opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1112 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Helicopter Services at Pachmarhi and Madhai
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Darshan Singh Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1112

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  5th February 2026 )

## HELICOPTER SERVICES AT PACHMARHI AND MADHAI

1112.    SHRI DARSHAN SINGH CHOUDHARY Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government is aware that helicopter services have been discontinued at Pachmarhi and Madhai, the major tourist destinations of Madhya Pradesh and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to restart helicopter services at Pachmarhi and Madhai with a view to promoting tourism, facilitating connectivity and strengthening emergency services;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the action plan prepared in this regard and the expected timeline fixed for commencement of the said services;
- (d) whether any coordination meeting has been held or any proposal has been examined in consultation with the State Government or the Tourism Department in this regard;
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(f) whether there is any proposal to reconsider the said plan in future and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION           (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

(a) to (f): Helicopter services at Pachmarhi and Madhai in the state of Madhya Pradesh are being implemented by the Tourism Department of the State Government of Madhya Pradesh. The State Government has informed that helicopter services to Pachmarhi and Madhai have been discontinued because the existing helipads at these locations fall within the Eco Sensitive Zone of the concerned Tiger Reserve and as per the direction of  the  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  dated  17.11.2025,  Tiger  Reserves  and  their  EcoSensitive Zones have been declared as Silence Zones, with restrictions on low-altitude flying and high-noise activities. The resumption of helicopter services is proposed to be restarted after the development of an alternate helipad outside the Eco Sensitive Zones and after obtaining all statutory and environmental clearances.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1110 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: EMRSs in Rural and Remote Tribal Areas
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. Faggan Singh Kulaste

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1110

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2026

## EMRSs IN RURAL AND REMOTE TRIBAL AREAS

## †1110. DR. FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is setting up Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) in tribal-dominated rural and remote areas;

(b) if so, the stipulated timeframe right from land identification to completion of construction for sanctioned EMRSs;

(c) whether it is a fact that students are being accomodated and studying in rented or temporary buildings due to incomplete construction in many rural areas;

(d)  if  so,  the  provision  of  average  timeframe  within  which  the  permanent  buildings  for  such  schools  are expected to be completed and the schools made fully operational; and

(e)  whether  any  specific  timeframe  or  guidelines  have  been  laid  down  to  limit  timeline  for  operation  of EMRSs operating in rented or temporary buildings?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

(a) & (b) As per existing Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) scheme guidelines, EMRSs are set up in blocks having more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons (as per census 2011) to provide  quality  education  to  tribal  students  in  their  own  environment.  Under  the  scheme, t here  is  no stipulated timeline for identification of land, however State Governments are regularly requested to provide land on urgent basis. The total construction period of EMRS is 24 months for plain area and 30 months for LWE/Hilly/NE areas after encumbrance free land is provided by the respective state government.

(c)  to  (e) The  State  Governments  are  currently  running  some  of  the  EMRSs  from  rented  and  other government buildings, where construction of the permanent campuses is not complete.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1109 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Non-Selection of Regions under RCS-UDAN
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Dr. Mallu Ravi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1109

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  5th February 2026 )

## NON-SELECTION OF REGIONS UNDER RCS-UDAN

1109.    DR. MALLU RAVI Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government maintains the list of regions assessed but not selected for connectivity under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, district/Lok Sabha Constituency-wise including the interior districts of Telangana, particularly Nagarkurnool Lok Sabha Constituency;
- (c) whether socio-economic indicators such as backwardness, SC/ST population share and distance from nearest airport are weighted in RCS evaluation and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the manner in which the inclusiveness is ensured under the said scheme?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION      (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

(a) to (d):Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN) is market driven scheme in which unserved and underserved airstrips/airports are listed in consultation with the State Government concerned for bidding by airlines to provide connectivity. Based on their assessment of demand on particular routes, interested airlines submit their proposals at the time of bidding under UDAN. An airport  which  is  included  in  the  awarded  routes  of  UDAN  and  requires upgradation/development for commencement of UDAN operations, is developed under the 'Revival of unserved and underserved airports' scheme.

In the state of Telangana, Adilabad, Aleru, Basantnagar (Peddapalli) & Kagazpur airstrips  are  available  in  the  tentative  list  of  unserved  airstrips  in  the  UDAN document.

