opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 492 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Mandatory Country-of-Origin Filters on e-Commerce Platforms
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Manickam Tagore B

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

## Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 492

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## MANDATORY COUNTRY-OF-ORIGIN FILTERS ON E-COMMERCE PLATFORMS

## 492. SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  formally  proposed  mandatory  country-of-origin  filters  on  ecommerce platforms for packaged commodities;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for consumer transparency being ignored;
- (c) whether the proposed Draft Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) (Second) Amendment Rules, 2025, amend the 2011 regulations to require display of country-of-origin for imported products and if so, the details thereof along with rationale behind it and if not, the reasons for online shoppers being kept in the dark about product origins;
- (d) whether  the  Government  clarify  the  manner  in  which  these  filters  will  enable  consumers  to  make informed  purchasing  decisions  and  if  so,  the  expected  benefits  thereof  and  if  not,  the  reasons  for consumer empowerment being neglected; and
- (e) whether  the  proposed  filters  designed  to  promote  'Atmanirbhar  Bharat'  and  'Vocal  for  Local'  by making  Indian  products  more  visible  and  if  so,  the  implementation  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the reasons for domestic manufacturing being sidelined?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e) :  Under Rule 6(10) of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, it is mandatory for e-Commerce entities to display on the digital/ electronic network, the declarations which includes Name and  address  of  the  manufacturer/  packer/  importer;  Country  of  origin;  Common  or  generic  name  of  the commodity; Net quantity; Best before/ use by date, month and year for the commodities which may become unfit  for  human  consumption  and  MRP.  This  requirement  is  aimed  at  ensuring  transparency  and  enabling consumers to make informed purchase decisions.

In  furtherance  of  consumer  empowerment,  the  Department  has  finalised  the  Draft  Legal  Metrology (Packaged Commodities) (Second) Amendment Rules, 2025 providing for display of country of origin in a more consumer-friendly way by facilitating easy identification and comparison of imported products on ecommerce platforms.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 491 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Special Trains for Ayyappa Swamy Pilgrims
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Putta Mahesh Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 491 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## SPECIAL TRAINS FOR AYYAPPA SWAMY PILGRIMS

## 491. SHRI PUTTA MAHESH KUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government proposes to start operation of a Special Trains  from Visakhapatnam/  Kakinada  to  Chengannur  (Sabarimala) during  the  Mandala-Makaravilakku  season  to  facilitate  the  travel  of Ayyappa Swamy devotees from Andhra Pradesh;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  present  status  of  such
- trains;
- (c) whether the Government has examined the feasibility of introducing  such  special  trains  in  South  Central  Railway  during  the pilgrimage season in view of the heavy rush of devotees; and
- (d) if so, the steps being taken by the Government to ensure adequate train  connectivity  and  also  safe  and  comfortable  travel  facilities  for Ayyappa Swamy pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh to Sabarimala ?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (d)  As  the  railway  network  straddles  across  State  boundaries, trains services including special trains are introduced, as per network requirement, across such boundaries.

Indian Railways(IR) operates Special train services to supplement the accommodation available by regular trains and to facilitate travel  of passengers  during  festivals,  holidays,  religious  congregations  etc. Accordingly, to facilitate the passengers travel to Sabrimala during the Mandala-Makara  Vilakku  Pooja,  IR  has  notified  around  200  trips  of Special  trains  from  South  Central  Railway  and  East  Coast  Railway which includes 20 trips of special  trains serving Visakhapatnam and 18 trips  of special trains serving Kakinada.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 488 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: 5G Deployment in Rural Areas
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Adhikari Soumendu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 488 ANSWERED ON 3 RD  DECEMBER, 2025

## 5G DEPLOYMENT IN RURAL AREAS

## 488. SHRI ADHIKARI SOUMENDU:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that Government has granted permission for 5G deployment in rural India with 5G technology and phased rollout strategies, aiming to provide faster internet for applications like precision agriculture, remote education and telemedicine; and

(b) if so, the details of technological support and plan, which will help the entire country with economic  and  socio  benefits  through  phased  approach  for  transforming  India  into  new  heights therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) 5G networks have been rolled out by Telecom Service Providers in all States/ UTs across the country and presently 5G services are available in 99.9% of districts in the country. As on 31st Oct 2025, 5.08 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) have already been installed in the country and these BTSs also support provision of the faster internet for applications like precision agriculture, remote education and telemedicine etc.

