opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 943 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-08
Subject: Ecosystem based Urban Scaping
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: S. Jagathrakshakan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 943

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FEBRUARY 08, 2024

## ECOSYSTEM BASED URBAN SCAPING

## NO. 943. SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN:

Will  the  Minister  of  HOUSING  AND  URBAN  AFFAIRS  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) whether the Government agrees with the view that there is an urgent need  for  policies  that  prioritize  ecosystem-based  urban-scaping  that can keep cities and towns cool, and architecture and building codes that keep our indoors cool at work and home;
- (b) if so, the details of the steps proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (c)
- if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE (SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE)

(a) to (c)  As per 12 th  Schedule of the Constitution of India, urban planning is the function of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)/ Urban Development Authorities. Government of India supplements the efforts of the States through schematic  interventions/  advisories.  It  provides  financial  and  technical support to the States.

The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India has issued Urban and Regional Development Plan Formulation and Implementation  (URDPFI)  Guidelines,  2014.  The  Chapter  -6  'Sustainability Guidelines' of URDPFI guidelines 2014 reveals about Green Building, Climate Change  and  Adaption  ,  Eco  sensitive  planning  and  green  Buffer  zones  in Cities.

Ministry has also issued Model Building Bye-laws (MBBL) - 2016 (Chapter-10 incorporated for Green Buildings and Sustainability provisions) for adoption by the States.

Further, in order to incentivize States to undertake urban planning reforms, the Government is implementing a Scheme for Special Assistance to States for  Capital  Investment  -  Part  III  (Urban  Planning  Reforms).  Under  this Scheme  strengthening  natural  eco-system  of  urban  areas  through  Urban Planning  is  one  of  the  reforms  for  grant  of  Incentives  to  States,  which includes  water  body  rejuvenation,  river  water  front  development,  urban forest, incorporation of blue green infrastructure in master plan, etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 942 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-08
Subject: Commercialization of Green Hydrogen
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: S. Jagathrakshakan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 942

ANSWERED ON 08/02/2024

## COMMERCIALIZATION OF GREEN HYDROGEN

## 942. SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken any initiative to provide guidance for developing a vibrant  research  and  development  ecosystem  which  can  help  commercialization  of Green Hydrogen;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER (SHRI R.K. SINGH)

(a) to (c) The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing the National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched by the Government in January 2023. The overarching objective of the Mission is to make India the Global Hub for production, usage and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives.

The following components have been announced as part of the Mission:

- i. Pilot Projects for steel, mobility, shipping, decentralized energy applications, hydrogen production from biomass, hydrogen storage, etc. with an outlay of Rs. 1466 crore;
- ii. Research & Development programme including through a public-private partnership framework for R&D with an outlay of Rs. 400 crore.

The Research and Development roadmap for the Mission has been released on 7 th  October 2023, which outlines the important research areas in this field.

Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) is implementing a Mission Mode Project, with an outlay of Rs. 75 crore, to develop different types of indigenous electrolysers, namely Anion  Exchange  Membrane  (AEM)  electrolyser,  Proton  Exchange  Membrane  (PEM) electrolyser,  and  Solid  Oxide  Electrolyser  (SOE)  electrolysers;  Fuel  Cells  and  Hydrogen Storage Cylinders. The emphasis is on making the electrolysers and fuel cells with efficiency comparable to global bench marks.

Department  of  Science  &  Technology  (DST)  has  supported  the  Hydrogen  and  Fuel  Cell program  with  an  objective  to  promote  and  support  activities  related  to  the  indigenous development  of  materials,  catalysts,  membrane,  components  for  fuel  cells,  electrolyzers, hydrogen storage materials, materials for type IV cylinders and prototypes for implementation of various applications of hydrogen and fuel cell in the country.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 939 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-08
Subject: Uniform Prices on Petrol and Diesel
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Vellalath Kochukrishnan Nair. Sreekandan

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 939 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08 February, 2024

## Uniform Prices on Petrol and Diesel

939. SHRI V.K. SREEKANDAN:

## पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that some States were responsible for not bringing down the petrol and diesel prices and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  it  is  also  true  that  petrol  and  diesel  are  being  sold  at  different  prices  in  different States and Union Territories and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government is considering to make prices of petrol and diesel uniform across the country and if so, the details thereof

## ANSWER

## पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũालय मŐ राǛ मंũी ( ŵी रामे̻  वर तेली )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

(a) to (c): Prices  of  petrol  and  diesel  are  market  determined  and  Public  Sector  Oil Marketing  Companies  (OMCs)  take  appropriate  decision  on  pricing  of  petrol  and  diesel.  The final selling prices of petrol and diesel include excise duty fixed by the Central Government and State VAT/Taxes fixed by the respective State Governments.  The prices of petrol and diesel in the States across the country vary due to freight rates, VAT/local levies etc.

