opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3806 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-18
Subject: Railway Protection Force
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri V K Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3806

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2024

## RAILWAY PROTECTION FORCE

## 3806.     SHRI V K SREEKANDAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government  has  provided grants in crores for upgrading and modernizing zonal training centres for the Railway Protection Force, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  additional  funds  apart  from  the  above  have  also  been sanctioned to the said Force;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the RPF will be equipped with advanced protective gear, including bulletproof jackets and improved helmets, to ensure the safety of its personnel;
- (e) if so, the details thereof;
- (f) whether  the  Government  is  considering  filling  up  all  the  vacant posts in RPF, if so, the details of the number of posts likely to be filled in; and
- (g) whether any drive been initiated to complete the recruitment task quickly, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (g):  There  is  one  Centralised  Training  Institute  and  12  Zonal Institutes catering to the training requirements of RPF/RPSF Personnel.

These  institutes  impart  initial  training  across  various  ranks  in  RPF. Besides  they  also  provide  refresher  course,  orientation  courses  and other courses aimed at up gradation of skills of security personnel.

During financial years 2022-23 to 2024-25, Umbrella Works for a total cost  of  Rs.  1443  Crores  have  been  sanctioned  for  upgrading  and modernization of railway training centres including centres for Railway Protection Force (RPF).

Further, recently umbrella work at a total cost Rs. 600 Crores has been sanctioned for providing CCTV in RPF Posts/Outposts and construction/replacements/ modification/ up-gradation of RPF Barracks/ Office Buildings etc.

MOWCD  under  the  aegis  of  Nirbhaya  Fund  has  sanctioned  Rs.  33.6 Crores for  establishment  of  AI  based  Facial  Recognition  System  at  7 stations  for  enabling  RPF  to  respond  in  real-time  identification  of suspects, missing persons, or individuals with criminal records.

Procurement  &  Supply  of  modern  security  equipment  and  protective gears  for  the  force  personnel  is  a  continuous  process.  As  on  date 10,759 bulletproof jackets and 12,247 helmets have been  provided to force personnel.

Occurrence and filling up of vacancies due to retirements, promotions, deaths,  resignations,  etc.  is  a  continuous  and  an  ongoing  process  in Railway Protection Force/ Railway Protection Special Force. The same are filled up through open recruitment and departmental promotions as per the existing rules.

Further, to fill up the vacancies in  RPF/RPSF, RRB  has  issued notifications for recruitment of 452 posts of Sub-Inspectors and 4208 posts of Constables.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3804 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-18
Subject: Master Plan to Boost Coal Production
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Smt. Bharti Pardhi, Shri Arvind Ganpat Sawant, Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †3804 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2024

## Master Plan to Boost Coal Production

†3804.  Smt. Bharti Pardhi: Shri Arvind Ganpat Sawant: Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has implemented the Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP) to boost coal production and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Coal India Limited has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoU) with the Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) to promote the said plan and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of coal projects launched under the said plan, State-wise particularly in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra; and
- (d) the extent to which coal production and dispatch capacity has grown after the launch of this Plan?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):    Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti National Master Plan (PMGS-NMP) was launched on 13 th October 2021  to  ensure  integrated  planning  and  coordinated  execution  of  infrastructure  projects.   Project reports of Coal India Limited (CIL) are analyzed based on available information on PMGS-NMP portal for integrated planning to boost Coal production.
- (b):   There is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Management (IIM) to organize  an  Executive  Post  Graduate  Program  (PGPEx)  in  "Logistics  and  Operations  Excellence through Digitization" of one year duration for Executives of Coal India Limited by Indian Institute of Management Mumbai/Sambalpur.
- (c):   Since,  the  launch  of  PMGS-NMP in  October,  2021,  CIL  has  operationalized  7  Coal  mining projects with combined capacity of 54.37 MTPA. Out of these, one (01) coal mining project has been operationalized in the state of Maharashtra with a capacity of 2.5 MTPA and one (01) coal mining project has been operationalized in the state of Madhya Pradesh with a capacity of 4.0 MTPA.
- (d):   During  the  financial  year  of  the  launch  of  PMGS-NMP,  i.e. FY  2021-22,  the  domestic  coal production and dispatch of country was 778.21 MT and 819.21 MT, respectively. The domestic coal production  and  dispatch  during  FY  2023-24  rose  to  997.83  MT  and  973.01  MT,  respectively, exhibiting a marked increase in both coal production and dispatch of coal in the country.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3800 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-18
Subject: Availability of Pulses
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Dr. Rajesh Mishra, Shri Amarsing Tisso