(b) Government has taken several initiatives for proliferation of 5G services, which, inter alia, include the following:

- i. Auction of spectrum for 5G mobile services in 2022.
- ii. Financial reforms to rationalize Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), Bank Guarantees (BGs) and interest rates.
- iii. Removal of Spectrum Usage Charges for spectrum acquired in auction of 2022 and thereafter.
- iv. Simplification  of  procedure  for  SACFA  (Standing  Advisory  Committee  on  Radio Frequency Allocations) clearance.
- v. Launch of GatiShakti Sanchar portal and RoW (Right of Way) Rules to streamline RoW permissions and clearance of installation of telecom infrastructure.
- vi. Time-bound permission for use of street furniture for installation of small cells and telecommunication line.
- vii. Established  100  5G  labs  at  academic  institutions  across  India  for  development  of various socioeconomic 5G use cases and capacity building for building a 6G ready academic and start- up ecosystem in the country.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 484 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Additional Train Stoppages for Ramanathapuram District
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Navaskani K

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 484 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## ADDITIONAL TRAIN STOPPAGES FOR RAMANATHAPURAM DISTRICT

484. SHRI NAVASKANI K:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  take  steps  to  ensure  that  trains passing through Ramanathapuram Railway Station, the district headquarters of  Ramanathapuram  District  and  Paramakudi  Railway  Station,  the  most frequently used railway station in the district are provided stoppages at both stations and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the  action  taken  by  the  Government  in  response  to  the  continued requests made by public representatives to allow additional train stoppages at various railway stations including Ramanathapuram, Paramakudi, Narikudi, Mandapam and Thiruchuzhi; and
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  stoppages  for  Train  Nos. 07355/07356 and 16621/16622 at Paramakudi Railway Station and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (c) Presently, 32 services are catering to the needs of Ramanathapuram station while 27 services and 18 services are catering to the  needs  of  Paramakkudi  and  Mandapam  stations  respectively.  Similarly, Narikkudi and Tiruchchuli stations are being served by 2 services each.

07355/56 Hubballi-Ramanathpuram Special has scheduled stoppage at Manamadurai, near Paramakkudi.

Besides,  provision  of  stoppages  of  train  services  depend  on  the  traffic justification, operational feasibility including availability of extra time on the

section & availability of matching infrastructure such as Platform length etc. Further, proposals/ requests/ suggestions/ representations, both formal and informal inter alia for provision of stoppages are received from Members of Parliament, elected representatives, organizations/rail users etc. at various levels  including  Railway  Board,  Zonal  Railways,  Divisional  Office  etc.  As receipt  of  such  proposals/  requests/  suggestions  is  a  continuous  and dynamic process, centralized compendium of such requests is not maintained. However, these are examined and action as found feasible and justified is taken from time to time, which is an on-going process.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 483 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Special Trains for Festivals
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Smt. Mala Roy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.483

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## SPECIAL TRAINS FOR FESTIVALS

483. SMT. MALA ROY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) the number of special trains run by the Railway Ministry for Bengal at the time of Durga Puja; and

(b) the number of special trains run for Bihar at the time of Chhath Puja during the last five years, year and route-wise?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  and  (b)  As  the  railway  network  straddles  across  State  boundaries, trains  services  including  special  trains  are  introduced,  as  per  network requirement, across such boundaries.

Indian  Railways(IR)  operates  Special  train  services  to  supplement  the accommodation  available  by  regular  trains  and  to  facilitate  travel  of passengers during festivals, holidays, religious congregations etc. Accordingly, to  facilitate  the  passengers  during the  festivals  like  Durga Puja,  Diwali  and  Chhath,  IR,  have  operated  more  than  12,300  Special trains during the period of 1st October 2025 to 30th November 2025.

