opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3206 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Privatisation of Mines
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Shafi Parambil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3206

ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026

## PRIVATISATION OF MINES

3206. SHRI SHAFI PARAMBIL:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state?

- (a) whether the Government is planning to disinvest the existing public sector companies in mining sector and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the current profit of the public sector companies in mining; and
- (c) the details of the steps taken by the Government to enhance efficiency of Public Sector Understanding (PSUs) in mining?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL AND MINES (SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY)

- (a):There  are  three  Public  Sector  Undertakings  (PSUs)  viz.  (i)  National  Aluminium Company  Limited  (NALCO);  (ii)  Hindustan  Copper  Limited  (HCL);  and  (iii)  Mineral Exploration  and  Consultancy  Limited  (MECL)  under  the  administrative  control  of  the Ministry. Presently, the Ministry has no plan to disinvest in these PSUs
- (b): Details of the profit after tax earned by these PSUs in last three Financial Years is as under:

| Sl. No.   | Financial Year   | Profit After Tax (In Rs. Crore)   | Profit After Tax (In Rs. Crore)   | Profit After Tax (In Rs. Crore)   |
|-----------|------------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|           |                  | NALCO                             | HCL                               | MECL                              |
| 1         | 2022-23          | 1,544                             | 295                               | 14                                |
| 2         | 2023-24          | 2,060                             | 295                               | 70                                |
| 3         | 2024-25          | 5,325                             | 468                               | 84                                |

(c):     The  Government  has  introduced  various  transformative  measures  to  increase mineral production and employment generation. Some of the key measures taken for enhancing efficiency of PSUs, includes the following :-

(i)  Adoption of modern technology, upgraded machinery, digital systems, and production processes, including remote operation and Paste Fill Technology for better ore recovery (ii)    Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Collaboration with private firms for technology, management practices, and investment (iii)   Engagement  of  Mine  Developer  &  Operator  (MDO)  and  outsourcing  of  non-core activities (iv)   Data-driven  decision-making,  Artificial  Intelligence,  and  robust  communication system including 5G network (v)    Regular review of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor efficiency (vi)   Implementation of Star Rating of Mines to encourage modernisation with emphasis

- on sustainable mining

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3196 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Expansion of Telecommunications Infrastructure
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Lalji Verma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3196 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  MARCH, 2026

## EXPANSION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE

## †3196. SHRI LALJI VERMA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) the  amount  of  funds  allocated  and  spent  for  the  expansion  of  telecommunications infrastructure (mobile towers, 4G/5G networks) in the country during the years 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26;

(b) the  number  of  areas  that  still  lack  network  connectivity  or  suffer  from  weak  signals particularly in rural and remote regions;

- (c) the specific steps taken by the Government to enhance connectivity in the said areas; and
- (d) the specific steps being taken by the Government to enhance connectivity in the rural areas of Ambedkar Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Rs. 39,050 crore have been allocated and Rs. 24188.49 crore have been disbursed  during financial years 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 till 28.02.2026, for expansion of telecom services in rural and remote areas of country under various Digital Bharat Nidhi Schemes.

(b) to (d) For providing high bandwidth capacity internet/broadband connectivity and mobile services to remote & rural villages and islands in the country that currently lack coverage, a number of steps & projects have been taken up with funding from Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) [erstwhile Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)].   Details of the major projects are as follows:

- i. BharatNet  project  is  being  implemented  in  a  phased  manner  to  provide  broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages in the country. As of Feb2026,  2,17,805  GPs,  including  809  GPs  of  Ambedkar  Nagar  District  have  been  made service  ready  under  BharatNet  project  in  the  country.  Further,  Amended  BharatNet Program (ABP), approved by the Government is under implementation for up-gradation of existing network of BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II, creation of network in balance GPs and connectivity to remaining non-GP villages on demand basis from their respective GPs.
- ii. Under Government funded 4G Saturation Project and other Mobile   projects till Feb2026, 24,263 mobile towers have been commissioned in the country.
- iii. Commissioning  of  Submarine  optical  fibre  cable  between  Chennai  and  Andaman  & Nicobar Islands (2312 Km) and between Mainland (Kochi) and Lakshadweep Islands (1869 km). Creation of 225Km OFC network in Lakshadweep Islands for provision of FTTH & other services. These optical fibre cable projects have facilitated faster roll out of fixed line broadband/internet services, mobile services (4G/5G) and other high-speed data services in the Islands.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3195 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Educational Advancement of Minority Communities
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. Mohammad Jawed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3195 ANSWERED ON 11/03/2026

## EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT OF MINORITY COMMUNITIES

3195. DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the details of initiatives and schemes undertaken for the educational advancement of minority communities  across  the  country  specifically  in  the  State  of  Bihar  along  with  the  details  of beneficiaries and expenditure incurred during the last five years, scheme-wise;

(b)  whether  the  Government  has  identified  major  hurdles  and  challenges  in  the  effective educational development of minorities  and the implementation of minority education schemes particularly in Bihar including issues relating to access, infrastructure, teacher availability, digital divide, awareness and fund utilisation; and

(c) the steps taken or proposed to be taken to overcome these hurdles and improve educational outcomes for minority students especially in Bihar and particularly in educationally backward districts?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a)  to  (c):  It  is  the  mandate  of  the  Ministry  of  Education  to  oversee  all  aspects  related  to educational advancement including minority communities across the country.

Ministry  of  Minority  Affairs  specifically  implements  the  three  Scholarship  schemes namely  Pre-Matric,  Post-Matric  and  Merit-cum-Means  based  Scholarship  for  the  six  notified religious  minority  communities. However,  these  Scholarship  schemes have not been approved for implementation beyond the academic year 2021-22.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3190 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Construction of Head Post Office Buildings in Malappuram District, Kerala
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri E T Mohammed Basheer

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3190 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  MARCH, 2026

## CONSTRUCTION OF HEAD POST OFFICE BUILDINGS IN MALAPPURAM DISTRICT, KERALA

## 3190.   SHRI E T MOHAMMED BASHEER:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  sanctioned  funds  for  the  construction  of  buildings  for  the following Head Post Offices in Malappuram district, Kerala, namely Malappuram, Manjeri, Ponnani and Tirur Head Post Offices;
- (b) if so, the amount of funds sanctioned for each of the above Head Post Offices and the present status of the proposed construction works;
- (c) whether any specific timelines have been fixed for the commencement and completion of the construction of these Head Post Offices and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons for the delay and the steps being taken by the Government to ensure early commencement and completion of the works?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) Yes Sir. The details of amount of funds sanctioned for each of the above Head Post Offices and the present status of the proposed construction works are as follows;
- (c) No sir.
- (d) There  is  no  delay  and  the  works  will  be  completed  observing  all  codal  formalities  and associated timelines.

|   S.No. | Name of the Head Post Office Project   | Fund sanctioned in 2025-26 (In Rs.)   | Status                                            |
|---------|----------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | Malappuram                             | 0                                     | Pre-construction formalities have been completed. |
|       2 | Manjeri                                | 0                                     | Pre-construction formalities have been completed. |
|       3 | Ponnani                                | 1,48,000                              | Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) has been issued.     |
|       4 | Tirur                                  | 10,00,000                             | Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) has been issued.     |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3189 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Establishment of Tier-3 Edge Data Centre
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Sagar Eshwar Khandre

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3189

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 11.03.2026

## ESTABLISHMENT OF TIER-3 EDGE DATA CENTRE

## 3189.   SHRI SAGAR ESHWAR KHANDRE:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is likely to consider establishing a Tier-3 Edge Data Centre or Data Hub in Bidar district of Karnataka under the proposed Data Centre Economic Zone framework, in view of the district's strategic location on the MaharashtraTelangana -Karnataka corridor;

(b) whether the Government proposes to include Bidar in the next phase of the Digital India Future Skills PRIME initiative to provide training in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing and cybersecurity; and

(c) if so, the proposed implementation plan and institutional support and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c):  Data centre industry in India is growing at a steady pace. Current data centre capacity in the country has grown from 375 MW in 2020 to about 1500 MW till 2025.

Data centres in India are majorly developed, owned, and operated by professional players in the sector companies. Companies evaluate factors such as demand projection, operational expenses, availability of  power,  skilled  manpower  and  long-term  business  viability  before  choosing  locations  for establishing a data centre.

