opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3154 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Cancellation of Train due to Fog
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Sunil Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3154 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026

## CANCELLATION OF TRAIN DUE TO FOG

## †3154. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it is true that the train no. 55097/55098  leaving  from Narkatiaganj to Gorakhpur at 5:30 am has been cancelled until February due to fog and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is aware of the fact that the first train for the passengers of this border areas of North Bihar to go to Gorakhpur for various purposes will be the Satyagraha Express which has four general coaches and its fare is also that of express train which is higher and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is contemplating to discontinue the passenger trains for poor students, sick persons and businessmen etc. and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  whether  the  Government  will  not  consider  to  suspend  this  passenger train  for  going  to  Gorakhpur  in  the  interest  of  the  people  of  Bagaha, Valmikinagar,  Bhairoganj,  Harinagar,  Chamuwa,  and  Narkatiaganj  as express train pass through the route during foggy season?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (d) Fog and climate related conditions affect all modes of transportation - Road, Rail and Air.  Indian Railways makes all efforts to run trains  as  per  their  schedule  and  punctually.  However,  foggy  weather conditions affect normal operation of train services causing delays, cancellations and partial cancellations. Accordingly, the services of 55097/55098  Narkatiaganj  -  Gorakhpur  Passenger  remained  discontinued during the period 25th December, 2025 to 13th January, 2026. The operation of 55097/55098 Narkatiaganj -Gorakhpur Passenger has since been resumed w.e.f. 14th January, 2026.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3152 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Nai Udaan Scheme
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Matheswaran V S

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3152

ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026

## NAI UDAAN SCHEME

## 3152. SHRI MATHESWARAN V S:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  after  noticing  siphoning  of  Scholarship  fund  under  Nai  Udaan scheme,  the  Ministry  of  Minority  Affairs  has  referred  the  matter  to  the  Central  Bureau  of Investigation in the year 2020 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the  details  and  the  name  of  institutions/students  who  were  illegally  benefitted  by  the siphoning of Scholarship fund under Nai Udaan scheme;
- (c) whether any coercive steps have been taken by the Government against the sampled 1,572 institutes as 830 institutes were found to be either fake/partially fake or non-operational under Nai Udaan scheme and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d)  whether money has been recovered from the 830 institutes which were found to be either fake/ partially fake or non-operational and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a) Nai Udaan scheme was directly implemented by the Ministry and neither siphoning of fund  was  noticed  under  the  scheme  nor  the  matter  was  referred  to  the  Central  Bureau  of Investigation.
- (b) Nai Udaan scheme was directly implemented by the Ministry and no outside agencies/institutes  were  engaged  in  the  implementation  of  the  scheme.  The  scheme  was implemented from FY 2013-14 to 2022-23 and has since been discontinued.

(c & d) Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3149 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) Scheme
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Dr. Gumma Thanuja Rani

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3149 TO BE ANSWERED ON IIT II MARCH, 2026

## ONE NATION  ONE RATION  CARD (ONORC) SCHEME

## 3149. DR. GUNIMA THANUJA RANI:

W'ill  the Minister of  CONSUMER AFFAIRS. FOOD AND  PUBLIC  DISTRIBUl'ION be pleased to state:

- (d): whether  the  One Nation One  Ration Card  (ONORC') scheme  has  been  successfully implemented across all  States and Union Territories:
- (b): if  so, whether any  challenges have been faced in  ensuring seamless access to  ration entitlements b\' migrant workers under this scheme: and
- (c): if  so. the details thereof and the steps being taken by  the Government to  address tlrese chal}enges and ensure effective  nation\vide  implernentation  of the scheme?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

(a) to  (c): The One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) is a technology-driven initiative of the Department of  Food and Public  Distribution  that enables nationwide portability  of ration cards for beneficiaries  covered under the National  Food Security Act  (NFS A).  The system allows eligible beneficiaries, particularly migrant workers and other mobile populations, to  lift  their entitled foodgrains from any  Fair Price Shop  (FPS)  in  the  country  through Aadhaar-based  biome:the authentication  using ePoS devices. The system integrates ration card databases of  all  States/UTs and facilitates  seamless portability  through  interoperable ePoS devices deployed at Fair  Price Shops

