opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3753 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Public Transport under PM e-Drive Scheme
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Dr. Prashant Yadaorao Padole, Shri Kripanath Mallah, Smt. Bijuli Kalita Medhi, Shri Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, Dr. Vinod Kumar Bind, Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3753

ANSWERED ON 12.08.2025

## PUBLIC TRANSPORT UNDER PM E-DRIVE SCHEME

3753.  SHRI KRIPANATH MALLAH:

SHRI KAMAKHYA PRASAD TASA:

DR. VINOD KUMAR BIND:

SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI:

SMT. BIJULI KALITA MEDHI:

DR. PRASHANT YADAORAO PADOLE:

## Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) the scheme of the Government to measure the long-term emission impact of public transport under PM e-Drive;
- (b) the details of the schemes to expand the electric public transport network under PM e-DRIVE in future;
- (c)  the  measures  of  the  Government  to  improve  coordination  with  the  States  for  successful implementation of e-bus fleets;
- (d) whether any roadmap has been prepared for setting up public charging stations on National Highways and metros; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES (SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA)

(a) to (c): Under the  PM  E-DRIVE Scheme, Rs.4,391 crore has  been  allocated  towards deployment of 14,028 e-buses, initially in nine cities with population of more than 40 lakh viz. Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Surat, and Pune. This aims to reduce the emissions by public transport.

Procurement of e-buses on aggregation model through competitive bidding by CESL. Support for e-buses is provided through State/city transport undertakings (STUs) on operational expenditure (OPEX)/ gross cost contract (GCC) model.  CESL is coordinating with the States for rollout of the e-buses under PM E-DRIVE scheme.

Meetings with states have been conducted by Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) and CESL. Cities have submitted their request for allotment of e-buses.

- (d) & (e): Setting  up  of  electric  vehicle  charging  stations  is  an  unlicensed  activity  and private entrepreneurs can also participate in the activity.  In addition to this, an allocation of Rs.2,000 crore has been made under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme, for setting up of electric vehicle public  charging  stations  (EV  PCS)  on  pan  India  basis  including  national  highways  and metropolitan cities.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3752 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Safety of Mentally Challenged Individuals
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Dr. Kadiyam Kavya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (DIVYANGJAN)

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 3752

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 12/08/2025

## Safety of  Mentally Challenged Individuals

3752.  Dr. Kadiyam Kavya:

Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  exploring  iris  camera  technology  for  identification  and  safety  of mentally challenged individuals in Telangana;
- (b) if so, the details of pilot projects or implementation plans in Warangal; and
- (c) the details of the funding and technological support proposed for such initiatives?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

(SHRI B.L.VERMA )

- (a) to (c) No such proposal is under consideration in the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3751 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Production Linked Incentive Scheme
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Lumbaram Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3751

ANSWERED ON 12.08.2025

## PRODUCTION LINKED INCENTIVE SCHEME

## 3751. SHRI LUMBARAM CHOUDHARY:

## Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  total  number  of  people  employed  under  the  Production  Linked  Incentive  (PLI)  Auto scheme sanctioned in the year 2022-2023;
- (b) the impact of the scheme on the manufacturing of Advanced Automotive Technology (AAT) Products and their supply in India; and
- (c)  the  data  regarding  the  cost  of  each  job  on  the  Government  exchequer  under  the aforementioned scheme?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES (SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA)

- (a) & (b): PLI-Auto scheme provides financial incentives to boost domestic manufacturing of  Advanced  Automotive  Technology  (AAT)  products  and  attract  investments  in  the automotive  manufacturing  value  chain.  The  scheme  has  boosted  the  production  of  AAT Products. As on 31.03.2025, cumulative sales of AAT products under the scheme is ₹19,753 crore and employment created is 44,987 nos.
- (c): The jobs are provided by the approved applicants and Government does not bear any expenditure on them.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3749 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Border Area Development Programme Scheme
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Joyanta Basumatary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3749

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 TH  AUGUST, 2025/ SRAVANA 21, 1947 (SAKA)

