opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1750 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-10
Subject: Utilisation of  DMF Funds
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Dr. Rajesh Mishra, Smt. Roopkumari Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. †1750

ANSWERED ON 10.12.2025

## UTILISATION OF DMF FUNDS

†1750. SMT. ROOPKUMARI CHOUDHARY: DR. RAJESH MISHRA:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any guidelines have been issued regarding the use of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds and its sharing between the State Government and the districts affected by mining and if so, the details of the funds sharing ratio thereof; (b) the details of State specific strategies adopted by the State Governments to overcome  the  gaps/shortcomings  in  DMF  fund  utilisation,  project  approvals, social audits and online monitoring in the districts affected by mining particularly in Chhattisgarh; and (c) whether any targets have been set for making necessary improvements in the field  of  health,  education,  drinking  water  and  rehabilitation  in  the  said  districts
- under the said programme and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

( a) to (c) The Central Government issued the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana  (PMKKKY) guidelines,  2024  which  also  include  guidelines  for  utilization  of funds by DMFs. Further, there is no provision for sharing of DMF funds between the State Government and the districts. The PMKKKY guidelines, 2024 provides that the approval of expenditure of funds from DMF lies solely with the Governing Council of DMF.  The  PMKKKY  guidelines  are  applicable  to  all  DMFs  across  the  country including Chhattisgarh.

The  aforesaid PMKKKY  guidelines  mandate  the  preparation of a Five-Year Perspective Plan and Annual Plans based on baseline surveys to ensure systematic and time-bound coverage of all affected people and areas, with a focus on improving health,  education,  drinking  water,  and  other  priority  sectors  under  DMF.  Further, these  guidelines  mandate  for  clear  demarcation  of  directly  and  indirectly  affected areas,  mandatory  allocation  of  at  least  70%  of  DMF  fund  to  high-priority  sectors, which  include  health  care,  education,  drinking  water  supply,  etc. These  guidelines provide for establishment of a State Level Monitoring Committee (SLMC) and audit of DMF accounts by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG). The Ministry of Mines also launched National DMF Portal for facilitating administration of DMF and monitoring  of  implementation  of  the  projects  across  the  country  including  those  in Chhattisgarh.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1748 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-10
Subject: India Post Payments Bank (IPPB)
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Smt. Delkar Kalaben Mohanbhai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1748 ANSWERED ON 10 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## INDIA POST PAYMENTS BANK (IPPB)

## †1748.  SMT. DELKAR KALABEN MOHANBHAI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of Post offices connected with India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) and digital payment services in the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu;
- (b) the total number of Gramin Dak Sevaks in the said UT provided with mobile devices and doorstep banking training; and
- (c) whether the Government has allocated any special budget for setting up new post office branches and modernizing existing branches in remote areas of the said UT and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) As on date, 67 Post offices are connected with India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) in the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.
- (b) In Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, 58 Gramin Dak Sevaks have been provided with mobile devices and doorstep banking training.
- (c) The Department of Posts has allocated fund of Rs.12,500/- for opening of Khanvel Sub Post office for the FY 2025-26  in Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu. Funds amounting to ₹3,25,743/- have been spent in Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu on modernization of post offices including funding for new equipment and software upgrade in the last 5 years.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1746 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-10
Subject: BSNL 5G Network in Lakshadweep
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1746 ANSWERED ON 10 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## BSNL 5G NETWORK IN LAKSHADWEEP

## 1746.   SHRI MUHAMMED HAMDULLAH SAYEED:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of the urgent need to upgrade the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) network in Lakshadweep to 5G, considering the geographic isolation of the islands and the growing dependence on digital connectivity and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether any proposals are under consideration to deploy 5G infrastructure in Lakshadweep, including installation of compatible towers, equipment modernisation and enhancement of backhaul capacity and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  details  of  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  reliable  high-speed communication in the Union Territory through 5G-enabled services especially in remote islands;
- (d) whether the Government plans to provide special financial or technical support to BSNL for implementing 5G upgrades in Lakshadweep due to the higher cost of infrastructure in isolated island territories; and
- (e) if  so,  the  details  of  the  timeline  proposed  by  the  Government  for  the  rollout  and commissioning of 5G services across the islands of Lakshadweep?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e) In  line  with  Atmanirbhar  Bharat  initiative,  BSNL  has  placed  purchase  order  for indigenously developed 4G sites for pan India deployment. Supply of 4G equipment has started from September 2023 and as on 30.11.2025, total 97,401 4G sites have been installed and 94,458 sites are ON-Air. In  Lakshadweep,  total  47  4G  sites  are  ON-Air.  The  equipment  is  5G  upgradable  from technology perspective.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1743 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-10
Subject: Vacancy in Department of Space
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Smt. Rachna Banerjee, Mr Pathan Yusuf