The implementation of  ONORC  was carried out in  a phased manner, beginning with  pilot inter-State portability  transactions in August  2019, followed  by gradual onboarding of  States/CTs. At  present, ONORC has been successfully implemented across all  36 States and Union Territories, covering about 80 crore NFS A beneficiaries (100% of the NFS A population). Accordingly, the ONORC facility  is seamlessly available to all PMGKAY  beneficiaries across the country.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3146 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Anto Antony

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

## Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3146 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026

## CENTRAL CONSUMER PROTECTION AUTHORITY (CCPA)

## 3146.  SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

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

- (a) the  number of cases received by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) relating to violation of consumer rights since its inception, year-wise;
- (b) the number of actions initiated against unfair trade practices during the last five years, year-wise;
- (c) the  number  of  false  or  misleading  advertisements  examined  by  the  CCPA  and  the  action  taken thereon including the penalties imposed on manufacturers, advertisers, endorsers or publishers for misleading advertisements, year-wise; and
- (d) the details of funds allocated to and utilised by the CCPA since its establishment?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI B.L.VERMA)

(a) to (d) : The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has been established under Section-10 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 to regulate the matters related to violation of rights of consumers, unfair trade practices and false or misleading advertisements and protect and enforce the rights of the consumers as a class.

To safeguard consumers from unfair trade practices in e-commerce, the Department of Consumer Affairs has also notified the Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020 under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. These rules, inter-alia, outline the responsibilities of e-commerce entities and specify the liabilities of marketplace and inventory for e-commerce entities, including provisions for consumer grievance redressal.

Since inception 152 final orders pertaining to violation of rights of consumers, unfair trade practices and false or misleading advertisements have been passed  till date and a total  amount of Rs.3,00,40,500/(approx.) has been imposed by CCPA till now  as penalties.

The Budget for CCPA is allocated from the budget allocated to Department of Consumer Affairs by Department of Expenditure under Grant No.14 Major Head 3456 Minor Head 16.01every year  as token amount as per the statement:

(Rs. in crores)

| Financial Year   |   Revised Estimates | Actual Expenditure     |
|------------------|---------------------|------------------------|
| 2020-21          |                1.17 | 0.71                   |
| 2021-22          |                0.6  | 0.56                   |
| 2022-23          |                0.79 | 0.56                   |
| 2023-24          |                0.49 | 0.46                   |
| 2024-25          |                0.83 | 0.29                   |
| 2025-26          |                0.46 | 0.12 (upto 06.03.2026) |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3144 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Expansion of Mining Areas by NLC
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Km. Sudha R

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3144 ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026

## EXPANSION OF MINING AREAS BY NLC

## 3144. KM. SUDHA R:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

(a)  whether there is any proposal to expand the mining areas operated by the Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) given the fact that any such move would adversely affect the ground water and agricultural fields in Mayiladuthurai Lok Sabha Constituency of Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  the  details  of  locations  identified  for  creating  more  mines  under  the  Neyveli  Lignite Corporation;

(c)  the  status  of  the  proposal  to  create  more  mines  and  the  funds,  if  any,  allocated  for  the purpose; and

(d) whether any study has been conducted by the Government to expand the mining areas under the Neyveli Lignite Corporation and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL AND MINES (SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY)

(a)  to  (d): There is  no  such  proposal  to  expand  the  mining  areas  operated  by  the  Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) in Mayiladuthurai Lok Sabha Constituency of Tamil Nadu.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3141 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Nuclear Power Generation
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Rahul Gandhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO -3141 ANSWERED ON 11/03/2026