Based on commercial demand, data centres are set up in different locations keeping in mind consumer needs.    The  Tier  rating  of  data  centres  is  governed  by  professionally  administered  certification frameworks, and  the decision to obtain such certification rests with data centre developers.

There  is  no  proposal  under    consideration    with  the  Government  of  India  to  create  Data  Centre Economic Zones.

## FutureSkills PRIME Programme

It  is  a  collaborative  initiative  of  Ministry  of  Electronics  &  Information  Technology  (MeitY)  and National  Association  of  Software  and  Service  Companies  (NASSCOM)  aimed  at  making  India  a cutting-edge digital talent nation.

Key features of the Programme are skilling, reskilling, and upskilling in emerging technologies such as  Artificial  Intelligence  (AI),  Big  Data  Analytics,  Cloud  Computing,  IoTs,  Cyber  Security, Blockchain, AR/VR, etc.

The courses for this programme are developed in the consultation with industry to align with actual employment  needs. The course information &  registration facility is accessible online at https://futureskillsprime.in.

About 27.53 lakh candidates have registered on Future skills Prime portal, out of which more than 17.24 lakh candidates are enrolled/trained in various courses. This number includes more than 1.82 lakh candidates from State of Karnataka with over 900 candidates from Bidar district.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3188 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Train Service between Deen Dayal Upadhyay Nagar-Chakia/Naugarh
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri  Chhotelal

§

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3188 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026

## TRAIN SERVICE BETWEEN DEEN DAYAL UPADHYAY NAGARCHAKIA/NAUGARH

## †3188. SHRI CHHOTELAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

the timeline by when the new railway line is likely to be laid from Deen Dayal  Upadhyay  Nagar  (earlier  known  as  Mughalsarai)  to  Chakia, Naugarh and Sonbhadra via Bhabua?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

Sonbhadra and Bhabhua Road (Mohania) are already connected via Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay and Chunar on existing Railway network.

Feasibility for Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay-Bhabhua via Naugarh new line (57 Km) was carried out. The project could not be taken forward due to low traffic projection.

Sanction  of  any  railway  project  depend  upon  many  parameters/factors which include the following:

-  Anticipated  traffic  projections  and  Remunerativeness  of  the  proposed
- route
-  First and last mile connectivity provided by the project
-  Connection of missing links and providing additional route
-  Augmentation of congested/saturated lines
-  Demands raised by State Governments/Central Ministries/Public representatives,  Railway's own operational requirements  Socio-economic considerations  Overall availability of funds

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.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3183 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Implementation of Minority Welfare Schemes in Districts of Assam
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Amarsing Tisso

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 3183

ANSWERED ON- 11/03/2026

## IMPLEMENTATION OF MINORITY WELFARE SCHEMES IN DISTRICTS OF ASSAM

## 3183.  SHRI AMARSING TISSO:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

- (a)  the  details  of  beneficiaries  and  funds  disbursed  in  Karbi  Anglong  and  Dima  Hasao  under  the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram during the last five years;
- (b) the details of infrastructure projects sanctioned under the said scheme in the said districts; and (c) whether any proposals from these districts are pending with the Government and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (c): Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs for creation of community infrastructure in Minority Concentration Areas  across  the  country.  The  scheme  focuses  on  sectors  such  as  Health,  Education,  Skill Development,  Women-centric  projects,  Drinking  Water  Supply,  Sanitation,  Sports,  Renewable Energy, Tourism, Animal Husbandry and other community infrastructure. The infrastructure created under the scheme benefits the entire population residing in the notified areas, including minorities.

PMJVK is a demand-driven scheme, under which projects are considered and approved based on  proposals  received  from  the  respective  State  Governments/UT  Administrations.  The  project proposals are formulated and submitted by the concerned State Governments/UT Administrations.

During the last five years, no project proposals for the districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao in the State of Assam have been received by the Government under PMJVK. Accordingly, no infrastructure projects have been sanctioned, and no funds have been disbursed specifically for these districts during this period. Further, no proposals from these districts are presently pending with the Government.