Central Government uniformly decreased the prices across the country by reducing excise duty in  November  2021  and  May  2022  of  Rs.  13/litre  and  Rs.  16/litre  on  petrol  and  diesel respectively.

While most State governments reduced VAT rate to provide further relief to citizens, some State Governments did not reduce the VAT rates.

The GST Council in its 45 th meeting held on 17 th September 2021 had considered the inclusion of Petrol/Diesel and other petroleum products under the GST regime but the matter was deferred by the council till larger deliberations on account of its heavy repercussions on the exchequer. The issue has not been taken up by the council as an agenda item for any further deliberation subsequent to the said meeting.
Lok Sabha Question No. 937 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-08
Subject: Compensation to OMCs
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Sanjay(Kaka) Ramchandra Patil

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 937 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08 February, 2024

## Compensation to OMCs

## 937. SHRI SANJAY KAKA PATIL:

## पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  any  kind  of  compensation  to  Oil  Marketing Companies (OMCs) given the huge losses incurred by them in the first two quarters of 2022-23 on retail sales of fuel;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that OMCs have adopted 'ration system' in the supply of petrol and diesel to minimise their losses, leading to reduced petrol and diesel supplies to many districts;
- (d) if so, the steps taken by the Government to address this issue; and
- (e) whether the decreased value of rupee would lead to a further increase in the price of India's net oil and net gas imports considering that India meets 86 per cent of its crude oil and 50 per cent of natural gas requirements through imports and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũालय मŐ राǛ मंũी ( ŵी रामे̻  वर तेली )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

- (a) & (b):         No Sir. Prices of petrol and diesel are market determined and Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) take appropriate decision on pricing of petrol and diesel.
- (c) & (d):         No Sir. Sale of petrol and diesel have witnessed steady and accelerated growth in demand,  consistent  with   growth  in  economic  activity.   Supply  has  kept  pace  accordingly. Government has also extended the scope of Universal Service Obligations (USOs) to all retail outlets. USOs have been prescribed so that authorized entities provide quality and uninterrupted fuel supply services to the consumers.
- (e):       Yes Sir. Any depreciation of Rupee/$ exchange rate leads to increased outgo on imports.
Lok Sabha Question No. 935 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-08
Subject: Steps to Reduce Cess on Petrol
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Ramya  Haridas

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 935 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08 February, 2024

## Steps to Reduce Cess on Petrol

935. MS. RAMYA HARIDAS:

## पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any active steps to reduce the cess and surcharge on petrol and diesel across the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether the Government has increased levies on petrol while no matching increase has been seen in the revenue to States and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũालय मŐ राǛ मंũी ( ŵी रामे̻  वर तेली )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

- (a) & (b): Yes Sir. Central Government has reduced Central Excise duty by a total of Rs. 13/litre and Rs. 16/litre on petrol and diesel respectively in two tranches in November 2021 and May 2022. Some state governments also reduced state VAT to provide relief to citizens. The details of basic excise duty and cess on petrol and diesel are given below:

(Rs./Litre)

|                                    | Petrol           | Petrol           | Diesel           | Diesel           |
|------------------------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|
|                                    | As on 01.02.2021 | As on 01.02.2024 | As on 01.02.2021 | As on 01.02.2024 |
| Basic Excise Duty                  | 1.4              | 1.4              | 1.8              | 1.8              |
| Road and Infrastructure Cess (RIC) | 18               | 5                | 18               | 2                |

Source: Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC)

The details of contribution of petroleum sector to exchequer, for the last three years are given below:

(Rs. in Crore)

| Particulars   | Contribution to Central Exchequer   | Contribution to State Exchequer   |
|---------------|-------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| 2020-21       | 4,55,069                            | 2,17,650                          |
| 2021-22       | 4,92,303                            | 2,82,122                          |
| 2022-23       | 4,28,067                            | 3,20,651                          |

Source: Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC)
Lok Sabha Question No. 934 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-08
Subject: Maintenance Work on NH-27
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Alok Kumar Suman

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether long term maintenance including periodic renewal has been taken up for award of the work on NH-27 including Gopalganj region and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether most parts of the NH-27 need maintenance in District Gopalganj and if so, the details of the progress made in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) and (b) The stretch from UP/Bihar Border to Kotwa section of NH-27 including stretch in Gopalganj district has been maintained in traffic worthy condition. In addition, the tender for Performance based Maintenance Contract (PBMC) for 5 years has been invited.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 934 ANSWERED ON 8 TH  FEBRUARY, 2024

MAINTENANCE WORK ON NH-27

934.  DR. ALOK KUMAR SUMAN:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क

परिवहन

औि

िाजमार्ग

मंत्री
Lok Sabha Question No. 933 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-08
Subject: Ethanol Operated Engines
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak, Raksha Nikhil Khadse

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 933

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08 th  February, 2024

## ETHANOL OPERATED ENGINES

933.   SHRI MANOJ KOTAK:

SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE:

## पेᮝोिलयम और ᮧाकृ ितक गैस मंᮢी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  develop  an  engine  which  can  operate hundred per cent on Ethanol as a fuel to replace the high valued petroleum products and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has received any feedback for such development for usage of hundred per cent ethanol operated engine suitable to replace electric vehicles and other use engines; and
- (c)  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

पेᮝोिलयम और ᮧाकृ ितक गैस मंᮢालय मᱶ रा᭔य मंᮢी ( ᮰ी रामे᳡र तेली )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

- (a): No, Sir.
- (b) & (c): Dose not arise in view of (a) above.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 930 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-08
Subject: Representation of Minority Communities in Civil Services
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Abhishek Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 930

ANSWERED ON 08.02.2024

## REPRESENTATION OF MINORITY COMMUNITIES IN CIVIL SERVICES

## 930. SHRI ABHISHEK BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the representation of minority communities in Group A civil services;

(b) the details of number of individuals from minority communities in the faculty of Tier-1 educational institutions in the country, State-wise; and

(c) the specific initiatives or programmes aimed at increasing the representation of minority communities in these sectors?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) & (b): No such data is being centrally maintained.

(c): In order to increase the representation of minority communities in services, all Heads of Departments, Public Sector Enterprises, Public Sector Banks and financial institutions, quasigovernment organizations, autonomous bodies etc. and all appointing authorities have been asked  by  Deptt.  of  Personnel  &  Training  (DoPT)  to  scrupulously  observe  the  following guidelines issued by DoPT vide OM no. 39016/7(s)/2006-Estt(B), dated 8.1.2007:

- i. The  composition  of  Selection  Committees  should  be  representative.  It  should  be mandatory to have one  member  belonging to SC/ST and one  member belonging to minority community in Selection Boards/Committees for making recruitment to 10 or more vacancies.
- ii. Where the number of vacancies against which selection is to be made is less than 10, efforts  should  be  made  to  have  the  Schedules  Caste/Tribes  officer  and  a  minority community officer included in such Committees/Boards.
- iii. Wide  publicity  should  be  given  to  all  appointments  in  Government,  Public  Sector Enterprises and Public Sector Banks and financial institutions. Advertisements should be issued in the languages spoken by large number of people of the State/UTs, apart from  English  and  Hindi.  Further,  for  Group  C  &  D  level  posts,  having  only  basic qualifying requirements, information about vacancies for recruitment should also be disseminated  through  schools  and  colleges  in  that  area,  in  addition  to  normal channels.
- iv. Where  there  is  concentration  of  minority  community  population  in  local  areas,  the vacancy  circular  in  local  language  may  be  distributed  in  those  areas  by  suitable arrangements.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 928 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-08
Subject: Non-Agriculture MSMEs
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: P.R. Natarajan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION No. 928 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2024