## Government of India Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

## Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3800

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2024

## AVAILABILITY OF PULSES

3800. DR. RAJESH MISHRA: SHRI AMARSING TISSO:

## Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) the  policy  measures  undertaken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  availability  of  pulses  across  the  country including the hilly areas of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts of Assam; and
- (b) the outcomes thereof?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h (श्री बी.एल. वर्मा )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE

## CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI B.L.VERMA)

(a)  &  (b)  :  Department  of  Consumer  Affairs  maintains  buffer  stock  of  pulses  under  Price  Stabilisation  Fund (PSF) for appropriate market interventions to arrest the price volatility in pulses and to make pulses available to the consumers at affordable prices. Pulses are procured and stored for regulated release to help contain prices for ensuring welfare of the consumers.

Apart from market  releases,  Department  of  Consumer  Affairs  supplies  pulses  to  States/UTs  for  their  welfare scheme like PDS, MDM and ICDS to meet the requirement for welfare and nutrition programmes.  Recently, Department  of  Consumer  Affairs  has  allocated  a  quantity  of  10,000  MT  of  raw  Masur  to  Karbi  Anglong Autonomous Council, Assam for its welfare schemes.

To make dals available to consumers at affordable prices, Bharat Dal was launched in July, 2023 by converting Chana  stock  in  the  PSF  into  Chana  dal  for  retail  disposal.  The  Bharat  Chana  Dal  was  made  available  to consumers at subsidized rates of Rs.60 per kg for 1 kg pack and Rs.55 per kg for 30 kg pack, till 30 September, 2024. A quantity of 12.32 lakh MT of Bharat Chana Dal has been sold to retail consumers across the country.

To  continue  the  intervention,  an  additional  quantity  of  3  LMT  of  chana  stock  had  been  allocated  for  retail distribution under Bharat (Chana) dal phase-II till 31 December, 2024. The allocated Chana stock is being sold in Dal form and Whole form in 1 kg pack at MRP of Rs. 70/kg for Chana Dal and Rs.58/kg for Chana Whole.

Similarly, Moong and Masur Stocks in the buffer are converted to dals for retail sale under the Bharat Brand. Bharat Moong dal (Dhuli) is being sold at MRP of Rs. 107 per kg and Bharat Moong sabut is being sold at MRP of Rs. 93 per kg. Bharat Masur dal is being sold at MRP of Rs. 89 per kg.  The Bharat Dals are being distributed through  own  retail  outlets  and  mobile  vans  of  NCCF,  NAFED  and  Kendriya  Bhandar,  outlets  of  big  chain retailers and e-commerce platforms to reach maximum numbers of consumers.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3787 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-18
Subject: Railway Over-Bridges/Under-passes and Manned/Unmanned Railway Crossings in Maharashtra
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Kirsan Namdeo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3787 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2024

## RAILWAY OVER-BRIDGES/UNDER-PASSES AND MANNED/UNMANNED RAILWAY CROSSINGS IN MAHARASHTRA

3787. DR. KIRSAN NAMDEO:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of under construction/pending railway over bridges/under-passes and manned/unmanned railway crossings in Maharashtra;
- (b) whether the work on these projects is being carried out as per the
- schedule;
- (c) if not, the reasons for delay, project-wise;
- (d) the number of sanctioned over-bridges/under-passes in  Maharashtra and the current status thereof; and
- (e) the time by which the said work is likely to be completed?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (e):    All  Unmanned  level  crossings  (UMLCs)  on running lines of Broad Gauge (BG) network of Indian Railway including in Maharashtra have been eliminated by 31.01.2019. As on 01.04.2024, there are total 650 Nos. of Manned Level Crossings (MLCs) on BG network in the State of Maharashtra.

Sanctioning  of  works  of  Road  over  Bridge  (ROB)/Road  under Bridge  (RUB)  in  lieu  of  Level  crossings  (LCs)  is  a  continuous  and dynamic  process  of  Indian  Railway.  Such  works  are  taken  up  on  the basis  of  its  impact  on  safety  in  train  operations,  mobility  of  trains  & impact for road users and feasibility etc.

Nos.  of  ROBs/RUBs  constructed  on  Indian  Railways  during  the period 2004-14 vis a vis 2014-24 is as under:

| Period   | ROBs/RUBs constructed           |
|----------|---------------------------------|
| 2004-14  | 4,148 Nos.                      |
| 2014-24  | 11,945 Nos. (about three times) |

During 2014-24, total 929 Nos.  ROBs/RUBs  have  been constructed in Maharashtra.