## NUCLEAR POWER GENERATION

## 3141.    SHRI RAHUL GANDHI

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

- (a) the details of all private sector entities, domestic and foreign that are operational, permitted, empanelled,  licensed,  approved  in-principle  or  are  under  consideration  to  participate  in nuclear power generation or related operations in India;
- (b) the  stage  of  approval  granted  to  each  such  entity  including  project  location,  proposed capacity, ownership structure, foreign equity participation and timeline for commencement of operations;
- (c) the  nature  of  agreements,  memoranda  of  understanding,  joint  ventures  or  strategic partnerships entered into between such private entities and public sector undertakings in the atomic energy sector;
- (d) the details of financial  model proposed for such projects including sovereign guarantees, viability gap funding, long-term power purchase arrangements and allocation of liability; and
- (e) the details of regulatory clearances, security vetting and environmental approvals granted or pending in respect of each such private or foreign participant?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a) The SHANTI Act, 2025 has received the assent of the President of India and has been Gazette Notified by Ministry of Law & Justice on 21 December, 2025. However, framing of rules and regulations of the act are currently in progress. Hence, participation of private sector entities in nuclear power generation will be facilitated after the completion of the exercise of framing of rules and regulations.

(b)to(e) Not Applicable in view of (a) above.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3139 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Prime Minister's 15 Point Programme
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Balwant Baswant Wankhade

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SAВНА UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3139

ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026

## PRIME MINISTER'S NEW 15-POINT PROGRAMME IN MAHARASHTRA

## 3139.  SHRI BALWANT BASWANT WANKHADE:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the objectives of the Prime Minister's 15 -Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities being implemented in the country along with the status of its implementation particularly in Maharashtra including Amravati Lok Sabha Constituency, district-wise; (b)  whether  the  Government  has  evaluated  the  physical  and  financial  performance  of  the programme and if so, the details thereof; and (c)  the  details  of  achievements  made  under  the  various  schemes  included  in  the  said
- programme during the last three years?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a)  to  (c):  The  Prime  Minister's  new  15-point  programme  for  welfare  of  minorities  is implemented  in  the  country,  including  the  State  of  Maharashtra.The  programme  covers various schemes/initiatives of the Government implemented by various Ministries/Departments to ensure that under privileged and weaker sections of six centrally notified minority communities, viz. Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Parsi and Sikh, have equal opportunities for availing various Government welfare schemes.

The  schemes  are  being  implemented  by  the  respective  Ministries/Departments  under  the saturation approach of the Government.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3137 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Vacancies in Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Ms. Mahua Moitra

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3137 (ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026)

## VACANCIES IN MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

## 3137. MS. MAHUA MOITRA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the  Ministry  of  Personnel, Public  Grievances and  Pensions  have hired contractual employees since the year 2014; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof, year and category-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a) & (b): To meet the administrative exigencies of work and operational requirements, the Ministry hires/outsources the manpower services through a contract with the qualified service provider  agencies  under  the  provisions  of  General  Financial  Rules  2017.  The  details  of service  provision  including  the  number  of  personnel,  term  of  service,  payment  obligations and other important  terms  and  conditions  governing the hired  services  are  specified  in  the Contract.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3135 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: New Rail Service from Hajipur to Ajmer
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri

§

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3135

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026

## NEW RAIL SERVICE FROM HAJIPUR TO AJMER

## †3135. SHRI RAMVIR SINGH BIDHURI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any proposal has been sent by the East Central Railway (ECR Zone) to the Railway Board for the operation of a new rail service from Hajipur to Ajmer via Delhi-Rewari Ateli- Narnaul-Ringas; and
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  status  of  the  said  proposal  at present?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  and  (b)    Receipt  of  proposals  from  zonal  railway(s) inter  alia  for introduction  of  new  train  service(s)  is  a  continuous  process.  These  are examined and action as found feasible and justified is taken from time to time.

