opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3043 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Community Radio Stations in Madhya Pradesh
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Datt Sharma

(a) to (d)

The  policy  for  setting  up  Community  Radio  Stations  (CRS)  was  launched  in  December,  2002  by  the Government. Since then, the guidelines have been periodically  updated,  with  the latest  version  issued  on 13.02.2024, which is available at website of Ministry of information and broadcasting i.e https:/mib.gov.in. The  community  Radio  Stations  can  be  established  by  various  Not-for-Profit  organizations,  educational institutions  etc  under  the  policy.  The  Government  of  India  provides  financial  assistance  for  setting  up Community Radio Stations and their repair- maintenance.

Currently, there are 528 Community Radio Stations operating across the country, including 47 in Madhya Pradesh. However, there are no Community Radio Stations in the districts of Katni, Panna, or the town of Khajuraho.

Government is increasing the awareness about the community radio stations by organizing conferences & workshops.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3043

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2024)

## COMMUNITY RADIO STATIONS IN MADHYA PRADESH

3043. SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA

Will the Minister of Information and Broadcasting be pleased to state:

- (a)  Whether  the  Government  is  implementing  Community  Radio  Stations  to  encourage  local  community participation the broadcasting especially in Madhya Pradesh;
- (b) If so, whether the Government has established community radio stations in the districts of katni, Panna, and the town of khajuraho in the Khajuraho Lok Sabha constituency;
- (c)  If so, the details there for and also the measures taken to make the stations more effective; and
- (d) If not, the reasons therefor and also the steps being taken to address the issue?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (Dr. L. MURUGAN)
Lok Sabha Question No. 3042 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Revival and Restructuring of BSNL
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Adv Dean Kuriakose, Shri Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, Shri Benny Behanan, Adv. Adoor Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3042 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 TH  MARCH, 2025

## REVIVAL AND RESTRUCTURING OF BSNL

3042.   ADV DEAN KURIAKOSE: SHRI SAPTAGIRI SANKAR ULAKA: SHRI BENNY BEHANAN: ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the current status of the revival and restructuring efforts of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL);
- (b) the total amount of financial assistance provided to BSNL under the Government's revival packages since 2019;
- (c) the challenges affecting BSNL's competitiveness and the Government's strategy to address them; and
- (d) the status of BSNL's 4G and 5G rollout and the timeline for its nationwide implementation?

## ANSWER

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

- ( a ) & ( b ) Government has taken various steps for revival of BSNL as mentioned below:
-  In 2019, first revival package amounting to around Rs. 69 Thousand Crores was given that brought down the operating costs of BSNL/MTNL.
-  In 2022, revival package amounting to around Rs. 1.64 Lakh Crores was given. It focused on infusing fresh capital, restructuring debt, viability gap funding for rural telephony etc.
-  In 2023, Government approved the allotment of 4G/5G spectrum to BSNL with the total outlay of around Rs. 89 Thousand Crores.
-  In addition to these revival packages, the Cabinet Note for additional CAPEX support of Rs. 6,982 Crores has been approved on 07.02.2025.
- As a result of these packages, BSNL has started earning operating profits from F.Y. 202021.
- ( c ) & ( d ) Lack of 4G services on full scale and stiff competition in the Telecom Sector are some of the challenges affecting the BSNL ' s competitiveness . In line with Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, BSNL has placed purchase order for indigenously developed 4G sites for pan India deployment. Supply of 4G equipment has started from September 2023 and as on 05.03.2025, total 83,629 4G sites have been installed and 74,123 sites are ON-Air. The equipment is 5G upgradable.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3041 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Concerns of Sikh Organizations
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3041

ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025

## CONCERNS OF SIKH ORGANIZATIONS

3041. SMT.  HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken to address concerns raised by Sikh organizations in Punjab;
- (b) the measures implemented to protect religious sentiments;
- (c) the initiatives taken to promote communal harmony in the State; and
- (d) the details of any inter-faith dialogue programmes conducted during the last two months?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a)  &  (b):  Petitions  of  minorities  including  Sikh  community  are  received  by  the  National Commission for Minorities (NCM) under the Ministry of Minority Affairs.  Further, petitions are also received during interactions while undertaking tours/ visits of the Commission.  These petitions are taken up with the authorities / State Governments concerned for necessary action.
- (c): Law and Order are subjects under the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India  and  State  Governments  are  responsible  for  prevention,  detection  and  investigation  of  such crimes  and  for  prosecuting  criminals  through  the  law.  Further,  to  promote  communal  harmony, Hon'ble Chairman and Members of the NCM hold regular meetings with the representatives of the minority  communities.  They  also  visit  regularly  to  the  States  /  UTs  for  holding  'Sarv  Dharm Samvad' and 'Sarv Dharm Sadbhavna' meetings.
- (d): The details  of the inter-faith dialogues / Sarv Dharm Samvad conducted by the NCM during the last two months in Punjab are at Annexure-I.