Inclusiveness  under  the  scheme  is  ensured  through  uniform  eligibility  criteria, financial  support  in  the  form  of  Viability  Gap  Funding  (VGF),  concessions  on airport charges, and focus on unserved and underserved airports, which collectively aim to improve air connectivity in remote, hilly, tribal, and aspirational regions based on market response and operational feasibility.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1105 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Operationalisation of UDAN Yatri Cafe
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Dr. Sharmila Sarkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1105

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  5th February 2026 )

## OPERATIONALISATION OF UDAN YATRI CAFE

1105.    DR. SHARMILA SARKAR Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the total number of UDAN Yatri Cafes currently operational in the country, airport and State-wise;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to expand UDAN Yatri Cafes to other airports as well and if so, the details thereof along with the timeline fixed for such expansion;
- (c) whether the UDAN Yatri Cafes are operational at airports under Public Private Partnership and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  if  not,  the  measures  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  availability  of affordable food and beverages for passengers?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION      (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

(a)  to  (d):  To  address  the  demand  for  affordable  food  and  beverage  options  for passengers,  initiatives  have  been  undertaken  at  several  airports,  including  those developed under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, to introduce low-cost outlets  such  as  UDAN  Yatri  Cafes.  The  facility  of  UDAN  Yatri  Cafe  has  been introduced at Kolkata (West Bengal), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Pune  (Maharashtra),  Bhubaneswar  (Odisha),  Vijayawada  (Andhra  Pradesh)  and Hollongi (Arunachal Pradesh) airports.

The introduction of 'Udan Yatri Cafe' or similar low-cost outlets at other airports is at the discretion of the respective airport operators.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1097 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Flight Cancellations
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri K Radhakrishnan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1097

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  5th February 2026 )

## FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS

1097.    SHRI K RADHAKRISHNAN Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

(a) the details of total number of flights cancelled by Indigo Airline and the number of passengers affected during the last few months;

(b) the reasons cited by the airline for these cancellations and whether the Government has sought a detailed explanation from the said airline and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has assessed the hardship caused to passengers, including financial  loss,  lack  of  timely  information,  denial  of  accommodation  or  alternative arrangements and if so, the details thereof; and

(d)  the  steps  taken  or  proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  strict enforcement of passenger rights, adequate compensation and to prevent arbitrary flight cancellations by airlines in the future?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION      (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

(a):  A  total  of  6936  flights  were  cancelled  by  Indigo  during  the  last  three  months affecting 1081680 (one million eighty-one thousand six hundred eighty) passengers.

(b): The reasons for flight cancellation by IndiGo Airlines during December, 2025, were over  optimisation  of  operations,  inadequate  regulatory  preparedness  along  with deficiencies in system software support and shortcomings in management structure and operational  control.  Additionally,  during  December  2025  a  considerable  number  of flights were cancelled due to adverse weather.

(c)  &  (d):  The  airline  was  directed  to  undertake  necessary  measures  to  stabilise operations,  mitigate  passenger  inconvenience  and  provide  assistance  to  stranded passengers at airports. Further, the airline was also directed to ensure that refunds and compensation  is  paid  strictly  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  Civil  Aviation Requirements (CAR), Section 3, Series M, Part IV, issued by the DGCA, either in cash, through bank transfer, or in the form of travel vouchers, subject to the consent of the passenger.

Regular monitoring, inspections and audits are carried out to ensure airline compliance. Airlines are required to adhere strictly to compensation, refund and facilitation norms, and  enforcement  action,  including  penalties,  is  taken  in  cases  of  non-compliance. Further, grievance redressal through the AirSewa platform and strengthened monitoring mechanisms  are  in  place  to  deter  arbitrary  cancellations  and  safeguard  passenger interests

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1095 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Hike in Air-fare
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh, Shri Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1095

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  5th February 2026 )

## HIKE IN AIR-FARE

1095.    SHRI SANJAY UTTAMRAO DESHMUKH SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government has any mechanism to regulate domestic and international airfares and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  cognizance  of  the  inconvenience  caused  to passengers due to excessive fare fluctuations and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is considering any policy measures to address the issues arising out of such fluctuations and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to set minimum and maximum airfares during festivals,  disasters  or  holiday  seasons  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  alongwith  the timelines set in this regard;
- (e)  whether  the  dynamic  pricing  algorithm  of  airfares  by  airlines  is  disregarding passengers interests;
- (f) if so, whether the Government proposes to introduce any regulatory mechanism in this regard and if so, the details thereof; and
- (g) whether the Government is contemplating to publish a fare index for different routes to provide fare estimates to passengers and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION      (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

(a) to (g): Airfares are not subject to regulation by the Government and airlines have the flexibility to determine their airfares based on their operational needs, while adhering to Rule 135 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937.