- (a)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 10 DECEMBER, 2025

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1743 VACANCY IN DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

1743.  SMT. RACHNA BANERJEE: MR. PATHAN YUSUF:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) The details of the numbers of sanctioned posts in position as well  as  the  number  of  vacancies,  reserved  posts  across categories at the Department of Space since 2014, year-wise and category-wise along with the stipulated timeline for filing these vacancies; and
- (b) The  details  of  the  numbers  of  contractual  employees  hired since 2014, year and category-wise?

## ANSWER

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

****

- Staffing in the Department of Space is an ongoing effort handled by a robust, multi-tiered  recruitment strategy (both centralized and decentralized). This process ensures that vacancies across

the two critical functions viz. Scientific/ Technical and Administrative are filled efficiently as they arise.

The number of sanctioned posts and vacancies under Technical &  Administrative  categories  is  as  below  for  Department  of Space including PSEs and Autonomous Bodies:

| Category       |   Sanctioned |   Vacancies | as   | on   |
|----------------|--------------|-------------|------|------|
| S&T            |        14962 |        2049 |      |      |
| Administrative |         5307 |        2326 |      |      |

Actions are in various stages for recruitment of S&T posts. With regard to administrative posts, the vacancies were mainly due to  wasting  categories/promotion  posts  which  were  kept  for want of eligible candidates and recruitment actions are initiated for filling up  the direct recruitment posts.  Regarding vacancies  and  hiring  of  employees  since  2014,  it  is  informed that  occurrence  and  filling  up  of  vacancies  is  a  continuous process. By the time, vacancies reported by the Department to the  cadre  controlling  authorities,  are  filled  up,  in  compliance with  the  reservation  norms/  guidelines,  some  new  vacancies arise due to retirement, resignation, death, promotion etc.

- (b) There  are  no  contractual  employees  directly  hired  by  the Department. However, this requirement of personnel for standardized/ routine activities are met by deployment through work packages/ service  providers,  based  on  job  requirements/ description, which varies from time-to-time.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1739 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-10
Subject: Staggered Rollout for Large Tech Firms
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Dr. Mallu Ravi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1739

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 10.12.2025

## STAGGERED ROLLOUT FOR LARGE TECH FIRMS

## 1739.  DR. MALLU RAVI:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state: (a) the details of specific rationale for granting large tech firms a "staggered rollout" with compliance deadlines extending as far as May 2027 in reference to the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025, notified on November 14, 2025;

- (b) the names and qualifications of the Chairperson and four members appointed to the Data Protection Board of India (DPBI); and

(c) the manner in which the Government is likely to ensure the independence of the DPBI, given that its  members  are  appointed  by  the  Central  Government  along  with  the  status  of  the  controversial amendment to the RTI Act which is also now in force?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a)  to  (c): The  Digital  Personal  Data  Protection  Act,  2023  ('Act'),  and  the  Digital  Personal  Data Protection  Rules,  2025  ('Rules'),  were  notified  on  13 th November  2025.  It  provide  for  a  phased implementation framework.

The Rules mandate an eighteen-month period to allow organisations to implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to achieve compliance with the provisions of the Act. This was done after extensive consultation with all stakeholders.

The Act also provides for the establishment of the Data Protection Board of India (DPB). As notified, the DPB comprises a Chairperson and four other Members who shall be appointed through Search-cumSelection Committee.

