHMAD HANEEFA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  conduct  a  survey  very shortly for connecting Ganderbal in Kashmir with Kargil, keeping in view that Kargil district of Ladakh UT is strategically located from defence point of view and there is an urgent need to connect it with the rest of the country; and
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  and  (b)  :  Railway  projects  are  surveyed/  sanctioned/executed  Zonal Railway  wise  and  not  State-wise/Union  Territory  -wise/District-wise  as the  Railways'  projects  may  span  across  State/Union  Territory/District boundaries. 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, socio-economic considerations etc. depending upon throwforward of ongoing projects and overall availability of funds.

Survey of Srinagar-Kargil-Leh (480 km) new rail line was carried out in 2016-17.  As  per  Survey  report  the  anticipated  cost  of  the  project  was ₹55,896  crores.  However,  due  to  low  traffic  projections,  the  project could not be taken forward.

Bilaspur-Manali-Leh New Line falling partly in UT of Ladakh is identified as  strategic  line  by  Ministry  of  Defence.  Survey  of  Bilaspur-Manali-Leh new  line  project  (489  km)  has  been  completed  and  Detailed  Project Report  has  been  prepared.  Anticipated  cost  of  the  project  as  per Detailed Project Report is ₹1,31,000 crore.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2139 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Filling up of Vacancies
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Dr. Mallu Ravi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2139

(ANSWERED ON 12.03.2025)

## FILLING UP OF VACANCIES

## 2139. DR. MALLU RAVI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of employees who retired from the Union Government during the last five years, year-wise;
- (b) whether these vacancies have been advertised and refilled, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government follows any cost-saving criterion by not filling or partially filling these posts and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether this policy is increasing burden on the existing employees and effecting the pace of work in Central Government Departments and if so, the details thereof?

## 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) & (b):  For the last five years, year-wise data of the number of Civil employees of Central Government (i.e. excluding employees of Defence, Railways, Posts, and Telecommunications) whose pension has been authorized by the Central Pension Accounting Office is as follows: -

|   Year | No. of employees   |
|--------|--------------------|
|   2020 | 38,884             |
|   2021 | 45,416             |
|   2022 | 54,363             |
|   2023 | 50,423             |
|   2024 | 52,588             |

Maintaining  data  relating  to  appointments  and  retirements  is  the  responsibility  of  the respective Cadre Controlling Authorities in  various Central Govt. Ministries, Departments and Organisations.

Filling  up  of  posts  in  Central  Government  is  a  continuous  process,  as  vacancies  are advertised  and  recruitment  is  made  based  on  the  requirements  of  the  various  Ministries, Departments and Organizations.

(c) & (d):  Does not arise.

******