Considering the demand, to facilitate travel during Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath  number,  number  of  Special  trains  operated  across  the  Indian Railways  network  have  increased  significantly  over  the  years.    The details are as below:

|   Year | No. of trips   |
|--------|----------------|
|   2022 | 2614           |
|   2023 | 4480           |
|   2024 | 7990           |
|   2025 | ~12,300        |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 481 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Mobile Network Connectivity in Bargarh and Jharsuguda, Odisha
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Pradeep Purohit

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 481 ANSWERED ON 3 RD  DECEMBER, 2025

## MOBILE NETWORK CONNECTIVITY IN BARGARH AND JHARSUGUDA, ODISHA

## 481. SHRI PRADEEP PUROHIT:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that several areas in the districts of Bargarh and Jharsuguda in Odisha  continue  to  face  poor  mobile  network  connectivity,  affecting  communication,  education,  health services and emergency response systems and  if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has received any proposals from the BSNL or telecom service providers for approval of new mobile towers in uncovered and weak-signal locations in these districts and  if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details of the number of mobile towers approved, installed and proposed in these districts during the last three years, district-wise and scheme-wise (including USOF schemes);

(d) whether the Government proposes to set up additional mobile towers under 4G Saturation Project, BharatNet, or any other central schemes to ensure 100% mobile coverage in these districts and  if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the timeframe by which the Government aims to resolve network gaps and ensure reliable telecom connectivity in all rural and remote villages of said districts?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e) As of October 2025, out of 1,549 villages (as per data of Registrar General of India) in Bargarh and Jharsuguda district in Odisha, 1,545 villages are covered with mobile connectivity and 1,528 villages are covered with 4G mobile connectivity.

Mobile coverage for any uncovered inhabited villages is provided by the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) based on the techno-commercial viability. Government, through funding from Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), is implementing various schemes for expansion of telecom connectivity through installation of 4G mobile towers in the rural and remote areas of the country.

The  Department  examines  requests  received  from  various  quarters  for  the  installation  of  mobile towers in uncovered villages in accordance with the extant procedures. Eligible locations are progressively considered for inclusion under the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) schemes for 4G coverage from time to time.

A total of 9 towers in Bargarh and 3 towers in Jharsuguda district have been commissioned under various Digital Bharat Nidhi funded 4G mobile schemes.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 478 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Vande Bharat Trains in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Kalanidhi Veeraswamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 478 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## VANDE BHARAT TRAINS IN TAMIL NADU

## 478. DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  total  number  of  Vande  Bharat  trains  currently  operational  in  the southern States, including Tamil Nadu;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to introduce new Vande Bharat routes connecting major cities and towns in the southern region during the current or next financial year and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of the criteria adopted by the Government for selecting new routes for Vande Bharat services and keeping in view the regional balance;
- and
- (d) whether the Government has received any representations/demands from southern  States  regarding  additional  Vande  Bharat  trains  and  if  so,  the details thereof including the action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (d)  As  the  railway  network  straddles across State boundaries, trains are introduced, as per network requirement, across such boundaries. Introduction  of  new  trains  including  Vande  Bharat  train  services  on  any route/section 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

Of  the  164  Vande  Bharat  services  operationalised  by  the  Indian  Railways, the  number  of  services,  on  originating/terminating  basis,  catering  to  the stations located in various southern States are as under:

| State          | No. of Vande Bharat services   |
|----------------|--------------------------------|
| Tamil Nadu     | 16 services                    |
| Kerala         | 6 services                     |
| Karnataka      | 22 services                    |
| Andhra Pradesh | 12 services                    |
| Telangana      | 10 services                    |

Proposals/  requests/  suggestions/  representations,  both  formal  and informal inter  alia  for  introduction  of  trains  including  Vande  Bharat  trains and its variants are received from Members of Parliament, elected representatives,  organizations/rail  users  etc.  at  various  levels  including Railway  Board,  Zonal  Railways,  Divisional  Office  etc.  As  receipt  of  such proposals/  requests/  suggestions  is  a  continuous  and  dynamic  process, centralized compendium of such requests is not maintained. However, these are examined and action as found feasible and justified is taken from time to time.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 477 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Installation of Mobile Towers in Khargone-Barwani
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Gajendra  Singh Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 477 ANSWERED ON 3 RD  DECEMBER, 2025