BORDER AREA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME SCHEME

3749.     SHRI JOYANTA BASUMATARY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  Border  Area  Development  programme  scheme  has  been stopped;

(b) if so, the reasons behind stopping this most efficient scheme for the border areas like Bodoland Territorial Region;

(c) whether the Government has formulated any mechanism to ensure the overall development of Border Areas like in North Eastern Region; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) to (d): Central  Government,  after  comprehensive  review  of  Border Area  Development  Programme , has approved the Vibrant Villages Programme-II (VVP-II), as a Central Sector Scheme, with a total outlay of ₹6839 crores till the Financial Year 2028-29 for comprehensive development of identified villages located in blocks abutting international land borders (ILBs), other than the Northern Border already covered under VVP-I,  in  the  States/UTs  of  Arunachal Pradesh,  Assam, Bihar, Gujarat,

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 3749 FOR 12.08.2025

J&K, Ladakh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Government has already approved Vibrant Villages Programme-I (VVP-I) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for comprehensive development of the identified villages in blocks abutting the northern border in 5 States and UT including  the  States  of  Arunachal  Pradesh  and  Sikkim  in  the  north eastern region.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3746 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Objectives of SHRESHTA Scheme
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Rajesh Naranbhai Chudasama

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3746 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.08.2025

## OBJECTIVES OF SHRESHTA SCHEME

## 3746. SHRI RAJESH NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the details and objectives of Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA); and
- (b) the manner in which the scheme aims to enhance educational and socio-economic conditions for the targeted group, specifically the Scheduled Castes?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)

(a) & (b) : Under the Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA) Mode-II, financial assistance is provided to NGOs for running projects related to education of students belonging to Scheduled Castes. The Scheme broadly covers 3 types of projects namely (i) Residential Schools (ii) Non Residential Schools and (iii) Hostels, both for Primary and Secondary Students. The scheme was revised w.e.f 2021-22 as Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA) by adding a new component under Mode-I, under which every year a specified number of meritorious SC students in the country are selected for quality residential education in top-class residential High Schools through a nation-wide entrance test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

The objectives of "The Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA)" is to enhance the reach of development intervention of the Government and to fill the gap in service deficient Scheduled Castes (SCs) dominant areas, in the sector of education through the efforts of grant-in-aid to the institutions (run by NGOs) and residential high schools offering high quality education. The Scheme aims to provide environment for education and socio economic upliftment of the Scheduled Castes (SCs). Further, the Scheme provides easier access to the bright SC students to study in the best schools in the country, thereby securing their future opportunities.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3742 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Promote Handloom Sector
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Bhojraj Nag, Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato

## PROMOTE HANDLOOM SECTOR

## 3742. SHRI BHOJRAJ NAG: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state :

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to promote the handloom sector in the country;
- (b) if so, such measures have helped in marketing of handloom products in the country; and
- (c) the details of marketing events/exhibitions organised during the last three years and the current year along with the financial assistance provided for such marketing events/exhibitions?

उत्तर

ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a) & (b): Ministry  of  Textiles  through  Office  of  Development  Commissioner  for  Handlooms implements following schemes to promote handlooms:

- i. National Handloom Development Programme;
- ii. Raw Material Supply Scheme;

Under the above schemes, financial assistance is provided to eligible handloom agencies/weavers for  raw  materials,  procurement  of  upgraded  looms  &  accessories,  solar  lighting  units,  construction  of workshed, skilling, product & design development, technical and common infrastructure, marketing of handloom products in domestic & international markets,  concessional  loans  under weavers'  MUDRA scheme and social security etc.

To  provide  the  marketing  platforms  to  the  handloom  agencies/weavers  to  sell  their  products directly to the customers, expos are organised across the country including participation in various crafts melas & Dilli Haat programme etc. In addition, an e-commerce portal (https://www.indiahandmade.com/) has already been launched to support the handloom sector for online marketing of handloom products.