## Independence of the Data Protection Board

The DPDP Act states that the DPB shall function as a digital office and as an independent body, ensured through:

1. Search-cum-Selection  Committee  comprising  senior  officials  and  experts,  recommending  for appointment the suitable candidates possessing ability, integrity, and specialised knowledge in relevant fields
2. Fixed term of two years for Chairman and other Members, with eligibility for re-appointment
3. No change in salaries, allowances, and other service conditions of Chairman and other Members to their disadvantage after their appointment
4. Specification of grounds for disqualification from appointment or continuance, such as insolvency, conviction  for  an  offence  involving  moral  turpitude,  incapacity,  prejudicial  financial  or  other interest, or abuse of position;
5. Opportunity of being  heard to  be  given  to  the  Chairperson  or  any  other  Member  before  their removal.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1733 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-10
Subject: Stoppage of Down Ispat Express at Goilkera Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Smt. Joba Majhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1733 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2025

## STOPPAGE OF DOWN ISPAT EXPRESS AT GOILKERA STATION

†1733. SMT. JOBA MAJHI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether it is a fact that the down Ispat Express (Train No.22862, Kantabanji to Howrah) had a stoppage at Goilkera station in Singhbhum but this stoppage has been discontinued after the COVID19 pandemic and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  reasons  behind  the  discontinuation  of  the stoppage  of  the  down  Ispat  Express  (22862)  while  the  down  Ispat Express  (Train  No.12872,  Titlagarh  to  Howrah)  continues  to  stop  at Goilkera  station resulting into  a  uncomforting  situation to local passengers; and
- (c) whether the Government proposes to restart the stoppage of down Ispat  Express  (22862)  at  Goilkera  station  with  immediate  effect keeping in view the local connectivity and public interest of lakhs of passengers and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (c) To cater to the needs of passengers, it has been decided to provide stoppage of 22861/22862 Howrah-Kantabanji Ispat Express at Goilkera.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1730 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-10
Subject: Review Meeting on Revenue Leakage in Department of Posts
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane, Shri Sudheer Gupta, Shri Chavan Ravindra Vasantrao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1730 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th  December, 2025

'Review Meeting on Revenue Leakage in Department of Posts'

- 1730    Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane Shri Sudheer Gupta Shri Chavan Ravindra Vasantrao

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  recently  held  a  review  meeting  on  revenue  leakage  in  the Department of Posts (DoP) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of major findings and key concerns highlighted during the said review meeting regarding the sources and scale of revenue leakage;
- (c) the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  plug  revenue  leakages  across  postal operations, including mail services, financial services and parcel and logistics segments;
- (d) whether the Government/Department of Post proposes to implement technology-driven monitoring systems, enhanced audit mechanisms or reforms in operational processes to prevent such leakages and if so, the details thereof and steps/measures taken in this regard; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  set  any  timeframe  for  implementing  corrective  measures and improving revenue efficiency in the Department of Posts and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. A series of meetings have been held at different levels including meeting chaired by the Minister  of State for Communications. Operational  and fraud risks in different services  have  been  identified  based  on  available  information.  Broadly,  deficiency  in  postage realization, use of used up/ fake stamps, no or less postage in pre-paid articles, infringement of conditions in registered news paper etc.

- (c) The following steps have been taken to prevent any potential leakage of revenue: -
- i) Based on volumes of mail and parcel bookings and assessment of financial services for vulnerability  to  leakage  of  revenue,  post  offices  have  been  categorised  to  strengthen oversight.
- (ii) Preventive processes to avoid recurrence of any frauds through analysis of identified modus operandi have been introduced.
- (iii) An alerts-based risk management system has been strengthened.
- (d) Yes Sir. The Department is continuously strengthening oversight and risk management with use of technology and data analytics and transactions driven alerts to prevent any potential loss and deviation from prescribed processes, creating end to end online processes to grant licence to registered news paper etc.
- (e) Strengthening  of  oversight  through  corrective  and  preventive  measures  is  an  ongoing process. Necessary steps with the help of experts and advanced technology are being progressively taken by the Department to improve its revenue performance.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1728 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-10
Subject: Domestic Copper Ore Production
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Anto Antony

