opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1403 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Internet Shutdowns
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Dr. Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1403 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 ST  JULY, 2024

## INTERNET SHUTDOWNS

## 1403   DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government maintains official data on internet shutdowns in India;
- (b) if so, the details of internet shutdowns, State-wise;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government is aware of the 2024 Access Now report evidencing that India has recorded the highest number of internet shutdowns for the sixth consecutive year;
- (e) whether the claims in the report are correct; and
- (f) whether the Government has a policy in place to reduce the need for internet shutdowns in the constitutional interest of prioritizing individual liberties?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) & (f) On the occurrence of any public emergency or in the interest of public safety, the  Central  Government  or  State  Governments  are  empowered  to  issue  orders  for  temporary suspension  of  internet  service  as  per  the  provisions  contained  in  the  Temporary  Suspension  of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017.

Hon'ble Supreme Court has mandated the publication of suspension orders in public domain; and all orders for suspension of Telecom Services must adhere to the principle of proportionality and must not extend beyond the necessary duration. The said directions of Hon'ble Supreme Court have been communicated to all Chief Secretaries/ Administrators of States/ Union Territories (UTs) on 10.11.2020. As per seventh schedule of the Constitution, police and public order are State subjects. Accordingly, the details regarding internet suspension orders issued by State Government/ Union Territories (UTs) are not maintained centrally by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). However, permissions granted by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for temporary suspension of telecom services are available on MHA website.

The contribution of internet for the well-being of citizens has to be balanced with stopping misuse  by  anti-social  elements  requiring  temporary  shutdowns  as  per  the  rules  based  on  the assessment by Local (State/UT Government) Authorities.

(d) & (e) No such authentic report is available with DoT.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1398 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Old Railway Bridges in the Country
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Smt. Mala Roy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1398 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## OLD RAILWAY BRIDGES IN THE COUNTRY

1398  SMT. MALA ROY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of 75 to 100 years old Railway Bridges in the country, State-wise;
- (b) whether any regular health audit have been conducted on those old railway bridges; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 1398 BY SMT.  MALA  ROY  TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 31.07.2024 REGARDING OLD RAILWAY BRIDGES IN THE COUNTRY.

(a) to (c): As on 01.04.2024, there are 1,63,810 number of Railway Bridges on Indian Railways' Network of varying ages.

All Bridges are maintained in good physical condition irrespective of its age by periodic inspection & repairs. There is a well-established system of inspection of Railway bridges on IR. Annual Inspection of all the  bridges  is  conducted  to  ascertain  the  physical  condition  of  the bridge  and  repairs  /  rehabilitation  measures  are  taken  up  wherever required.  Detailed  technical  inspection  of  identified  bridges  is  carried out on specified frequency by designated technical officials. In addition, certain bridges are also inspected more frequently depending upon their condition.

Repair  / strengthening  /  rehabilitation /  rebuilding  of  railway bridges  is  a  continuous  process  and  is  undertaken  whenever  so warranted  by  their  physical  condition  as  ascertained  during these inspections and not on the basis of age. All bridges are safe for train movement at permitted speed.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1394 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Bullet Trains from Mumbai to Ahmedabad
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Manickam Tagore B

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1394 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## BULLET TRAINS FROM MUMBAI TO AHMEDABAD

1394. SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the manufacturing of bullet train from Mumbai to Ahmedabad was expected to be completed by the year 2022 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is also true that only 30% of said project has been completed after  a  decade  and  the  revised  deadline  is  now  year  2028  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (c)  the  bullet  train  will  become  the  biggest  liability  of  India  once  it  is completed and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  it  is  also  true  that  the  initial  cost  estimation  for  the  project was Rs.1.08 lakh crore for construction of 508 kms with 12 stops and was later revised to Rs.1.65 lakh crore and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether it is also true that the project cost expected to be raised by Rs. 2 lakh crore more on completion totally amounting to Rs. 397 crore per km.; and
- (f)  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) to (f): Presently construction is going on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project.  The MAHSR Project is passing through the States  of  Gujarat,  Maharashtra  and  Union  Territory  of  Dadra  &  Nagar Haveli.

