opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2027 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-11
Subject: District-level Planning and Programme Accountability
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Mrs Ruchi Vira

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2027 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026

## DISTRICT-LEVEL PLANNING AND PROGRAMME ACCOUNTABILITY

2027. MRS. RUCHI VIRA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has reviewed the adequacy and timeliness of socio-economic and industrial statistics relating to Moradabad district of Uttar  Pradesh,  particularly  for  planning,  monitoring  and  evaluation  of development programmes;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  the  data  collection  reforms,  administrative coordination and survey refinements undertaken by the Government to strengthen evidence-based policy-making in the district; and
- (c) the details of statistical system strengthening measures proposed by the Government to ensure accurate district-level planning and programme accountability?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c):  National Sample Survey (NSS) under the Ministry of Statistics and  Programme  Implementation  (MoSPI)  is  responsible  for  conducting large scale sample surveys on various socio-economic subjects across the  country  and  give  estimates  of  important  indicators  based  on  the Central sample data, both at the national level and the State/UT level.

MoSPI has undertaken several reforms/ initiatives to strengthen evidencebased  policymaking  and  planning  by  enhancing  the  quality,  frequency, timeliness, granularity and accessibility of official statistics for planning, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes. A major focus has been the modernization of National Sample Surveys through the adoption of digital platforms such as Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) integrated with e-SIGMA platform incorporating in-built validation checks, AI-enabled  chatbots  and  multilingual  interfaces.  Additionally,  sampling design of major surveys have been modified by adopting district as the basic stratum enabling states to generate district (including Moradabad) level estimates of key indicators for evidence-based policy-making. MoSPI supports States/ UTs to enhance their capacity building through its Support  for  Statistical  Strengthening  (SSS)  Sub-Scheme  which  aims  to improve/ strengthen the statistical capacity and operations of the state statistical  system  for  collecting,  compiling  and  disseminating  reliable official statistics.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2025 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-11
Subject: Objective of Centre of Excellence under NCMM
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Rajpalsinh Mahendrasinh Jadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2025

ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026

## OBJECTIVE OF CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE UNDER NCMM

†2025. SHRI RAJPALSINH MAHENDRASINH JADAV:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a)    the  list  of  institutes  recognized  as  Centres  of  Excellence  (CoE)  for  Research  and Development in the field of Critical Minerals and the details of their objectives and research topics;
- (b)  whether any coordinated research strategy involving academic institutions, national laboratories and industry partners has been formulated and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the steps taken to ensure that research outcomes are industry-enforceable and aligned with national mineral security goals; and
- (d)    the  details  of  ongoing  Research  and  Development  projects  supported  by  the Government including timelines and expected outcomes thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): The Ministry of Mines has recognised the following nine premier institutes of the country  as  Centres  of  Excellence  (CoEs)  under  the  National  Critical  Minerals  Mission (NCMM) for focused research & development (R&D) to strengthen domestic capabilities in the critical mineral value chain:

- (1)  Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay
- (2)  IIT Hyderabad
- (3)  IIT Roorkee
- (4)  IIT Indian School of Mines (ISM), Dhanbad
- (5)  Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
- (6)  Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) - Institute of Minerals & Materials Technology (IMMT), Bhubaneswar
- (7)  CSIR - National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML), Jamshedpur
- (8)  Non Ferrous Materials Technology Development Centre (NFTDC), Hyderabad
- (9)  Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (CMET), Hyderabad

Each CoE operates as a consortium, on a Hub & Spoke model,  to leverage the core competence of  constituent  industry  and  academic/  R&D  spokes.  The  nine  recognized CoEs have together brought in over 80 industry and academic/ R&D spokes. Under the

CoE model, mandatory consortium with industry partners, including industry contribution in R&D projects where applicable, ensures industrial applicability and scalability in project design.  The  Ministry  reviews  regularly  with  the  CoEs  to  ensure  synergy  and  tangible outcomes. The details of ongoing R&D projects supported by the Ministry of Mines are available on the SATYABHAMA portal of the Ministry, having the following link: https://research.mines.gov.in/OngoingProjectsDetails.aspx.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2022 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-11
Subject: Waste Management in Train
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Anup Sanjay Dhotre

