opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 986 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Tap Water Connections under JJM
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Tanuj Punia, Dr. Shivaji Bandappa Kalge

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 986

ANSWERED ON 05.02.2026

## TAP WATER CONNECTIONS UNDER JJM

†986. DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE SHRI TANUJ PUNIA

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of districts and villages where tap water connections have been provided under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Maharashtra and Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh;
- (b) whether there are such rural areas where there is no access to clean drinking water as on date and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the timeline fixed to connect these remaining villages under JJM?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA)

- (a) to (c) Drinking water is a State subject. The power to plan, design, approve and implement drinking  water  supply  schemes/projects  lies  with  State  Government.  Government  of  India,  in partnership with States/UTs is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission, since August, 2019, to make provision of tap water supply to every rural household in the country. Under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation provides financial, policy guidance and technical  assistance  to  the  States  and  Union  Territories  for  implementing  their  drinking  water supply schemes.

Significant progress has been made in the country since the launch of Jal Jeevan Mission, towards enhancing access to tap water to rural households. At the start of Jal Jeevan Mission in August 2019, only 3.23 Crore (16.72%) rural households were reported to have tap water connections. So far,  as  reported  by  States/UTs,  more  than  12.55  crore  additional  rural  households  have  been provided with tap water connections under JJM. Thus, as on 03.02.2026, out of 19.36 Crore rural households in the country, more than 15.79 Crore (81.59%) households are reported to have tap water  connections  in  their  homes  (Source:  JJM-IMIS).  All  the  States/UTs  will  saturate  the remaining villages/households as per their saturation plans.

The details of households with tap water supply in the state of Maharashtra and Barabanki district in Uttar Pradesh is as under:

| #           | Total No. of rural households (HHs)   | No. of HHs with tap connections as on 03.02.2026   | Tap connection in percentage   |
|-------------|---------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------|
| Maharashtra | 1,46,77,931                           | 1,32,64,657                                        | (90.37%)                       |
| Barabanki   | 5,17,152                              | 5,08,181                                           | (98.27%)                       |

(Source: JJM-IMIS)

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Lok Sabha Question No. 983 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Exclusion of Bijnor from Ganga Expressway
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Mrs Ruchi Vira

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.  983 ANSWERED ON 5 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## EXCLUSION OF BIJNOR FROM GANGA EXPRESSWAY

†983. Mrs Ruchi Vira:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) the present status of approval accorded by the Government/NHAI for the final trace of the Ganga Expressway being developed by the Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA); (b)  whether  UPEIDA  has  unilaterally  taken  any  action  to  exclude Bijnor from this expressway without the consent of the Centre, if so,
- the proposed action likely to be taken on such unilateral action;
- (c) the reasons for exclusion of Bijnor from this expressway thereby putting this important district of industrial and agriculture activities at loss;
- (d) whether the Government has received any representations from public  representatives  and  public  at  large  against  this  decision  of UPEIDA and if so, the details thereof along with action taken by the Government thereon; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  would  direct  UPEIDA  to  immediately include Bijnor in the Expressway route in the interest of balanced development  of  Western  Uttar  Pradesh  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

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

(a)  to  (e)      The  Government  in  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  & Highways is primarily responsible for development and maintenance of  National  Highways/  National  Expressway in the country.   As  far as Ganga expressway is concerned, the project has been undertaken by the State Government of Uttar Pradesh.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 982 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Loans Sanctioned under PMFME Scheme
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Dhaval Laxmanbhai Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 982

ANSWERED ON 05 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## LOANS SANCTIONED UNDER PMFME SCHEME

## 982. SHRI DHAVAL LAXMANBHAI PATEL:

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of loans sanctioned under the credit-linked subsidy component of the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme in the country; and
- (b) the share of women entrepreneurs among these beneficiaries?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)