The length of the project is 508 Km with 12 stations planned at Mumbai, Thane,  Virar,  Boisar,  Vapi,  Billimora,  Surat,  Bharuch,  Vadodara,  Anand, Ahmedabad  and  Sabarmati. The sanctioned cost of the project is ₹1,08,000 Crore.

Entire land (1389.5 Ha) has been acquired for the project. Till now, 350 km of Pier Foundation, 316 km of Pier Construction, 221 km of Girder Casting and  190  km  of  Girder  Launching  have  been  completed.  The  work  of undersea tunnel (approx. 21 Km) has also started.

Bullet  train  project  is  a  very  complex  and  technology  intensive  Project. Considering  the  highest  level  of  safety  and  associated  maintenance protocols,  Bullet  train  project  has  been  designed  with  the  support  of Japanese  railway.  It  is  customized  for  Indian  requirements  and  climatic conditions. Timelines for the completion of the project can be reasonably ascertained after the completion of all associated works of Civil Structures, Track, Electrical, Signalling & Telecommunication and supply of Trainsets.

The execution of MAHSR Project is monitored/reviewed regularly.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1393 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Doordarshan Kendra, Patna
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Sudama Prasad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1393 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024)

## DOORDARSHAN KENDRA, PATNA

## 1393. SHRI SUDAMA PRASAD:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that Doordarshan Kendra, Patna, (DDK Patna) sold equipment in 2019-20 without e-tender;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c) whether casual employees of DDK Patna were removed during pandemic by changing agency  that  supplies  personnel  despite  Government  directive  against  removal  of  any worker during pandemic, and against the convention that agencies  may change  but not personnel;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard;
- (e)  whether  non-essential  construction  works  at  DDK,  Patna  were  done  by  private contractors and not by CPWD; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and the action of the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

## (Dr. L. MURUGAN)

- (a & b): No equipment was sold during 2019-20 by Doordarshan Kendra, Patna.

(c & d): No Sir.

(e & f): No Sir.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1390 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Cost effective Government Advertisements
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri P V Midhun Reddy, Adv Dean Kuriakose

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1390

## (TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024)

## COST EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT ADVERTISEMENTS

| 1390.   | SHRI P V MIDHUN REDDY                                                                                                     |
|---------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Will    | the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:                                                         |
| (a)     | the details of the expenditure incurred on advertisements by the Government in the last five years;                       |
| (b)     | whether the Government has devised any parameters to tabulate the rate of return on these advertisements;                 |
| (c)     | if so, the details thereof;                                                                                               |
| (d)     | if not, the reasons therefor;                                                                                             |
| (e)     | whether the Government has any plans to use alternative methods of cost-effective advertising to deliver similar results; |
| (f)     | if so, the details thereof; and                                                                                           |
| (g)     | if not, the reasons therefor?                                                                                             |

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  INFORMATION  AND  BROADCASTING;  AND PARLIAMNTARY AFFAIRS {Dr. L. MURUGAN}

(a): The expenditure incurred by Government on awareness and publicity campaigns undertaken through Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) during last five years varies between Rs. 300 crore to Rs. 700 crore per year.

(b)  to  (d):  CBC  undertakes  awareness  campaigns  on  behalf  of  client  Ministries/Departments through  various  media  platforms  to  disseminate  information  and  create  awareness  about schemes,  programmes  and  initiatives  of  the  Government.  The  impact  of  such  campaigns  is reflected in increase in enrolment for schemes, enhancement in tax collection and widening of tax net, improvement in health indicators, etc.

