opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4390 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-19
Subject: Challenges before Civil Aviation Sector
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Dr. Kirsan Namdeo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 4390

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  19th March 2026 )

## CHALLENGES BEFORE CIVIL AVIATION SECTOR

4390.    DR. KIRSAN NAMDEO Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): Airfares are not subject to regulation by the Government and every air transport undertaking shall establish  a  tariff  having  regard  to  all  relevant  factors,  including  the  cost  of operation, characteristics of service, reasonable profit, while adhering to Rule 135 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937.

The government is taking proactive  steps  to  make  air  travel  more  affordable, such as, enactment of the Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Act, 2025 to lower interest rates and lease rentals, rationalization of Central Excise Duty & GST on Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) components and contracts, and  reduction  of  high  VAT  on  ATF  by  requesting  States/UTs,  providing affordable air connectivity to un-served and underserved airports of the country be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government is aware of the challenges being faced in the civil aviation  sector,  particularly  with  regard  to  high  airfares,  lack  of  adequate  air connectivity in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, delays in airport infrastructure development,  financial  stress  being  faced  by  airlines  and  issues  related  to passenger safety and convenience;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps being taken by the Government to promote affordable and accessible air travel, improve regional connectivity, expedite infrastructure development, ensure financial health of airlines, enhance safety  standards  and  improve  passenger  services  across  the  country  through various schemes and policy initiatives; and

(c) if not, the reasons therefor?

(tier-2  and  tier-3  cities)  through  Regional  Connectivity  Scheme  (RCS)  -  Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN).

Under  the  RCS-UDAN,  as  on  28.02.2026,    663  RCS  routes  connecting  95 unserved  and  underserved  airports  (including 17  heliports  and  02  water aerodromes)  have  been  developed  and  operationalised  across  the  country carrying  over  160  lakhs  domestic  passengers  on  more  than  3.36  lakh  RCS flights.

In order to ensure appropriate protection for the air travellers and to safeguard the  interests  of  the  travelling  public,  Directorate  General  of  Civil  Aviation (DGCA) has issued Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) related to carriage by air of persons with disability and/ or persons with reduced mobility, refund of airline tickets to passengers of public transport undertakings, facilitation in case of flight diversion and facilities to be provided to passengers by airlines due to denied boarding, cancellation of flights, delays in flights.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4384 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-19
Subject: Construction of Elevated Road between Sonardih to Gaushala on NH-32
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Dulu Mahato

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4384 ANSWERED ON 19 TH  MARCH, 2026

CONSTRUCTION OF ELEVATED ROAD BETWEEN SONARDIH TO GAUSHALA ON NH-32

4384.  SHRI DULU MAHATO:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received any application from local representatives  or organisations  regarding  the  construction  of  a  seven  km. elevated  road  and  lighting  arrangements between  Sonardih  and  Gaushala  on National Highway (NH)-32;
- (b) if so, the action taken by the Government so far and the current status of the proposal thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government is aware that this stretch of NH-32 has become accident-prone due  to  heavy  traffic  and  the  presence  of  coal  mining  areas between Sonardih and Gaushala, if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  directions  have  been  issued  by  the  Government  to  prepare  a Detailed  Project Report  (DPR)  to  facilitate  smooth  traffic  movement  in  this area; and
- (e) if not, the time by which the Government proposes to take positive steps in this direction?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)  &  (b)  Yes  Sir.  A  reference  regarding  construction  of  elevated  road  and lighting arrangement has been received. Currently, lighting has been installed on both sides of the road from Gaushala, km 6.920 to km 9.900 in a total length of approximately 3 km, and all lights are working smoothly.