- (a)  &  (b): Under  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Formalisation  of  Micro  food  processing  Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, loans for 1,72,707 micro food processing enterprises have been sanctioned under credit linked subsidy component, out of which 43.6 % (75,456) share is for women led micro food processing enterprises, till 31 st December 2025.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 973 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Greenfield National Highway Project in Jhansi
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Anurag Sharma

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government/the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has  received  a  proposal  for  the  proposed  Greenfield  National  Highway Project  of  approximately  15.572  kilometers  in  length  in  Jhansi  district  of Uttar  Pradesh  which  connects  to  NH-39  and  NH-44  Jhansi  Lalitpur  section and  includes  bypasses,  flyovers,  underpasses  and  bridges  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is a fact that the said project is currently pending for approval with NHAI and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that the project would help in reducing traffic  congestion,  improving  road  safety,  enhancing  industrial  connectivity and promoting economic development and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  the  technical  and  financial  appraisal  of  the  project  has  been completed,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  timelines  fixed  for completion of the remaining processes; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  would  grant  approval  at  the  earliest  and commence construction of the project in the interest of the public and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 973 ANSWERED ON 5 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## GREENFIELD NATIONAL HIGHWAY PROJECT IN JHANSI

973.  SHRI ANURAG SHARMA:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

(a)  to  (e)     The  work  for  preparation  of  Detailed  Project  Report  (DPR)  has been  awarded  and  the  alignment  has  been  approved  on  26.6.2025.   The project is at DPR stage and it is premature to indicate number of flyovers, under passes, bridges etc. The approval of projects is subject to outcome of DPR, traffic density and synergy with PM GatiShakti Master Plan.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 971 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Food Processing based schemes for Farmers
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Ashok Kumar Rawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 971

ANSWERED ON 05 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## FOOD PROCESSING BASED SCHEMES FOR FARMERS

## 971. SHRI ASHOK KUMAR RAWAT:

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of proposed food processing-based schemes of Budget 2025-26 to increase farmers' income;
- (b) whether  any  special  financial  assistance  is  being  provided  to  Farmer  Producer Organisations (FPOs) and cooperative societies and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether any provisions have been made to ensure that farmers receive income above the minimum support price and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)

- (a): No budget announcement has been made for food processing schemes during 2025-26.
- (b): The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) incentivizes setting up of food processing  sector  through  its  two  Central  Sector  Scheme  viz.  Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), Production  Linked  Incentive  Scheme  for  Food  Processing Industry (PLISFPI) and a Centrally sponsored PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME). These schemes are not region or state specific but demand driven and being implemented across the country.

Under PMKSY, quantum of grant is provided at enhanced level of 50% of eligible project cost, in comparison to 35% for proposals from general areas (Subject to the maximum ceiling under respective sub-schemes) to Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). Cooperatives are eligible entities for availing grants @35% of eligible project cost under schemes of MoFPI.

- (c): As per the Government's policy of procurement of foodgrains, stocks conforming to the Government of India (GoI) specifications which are offered by the farmers at Purchase centers are procured by the Government Agencies at Minimum Support Price (MSP). However, if the farmers get prices better than MSP in open market, they are free to sell their produce.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 964 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Accidents Prone Areas on National Highways and Expressways
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy

be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  identify  accident-prone areas on National Highways and expressways;
- (b) whether the Government has planned any specific measures to upgrade the monitoring system on highways; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-964

ANSWERED ON- 05 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## ACCIDENTS PRONE AREAS ON NATIONAL HIGHWAYS AND

EXPRESSWAYS

964. SHRI RAMASAHAYAM RAGHURAM REDDY:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) to (c) The blackspots on National Highways & Expressways are identified by the Government  based  on  the accident reports received  from  the  concerned  State  Governments,  meeting  the criteria  of  occurrence  of  certain  number  of  accidents  involving fatalities  and  grievous  injuries.  An  electronic  Detailed  Accident Report (eDAR) (erstwhile iRAD -Integrated Road Accident Database)  has  been  developed,  a  central  repository  for  reporting, management  and  analysis  of  road  accidents  data  across  the country. This enables authorities to identify accident-prone locations through analytics, implement preventive measures, monitor the actions taken, and ensure efficient processing of road accident claims.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 962 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Usage of Electronic Personnel License
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Basavaraj Bommai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 962