(e) to (g): CBC undertakes awareness campaigns for various Government schemes, programmes and  initiatives  through  a  media  mix  of  various  platforms  as  per  nature  of  messaging,  target audience, budget etc. indicated by client Ministry/Department in the most cost effective manner.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1389 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Data regarding Cancelled/Delayed/Diverted Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Smt. Jyotsna Charandas Mahant

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1389 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## DATA REGARDING CANCELLED/DELAYED/DIVERTED TRAINS †1389 SMT. JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any data regarding the trains cancelled, delayed or diverted during 2021-22 and 2022-23, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  minimize  the inconvenience  caused  to  passengers  due  to  cancelled,  delayed  or diverted trains, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  data  on  complaints  received  from passengers in this regard;
- (d) the details of complaints received, pending and resolved in 2021-22,
- 2022-23; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) and (b) An outlay of ₹3,730 Crore for 2021-22, ₹5,715 Crore for 2022-23 and  ₹6,008  crore  for  2023-24   in  connection  with  Railway  projects  in Chhattisgarh  has  been  made.  In  these  three  years,  352.30  km  tracks were  constructed  in  New  line,  multi-tracking  and  gauge  conversion projects. During construction of tracks all efforts are made to maintain traffic.  However,  for  safety  reasons,  train  services  get  affected  when

- projects are commissioned.
- (c) to (e) Train related grievances are received through multiple channels i.e. online complain redressal portal, Railway Helpline-139, Social Media and  manually.   All  grievances  received  are  assigned  to  concerned authorities for prompt and early redressal.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1386 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Train between Ambikapur to New Delhi
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Chintamani Maharaj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1386 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## TRAIN BETWEEN AMBIKAPUR TO NEW DELHI

†1386 SHRI CHINTAMANI MAHARAJ:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to increase the frequency of train  operated  with  fully  booked  strengthen  from  Ambikapur  to New Delhi facilitating commuters of six districts of the Ambikapur region; 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)  Delhi  (H.  Nizamuddin)-  Ambikapur  is  presently  being served by one pair of Mail/Express train service which operates as a weekly service. Increase in frequency of train services on Indian Railways  is  an  ongoing  process  subject  to  traffic  justification, commercial justification, etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1385 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Corruption in Tirupati Sugar Mill
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Sunil Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1385 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31ST JULY, 2024

## CORRUPTION IN TIRUPATI  SUGAR MILL

## t 1385 SHRI SUNIL KUMAR

Will  the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUtION w+m wM, urs Bit VT+rfi%  fi€wr ++ be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received any complaints regarding the rampant corruption in Tirupati Sugar Mill  operating in Bagaha of Bihar, if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon;
- (b) whether the Mill  prefers the sugarcane of the other States' farmers against the sugarcane of the nearby farmers in addition  to discrepancies in weighing of sugarcane; and
- (c) if  so, the details of the measures likely  to be taken by the Government for addressing the said issues ?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

- (a): The  State Government has not received any complaints regarding the rampant corruption against  M/s  Tirupati Sugars Ltd.,  Bagaha, West  Champaran.
- (b): No such complaint has been received in the previous crushing season 2023-24 by the Bihar Government.

During the crushing season 2022-23, the Bihar Government had received complaints regarding poaching of  sugarcane from  Uttar  Pradesh area against M/s  Tirupati  Sugars Ltd.,  Bagaha, West Champaran.

As intimated by the Bihar Government,  they had filed  a prosecution case against this mill  in the Hon'ble  Court of  the Chief Judicial Magistrate Office, Bettiah, West Champaran.  The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bagaha, West Champaran has dismissed  the case on  08.05.2024 and exonerated the mill after due hearing.

- (c): The Central Government is committed to enforce the provisions of The Sugarcane Control Order,  1966 to safeguard the interest of  sugarcane farmers.

89k#88
Lok Sabha Question No. 1384 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Vacancies of Reserved Category
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Thiru D M Kathir Anand

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1384

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024)

## VACANCIES OF RESERVED CATEGORY

## 1384.  THIRU D M KATHIR ANAND:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

The details of the total number of vacancies available with regard to OBC/BC category in Central Government/PSUs/PSBs/Allied offices/ Subordinate offices in the country as on 31st May, 2024?