## NON-AGRICULTURE MSMEs

## 928. SHRI NATARAJAN P.R.:

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is having data of National Sample Survey (NSS) 73rd round with regard to unincorporated non-agriculture MSMEs engaged in different economic activities in the year 2015-16 and if so, the details thereof, economic activity-wise; and
- (b) whether the Government has made any changes in the norms of MSMEs in the year, 2020 and introduced the new Udayam Portal for registering MSMEs and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SHRI BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA)

- (a): As  per  National  Sample  Survey  (NSS)  73rd  round  report  of  unincorporated  nonagriculture  enterprises  (excluding  construction)  during  July  2015-June  2016,  the  estimated number of MSMEs engaged in different economic activities was 6.34 crore. The sector/ economic activity wise details are as follows:
- (b): In  year  2020,  the  Ministry  of  MSME  has  adopted  a  new  definition  of  MSMEs  and launched Udyam Registration Portal on 01.07.2020, where MSMEs may register themselves on voluntarily basis. Further, on 11.01.2023, Ministry of MSME launched Udyam Assist Platform to bring Informal Micro Enterprises (IMEs) under the formal ambit for availing the benefits under Priority  Sector  Lending.    As  on  05.02.2024,  the  number  of  MSMEs  registered  on  Udyam Registration Portal including Udyam Assist Platform crossed the mark of 3.64 crores.

| Sector/ economic activity   | Manufacturing   | Non-captive electricity generation& transmission   | Trading     | Other Services   | All         |
|-----------------------------|-----------------|----------------------------------------------------|-------------|------------------|-------------|
| Estimated number of MSMEs   | 1,96,64,870     | 3,381                                              | 2,30,34,722 | 2,06,84,697      | 6,33,87,670 |

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 926 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-08
Subject: Patna Metro Rail Project
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Janardan Singh Sigriwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTIONNO. 926

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FEBRUARY 08, 2024

## PATNA METRO RAIL PROJECT

## NO. 926.    SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

Will  the  Minister  of  HOUSING  AND  URBAN  AFFAIRS  be  pleased  to state:

- (a)
- the present status of Patna Metro Rail Project;
- (b) the  details  of  amount  of  fund  released  by  the  Union  Government  for Patna Metro Rail Project indicating the amount spent and utilised so far;
- (c) whether the said project is running behind schedule date of completion and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government has fixed any timeline for completion of the said project; and
- (e) if so, the time by which the said project is likely to be completed?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE)

- (a) :  Patna Metro Rail Project was sanctioned by Government of India on 27th February, 2019. As on 31.12.2023, the physical progress is 34.73% and financial progress is 22.33%.
- (b) :  An  amount  of  Rs  1,102.50  crore  has  been  released  by  the  Union Government for Patna Metro Rail Project and out of that amount, Rs 1,085.08 crore has been spent/ utilized.
- (c) to  (e)  :  Yes  Sir.  Patna  Metro  Rail  project  is  to  be  completed  in  05 years from the date of sanction of the project by the Union Government i.e. by February, 2024. However, due to CoVID-19 pandemic, change  in alignment  and  loan  tie  up  with  Japan  International  Cooperation  Agency (JICA) the project got delayed. Patna Metro Rail Corporation Limited, which is implementing agency for Patna Metro Rail Project has informed that the project is planned to be commissioned by June, 2027.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 73 (STARRED), answered on 2024-02-07
Subject: Restoration of Old Pension Scheme
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Andimuthu Raja, A. Ganeshamurthi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 73

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2024

## RESTORATION OF OLD PENSION SCHEME

- *73.  SHRI A. RAJA:

SHRI A. GANESHAMURTHI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether some railway trade unions have recently staged agitations by  going  on  fast  against  the  reported  move  to  gradually  privatise Railways and for restoration of Old Pension Scheme to its employees;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to restore Old Pension Scheme to  railway  employees and to assure them regarding non-privatisation of  operation  of  existing  trains  or  the  trains  that  are  likely  to  be introduced in future?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS 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 STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  73  BY  SHRI  A. RAJA  AND  SHRI  A. GANESHAMURTHI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 07.02.2024 REGARDING RESTORATION OF OLD PENSION SCHEME.

(a) to (c) : Railways continue to function as a Ministry of Government of India. There is no proposal of privatizing operations of Railways. All matters related to salary, emoluments, pension, leave, retirement etc. are governed by various policies from time to time. *****