As on 01.04.2024,   4,200 Nos. ROBs/RUBs are sanctioned at the cost of ₹ 92,692 Crore on Indian Railways. This includes 324 Nos. of ROBs/RUBs at the cost of ₹ 5,315 Crore in the state of Maharashtra which are at various stages of planning and execution.

Completion & commissioning of ROB/RUB works depends on various  factors  like  cooperation  of   State  Governments  in  giving consent for closure of LC,  fixing of approach alignment, approval of General  Arrangement  Drawing  (GAD),  land  acquisition,  removal  of encroachment,  shifting  of  infringing  utilities,  statutory  clearances from  various  authorities,   law  and  order  situation  in  the  area  of project  /  work  sites,   duration  of  working  season  in  a  year  for  the particular  project  /  area   due  to  climatic  conditions  etc.   All  these factors affect the completion time of the projects / works.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3786 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-18
Subject: Expansion of Doordarshan and All India Radio in Odisha
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Smt. Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3786

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2024)

EXPANSION OF DOORDARSHAN AND ALL INDIA RADIO IN ODISHA 3786.  SMT. SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO

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

- expand broadcasting
- (a) whether the Government has initiated projects to Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR) infrastructure in Odisha particularly in remote and tribal areas;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  new  broadcasting  stations,  transmitter upgrades or digitalization efforts in the State; and
- (c) the impact of these initiatives on improving access to information and entertainment for rural and marginalized communities in Odisha?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

(DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a)  to  (c):  Presently,  there  are  28  Akashvani  Broadcasting  stations and  1  Doordarshan  Kendra  in  the  state  of  Odisha.  Expansion, Modernization, upgradation & digitalization of Prasar Bharati's network  across  the  country,  including  remote  and  tribal  areas  in Odisha, is a continuous process which is undertaken under Broadcasting  Infrastructure  Network  Development  (BIND)  Scheme approved for the period 2021-26. These centres are a huge source of localised  entertainment  &  news  content  to  the  state  population. Recently  DDK  Bhubaneswar  has  launched  a  weekly  Santhali  news bulletin  on  DD  Odia  channel  for  delivering  accurate  and  reliable information to the people in their native language, promoting linguistic inclusivity and cultural preservation.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3784 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-18
Subject: Remove Goods and Services Tax from MPLADS Funds
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Shri Daroga Prasad Saroj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3784 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2024

## REMOVE GOODS AND SERVICES TAX FROM MPLADS FUNDS

3784. SHRI DAROGA PRASAD SAROJ:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to remove Goods and Services Tax (GST) from MPLADS funds;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the amount of funds provided under MPLADS are equal to the funds given to MLAs; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  OF  THE  MINISTRY  OF STATISTICS  AND  PROGRAMME  IMPLEMENTATION,  MINISTER  OF  STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) No, sir.

- (b) Goods and Service Tax (GST) varies depending on the type of goods and services  being  taxed.  It  is  governed  by  a  set  of  rules  and  regulations established by the government.
- (c)  &  (d)  Under  Members  of  Parliament  Local  Area  Development  Scheme (MPLADS),  being  administered  by  Ministry  of  Statistics  and  Programme Implementation, each Hon'ble Member of Parliament is entitled for Rs.5 crore annually.

The  annual  entitlement  of  Members  of  Legislative  Assembly  Local  Area Development Scheme (MLALADS) may vary across States and is under the domain of respective State/UT Government.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3780 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-18
Subject: Accident Report Module
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato, Shri Lumbaram Choudhary, Dr. Rajesh Mishra, Smt. Kamlesh Jangde

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3780 ANSWERED ON 18.12.2024

## Accident Report Module

3780.   Shri Lumba Ram:

Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato:

Smt. Kamlesh Jangde:

Dr. Rajesh Mishra:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

(a) the  measures taken/proposed to be taken to ensure that the accident module effectively captures and reports incidents within the stipulated 24 hour timeframe;

(b) the manner in which safety audit module would enhance existing safety protocols along with specific improvements likely to be anticipated;

(c) the number of incidents reported through the accident module in the coal mines located in Janjgir Champa; and

(d) the measures taken to reduce accidents and ensure early warning in the coal mines operated in Neyveli Lignite Corporation of India Limited (NLC), Singrauli?

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

(a): Under the Mines Act, 1952, notice of the occurrence of the accidents is required to be given by the owner, agent or manager of the mine. Such notices are also submitted by the mines management on the Accidents portal of Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) within 24 hours of its occurrence.