§

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2022 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026

## WASTE MANAGEMENT IN TRAIN

## 2022. SHRI ANUP SANJAY DHOTRE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the existing system of disposal and storage of used food plates in  train  compartments  is  leading  to  unhygienic  conditions  in  coaches and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  review  and  reform  the  said practice;
- (c) if so, the details and timeline thereof; and
- (d) the measures taken/proposed to be taken to ensure clean, scientific and effective waste management in running trains?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to (d): Disposal of waste, generated from catering services in trains, is done as per  the laid down procedure issued from time to time.  The following  measures are in place  to ensure  effective  waste disposal in running trains:

- Waste generated inside trains is collected and disposed in garbage disposal bags at designated en-route stations.
- ●
- Provision of dustbin in all passenger coaches.
- All  bearers  and  waiters  are  responsible  for  collecting  waste  items from the respective coaches after serving passengers.

- The  collected  waste  material  is  properly  segregated  &  secured  in garbage bags to prevent littering during transportation. The bags are unloaded at designated en-route stations for further disposal.
- Large-sized  plastic  or  stainless  steel  refuse  bins  with  proper  lids have been installed in pantry  cars  so that  it  does  not contaminate the food process.
- No  waste  is  kept  open  inside  the  panty  car  and  is  disposed  of  in appropriate manner as per rules and regulations including those for plastics and other non-environment friendly materials.
- Further, to ensure safe and eco-friendly disposal of human waste, all coaches are fitted with bio-toilets. Bio-toilets use bacterial treatment to  decompose  waste,  preventing  direct  discharge  on  tracks  and reducing foul smell, corrosion, and unhygienic conditions. The details of provision of bio toilets are as under:

| Period         | Number of Bio-Toilet fitted   |
|----------------|-------------------------------|
| 2004-2014      | 9,587                         |
| 2014-till date | 3,61,572                      |

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2020 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-11
Subject: Review of Employment Generation under Flagship Schemes
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Shri Ummeda Ram Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2020 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026

REVIEW OF EMPLOYMENT GENERATION UNDER FLAGSHIP SCHEMES 2020.  SHRI UMMEDA RAM BENIWAL:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state :

- (a)      Whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  review  of employment generation under Flagship Schemes;
- (b)        if so, the details and the findings thereof; and
- (c)        whether  the  unemployment  rate  continues  to  remain  high despite repeated claims of economic recovery and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) to (c) Employment generation coupled with improving employability is a priority of the Government. Accordingly, Government is implementing various employment generation schemes/ programmes.

The details of the major employment generation schemes/programmes  being  implemented  by  the  Government  may be seen at https://dge.gov.in/dge/index.php/schemes\_programmes.

The Government undertakes a systematic review and evaluation of all schemes and programmes before the commencement of each Finance Commission cycle to ensure their continued  relevance,  effectiveness,  and  alignment  with  evolving priorities.

The  official  data  source  on  key  labour  market  indicators  is Periodic  Labour  Force  Survey  (PLFS)  which  is  conducted  by  the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) since 2017-18.  As  per  the  latest  available  Annual  PLFS  reports,  the unemployment  rate  has  shown  a  consistent  decline  over  recent years. The all-India unemployment rate for the age group 15 years and above (in usual status) declined from 6.0 per cent in 2017-18 to 3.2 per cent in 2023-24. The detailed information is available in the PLFS  reports  which  may  be  seen  on  the  website  of  MoSPI  at https://mospi.gov.in/publications-reports.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2016 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-11
Subject: Distribution of Foodgrains
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Md. Rakibul Hussain