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  5th February 2026 )

## USAGE OF ELECTRONIC PERSONNEL LICENSE

962.    SHRI BASAVARAJ BOMMAI Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether the Government has conducted any assessment on the transition from physical pilot licences to Electronic Personnel Licence (EPL) and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the specific measures taken to ensure the security and authenticity of digital pilot licences and to prevent potential misuse or fraud;

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  received  any  feedback  from  airlines,  pilot associations or international regulatory bodies regarding the implementation of EPL; and

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the actions taken so far in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  &  (b):  Yes,  the  Electronic  Personnel  License  (EPL)  has  been  issued  in conformance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations as stipulated in ICAO Annex 1 on Personnel Licensing and Doc 9379 - Manual of Procedures  for  Establishment  and  Management  of  a  State's  Personnel  Licensing System. The EPL has been launched on 20th February 2025 with the approval of ICAO. The EPL has been made available on eGCA mobile app only.

(c) & (d): As part of stakeholder consultation, a public notice along with the draft Plan for  phased  implementation  was  issued  on  5th  September  2024.  Comments  from stakeholders  were  invited.  The  suggestions  and  comments  received  thereafter  had been addressed.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 960 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: National Infrastructure Pipeline in Aviation Sector
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Baijayant Panda

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 960

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  5th February 2026 )

## NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE PIPELINE IN AVIATION SECTOR

960.    SHRI BAIJAYANT PANDA Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  the  current  status  of  the  National  Infrastructure  Pipeline  in  the  aviation  sector including the number of new airports and terminal expansions completed;
- (b)  the  total  capital  expenditure  incurred  so  far  on  airport  infrastructure  under  said Pipeline and the expected timeline fixed for completion of ongoing projects; and

(c) the measures being taken to enhance green energy adoption at airports as part of their modernisation and expansion efforts?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): During the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) period from FY 2019-20 to FY 2024-25, airport operators including Airports Authority of India (AAI) have incurred capital expenditure of Rs. 96843 crore against the target of Rs. 91637 crore.

Development of Greenfield airports and expansion / modernisation of existing airport infrastructure is a continuous process, undertaken by the airport operators/developers as per  traffic  forecast,  commercial  feasibility,  operational  requirements,  demand  from airlines, etc.

During the six year NIP period, 8 Greenfield airports viz.  Kalaburagi, Orvakal (Kurnool), Sindhudurg,  Kushinagar,  Itanagar,  Mopa,  Shivamogga,  Rajkot  (Hirasar)  have  been operationalised. Further, major terminal expansion works completed during the period include Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Guwahati, Lucknow,  Dehradun, Agartala, Deoghar, Trichy, Gwalior, Surat, Pune, Port Blair, Ayodhya airports etc.

The timeline for completion of the airport projects depends upon many factors such as land acquisition, availability of mandatory clearances, financial closure etc.

(c):  The  airport  operators  including  AAI  have  installed  solar  power  plants  at  various locations for generation of green and renewable energy. In addition, few airports are also procuring  green  energy  through  open  access.  Other  initiatives  include  adoption  of building design as per Green building Standards, conversion of conventional vehicles to electric vehicles, energy efficient Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), lighting and baggage handling systems etc. As on 03.02.2026, 99 airports have switched to 100% green energy usage.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 952 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Strengthening of Safety of Oil and Gas Pipelines
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Shri Parshottambhai Rupala

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 952 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05 FEBRUARY 2026