## 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)

In the matter of appointment, by direct recruitment to civil posts and civil services under the Central Government, on all India basis by open competition, reservation is provided to SCs, STs and OBCs @ 15%, 7.5% and 27% respectively. In the matter of promotions in Central Government, reservation is provided upto the lowest rung of Group 'A' @ 15% and 7.5% to SCs and STs respectively.

Occurrence  and  filling  of  vacant  posts,  including  reserved  category  vacancies,  is  a continuous  process.  The  data  regarding  vacancies  is  maintained  by  respective  Ministries/ Departments.  Ministries/Departments  of  the  Central  Government  have  been  directed,  from time to time to fill up vacant posts in a time bound manner.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 120 (STARRED), answered on 2024-07-30
Subject: Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Kripanath Mallah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 120

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 30 TH  JULY, 2024

## PRADHAN MANTRI FASAL BIMA YOJANA

- *120.  SHRI KRIPANATH MALLAH:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) has become the largest crop insurance scheme in the world in terms of farmer enrolments as well as the third largest scheme in the world in terms of insurance premiums; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)

- (a) & (b) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO PART (a) & (b) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.  120  FOR  30 TH   JULY,  2024  REGARDING  PRADHAN  MANTRI  FASAL  BIMA YOJANA.

(a) & (b) :  Yes Sir.   Due to various initiatives taken by the Government, under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yoajna (PMFBY), number of farmer applications/ policies insured is 1417 lakh, which is highest in the world. Further, in terms of gross premium, PMFBY is 3 rd largest scheme after USA and China. Details of farmer applications/policies issued and gross  premium  for  crop  insurance  in  major  crop  insurance  implementing  countries  are given below :

| Country     |   Farmer Applications/Policies (in lakh) |   Gross Premium (in crore US $) |
|-------------|------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|
| India       |                                   1417   |                             375 |
| China       |                                    830   |                            1754 |
| USA         |                                     23.4 |                            1810 |
| Brazil      |                                      5   |                             112 |
| Philippines |                                     44   |                               9 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 117 (STARRED), answered on 2024-07-30
Subject: Release of Tolerant Varieties of Rice, Cotton and Mustard
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Datt Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO: 117

TO BE ANSWERED ON 30 th  JULY, 2024

## RELEASE OF TOLERANT VARIETIES OF RICE, COTTON AND MUSTARD

## *117.  SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ षि और षकसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal or planning to notify and release DRR Dhan 60 - a low phosphorus tolerant rice variety, BG2 RRF - a herbicide tolerant and insect resistant variety of BT cotton, and DMH11 - a high yielding and drought resistant variant of mustard in the country, especially in the State of Madhya Pradesh, at earliest, so as to immensely benefit common farmers of the State;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ षि और षकसान कल्याण मंत्री (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)

- (a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 117 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30 TH  JULY, 2024 REGARDING 'RELEASE OF TOLERANT VARIETIES OF RICE, COTTON AND MUSTARD'

(a) to (c): DRR Dhan 60 has been released and notified in 2021 for medium-low soil  phosphorous  regions  and  bacterial  blight  endemic  areas  of  Andhra  Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Bihar.

Proposal for environmental release of insect resistant and herbicide tolerant Bollgard II Roundup Ready Flex (BGII RRF) cotton carrying cry1Ac, cry2Ab and cp4 epsps genes is presently with the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under Ministry of Environment Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC)  for consideration as per extant rules/ guidelines/ standard operating procedures.

On the environmental  release  of  transgenic  mustard  hybrid  DMH-11  by  the MoEF&CC,  the matter was under adjudication before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India since November, 2022. The two judges bench has pronounced the judgment on 23 July, 2024 directing the Registry to place the matter before Hon'ble Chief Justice of India for constituting an appropriate Bench to consider the said aspect afresh.

*****