For  export  promotion  of  handlooms,  participation  of  handloom  exporters/weavers  in  various International  marketing  events/fairs  India  International  Trade  Fair,  Buyer  Seller  Meet,  Reverse  Buyer Seller Meet, Big Ticket events, Bharat Tex, are organised through Handloom Export Promotion Council.

- (c): The details of marketing events/exhibitions organized during the last three years and the current year along with the financial assistance are given as under:

| Financial Year            |   No. of expos/events (Domestic& International) sanctioned | Amount released (Rs. In lakh)   |
|---------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|
| 2022-23                   |                                                        230 | 3,202.62                        |
| 2023-24                   |                                                        174 | 4,229.93                        |
| 2024-25                   |                                                        184 | 3,571.31                        |
| 2025-26 (as on July 2025) |                                                        101 | 1,711.32                        |
Lok Sabha Question No. 3739 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Aadhaar-Based Payments System in MGNREGS
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Y S Avinash Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3739 ANSWERED ON 12/08/2025

## AADHAAR-BASED PAYMENTS SYSTEM IN MGNREGS

3739. Shri Y S Avinash Reddy:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  assessed  the  Aadhaar-Based Payments System (ABPS) introduced in payment of wages under the  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) from 1st January, 2024;
- (b) whether the Government has taken note that many complaints are being received after the introduction of ABPS in MGNREGS wage payments due to a mismatch between the details of the job cards and their Aadhaar card details;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the  remedial  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  address  the concerns of the workers?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN)

(a) to (d): To ensure timely payment of wages to the beneficiaries under  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS) and to address the issues arising due to frequent changes in bank account numbers of the  beneficiaries  and  subsequent  non-updation,  it  was  decided to implement Aadhar Payment Bridge System (APBS). This has been made mandatory with effect from 1 st  January 2024.

APBS helps in improving the transparency and accountability of wage distribution under the scheme and ensure faster crediting of wages in the account of beneficiaries. Aadhar Authentication also reduces  leakage  and  corruption  and  ensures  that  only  legitimate beneficiaries with verified identities receive wages.  In case of failure in payment through APBS, an alternative route to make payment is

available through account-based payment that is National Automated Clearing House. Currently, against total of 12.12 crore active workers Aadhaar seeding of 99.65% have already been completed. State/UTs are  continuously  being  monitored  by  the  Central  Government  for achieving 100% Aadhaar Seeding and APBS conversion in NREGASoft. As and when any issue is flagged by the State/UT or any other stakeholders, the same is resolved on priority basis.

Monitoring  and  evaluation  is  a  continuous  process  under Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Scheme (Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGS).  The  Ministry  regularly  reviews the performance  of  the  States/UTs,  including  the  implementation  of APBS,  through  various  mechanisms  such  as  Mid-Term  Review, Common Review Mission, Labour Budget meetings, National Level monitoring, virtual conference meetings and field visits. Depending on  the  need  and  requirements  for  effective  implementation  of  the Scheme, review and course correction are taken up.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3738 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Shifting of Biju Patnaik National Steel Institute
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri Pradeep Purohit

THE MINISTER OF STEEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3738 FOR ANSWER ON 12.08.2025

## SHIFTING OF BIJU PATNAIK NATIONAL STEEL INSTITUTE

3738.  SHRI PRADEEP PUROHIT:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is planning to shift Biju Patnaik National Steel Institute (BPNSI) from its present campus situated at Kaling Nagar in Jajpur district;

(b) if so, the details thereof; (c) the details of the Government plan to make BPNSI as a World class Institute; and

- (d)  the  details  of  funds  allocated  for  construction  of  permanent  campus  and  the timeline to complete the same?

## ANSWER

(SHRI H.D. KUMARASWAMY)

(a)to(c): The Biju Patnaik National Steel Institute (BPNSI) was established in the state of Odisha to provide skill training in Steel Sector. In order to strengthen/expand BPNSI, recently it has been decided to open a regional center at SAIL, Bhilai. The Board  of  Director  of  the  Institute  is  responsible  to  oversee  the  Institutes'  mission, course curriculum and financial requirement etc.