While the government generally refrains from regulating airfares to maintain market competitiveness, however, it remains vigilant oversight role, intervening in exceptional circumstances, such as during Pandemic, Maha Kumbh & Pahalgam attack, in order to ensure air travel affordable for passengers.

Recently, in view of massive flight disruptions in early December, 2025 by one of the scheduled domestic airlines & abnormal surge in airfares, the Government vide order dated 6th Dec, 2025 has temporarily capped maximum fare (stage length wise) to be charged by scheduled domestic airline operators.

In order to enhance the transparency in airfare, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has set-up Tariff Monitoring Unit (TMU) that monitors airfares on selected 78 routes on a random basis by using airlines websites on monthly basis to ensure that the airlines do not charge airfares outside the range declared by them. This covers about 27% of the domestic traffic. By doing so, the TMU plays a critical role in maintaining airfare levels within the boundaries of the airlines' prescribed tariffs.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1091 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Criteria for Inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe List
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 1091

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2026

## Criteria for Inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe List

- (a)  whether  there  is  any  proposal  to  change  the  criteria  for  inclusion  of

1091. Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam: Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state: communities under the Scheduled Tribes list; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS

(SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

- (a): No Sir, at present, there is no proposal to change the criteria for inclusion of

communities in the Scheduled Tribes list.

- (b) Doesn't arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1078 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Mega Food Park in Rajasthan
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Smt. Mahima Kumari Mewar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 1078

ANSWERED ON 05 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## MEGA FOOD PARK IN RAJASTHAN

## †1078.  SMT. MAHIMA KUMARI MEWAR:

Will the Minister of Food Processing Industries be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has proposed to establish a Mega Food Park in Rajsamand district of Rajasthan;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the time by which the food park is likely to be made operational?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)

(a) to (c) No such proposal is under consideration by the Ministry as the  Mega Food Park Scheme  (MFPS),  has  already  been  discontinued  by  the  Government  w.e.f.  01.04.2021. However, the Ministry has already approved 2 Mega Food Projects in the state of Rajasthan. Details of these projects are at ANNEXURE .

*****

## ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  PART  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.  1078 ANSWERED  ON  05.02.2026  REGARDING  '  MEGA  FOOD PARK IN RAJASTHAN'

| SPV/ IA Name                             | District   | State/UT   |   Project Cost (INR in Cr) |   Approved Grant (INR in Cr) |   Released Grant (INR in Cr) | Status               |
|------------------------------------------|------------|------------|----------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|----------------------|
| Greentech Mega Food Park Pvt Ltd         | Ajmer      | Rajasthan  |                     110.35 |                        49.88 |                        44.9  | Operational          |
| Shree Ram Mega Food Park Private Limited | Bikaner    | Rajasthan  |                     132.81 |                        50    |                        13.49 | Under Implementation |
Lok Sabha Question No. 1074 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Relaxation in Toll Tax to Advocates
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Murari Lal Meena

be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  any  scheme/proposal  to provide  free  FASTags  or  toll  fee  exemptions  to  the  advocates  as  they have  to  move  from  more  than  one  court,  district/State/High  Court regularly as a part of their profession and if so, the key features thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has made assessment of the fact that such a facility is likely to help in saving time in legal process, pleading a case on immediate basis and increasing the efficiency of the legal system and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Bar Council of India, State Bar Councils and advocates' associations have been consulted on this matter; and
- (d) the concrete action plan of the Government to provide toll exemption facilities  to  the  advocates  for  carrying  out  their  professional  duties  in near future in the country particularly in Rajasthan including Dausa Lok Sabha Constituency?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)  to  (d)  The  issue  of  extending  exemption  to  advocates  or  providing exempted FASTag is not under consideration with the Government.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1074 ANSWERED ON 5 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## RELAXATION IN TOLL TAX TO ADVOCATES

†1074. SHRI MURARI LAL MEENA:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

The  user  fee  is  collected  at  a  fee  plaza  for  the  use  of  any  section  of National  Highway  as  per  the  provisions  of  National  Highways  Fee (Determination  of  Rates  and  Collection)  Rules,  2008  and  respective Concession Agreement, applicable for the respective category of vehicles uniformly across the country. However, there are already various provisions for discounts in user fees and  monthly  passes  for  local  and  regular  users  of  National  Highways across the country, in accordance with the NH Fee Rules, 2008.