(b): The Ministry of Coal, as a strategic measure, has developed the National Coal Mine Safety Report (NCMSR) portal to streamline safety audit process and reporting in the coal mines of the country. Safety audit by trained professionals and its reporting on the portal module will strengthen the existing safety protocols and foster a culture of safety management. The safety management has the objective of achieving the ultimate goal of Zero Harm Potential in the coal mines .

(c):  No  such  accident  has  been  reported  to  DGMS  from  the  coal  mines  located  in  Janjigir Champa.

(d): NLC India Limited (NLCIL) does not have any coal/lignite mines in Singrauli.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3779 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-18
Subject: Lithium and Titanium Resources in Jammu and Kashmir
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Datt Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3779 ANSWERED ON 18.12.2024

## LITHIUM AND TITANIUM RESOURCES IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR

3779. SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that Salal-Haimana area of Jammu and Kashmir's Raesi district has significant Lithium and Titanium resources;
- (b) if so, the time likely to be taken for exploration level to reach G1 or at least to G2 level and to put the Salal-Haimana area for auction and starting commercial mining thereat; and
- (c) the details of the efforts made to reduce dependence on imports of lithium metal?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): Geological Survey of India (GSI), an attached office of Ministry of Mines, has carried out preliminary exploration (G3 stage) in Salal-Haimna block of Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, primarily for bauxite, where additional resources of lithium and titanium  were  also  established.  GSI  has  submitted  mineral  samples  to  Indian Bureau  of  Mines,  Nagpur  and  Institute  of  Minerals  and  Materials  Technology, Bhubaneswar  for  carrying  out  beneficiation  study.  Additionally,  two  preliminary exploration (G3 stage) projects on lithium in Salal East and Panasa areas of Reasi district have been taken up by GSI in current field season 2024-25.
- (c):  The  Mines  and  Minerals  (Development  and  Regulation)  Act,  1957  has  been amended  through  the  MMDR Amendment Act,  2023  which  has  introduced  major reforms in mining sector viz. inserting 24 critical & strategic minerals, including lithium, in  Part  D  of  the  First  Schedule  to  the  MMDR Act,  1957  and  empowering  Central Government to exclusively auction mineral concessions for these critical minerals. The Ministry  of  Mines  has  successfully  auctioned  Katghora  block,  Chhattisgarh  as Composite Licence for Lithium and Rare Earth Elements (REE). Furthermore, a joint venture company named Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) has also been set up by the government for securing critical mineral assets abroad. KABIL has acquired an area of 15703 Ha in the Catamarca province of Argentina for exploration and mining of Lithium.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3777 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-18
Subject: Household and Enterprise Survey Verticals
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Shri Manoj Tiwari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3777 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2024

## HOUSEHOLD AND ENTERPRISE SURVEY VERTICALS

3777. SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government plans to ensure that the household and enterprise survey verticals effectively address gaps identified in previous surveys; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS  AND  PROGRAMME  IMPLEMENTATION;  MINISTER  OF STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  OF  THE  MINISTRY  OF  PLANNING AND  MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  CULTURE  [RAO

INDERJIT SINGH]

(a) to (b): In order to functionally re-organise National Sample Survey (NSS)  from  process-based  ecosystem  to  product-based  ecosystem with the objective to ensure that survey methodologies are strengthened and NSS is able to release qualitative results/reports in shortest  possible  time,  it  has  been  decided  to  create  survey  wise verticals/divisions, namely  Household Survey Division (HSD) and Enterprise Survey Division (EnSD), in NSS to provide turnkey services with respect to a particular product/survey vide MoSPI's order dated 07.08.2024.

The process of conceptualizing, designing, processing, analysing and ultimately  publishing  survey  results  is  a  comprehensive  and  multistage effort. It requires meticulous planning and execution to ensure that  surveys  follow  a  standardized  protocol  across  all  stages.  To achieve this, HSD  and  EnSD  play  crucial role with respect to household  surveys  and  enterprise  surveys  respectively  in  technical planning of surveys, designing of survey schedule/questionnaire, sampling design, formulation of concepts and definitions with an aim to maintain consistency and uniformity in the data collection process in  nationwide  surveys,  sample  selection,  continuous  updation  of sampling frame,  drawing up of tabulation plan,  software development for data collection, addressing the conceptual queries of field functionaries, processing and validation of data collected,  analysis of survey results and preparation of reports. Further, HSD and EnSD also serve  as  member  secretary  for  Technical  Advisory  Group  (TAG) constituted for providing technical guidance on household surveys and enterprise surveys respectively. These TAGs  consist of experts from various  spheres  such  as  Central  Ministries/Departments,  State/UTs, academia, research, economics, finance, etc.

*****