(c)  to  (e)  As  regards  elevated  road  from  Sonardih  and  Gaushala  including  2 Railway Over-bridges (ROBs), alternate route of this section has already been developed & completed by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in the year  2022  as  part  of  new  section  of  NH-32  (New  NH-18)  i.e.  from  Mahuda  to Rajganj merging at NH-2 (new NH-19). However,  in  realigned  section,  1.5  km  stretch  including  Railway  Overbridge (ROB) could not be developed/constructed due to Fire zone area as per report of Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS). Preparation  of  Detailed  Project  Report  (DPR)  for  new  alignment  is  being explored in consultation with Ministry of Coal which lies outside the fire zone.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4380 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-19
Subject: Flights from Tiruchirapalli International Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Durai Vaiko

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 4380

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  19th March 2026 )

## FLIGHTS FROM TIRUCHIRAPALLI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

4380.    SHRI DURAI VAIKO Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government  proposes  to  introduce flight services from Tiruchirapalli  International  Airport  to  destinations  in  the  Eastern  and  North Eastern  parts  of  the  country  under  the  Ude  Desh  ka  Aam  Nagrik  (UDAN) scheme and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether the Government is aware of the growing passenger demand from Tiruchirapalli International Airport for improved air connectivity to the Eastern and  North  Eastern  parts  of  the  country,  particularly  to  the  States  of  West Bengal, Assam, Jharkhand and other North Eastern States and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  connect  Tiruchirapalli  International Airport  with  any  underserved  or  unserved  airports  in  the  Eastern  and  North Eastern parts of the country under the UDAN scheme; and (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d): Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA)  has  launched Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik)  to enhance regional air connectivity from unserved and underserved airports in the country and making air travel affordable to the masses.

Under  the  provisions  of  the  UDAN  scheme,  Tiruchirapalli  Airport,  being  a served  airport  is  available  for  connectivity  with  any  unserved  or  underserved airport. However, till date, no airline bidder has submitted a proposal to operate RCS flights connecting Tiruchirapalli with any unserved or underserved airports including from the Eastern or North Eastern parts of the country.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 366 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-18
Subject: Export Promotion through Film Festivals
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Thiru D M Kathir Anand

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *366 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2026

## EXPORT PROMOTION THROUGH FILM FESTIVALS *366:  SHRI THIRU D M KATHIR ANAND:

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

- a) whether the Government has allocated funds under Plan Scheme titled 'Export Promotion through Film Festivals' and if so, the details thereof;
- b) whether the Government has increased incentives for foreign film production in the country to 40 per cent of expenses with a cap of up to Rs. 30 crore per project and if so, the details thereof; and
- c) whether the Government has provided funds to conduct International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and International Film Festival at Delhi and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (c):  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT AS REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS  (a)  to  (c)  OF  THE  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*366 FOR REPLY ON 18.03.2026

(a) to (c): There is no scheme named ' Export Promotion through Film Festivals'. However, the  Government  promotes  Indian  cinema  and  facilitates  international  collaborations  through Development, Communication & Dissemination of Filmic Content (DCDFC) Scheme.

Further,  financial  support  under  DCDFC  scheme  is  provided  for  participation  in  major international film festivals, for organizing film festivals in India, National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM)  and  promotion  of  Indian  cinema  through  Indian  Missions  to  support  film-related promotional activities and showcasing of Indian cinema internationally.

At  the 54th  International  Film  Festival  of  India  (IFFI)  in  Goa  on  20  November  2023,  the Government  announced  a  major  revision  to  the  scheme  and  enhanced  the  incentives  for encouraging film production by international producers in India to 40 percent of the expenses that were earlier limited to 30 percent. The revised incentives include:

1. 30% base reimbursement,
2. 5% bonus for employing at least 15% Indian manpower, and
3. 5% bonus for Significant Indian Content (SIC).

Further, the maximum incentive cap per project was also enhanced to ₹30 crore per project from ₹2.5 crore per project.

To promote and synergize the Indian Film Industry at the International level, the Government organizes the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) every year from 20 th -28 th  November in collaboration with the Government of Goa. For the 56 th edition of IFFI, 2025, the Government has provided Rs. 39.43 Cr. under the Development, Communication & Dissemination of Filmic Content Scheme (DCDFC).