At present, Hajipur-Ajmer sector is served by the following 04 pairs of train services:

|   SN | Train Name and Number                   |
|------|-----------------------------------------|
|    1 | 19615/16 Kamakhya-Udaipur Express       |
|    2 | 15715/16 Kishanganj-Ajmer Express       |
|    3 | 19601/02 New Jalpaiguri-Udaipur Express |
|    4 | 15269/70 Muzaffarpur -Sabarmati Express |

Further,  Patna which  is well connected  to Hajipur is also connected to

## Ajmer by the following 03 pairs of train services:

|   SN | Train Name and Number                 |
|------|---------------------------------------|
|    1 | 12395/96 Ajmer-Rajendra Nagar Express |
|    2 | 13423/24 Ajmer-Bhagalpur Express      |
|    3 | 12315/16 Udaipur -Kolkata Express     |

Besides,  introduction  of  new  train  services,  which  is  an  on-going  process, depends on various factors which include-

- Capacity of that section
- Availability of path
- Availability of required rolling stock
- Availability of matching infrastructure for rolling stock
- Maintenance requirement of railway tracks and other assets.
- Occupancy and the traffic requirement of the section.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3134 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Efficiency of PDS and Issues with ePoS Machines
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Ms. Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3134 TO BE ANSWERED ON lITll  MARCH, 2026

## EFFICIENCY OF PDS AND ISSUES WITH EPOS MACHINES

## 3134. MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE:

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

- (a): the steps taken by the Government to enhance the efficiency of the Public Distribution System (PDS) across the  country, particularly in  addressing frequent technical glitches and downtimes in Electronic  Point of Sale (ePoS) machines; and
- (b): the  number of  complaints registered regarding ePoS machine failures  in  the last three years along with  the  measures implemented  to  ensure seamless Aadhaar-enabled authentication and biometric verification for beneficiaries,  State/UT-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

- (a): For addressing  frequent technical glitches and downtimes in Electronic Point of  Sale (ePoS) machines, whenever such issues are reported by the State Governments, this Department takes up the matter with the National Informatics Centre (NIC)  and resolves the same in coordination with them
- (b): No  such State-wise reports of  complaints registered regarding ePoS machine failures in the last three years have been received in this  Department.

All  States/UTs have been categorically  advised that no  beneficiary  or household shall be denied their entitled quantity of  subsidised foodgrains due to  failure of  biometric or Aadhaar authentication arising from  network connectivity  issues, technical reasons, Aadhaar linking  issues, or  poor  biometric quality.  States/UTs have been instructed to  follow  alternative and exception handling mechanisms to ensure uninterrupted  access to foodgrains.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3130 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Pulses in  PDS
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Chandan Chauhan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3130 TO BE ANSWERED ON lITH  MARCH, 2026

## PULSES IN PDS

## 3130. SHRI CHANDAN CHAUHAN:

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

- (a): whether the  Government proposes to  include pulses or  other protein-rich edible  items under the  Public  Distribution System (PDS)  to  enhance nutritional  security  among beneficiaries and if  so, the details thereof including the types of pulses/food items proposed to be distributed, quantity per household  and the proposed timeline for implementation;
- (b): whether any pilot  projects have been conducted in this regard in  any State/Union Territory and if  so, the outcome thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c): whether additional budgetary allocation is proposed for the same and if  so, the details of financial implications of such inclusion;
- (d): whether pulses were distributed under PDS in the financial  year 2024-25; and
- (e): if  so, the details thereof, State-wise especially in Uttar Pradesh, district-wise  and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

(a) to (e):  Public Distribution  System (PDS) is governed as per the provisions of National Food Security Act,  2013 (NFS A) wherein the term 'foodgrains'  is defined as rice, wheat or coarse grains (including millets)  or  any combination thereof conforming to  such quality norms as may be determined, by order, by the Central Government from  time to time. In  order to improve  the level of nutrition  among the beneficiaries covered under the NFS A, all  the States/UTs have been advised to procure millets  and distribute to NFS A  beneficiaries as per local consumption preferences and as per guidelines issued by the Central Government from time to time. There is no proposal by the Union Government to supply pulses at subsidized rates through Public Distribution  System  (PDS).

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