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ANNEXURE   REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  3041  FOR  ANSWER  ON  19.03.2025  REGARDING  'CONCERNS  OF  SIKH ORGANIZATIONS' ASKED BY SMT.  HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL

The details  of  inter-faith  dialogues  /SarvDharamSamvad conducted  during  the  last  two months in Punjab.

|   Sr. No. | Subject                                                        | Held on    |
|-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------|------------|
|         1 | Meeting with the Sikh Minority Community at Patiala District   | 11.01.2025 |
|         2 | Meeting with the Sikh Minority community at Gurdaspur District | 11.02.2025 |
|         3 | Meeting with the Sikh Minority community at Amritsar District  | 11.02.2025 |

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3039 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Coal Mining Development and Production Agreements
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shri Kripanath Mallah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3039 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025

## Coal Mining Development and Production Agreements

## 3039.  SHRI KRIPANATH MALLAH:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

(a) the  expected  economic  impacts  of  the  recently  executed  coal  mining  development  and production agreements for the Machhakata, Kudanali Lubri and Sakhigopal-B Kakurhi coal mines; and (b) the manner in which these agreements contribute to the Government's goal of achieving Atma nirbhar bharat in the coal sector?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) On  05.09.2024, Machhakata (Revised), Kudanali Lubri and Sakhigopal-B Kakurhi coal mines have been successfully allocated to NLC India Limited, Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation  Limited(GMDC)  and  Tamil  Nadu  Generation  and  Distribution  Corporation (TANGEDCO), respectively. Kudanali Lubri and Sakhigopal-B Kakurhi are partially explored blocks, while Machhakata(Revised) coal block is fully explored having reserve of 1377 MT and PRC of 30 MTPA which is expected to generate Annual Revenue of ~Rs. 2,991 crores and estimated investment of ~Rs. 4,500 crores upon it's operationalization.
- (b) The peak-rated capacity of the Machhakata (Revised) coal mine is 30 MTPA while the other  two  mines  are  Partially  Explored  coal  mines.  Once  operationalized,  these  mines  are expected to reduce the coal imports in the country thereby substituting it with the domestically produced coal.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3038 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Progress of BhartNet Services in Uttar Pradesh
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Tanuj Punia

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3038 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 TH  MARCH, 2025

## PROGRESS OF BHARTNET SERVICES IN UTTAR PRADESH

## 3038.   SHRI TANUJ PUNIA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of amount of funds sanctioned, allocated and utilised in Uttar Pradesh under the BharatNet scheme during the last five years and the current year;
- (b) the  details of targets set under the said scheme and the details of the achievements made under the said scheme in the Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh so far, the outcome thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any survey in Uttar Pradesh under the scheme to find out the number of villages not covered under the said scheme so far, especially in Barabanki district, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) In the last five years Rs. 2104 crore has been disbursed under BharatNet for Uttar Pradesh, and in the year 2024-25 Rs. 175 has been disbursed as on 31.01.2025.
- (b) & (c) Out of the 1178 GPs in Barabanki district, 1067 GPs have made service ready under Phase-I and Phase-II of BharatNet. The remaining GPs are planned to be covered under the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP), including providing connectivity to all the non-GP villages on demand basis. The project implementing agency (PIA) is to conduct survey for implementation of the ABP.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3036 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Misleading Advertisements
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3036

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025)

## MISLEADING ADVERTISEMENTS

3036. SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  advertisements  being broadcast  in  large  numbers  on  Doordarshan  and  other  media  giving misleading, incomplete and wrong information to the consumers;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  has  received  any  memorandum/ complaints in this regard during each of the last three years till date;
- (c) if so, the details of each such complaint;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to ban such misleading advertisements and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the action taken so far and likely to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  INFORMATION  AND  BROADCASTING

## AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

(DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a) to (e): All advertisements telecast on Doordarshan are regulated in accordance with the Advertising Code of Prasar Bharati and all private satellite TV channels are regulated in accordance with the Advertising Code of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995. The misleading advertisement in print media are dealt in accordance with the Press Council (Procedure for Inquiry) Regulations, 1979. The Press  Council  of  India  takes  suo-motu  cognizance  of  cases  of  grave violation  of  journalistic  norms  regarding  misleading  advertisement published by any newspaper, under Regulation 13 of the Press Council (Procedure  for  Inquiry)  Regulation,  1979  of  the  Press  Council  Act, 1978. The  Ministry  also  issues  advisories  from  time  to  time  to broadcasters  for  ensuring  compliance  to  the  Advertising  Code  and takes action in case of violation. During the last three years till date 23 complaints/Suo-Motu case were adjudicated. In order to further curtail misleading advertisements, the Ministry has launched  a  new  feature  on  Broadcast  Seva  Portal  for  TV/Radio advertisements  and  Press  Council  of  India  Portal  for  print/internet advertisements respectively for uploading of Self-Declaration Certificate (SDC). Further, the Ministry has issued an advisory advising Advertisers/Advertising Agencies to upload an annual SDC for advertisement  related  to  products  and  services  related  to  'Food  & Health sectors', published across various media platforms i.e. print/electronic/internet on the above mentioned portals.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3033 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Black Marketing of Foodgrains
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri B Y Raghavendra, Dr. Kirsan Namdeo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.3033

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19TH MARCH, 2025

## BLACK MARKETING  OF FOODGRAINS

## 3033. SHRI BY  RAGHAVENDRA: DR. KIRS AN NAMDEO :

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

- (a) whether the Government has implemented any specific measures to curb hoarding and black marketing of foodgrains and other essential commodities;
- (b) if  so, the key steps taken to ensure strict enforcement and prevent unfair trade practices; and
- (c) the  mechanisms in  place  to  regularly monitor the  prices and  availability of  essential food  items to protect  consumers  from  price  fluctuations and shortages?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

- (a) to  (c): The Essential Commodities Act, (EC Act), 1955 and the Prevention of Blackmarketing and Maintenance of  Supplies of  Essential Commodities Act,  (PBMMSEC Act),  1980 provide  the  legislative and administrative foundations to  the  Government to regulate prices, production, supply, distribution etc. of  essential commodities including foodgrains for  maintaining  or  increasing their  supplies and for  securing their  equitable distribution and availability at fair prices.

The Prevention of Blackmarketing and  Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities (PBMMSEC) Act, 1980 is complementary to the EC Act, 1955. It  is implemented through the State Governments/UT Administrations for  preventing the illegal and unethical trade practices, profiteering, hoarding and black-marketing of essential commodities etc. by ordering preventive detentions for six months of persons involved in such actIVItIes

Further, in  order to  check cartelization, hoarding, and black-marketing of  essential commodities, a Committee was constituted in  2016 under the Chairmanship of  Secretary, Department of  Consumer Affairs  with  the representatives of Intelligence  Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, Directorate  of Revenue Intelligence,  Income Tax and Delhi  Police.

The Government closely monitors international and domestic prices, as well  as price trends of  foodgrains and other essential commodities in  weekly  meetings of Inter-Ministerial Committee  (IMC). Based  on these  assessments, necessary policy interventions  are recommended by IMC  in consultation with  the concerned Ministries/Departments, ensuring a balance between the interests of consumers, farmers and the domestic  industry.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3030 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: ONORC Scheme in Telangana
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy

## M[NISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3030

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 19TH MARCH, 2025

## ONORC SCHEME IN TELANGANA

## 3030. SHRI RAMASAHAYAM RAGHURAM  REDDY:

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

- (a) the salient features  of the One Nation  One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme;
- (b) the details of  funds sanctioned, allocated and utilised under Public Distribution  System in Telangana during the last three years;
- (c) the details of the targets fixed and achievements made under the scheme in the State; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to ensure that targeted beneficiaries avail benefits in the State?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