Further, no funds were provided for International Film Festival at Delhi.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 4370 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-18
Subject: Network Coverage in Rural Areas
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Abhay Kumar Sinha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4370 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH  MARCH, 2026

## NETWORK COVERAGE IN RURAL AREAS

## †4370. SHRI ABHAY KUMAR SINHA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether any survey has been conducted by the Government to identify rural areas with no network coverage;

- (b) if so, whether the Panchayats are included in the said survey;

(c) the timeline by which mobile towers and internet facilities are likely to be provided in the said  rural  areas  to  ensure  digital  access  to  education,  health,  banking,  emergency  services  and Government schemes;

(d) whether any time-bound plan and budgetary provision have been made for the said purpose; and

- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) The  Government,  based  on  the  inputs  from  Telecom  Service  Providers,  assesses mobile coverage in rural and remote areas including village Panchayats. Villages found uncovered are surveyed to validate their mobile coverage status. Thereafter, uncovered villages are taken up for coverage  under  the  Digital  Bharat  Nidhi  (DBN)  funded  4G  mobile  connectivity  schemes.  As  of January 2026, out of 6,44,131 villages in the country (as per data of Registrar General of India), 6,35,146 villages are covered with mobile connectivity.

Mobile coverage for inhabited uncovered villages is provided by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) based on their techno-commercial viability. Government, with funding from Digital Bharat Nidhi  (DBN),  has  approved  various  schemes  for  expansion  of  telecom  connectivity  through installation  of  mobile  towers  in  the  uncovered  rural  and  remote  areas  of  the  country.    As  on 28.02.2026, 4G mobile services have been provided at 32,455 villages/locations, across the country through the various mobile projects funded by Digital Bharat Nidhi.

(d) & (e) The Government has made budgetary provisions under Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) to support universal service through promoting access to and delivery of telecommunication services in  underserved rural, remote and urban areas. During the Financial Year 2025-26, an amount of ₹9,650 crore has been allotted under DBN for this purpose.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4361 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-18
Subject: Installation of Mobile Towers in Tribal-dominated Don Region
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Sunil Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4361 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH  MARCH, 2026

## INSTALLATION OF MOBILE TOWERS IN TRIBAL-DOMINATED DON REGION

## †4361. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that about 15,000 to 20,000 people reside in two panchayats of the Don region inside the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) area in the Lok Sabha Constituency of the Member;

(b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  install  adequate  mobile  towers  to  provide  mobile network connectivity to the people of the tribal-dominated Don region residing inside the Valmiki Tiger Reserve; and

(c) whether the Government proposes to provide 5G network facility to the consumers in the areas  where  mobile  towers  have  already  been  installed,  so  as  to  facilitate  online  education  and learning through platforms like YouTube for the children in this remote and inaccessible area?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) The Government has approved various projects through Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), to  provide 4G mobile connectivity in uncovered villages across the country. Under DBN funded projects, 8 towers have been approved in West Champaran district of Bihar, of which 7 towers have been made on-air.

As per the census 2011, two Panchayats, namely Naurangia Don and Bankatwa Karmahia, have populations of 11,355 and 11,495, respectively. A total of 23 census villages fall under these two Panchayats. Out of these 23 villages, 19 villages are covered with 4G mobile services and 2 villages are uninhabited.

5G mobile services are rolled out by the telecom service providers themselves on technocommercial consideration.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4360 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-18
Subject: Railway Reservation Facility for Lakshadweep
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed

§

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4360 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2026

## RAILWAY RESERVATION FACILITY FOR LAKSHADWEEP

## 4360. SHRI MUHAMMED HAMDULLAH SAYEED:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  facility  of  reservation  of railway tickets for residents of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep has been discontinued and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government has any proposal to reinstate the reservation of  railway  tickets  for  the  residents  of  Lakshadweep  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (c) the details of the expected timeline for restoration of this facility; and
- (d)  the  details  of  the  steps  being  taken  to  ensure  that  residents  of Lakshadweep  have  fair  and  affordable  access  to  railway  services connecting them to the mainland?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to  (d)  :  Railways  has  launched  RailOne  App  on  01.07.2025.  This  App enables  passengers  to  book  reserved  as  well  as  unreserved  tickets  on mobile phone. This App combines all the public facing services of Indian Railways like reserved ticketing, unreserved ticketing and platform ticketing, train enquiry, PNR enquiry, Railmadad, etc. into a single platform.

The  user  can  avail  all  these  services  in  integrated  manner  through single  sign-on  facility  so  that  the  user  need  not  remember  multiple login credentials for availing different services of Indian Railways.

The RailOne App has Railway Wallet (R-Wallet) which can be used for purchase of reserved, unreserved and platform tickets.  The App can be  downloaded  from  Android  Play  Store  and  Apple  App  Store.    The registration  is  user  friendly.    This,  in  effect,  brings  the  Passenger reservation system facility to passenger's palm.

