opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5092 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Auctioning of Mines
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato, Shri Yogender Chandolia, Shri Dineshbhai Makwana, Shri Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †5092

ANSWERED ON 02.04.2025

## AUCTIONING OF MINES

†5092. SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: SHRI YOGENDER CHANDOLIA: SHRI CHHATRAPAL SINGH GANGWAR: SHRI DINESHBHAI MAKWANA:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

(a) the number of mines auctioned in the country since the introduction of the Auction Regime in the year 2015 till February, 2025; (b) the number of mines auctioned during the Financial Year 2024-25 till February, 2025; and

- (c) the number of mines auctioned for mining lease during the financial year 2024-25 till February, 2025?

## ANSWER

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

(a)    Since the introduction of auction regime in 2015, 457 major mineral blocks have auctioned across the country till February, 2025.

(b) & (c)  103 major mineral blocks have been auctioned during the financial year 2024-25 till February, 2025 of which 57 blocks were auctioned for mining lease.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5089 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Coal Block Allocation to SCCL
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shri Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5089 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.04.2025

## Coal Block Allocation to SCCL

## 5089. Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar

## Shri Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  of  Telangana  has  sent  any  proposal  for  Singareni  Collieries Company  Limited  (SCCL)  requesting  for  allocation  of  Koyagudem  Block-III,  Sathupalli Block-III to meet immediate requirement of power besides allotment of PK OC-II dip side block  and  other  block  identified  by  SCCL  with  Godavari  Valley  Coal  Field  (GVCF)  in Telangana  State  under  Section  11A/17(A)  (2)  of  MMDR  Act,  1957  to  meet  the  power requirement of the State; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Union Government thereon?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Yes Sir. As per the policy followed for allocation of coal blocks, all the coal blocks are now being offered for allocation by way of auction for sale of coal.

Koyagudem Block-III has been successfully auctioned to M/s Auro Coal Private Limited under 2nd attempt of 3rd round of auctions. The Successful Bidder has not complied with the Vesting Conditions and a Termination Notice has been issued on March 13, 2023. The matter is subjudice.

Sattupalli  Block-III  has  been  successfully  auctioned  to  M/s  Sri  Avantika  Contractors  (I) Limited under 2nd attempt of 6th Round of auctions. Coal Mine Development and Production Agreement (CMDPA) has been signed on 8th January 2024. However, the Vesting order has not been issued since the Successful Bidder has not complied with the Vesting Conditions. The matter is sub-judice.

Further, PK OC-II dip side coal block has never been offered for auction.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5085 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: BharatNet Projects in Gram Panchayats
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Dr. Manna Lal Rawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5085 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND  APRIL, 2025

## BHARATNET PROJECTS IN GRAM PANCHAYATS

## †5085.  DR. MANNA LAL RAWAT:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  facing  difficulties  in  implementing  the  BharatNet  project  to achieve the set targets, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  number  and  the  details  of  the  Gram  Panchayats  in  Udaipur  Division  in  Rajasthan deprived of broadband connectivity under the said project, district-wise and block-wise;
- (c) the Gram Panchayats in Udaipur Division in Rajasthan identified by the Government for providing broadband facilities under the said project; and
- (d) the time by which the Government is likely to complete the said work?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) BharatNet is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country. At some places, the difficulties like delay in obtaining Right of Way permissions, damage of Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) are faced due to development works  etc.  These  have  been  addressed  from  time  to  time  by  regular  review  meetings  with  the respective State Government/agencies, etc.
- (b) to (d) Providing connectivity to GPs and strengthening of the network is under the scope of Amended BharatNet Program (ABP). The details of GPs in Udaipur division that are connected so far in BharatNet is available on Digital Bharat Nidhi website (https://usof.gov.in/en/home).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5081 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Public Distribution System Leakages
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Thiru Dr. S Jagathratchakan

•

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS. FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5081

TO BE ANSWERED ON 2ND APRIL,  2025

## PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM LEAKAGES

## 5081. SHRI S JAGATHRATCHAKAN:

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

- (a) the estimated annual quantity of  foodgrains, in million  tonnes, that failed to reach intended beneficiaries due to leakages in the Public Distribution  System (PDS) during the last three years,  State-.wise;
- (b) the  estimated annual financial  loss to  the exchequer, in  crore rupees, resulting  from these PDS leakages during the same period;
- (c) the specific  measures implemented to reduce such leakages including  the introduction of digital technologies  and monitoring systems;
- (d) whether the Government has ascertained the impact of these leakages in ensuring food security for the intended beneficiaries and if  so, details thereof; and
- (e) if  not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

(a) to (e): Given the robust digital  interventions on both the supply and distribution  sides, the possibility  of  leakages in the system has been effectively  eliminated. Consequently,  there is  no  financial  loss to  the  exchequer, as the  system prevents any  form  of  leakage or misallocation.

Under the  technology-driven reforms of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS),  the  digitization of ration card  and  beneficiary databases has  been  successfully completed across all  States and Union Territories (UTs). All  20 crore ration cards, covering more than 80 crore beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act  (NFSA),  2013, have been fully digitized.