- (a) &  (b): The nationwide portability of ration cards is popularly known as One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) feature.  Through this technology driven reform, around 80 Crore PMGKAY  beneficiaries are empowered to lift  their  entitled foodgrains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their  choice, anywhere in the country, by using their same existing ration card with  biometric  authentication on an electronic Point of  Sale (ePoS) device. The family  back home can also lift  the part of the PMGKAY  foodgrains in the home State/UT on the same ration card. ONORC is a universal feature for PMGKAY  beneficiaries and no separate funds have been allocated for Telangana.
- (c) &  (d): ONORC  feature is  enabled in  all 36 States/UTs, across the country (including Telangana), covering almost 100% PMGKAY  beneficiaries. Since its  inception more than 168.5 Crore portability transactions (including 12.62 crore portability transactions in Telangana) have been recorded under the  ONORC  feature, which  includes both  inter-State and intra-State  transactions .

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3024 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: BIND  Scheme
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Haribhai Patel

## BIND SCHEME

3024. SHRI HARIBHAI PATEL:

Will the Minister of Information and Broadcasting be pleased to state:

- a) the  funds  allocated  and  utilized  under  the  Broadcasting  Infrastructure Network Development (BIND) scheme during each of the last five years;
- b) the number of projects initiated under this scheme to improve Doordarshan and All  India  Radio  infrastructure  particularly  in  Gujarat  along  with  their current status;
- c) the  specific  measures  taken  to  enhance  accessibility  and  transmission quality  of  Doordarshan  and  All  India  Radio  in  border  and  Left-Wing Extremism-affected areas and the reported impact of these measures;
- d) the  details  of  provisions  of  the  scheme  for  local  or  regional  content development to cater to linguistic and cultural diversity; and
- e) the  plans  to  integrate  emerging  technologies  like  AI  and  5G  to  further modernize broadcasting infrastructure under this scheme?

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3024

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025)

## ANSWER

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

(a) : Government has approved a Central Sector Scheme namely Broadcasting  Infrastructure  and  Network  Development  (BIND)  scheme  for development, modernization and upgradation of broadcasting infrastructure of  Prasar  Bharati  in  the  country  for  the  years  2021-26.  The  funds  utilized under the BIND scheme, during each of the last five years, are as under:

(amount in Rs. Crore)

| Financial Year   |   Expenditure incurred |
|------------------|------------------------|
| 2019-20          |                 289.02 |
| 2020-21          |                 201.65 |
| 2021-22          |                 159.95 |
| 2022-23          |                 163.75 |
| 2023-24          |                 344.57 |

(b) to (d): Modernization, upgradation and expansion of broadcasting infrastructure and network is a continuous process which is being undertaken under BIND scheme in the  country including  state  of  Gujarat, through  a  number  of  projects  such  as  modernization  &  digitization  of transmitters & studios, expansion of DTH & TV channels, expansion of DD Free  Dish  DTH  Platform,  Automation  &  modernization  of  production  & transmission facilities, content generation & technology for content innovation, expansion of reach of public service broadcasting in strategic, border, Left Wing Extremism (LWE) areas & vibrant villages, etc. An amount of Rs.  450 cr.  has  been  earmarked  under  this  scheme  for  content development & content innovation across the country for the years 2021-26, out of which more than Rs 367 cr has already been spent. (e):  Under  BIND  Scheme,  a  pilot  project  on  Artificial  Intelligence  (AI)/ Machine Learning (ML) has been included.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3023 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Suicide cases in Kolkata Metro
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Smt. Mala Roy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  3023 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025

## SUICIDE CASES IN KOLKATA METRO

3023.   SMT. MALA ROY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  suicide  cases  in  Kolkata  Metro  during  the  last  five years, year-wise; and
- (b) whether  there  is  any  proposal  to  install  sliding  doors  in  Metro  Rail platforms in Kolkata Metro and 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): The details of suicide cases in Kolkata Metro during last five years are given below:-

| Year              |   No. of Cases (Persons) |
|-------------------|--------------------------|
| 2020              |                       01 |
| 2021              |                       00 |
| 2022              |                       05 |
| 2023              |                       04 |
| 2024              |                       07 |
| 2025 ( up to feb) |                       02 |

(b):  Sliding  doors  have  been  provided  at  all  12  stations  of  Green  line. Installing  barriers  instead  of  sliding  doors  on  railway  stations  of  Kolkata Metro has been undertaken as a pilot project at Kalighat Metro station.

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