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

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2016

TO BE ANSWERED ON lITH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## DISTRIBUTION OF FOODGRAINS

## 2016.  MD. RAKIBUL  HUSSAIN:

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

- (a): whether the  Government has received serious complaints regarding distribution of substandard, damaged, fungus-infested or unfit-for-human-consumption  foodgrains  under National Food Security Act  (NFS A)  in Assam;
- (b): if  so, the details of  such complaints  including the quantity of  food grains rejected or replaced;
- (c): the details and the  number of  officials,  transport contractors, storage agencies and Fair Price Shop  dealers  against whom  action has  been  initiated including suspension,  penalties, blacklisting or prosecution; and
- (d): whether the Government proposes to introduce stricter quality  checks, real-time monitoring and accountability measures to  prevent recurrence of  such incidents and safeguard the dignity and food security of beneficiaries and if  so, the details thereoP

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI  BAMBHANIYA)

- (a): No complaint has been received regarding distribution of  substandard, damaged, fungusinfested, or unfit-for-human-consumption  foodgrains under National Food Security Act  (NFS A)  in Assam. Additionally, it  is  also worth  mentioning that, the Department has formulated and issued a Quality Control Manual to uniformly  maintain the quality standards offoodgrains  from procurement, storage and its distribution  to the eligible  beneficiaries through various social security programmes of GoI.
- (b) to (d):  Do not arise in view to (a) above.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2015 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-11
Subject: Nuclear Power Plants in Bihar
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Tariq Anwar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2015 ANSWERED ON  11/02/2026

## NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS IN BIHAR

## 2015.  SHRI TARIQ ANWAR

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether it is a fact that any nuclear power plants or research projects are operational or proposed in the State of Bihar under the Department of Atomic Energy and if so, the details thereof and current status of their progress;
- (b) whether the Government has recently reviewed compliance with radiation safety and Radiological  Emergency  Management  (RADHA)  protocols  at  nuclear  medicine centres  located  in  Bihar  (such  as  the  cyclotron  facility  at  Indira  Gandhi  Institute  of Medical  Sciences  in  Patna  or  other  radioisotope  user  units  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  any  specific  plan  or  initiative  to  increase  public awareness in Bihar and dispel misconceptions regarding the peaceful uses of nuclear energy 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) Under the Department of Atomic Energy, no such nuclear power plants or research projects are operational in the State of Bihar and as of now, a proposal like this, is not under immediate consideration.
- (b) Radiation  safety  and  radiological  emergency  preparedness  of  radiation  facilities including nuclear medicine centres are reviewed by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) as a part of the licensing processes.  Subsequently, periodic verification of safety  status  and  periodic  regulatory  inspections  in  accordance  with  the  Atomic

Energy  (Radiation  Protection)  Rules,  2004  and  AERB  Safety  Code  for  Radiation Sources, Equipment and Installations (Code No.AERB/RF/SC) are also carried out.

As per data available with AERB, presently nine nuclear medicine centres, including the  Indira  Gandhi  Institute  of  Medical  Sciences  (IGIMS),  Patna  are  having  valid operating licence from AERB.

- (c) DAE participates in scientific programmes across the country to spread awareness and dispel misconceptions about nuclear energy.  Every year, officers from the department are  deputed  to  various  colleges,  universities,  and  institutes  to  attract  engineers  and postgraduate  students  and  also  interact  with  students  to  increase  their  awareness regarding the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Nuclear Power Corporation of  India Limited (NPCIL)  a Public Sector  Undertaking under the DAE, has engaged with youth through awareness sessions conducted during National Cadet Corps (NCC) camps held in the state.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2014 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-11
Subject: National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Bastipati Nagaraju

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2014 ANSWERED ON 11/02/2026

## NATIONAL MISSION ON STRATEGIC KNOWLEDGE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE

## 2014. SHRI BASTIPATI NAGARAJU:

Will  the  Minister  of  SCIENCE  AND  TECHNOLOGY  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) the details of the activities undertaken in Andhra Pradesh under the  National  Mission  on  Strategic  Knowledge  for  Climate  Change (NMSKCC), including establishment of research networks, data-sharing infrastructure and- knowledge-centres in the State;
- (b) the  details  of  the  funds  sanctioned,  released  and  utilized  for NMSKCC projects in Andhra Pradesh, year-wise;
- (c) the number of institutions, researchers and fellowships supported under  NMSKCC  in  Andhra  Pradesh  along  with  the  details  of  the deliverables achieved (such as modelling studies, adaptation technologies, region- specific assessments); and
- (d) whether the Government plans to designate new institutions in Andhra Pradesh as centres of excellence under the Mission and if so, the details of the location, timeline and funding?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a) The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has supported a major research project at Andhra University, Visakhapatnam under the National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change (NMSKCC), to  assess  regional-scale  climate  change  and  study  the  impact  on agriculture. Under the study, high-resolution (25 km & 10 km) climate