To  enhance transparency and accountabiliTy, a dedicated transparency portal  and an online  grievance redressal system, including  a toll-free  helpline,  have been implemented across all  States and  UTs.  Furthermore.  Online  allocation  has been  implemented  in  all States/UTs (except UTs  of  Chandig©h and Puducheny which  have adopted DBT  Cash Transfer scheme) and supply chain has been cornputerized  in 31 States/UTs.

Food grain distribution is carried out through 5.41 lakh e-PoS devices, ensuring nearuniversal coverage of  Fair  Price  Shops (FPSs) across the  country.  These e-PoS devices facilitate  Aadhaar authentication during the di.stributiQn process, ensuring rightful  targeting .of beneficiaries. As  a result, 98% of  food  grain distribution is  conducted through Aadhaar authentication

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5080 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Nodal Agency for PM-SGMBY
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Smt. Himadri Singh, Shri Naba Charan Majhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5080

ANSWERED ON 02/04/2025

## NODAL AGENCY FOR PM-SGMBY

5080. SMT. HIMADRI SINGH: SHRI NABA CHARAN MAJHI:

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

- (a) the key objective of the Pradhan Mantri-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PM-SGMBY);
- (b) the number of households in the country targeted to install solar panels under the said yojana;
- (c) the time limit fixed by the Government to achieve the said target;
- (d) whether the Government has appointed any nodal agency for the said yojana; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c) The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY) in the country since February 2024. The scheme targets to achieve rooftop solar installations in one crore households in the residential sector by FY 2026-27 with an outlay of Rs 75,021 crore. One of the key objectives of the PMSG: MBY is to help in generation  of  free  electricity  up  to  300  units  per  month  to  an  individual  household  by installation of rooftop solar plant with central financial assistance.

(d) & (e) REC limited has been designated as the National Programme Implementing Agency (NPIA)  and  DISCOMs/Electricity  Departments,  as  the  case  may  be,  will  be  the  State Implementation Agencies (SIA) for the scheme.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5078 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Internet Service Providers
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Eswarasamy K

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5078 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND  APRIL, 2025

## INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS

## 5078.   SHRI ESWARASAMY K:

| (a) (DoT) for a   | whether it is a fact that Intelligence Bureau has asked Department of Telecommunications to direct Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to keep a record of all online activities of customers minimum of six months;   |
|-------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (b)               | if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;                                                                                                                                                                 |
| (c)               | the response of Government and ISPs thereto;                                                                                                                                                                         |
| (d)               | whether keeping such records can threaten customer's privacy and security; and                                                                                                                                       |
| (e) using         | if so, the measures proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure protection of customers the internet?                                                                                                           |
| ANSWER            | ANSWER                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| (a) &(b)          | No such request has been received by the Department from Intelligence Bureau.                                                                                                                                        |
| (c) to (e)        | Does not arise in view of the reply for (a) and (b) above.                                                                                                                                                           |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5077 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Community Radio Stations
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Kesineni Sivanath

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5077

## (TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.04.2025)

## COMMUNITY RADIO STATIONS

## 5077. SHRI KESINENI SIVANATH

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

- (a)  the total number of community radio stations set up in the country, State-wise and districtwise for Andhra Pradesh along with the details of the scheme under which these are set up;
- (b) the total number of operational/commissioned community radio stations, State-wise till date;
- (c)  the  funds  sanctioned  and  released  under  the  scheme  during  each  of  the  last  three  years particularly for the State of Andhra Pradesh; and
- (d) the total number of workshops conducted by the government under the scheme along with the number of beneficiaries who attended the same till date, State-wise?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (Dr. L. MURUGAN)

- (a) to (d): As of 27 th   March 2025, Government has sanctioned 532 Community Radio Stations across the country. The details of Community radio stations district and state-wise are available on the website of the ministry:

https://mib.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-03/list-of-commissioned-community-radio-stations-inindia-as-on-27.03.2025-1.pdf.

Government regularly organizes workshops for promoting Community Radios and has organized 5 such workshops around the country so far in 2025.

The funds sanctioned and released under the Central Sector Scheme of Supporting Community Radio Movement in India for last three years is as under:

| Year    | Funds Sanctioned &released   |
|---------|------------------------------|
| 2021-22 | Rs. 1.30 Cr                  |
| 2022-23 | Rs. 1.53 Cr                  |
| 2023-24 | Rs. 2.60 Cr                  |

One Community Radio Station in Andhra Pradesh sought financial assistance during this period and was duly provided assistance of Rs. 10 Lakh.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5076 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: New Jhargram-Digha Train
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Kalipada Saren Kherwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5076 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.04.2025

## NEW JHARGRAM-DIGHA TRAIN

5076. SHRI KALIPADA SAREN KHERWAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  run  Passenger  and Express  trains  from  Jhargram  to  Digha  under  Kharagpur  Division  in South Eastern Railway; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  and (b) At present, Jhargram-Kharagpur sector is being served by 18 pairs of train services while Kharagpur-Digha sector is being served by    02  pairs  of  train  services.  Passengers  of  Jhargram  desirous  of travelling to Digha may avail services from Kharagpur.