- (d) No funds have been allocated for this purpose from Ministry of Steel.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3737 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: GOTS Organic Certificate
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Chandubhai Chhaganbhai Shihora

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3737 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.08.2025

## GOTS ORGANIC CERTIFICATE

## 3737. SHRI CHANDUBHAI CHHAGANBHAI SHIHORA:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state :

(a)  whether  processing  of  textile  products,  yarn/cotton/fabric  with  Global  Organic  Textile  Standard (GOTS) enables them to export it with GOTS organic certificate;

(b)  whether  control  association  are  certified  since  2007  for  GOTS  certificate  and  also  linked  with interlok since 2021;

(c) whether Intertek testing service for GOTS organic certification is available since 2021;

(d)  whether  some  problem  in  Intertek  GOTS,  led  to  suspension  of  Intertek  for  7  months  and  in  turn, Intertek suspended some companies including Gujarat and other States as a consequence the farmers are also facing loss in the price of cotton (organic premium); and

(e) whether foreign payments of all the companies are stopped/withheld as supply of organic material is banned and if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर ANSWER )

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a) to (e): National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) is being implemented by the Department of Commerce and is notified under the FTDR Act for export.  Under NPOP, cotton is certified only till production level. Thereafter, the post production activities including ginning, processing etc are carried out  under  private  certifications.     Global  Organic  Textiles  Standards  (GOTS)  is  one  of  the  private certifications under which organic textiles are exported.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3733 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Removal of CRPF Security from Airports
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Laxmikant Pappu Nishad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3733

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 TH  AUGUST, 2025/ SRAVANA 21, 1947 (SAKA)

REMOVAL OF CRPF SECURITY FROM AIRPORTS

3733.     SHRI LAXMIKANT PAPPU NISHAD:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  after  April  2019  to  till  date,  from  which  Government establishment and airports Central Industrial Security  Force  were removed, if so, the reasons therefor;

- (b) the manner in which surplus Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) personnel are present after removing from Government establishment and airports;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  merge  CISF  with  Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, IndoTibetan Border Police and Assam rifles; and
- (d)  whether  Border  security  should  be  increased,  and  whether  the Government has plans to deploy CISF in border areas, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) & (b): After April 2019 to till date, Central Industrial Security Forces

(CISF)  has  not  been  removed  from  any  Government  establishment  and airports.

(c) & (d): At present, there is no such plan.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3731 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: School Buildings at Lakshadweep
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3731

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 TH  AUGUST, 2025/ SRAVANA 21, 1947 (SAKA)

SCHOOL BUILDINGS AT LAKSHADWEEP

3731.     SHRI MUHAMMED HAMDULLAH SAYEED:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that several school buildings across Lakshadweep  have  been  demolished  but  construction  work  has  not commenced, severely affecting the learning environment of students, if so, the details, thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to initiate immediate construction of these school buildings, especially in islands like Kavaratti, Agatti and Androth;
- (c) if so, the details, thereof, if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to provide interim arrangements to prevent  overcrowding and lack of basic facilities  in  schools,  if  so,  the details, thereof, if not, the reasons, therefor; and
- (e) the time by which the Government  intends to complete  the construction of all demolished school buildings?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) to (e): The  Union  Territory  of  Lakshadweep  Administration  has informed that some of the buildings of Mahatma Gandhi Senior Secondary School,  Andrott  and  buildings  of  Government  Senior  Secondary  School Complex, Kavaratti have been demolished for reconstruction/renovation.

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 3731 FOR 12.08.2025

To  ensure  continuity  in  education,  all  affected  students  have  been accommodated in other Government buildings.  The construction work of school buildings at Andrott has started with the completion target of April, 2026.  The construction work of the school complex buildings at Kavaratti has  been  awarded  to  the  Contractor  with  the  completion  target  of October, 2026.

*****