datasets  over  the  Indian  sub-continent  for  the  hindcast  period  (19702005) and for the future time slices (2020-2049 and 2070-2099) have been developed with the help of models.

- (b) A total of Rs. 1.84 Crores was sanctioned to Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. An amount of Rs. 1.05 Cr., Rs. 0.33 Cr. and Rs. 0.43 Cr., were released and utilized in the years 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20, respectively.
- (c) In Andhra Pradesh, DST has supported one institution i.e. Andhra University,  Visakhapatnam,  two  (2)  researchers  and  six  (6)  fellows through a major research project under NMSKCC. In addition, this project also facilitated the capacity building of more than 300 researchers on various aspects of regional climate modelling. Further,  DST  has supported a study under the Mission to conduct vulnerability mapping at the  district  level  across  various  Indian  States/UTs,  including  Andhra Pradesh.  According  to  this  study,  Andhra  Pradesh  comes  under  the moderately vulnerable category, with major drivers identified as lack of forest area per 1,000 rural population and high incidence of water-borne diseases.
- (d) As of now, the Department does not intend to set  up any more Centre of Excellence under the Mission.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2013 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-11
Subject: White Ration Cards
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Anil Yeshwant Desai, Shri Omprakash Bhupalsinh Alias Pavan Rajenimbalkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2013

TO BE ANSWERED ON lITH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## WHITE RATION CARDS

## f2013. SHRI ANIL  YESHWANT  DESAI: SHRI OMPRAKASH BHUPALSINH ALIAS PAVAN RAJENIMBALKAR:

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

- (a): whether the issuance of white ration cards has been discontinued in many States;
- (b): whether white ration cards go a longway in  identification, authentication  and access to various Government services/benefits  to several citizens;
- (c): if  so, the reasons to discontinue the issuance of white ration cards;
- (d): whether the  Government proposes to  resume the  issuance of  white  ration  cards or implementing any alternative arrangement for the same; and
- (e): if  so, the proposed  policy,  guidelines and time frame in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

(a) to (e):  The National Food Security Act  (NFS A),  2013 provides for food security by ensuring access to foodgrains to eligible households through the Targeted Public Distribution  System  (TPDS). Under the NFS A,  beneficiaries  are broadly categorized into two  types of ration cards Priority Households (PHH) and Antyodaya Anna Yoj ana (AAY).  Priority  Household (PHH) ration cards are issued to  eligible  families  identified  by  State Governments based on prescribed criteria,  entitling them to receive foodgrains at 5 Kg  per person per month. The Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) category covers the poorest of the poor households, who  are provided a higher level of  foodgrain entitlement of  35 Kg  per Ration card to  ensure enhanced food security for  the most vulnerable sections of  society. The NFS A  is operational in a uniform  manner in all States/UTs, and there is no Above Poverty Line (APL)/ Below Poverty Line (BPL)/White Ration Cards category under the Act.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2012 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-11
Subject: Cancellation of Confirmed Tickets
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Smt. Mala Roy

§

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2012

## LOK SABHA TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026

## CANCELLATION OF CONFIRMED TICKETS

2012. SMT. MALA ROY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: the details of the number of confirmed tickets of first, second and third AC and sleeper class that were cancelled due to late running of trains during the period 15th November 2025 to 15th January, 2026?

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

Reserved tickets are cancelled by Passengers on account of different reasons  like change  in  plan due  to cancellation of  any  event,  any eventuality in the family, decision to move by alternate mode of transport, late running of trains etc. The reasons for cancellation by passengers are not captured in the system.

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