## STRENGTHENING OF SAFETY OF OIL AND GAS PIPELINES

952. SHRI PARSHOTTAMBHAI RUPALA:

## पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken any specific preventive measures to stop unauthorised digging near underground oil and gas pipelines including mandatory excavation permissions, geo-mapping, public marking and penal action in view of repeated fire accidents, if so, the details thereof;

- (b) whether the Union Government in coordination with State Governments has established or proposes to establish a dedicated monitoring and safety mechanism for protection of oil and gas pipelines, if so, the details of such mechanism and its implementation status; and
- (c) whether the Government has examined international legislations including South Korea's pipeline  safety  law  and  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  adopt  similar  statutory provisions  to  strengthen  pipeline  safety,  accountability  and  accident  prevention  in  the country, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũालय मŐ राǛ मंũी ( ŵी सुरे श गोपी )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)

(a) & (b) Oil and Gas companies have implemented various measures to protect underground oil  and  gas  pipelines  from  unauthorized  digging  which  inter-alia  includes  Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems for real-time monitoring, regular security patrolling, Leak Detection Systems (LDS), public awareness campaigns, Pipeline Intrusion Detection  Systems  (PIDS),  negative  pressure  wave  leak  detection  systems,  Geographic Information  System  (GIS)-based  pipeline  mapping,  etc.  The  Petroleum  and  Minerals Pipelines  (P&MP)  Act,  1962  restricts  the  construction  of  permanent  structures  or  tree plantations in pipeline  Right  of  User  (ROU)  areas  and  provide  penalties,  including imprisonment for damaging pipelines. Under the aegis of PM Gati Shakti program, any new project in the vicinity is notified to the utility owners using Gati Shakti portal. This aids in identification  of  potential  for  infringement.  The  Department  of  Telecommunication  has developed an application CBuD (Call Before you Dig) and is being implemented by the oil and gas companies to facilitate coordination between excavation agencies and the oil and gas companies GAs (Geographical Areas) thus reducing the incidents and damage to the CGD (City Gas Distribution) infrastructure. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are in place to identify pipeline locations, determine pipeline depth, and obtain approvals for crossing work. Thus,  oil  and  gas  companies  maintain  close  coordination  with  the  State  and  Central Government agencies to secure underground gas and oil pipelines.

(c) No.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 944 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Parasnath Ropeway Project
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Dulu Mahato

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 944 ANSWERED ON 05 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## PARASNATH ROPEWAY PROJECT

## 944. SHRI DULU MAHATO:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that Parasnath Hill, adjoining Dhanbad,  is  the  largest  and  one  of  the  most  important  Jain pilgrimage  sites  in  the  country,  attracting  lakhs  of  devotees  and tourists across the country and abroad every year;
- (b)  whether  a  ropeway  project  to  improve  access  to  the  said  site has been proposed through National Highways Logistics Management  Limited  (NHLML),  a  100  per  cent  subsidiary  of  the National Highways Authority of India;
- (c) whether the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the said project is nearly finalised but has been  facing delays, thereby causing inconvenience to pilgrims and tourists;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  include  the  Parasnath Ropeway  Project  under  the  nationwide  ropeway  programme  and invite tenders before March; and
- (e)  the  extent  to  which  early  implementation  of  this  project  is expected to facilitate pilgrims, boost tourism, strengthen the local economy and enhance the cultural significance of Jharkhand at the national level?

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

(a) to (e) The development of transportation infrastructure including ropeways  is a continuous process. The Government  receives proposals  from  various  State  Governments  from  time  to  time, including  from  Jharkhand.  Decisions  are  taken  based  on  technofinancial outcome of the Detailed Project Report (DPR), fulfilment of the criteria, requirement of connectivity, traffic density and synergy with PM Gati Shati National Master Plan. The  Parasnath  Ropeway  project  was  proposed  by  the  State Government of Jharkhand, and a pre-feasibility study was initiated through National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML). However, the project has been  de-prioritized due to the receipt of representations opposing the proposed ropeway.

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