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1728 ANSWERED ON 10.12.2025

## DOMESTIC COPPER ORE PRODUCTION

1728 SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) the total domestic copper ore production in the country during each of the last five years;
- (b) whether there has been any decline in copper ore production in major mining states since 2018-19 and if so, the details thereof along with the names of States mostly affected;
- (c) the key reasons behind the decline in domestic copper ore production during the said period;
- (d) the details of the steps taken up by the Government to boost domestic copper production and reduce the country's dependence on copper imports; and
- (e) the details of technological advancements adopted or promoted to improve the efficiency of copper ore extraction and processing in the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  Total domestic copper ore production in the country during last 5 years:
- (b) & (c) In comparison to year 2018-19, there has been a decline in copper ore production due to following reasons:
-  Ore production severely affected by Covid-19 pandemic during the years 201920 and 2020-21.
-  Delays in obtaining statutory clearances for re-opening of Surda, Rakha and Kendadih Mines in Jharkhand.
-  Malanjkhand Mines in Madhya Pradesh was under transition from Open Cast to Underground mines during 2022-23.
-  Ore Production stopped in Kolihan Mines in Rajasthan due to major breakdown of winder in May, 2024. The production has restarted in April, 2025.
- (d)  & (e) Following steps have been taken to boost domestic copper production and improve copper ore extraction and processing:
-  Various expansion projects of Hindustan Copper Limited, taken up to enhance copper ore production capacity from 4.4 million Tonnes to 12.2 million Tonnes per annum.
-  Introduction of Exploration Licence (EL) regime permitting reconnaissance and prospecting operations for critical and deep-seated minerals, including copper.
-  Promoting exploration by Notified  Private  Exploration  Agencies  with funding from National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust.
-  Auction of 7 copper blocks - 4 in Maharashtra, 2 in Rajasthan and 1 in Madhya Pradesh.
-  Adoption of State of art 'Paste Fill' technology to increase safety and production of copper ore.

| Year                            |   2020-21 |   2021-22 |   2022-23 |   2023-24 |   2024-25 |
|---------------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Ore Production (Million Tonnes) |      3.27 |      3.57 |      3.35 |      3.78 |      3.47 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1725 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-10
Subject: DPR of Bilaspur-Manali-Leh Railway Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Mohmad Haneefa

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1725

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2025

## DPR OF BILASPUR-MANALI-LEH RAILWAY LINE

## 1725. SHRI MOHMAD HANEEFA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Bilaspur-ManaliLeh railway line has been prepared and approved;
- (b)
- if so, the salient features and estimated cost of the said project;
- (c) whether the Government has fixed any timeline for commencement of the construction work and its completion and if so, the details thereof, phase and section-wise; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to expedite the project in view of its significance for national security, regional connectivity and economic development of the border areas in Ladakh and if so, the details thereof including measures being taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d): Bilaspur - Manali - Leh new line is identified as strategic line by  Ministry  of  Defence.  The  survey  has  been  completed  and  Detailed Project Report has been prepared.  The project passes through difficult terrain of Himalayas,  which  are full of geological surprises and numerous problems. The total length of the project is 489 Km including tunnels of 270 km length. Anticipated cost of the project as per Detailed Project Report is ₹1,31,000 crore.

The alignment passes through Beri, Sundernagar, Mandi, Manali, Sissu, Darcha, Keylong, Sarchu, Pang, Rumtse, Upshi, Kharu and terminates at Leh  Terminus,  connecting  important  towns  of  Himachal  Pradesh  and Ladakh.

Sanctioning of project requires consultation with various stake-holders including State Governments and necessary approvals viz., Ministry of Finance,  Ministry  of  Defence  etc.  As  sanctioning  of  projects  is  a continuous and dynamic process, exact timelines depend upon appraisals and approvals by various stakeholders.

Completion  of  Railway  project/s  depends  on  various  factors  which include the following:

-  Land acquisition by State Government
-  Forest clearance
-  Shifting of infringing utilities
-  Statutory clearances from various authorities
-  Geological and topographical conditions of area
-  Law and order situation in the area of project site
-  Number of  working  months  in  a  year  for  particular  project  site etc.

All these factors affect the completion time and cost of the project/s. *****