The  details  of  total  number  of  downloads  and  total  number  of transactions  (both  reserved  and  unreserved  tickets)  of  RailOne  App for the period 01.07.2025 to 14.03.2026) are tabulated below:

| Total number of downloads                                           | 2.57 Cr.   |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|
| Total number of transactions (both reserved and unreserved tickets) | 5.16 Cr.   |

At present more than 87% reserved tickets are issued online which provides an option to get railway reservation tickets from anywhere, anytime.

The  facility  for  provision  of  reservation  of  railway  tickets  was available at Kavaratti Island,  Androth  Island  &  Minicoy Island. However, this facility was discontinued due to poor patronage in 2004 with an average utilisation of only about 20 forms per month.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4356 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-18
Subject: Akashwani Kargil Station
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Mohmad Haneefa

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4356 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2026)

## AKASHWANI KARGIL STATION

4356. SHRI MOHMAD HANEEFA:

- Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that the Akashwani Kargil station, which used  to  function  as  an  independent  and  full-fledged  station,  due  to  a  recent  administrative change, even lacks a dedicated Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO), leading to delays in payments and other administrative hardships and is currently functioning under the Leh cluster head which has severely hampered the dissemination of localized content; (b) if  so,  the  details  of  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  re-establish  a  separate Cluster Head for Akashwani Kargil, appoint a DDO, strengthen local language programming and upgrade transmission infrastructure to improve coverage in remote areas; (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to enhance the production of content in local languages and to create content that reflects the socio-cultural identity of the region?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS [DR. L. MURUGAN]

## (a) to (d):

Akashvani  Kargil  functions  under  Akashvani  Leh  Cluster.  The  Drawing  and  Disbursing Officers  (DDOs)  across  Prasar  Bharati,  including  those  at  Leh  and  Kargil,  have  been rationalized and merged as part of ongoing organisational restructuring. The measure aims to improve operational and financial management through a more efficient and technology-driven framework. Local programme operations and the broadcast of local content continue as before.

Akashvani Kargil operates Medium Wave (MW) and FM transmitters, along with transmitters at Himbotingla, Drass, Tiesuru and Padum to serve the region. Further, a 5 kW FM (Mobile) Transmitter has been approved under the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) Scheme (2021-26) to enhance coverage. Akashvani Kargil broadcasts programmes in Hindi, Urdu, English and local dialects such as Purgi, Balti and Shina, reflecting the socio-cultural diversity in Ladakh.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4355 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-18
Subject: Complaints Received by National Commission for Minorities
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Raja Ram Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No-4355

ANSWERED ON - 18/03/2026

## COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR MINORITIES

4355. SHRI RAJA RAM SINGH:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  the  number  of  complaints  received  and  disposed  of  by  the  National Commission for Minorities during the last five years;
- (b) the details of the total Number of prolonged vacancy of all statutory posts in the National Commission for Minorities along with the reasons therefor;
- (c)  the  impact  of  this  institutional  vacuum  that  has  had  on  the  disposal  of  discrimination complaints; and
- (d) the timeline by which the Commission is likely to be reconstituted?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a) The details of the number of complaints received and disposed of by the National Commission for Minorities during the last five years are as following:

| Year                                      |   2021- 22 |   2022- 23 |   2023-24 |   2024-25 |   2025-26 (upto 10.03.26) |
|-------------------------------------------|------------|------------|-----------|-----------|---------------------------|
| No. of petitions received during the year |       2076 |       2423 |      2000 |      1390 |                      1578 |
| No. of petitions disposed off             |       2068 |       2397 |      1860 |      1209 |                      1249 |

(b)  to  (d)      As  per  Section  3(2)  of  the  NCM  Act  1992,  the  Commission  consists  of  a Chairperson,  a  Vice-Chairperson  and  five  Members  to  be  nominated  by  the  Central Government from amongst persons of eminence, ability and integrity.

Posts  of  the  Vice-Chairperson  and  Members  in  the  Commission  were  vacant  since December, 2024 and the post of the Chairperson is vacant since April, 2025.

The Central Government has appointed two members in the National Commission for Minorities, vide notification dated 06.03.2026.

*****