## INSTALLATION OF MOBILE TOWERS IN KHARGONE-BARWANI

## †477.   SHRI GAJENDRA  SINGH PATEL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is any plan to install mobile towers in the remote hilly areas of the Khargone Barwani Lok Sabha Constituency and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  number  of  mobile  tower  installation  approvals  issued  in  the  Khargone-Barwani  Lok Sabha Constituency during the last three years, Year and Company-wise; and
- (c) the number of mobile towers commissioned, under progress and closed after approvals were issued, Company-wise?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c) The following Mobile Towers have been approved and commissioned under Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) schemes since April 2022 in the Khargone and Barwani districts:

| S.N.   | Scheme                                           | Implementing Agency           | District   |   Towers Planned |   Towers Commissioned |
|--------|--------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------|------------|------------------|-----------------------|
| 1      | 4G Saturation                                    | Bharat Sanchar                | Khargone   |               67 |                    62 |
| 1      | 4G Saturation                                    | Nigam Limited                 | Barwani    |               88 |                    56 |
| 2      | 502 Uncovered Villages of Aspirational Districts | Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited | Barwani    |               59 |                    59 |
| Total  | Total                                            | Total                         | Total      |              214 |                   177 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 476 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Stoppage of Kanpur-Jammu Tawi Express
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Ashok Kumar Rawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 476 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## STOPPAGE OF KANPUR-JAMMU TAWI EXPRESS

†476. SHRI ASHOK KUMAR RAWAT :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  there  is  a  proposal  to  provide  stoppage  of  train  number 12469/12470  Kanpur-Jammu  Tawi  Express  (Superfast)  at  Mallawan railway station and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b)  the  time  by  when  the  stoppage  of  train  number  12469/12470 Kanpur-Jammu  Tawi  Superfast  Express  is  likely  to  be  provided  at Mallawan  railway  station  taking  into  account  the  public  interest  of residents of the Mallawan area travelling to and from Jammu Tawi?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) & (b) Mallawan station is presently being served by 4 train services inter alia providing connectivity to cities like Kanpur, Unnao, Sitapur,
- etc.

12469/12470 Kanpur-Jammu Tawi Express has scheduled stoppage at Balamau,  near  Mallawan.  Besides,  provision  of  stoppage  of  train services depend on traffic justification, operational feasibility including  availability  of  extra  time  on  the  section  & availability  of matching infrastructure such as Platform length etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 475 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Delay in Commissioning Nuclear Plants
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Ummeda Ram Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-475

ANSWERED ON  03/12/2025

## DELAY IN COMMISSIONING NUCLEAR PLANTS

## 475. SHRI UMMEDA RAM BENIWAL

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government has noticed delays in commissioning new nuclear plants;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along the number of projects pending; and
- (c) whether  the  escalating  cost  has  burdened  the  public  exchequer  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b)  The completion/ commissioning of Rajasthan Atomic Power Project, RAPP-8 (700 MW) is delayed mainly due to extensive design reviews and incorporation of new upgrades as  a  result  of  thorough  analysis  of  the  Fukushima  accident  in  Japan.  Another  project, Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project, KKNPP-3&4 (2 X 1000 MW) has been delayed due to  the  ongoing  Russia-Ukraine  conflict  and  non-availability  of  rock  products  due  to stoppage of quarry operations by district administration. In addition, financial crunch of contractors  and  impact  of  Covid  19  pandemic  also  contributed  to  delays  in  project execution.

The  500  MWe  Prototype  Fast  Breeder  Reactor  at  Kalpakkam,  Tamil  Nadu  being commissioned by BHAVINI has encountered delays in construction and commissioning phase which were inherent to its first of a kind status.  These technological challenges leading  to  delay  were  overcome  successfully  in  a  systematic  manner.    Currently,  fuel loading  towards  first  criticality  is  in  progress.  The  physical  progress  of  the  project  is 97.90%

- (c)   These projects have been implemented by DAE's PSUs viz., NPCIL & BHAVINI by way of infusion of Government of India Equity investment / Loan to these PSUs which earn interest/dividend to Government of India.  Therefore, it cannot be treated as burden to public exchequer.

*****