However, district-wise allocation of funds is not made under PMJVK. Funds are released to the State Government based on approved projects. The details of funds released to the State of Assam under PMJVK during the last five years are as under:

| Financial Year   | Fund released (Rs. in Lakh)   |
|------------------|-------------------------------|
| 2020-21          | 7148.95                       |
| 2021-22          | 15999.31                      |
| 2022-23          | -                             |
| 2023-24          | -                             |
| 2024-25          | 12900.00                      |

Thus, while funds have been released to the State of Assam under PMJVK during the last five years,  no  specific  proposals  relating  to  Karbi  Anglong  and  Dima  Hasao  districts  were  received, sanctioned, or are pending with the Government during the said period.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3181 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: BharatNet Scheme in Chitradurga District
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Govind Makthappa Karjol

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3181 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  MARCH, 2026

## BHARATNET SCHEME IN CHITRADURGA DISTRICT

## 3181.   SHRI GOVIND MAKTHAPPA KARJOL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the total number of Gram Panchayats  in Chitradurga District targeted under BharatNet Scheme and the number of GPs made service-ready as on date;
- (b) the  details  of  the  total  funds  allocated,  released  and  utilized  for  BharatNet  project implementation in Chitradurga District during the last five years;
- (c) the details of utilization of BharatNet bandwidth by Government institutions such as schools, Primary Health Centres, Anganwadis and Common Service Centres (CSCs) in the district;
- (d) the details of delays, if any, in execution of Bharat Net works in the district and the reasons therefor  including  issues  relating  to  Right  of  Way  (RoW),  contractor  performance,  technical constraints or fund allocation; and

(e) the steps taken to upgrade existing infrastructure in the district to provide higher bandwidth and fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) connectivity under PPP model and last-mile connectivity and improve digital inclusion in rural and remote areas of Chitradurga District?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) In Chitradurga District, all 190 GPs planned under BharatNet Phase-I, have been made service ready.

A total of Rs. 635.89 crore have been allocated and utilised during last five financial years (2020-21 to 2024-25) under BharatNet Project for all the districts of Karnataka including Chitradurga District.

As on 28.02.2026, 284 FTTH connections using BharatNet with minimum speed of 25 Mbps per connection are working in Government Institutions, including schools & primary health centers, in Chitradurga District of Karnataka.

(e) BharatNet project is implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages beyond GPs on demand basis across the country, including rural and remote areas of Chitradurga District in Karnataka. Under Amended BharatNet program, following steps have been included to provide high speed broadband connectivity for improved digital inclusion in rural and remote areas:

- (i) Creation and Upgradation of BharatNet network in ring architecture
- (ii) Operation & Maintenance for 10 years
- (iii) Dedicated Network Operation Centre
- (iv) Provisioning of 1.5 crore FTTH connections using BharatNet Udyamis (BNUs)

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3177 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Copper Plant in Khetri, Rajasthan
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Brijendra Singh Ola

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. † 3177

ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026

## COPPER PLANT IN KHETRI, RAJASTHAN

†3177. SHRI BRIJENDRA SINGH OLA:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the copper plant located in Khetri, Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan is covered under the Mini Ratna Category-I and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  said  plant  was  previously  equipped  with  copper  smelters  for  copper refining;
- (c) whether the refining process was being carried out there locally;
- (d)  if  so,  whether  the  said  plant  is  currently  non-operational  along  with  the  reasons therefor;
- (e) whether the Government is aware that the hundreds of skilled youth and labourers of the region have become unemployed due to the closure of the copper smelter;
- (f) if so, the time by which the said copper smelter is likely to be restarted; and
- (g) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL AND MINES (SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY)

(a) to (g): Khetri Copper Complex (KCC), situated in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan is a unit of Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL), a Miniratna-I CPSE under Ministry of Mines. Smelter and Refinery plant in KCC have been closed due to reasons like low grade of copper ore, high processing cost, huge additional investment required for plant overhaul and replacement of acid plants in compliance with pollution control norms etc.  All the employees of KCC Smelter-Refinery plant were redeployed to other operations of the company.

Smelter and Refinery plant should have large production capacity to  become economically viable and require huge capital investment. The scope for increasing mine production capacity substantially at KCC in order to restart the Copper Smelter is not economically viable.

*****