Further, the Government has introduced a FASTag based Annual Pass for non-commercial cars, jeeps, and vans, which has come into effect from 15 th  August, 2025. Annual Pass scheme will be activated on payment of Rs.3000/and  offers travel  for  non-commercial  car/jeep/vans  at  all National Highway/National Expressway fee plazas for one year or up to 200 fee plaza crossings whichever is earlier.

*****

2
Lok Sabha Question No. 1073 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Operationalisation of Ambala Civil Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Varun Chaudhry

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1073

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  5th February 2026 )

## OPERATIONALISATION OF AMBALA CIVIL AIRPORT

1073.    SHRI VARUN CHAUDHRY Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  the  terminal  building  at  Ambala  Civil  Airport  of  Haryana  has  been constructed  in  accordance  with  prescribed  airport  regulatory  norms  and  if  so,  the details thereof along with the passenger handling capacity of the terminal building;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  State  Government  of  Haryana  has applied for an aerodrome licence and if so, the expected timeline for grant of the said licence;
- (c) the provisional number of apron bays available for commercial aircraft;
- (d) the time by which Ambala Civil Airport is likely to be operationalised;
- (e) the total strength and ranking of personnel posted at the Ambala civil terminal building; and
- (f) the details of infrastructure works still pending for operationalisation of flights?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION         (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

(a)  to  (f):  Ambala  Airport  is  owned  by  the  Indian  Air  Force  (IAF),  where  the Government of Haryana is developing a civil enclave. The airport was identified for development under the UDAN Scheme and an amount of Rs 25 crores was sanctioned for its development. AAI is responsible for the operation and Maintenance of Ambala Airport as per the O&M Agreement dated 17.03.2025.

Under UDAN 4.2, the RCS route Ambala-Srinagar-Ambala was awarded to FlyBig for  operation  with  a  19-seater  aircraft.  The  route  now  stands  novated  to  Skyhop Aviation  Private  Limited,  which  is  in  the  process  of  fulfilling  regulatory  and operational requirements, and flight operations are expected after completion of these prerequisites and operational readiness of the airport.

Development works of the airport have been completed and security approval is in progress. The apron belongs to the Indian Air Force (IAF), out of which one apron bay can be utilized for commercial aircraft operations. As Ambala Airport is a civil enclave, aerodrome licensing from DGCA is not applicable.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1072 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Membership for Delhi Golf Club
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Matheswaran V S

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1072

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FEBRUARY 05, 2026

## MEMBERSHIP FOR DELHI GOLF CLUB

NO. 1072. SHRI  MATHESWARAN V S:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs nominates  persons  for  Delhi  Golf  Club  on  'Out  of  turn'  and Limited Playing Rights basis as per the relevant clause of the Supplementary Lease Deed which provides for memberships in block of three, four or five years and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the name and details of persons who have been nominated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for Delhi Golf Club under the 'Out of turn' category from 2014 to till date; and
- (c) the details of guidelines/regulations based on which the Ministry selects  persons  for  Delhi  Golf  Club  under  the  'Out  of  turn' category?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)

(a)to(c):  The Delhi Golf Club was established as a municipal course in the early 1930s and was earlier known as Lodhi Golf Club. The lease of the land allotted earlier has been extended from time to time. The last lease extension was done on 19 th  July, 2012 on the request of the Delhi Golf Club, till the year 2050. The Delhi Golf Club  is  registered  as  a  company  under  Section  8  of  the Companies  Act,  2013.  The  Delhi  Golf  Club  manages  its  own affairs  as  per  its  Memorandum  of  Association/  Articles  of Association etc. and also grants memberships under the same.

*****