Besides,  introduction  of  train  services  is  an  on-going  process  over Indian Railways subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, availability of resources etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5075 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: India's Rank in Global Press Freedom Index
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri K Sudhakaran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5075 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.04.2025

## INDIA'S RANK IN GLOBAL PRESS FREEDOM INDEX

## 5075.  SHRI K SUDHAKARAN:

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

- (a) the reasons for India's decline in the Global Press Freedom Index ranking in 2024;
- (b) the  measures  undertaken  by  the  Government  to  safeguard  press  freedom  and journalists' rights; and
- (c) the  details  of  consultations,  if  any,  with  media  organisations  and  press  bodies regarding concerns over press freedom?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND

## PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a)  to  (c):  India  has  a  vibrant  press  and  media  ecosystem,  which  does  not  need  validation from foreign organizations.

India  has  about  1,45,000  printed  publications, more  than  900  private  satellite  TV  channels and numerous publishers on digital media including OTT platforms, e-replica of newspapers, digital newspapers, news websites and news channels on social media platforms etc.

Legal framework to protect journalists:

- Freedom of speech and expression is protected under Article 19 of the Constitution.
- Press  Council  of  India  (PCI)  is  a  statutory  autonomous  body  set  up  under  the  Press Council  Act,  1978.  PCI  is  headed  by  a  retired  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  and adjudicates on the complaints filed by the members of the press concerning curtailment of press freedom, physical assault/attack on journalists etc.
- Under Section 13 of the Press Council Act 1978, the PCI is also mandated to take suomotu cognizance on the pressing issues concerning freedom of Press and safeguarding of its high standards.
- Similarly, the freedom of press in electronic media is ensured through a self-regulatory mechanism under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.

Besides  the  above,  we  have  a  robust  judicial  system  that  ensures  the  implementation  of constitutional provisions.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5073 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: BharatNet Project in the North Eastern Region
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Pradyut Bordoloi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5073 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND  APRIL, 2025

## BHARATNET PROJECT IN THE NORTH EASTERN REGION

## 5073.   SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the percentage of Gram Panchayats in the North Eastern Region (NER) which are still not connected under the BharatNet project, State-wise;
- (b) the details of the speed of internet provided under BharatNet in the NER and the all-India average for the same, State-wise;
- (c) the details of the share of Gram Panchayats in the NER that have been provided with a Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connection, State-wise; and
- (d) whether any customers who had availed WiFi services through BharatNet have chosen to give up their connections and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor across the country and the NER?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (c) The  State-wise  details  of  the  percentage  of  Gram  Panchayats  (GPs)  in  the  North Eastern Region (NER) that are yet to be connected under the BharatNet project and the share of GPs that have been provided Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connection is available on Digital Bharat Nidhi website (https://usof.gov.in/en/home).
- (b) There is provision for speeds for broadband connection for GPs connected on Optical fibre. As per  February  2025  report  (https://www.speedtest.net/global-index/india),  the  median  download speed is 61.66 Mbps for fixed broadband for India.
- (d) The summary of FTTH connections in NER through BharatNet is as below:

| Status as on   | 31.03.23   | 31.03.24   | 27.03.25   |
|----------------|------------|------------|------------|
| Provided       | 4,665      | 7,086      | 11,710     |
| Closed         | 1,266      | 1,947      | 3,580      |
| Active         | 3,399      | 5,139      | 8,130      |

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5071 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Amendment in Telecom Act, 2023
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Chavan Ravindra Vasantrao, Shri Sudheer Gupta, Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5071 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND  APRIL, 2025

## AMENDMENT IN TELECOM ACT, 2023

## 5071.   SHRI CHAVAN RAVINDRA VASANTRAO: SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA: SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to amend the India's Telecom Act, 2023;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with aims and objectives thereto;
- (c) the salient features of the new Telecom Act;

(d) whether the Government is also working to attract foreign investments and technological collaborations; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken for aligning policies with global best practices in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) No such proposal is under consideration.

(c) The  Telecom  Act  has  provisions  for  simple  regulatory  framework,  optimal  utilization  of spectrum,  effective  Right  of  Way  framework,  public  safety,  national  security,  innovation  and technology  development,  user  protection,  effective  adjudication  mechanism,  standardization  and protection of Telecom networks, and digital by design implementation.

(d) & (e) The extant Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) framework allows 100% FDI in Telecom Sector, subject to applicable laws/regulations, licensing &  security conditions and other conditionality.  In  addition,  the  department  actively  engages  with  its  counterparts  in  key  global markets, including the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan and Germany, among others. These engagements take place both bilaterally and through multilateral platforms with an  objective  to  foster  collaborations  in  cutting-edge  and  emerging  technologies,  including  5G, Beyond 5G, 6G, Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT). As part of  these  engagements,  the  Department  actively  participates  in  capacity-building  initiatives  and knowledge exchange sessions on emerging technologies. These interactions facilitate the alignment of India's technological advancements with global best practices.

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