opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 809 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Daily/Weekly Special Train from Bhiwandi Road Railway Station to Pandharpur
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Balya Mama Suresh Gopinath Mhatre

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 809

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026

## DAILY/WEEKLY SPECIAL TRAIN FROM BHIWANDI ROAD RAILWAY STATION TO PANDHARPUR

†809. SHRI BALYA MAMA SURESH GOPINATH MHATRE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to start a daily/weekly special train from Bhiwandi  Road  Railway  Station  to  the  famous  religious  place  Pandharpur  in view of the large number of passengers travelling through Bhiwandi Road area during Pandharpur Wari, Ashadi Ekadashi and Kartik festivals in Maharashtra; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) & (b) Indian Railways (IR) constantly endeavours to cater to the needs of travelling  passengers  and  to  clear  the  extra  rush  of  passengers  during  peak seasons,  festivals,  religious  congregations  etc.  IR  operates  special  trains keeping  in  view  the  pattern  of  traffic,  commercial  justification,  operational feasibility and availability of resources etc., which is an on-going process. The details of Special trains operated during 2024-25 and 2025-26 (upto December) is as under:

| Year                          | No. of Special train trips   |
|-------------------------------|------------------------------|
| 2024-25                       | ~85,400                      |
| 2025-26 (upto December, 2025) | ~65,000                      |

Presently,  11027/11028  Dadar-Satara  Express  provides  direct  connectivity  for Pandharpur from Mumbai area.

Further, to facilitate the devotees travel to Pandharpur during Ashadhi Ekadashi and  Kartik  Ekadashi,  IR  operates  special  trains  for  Pandharpur.  Accordingly, during 2025-26, IR operated 86 trips of special trains during Ashadhi Ekadashi and 52 trips of special trains during Kartik Ekadashi.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 808 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Funds for Empanelling Influencer Agencies
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Smt. Rachna Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 808

## TO BE ANSWERED ON   04.02.2026

## FUNDS FOR EMPANELLING INFLUENCER AGENCIES

## 808 . SMT. RACHNA BANERJEE

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

(a) the amount (in Rs.) incurred for all advertisements by Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) on newspaper, TV channel during the last five years, year and group-wise;

- (b)  the  amount  of  funds  (in  Rs.)  for  empanelling  influencer  agencies,  agency-wise  since inception; and

(c) the amount paid to influencers (in Rs.) for creating promotional content during the last five years, year and influencer-wise?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION & BROADCASTING; AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a) to (c): The Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) issues advertisements on behalf of various client Ministries/Departments related to schemes/programmes and other initiatives of the Government of India. Erstwhile DAVP has been merged into CBC.

The amount incurred for all advertisements by CBC on newspaper, TV channel during the last five years, year and group-wise are available on the website of CBC i.e. www.davp.nic.in. CBC undertakes empanelment of various media agencies in accordance with the Digital Advertisement Policy, 2023.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 805 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: 4G Mobile connectivity gaps under USOF in Koraput and Rayagada, Odisha
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 805 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## 4G MOBILE CONNECTIVITY GAPS UNDER USOF IN KORAPUT AND RAYAGADA, ODISHA

## 805. SHRI SAPTAGIRI SANKAR ULAKA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) the block-wise list of mobile towers approved under the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) for 4G mobile connectivity in Koraput and Rayagada districts of Odisha, along with the date of approval, stage of execution and expected date of commissioning for each site;

(b) the list of villages and habitations in these two tribal districts that still lack reliable mobile data  connectivity,  including  areas  where  only  voice  calls  are  available  but  4G  internet  is  nonfunctional;

(c) the  reasons  for  the  slow  implementation,  repeated  delays  and  discontinuation  of  several approved  tower  sites,  and  whether  responsibility  has  been  fixed  on  implementing  agencies  and telecom service providers for such failures; and

(d) the time-bound roadmap to achieve 100 per cent mobile data coverage in Koraput, Rayagada and to extend 5G connectivity to all villages so that tribal, remote communities are not excluded from Digital India?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) Government through Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) has undertaken several schemes to provide 4G mobile services to the uncovered villages across the country, including the villages in Koraput and Rayagada Districts of Odisha.

Under DBN schemes, after physical survey undertaken by the implementing agencies, out of

459 towers planned, 386 towers have been made on air in Koraput district, and out of 700 towers planned, 546 towers have been made on air in Rayagada district respectively, as on 31.12.2025. The  block-wise  list  of  89  out  of  2047  villages  and  149  out  of  2671  villages  lacking  mobile connectivity in Koraput and Rayagada districts respectively as on 31.12.2025 is available on DBN website ( https://usof.gov.in/en/home )

Execution of some sites has faced delays due to factors such as unavailability of road access, delay in land allotment, forest, wildlife and right of way permission etc. The villages found to have mobile connectivity during survey have been descoped from the DBN schemes. Penal action has been taken against the implementing agencies for delays in execution of the schemes as per the terms and condition of the Agreement.

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

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Lok Sabha Question No. 804 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Amrit Bharat Station Scheme for Dahod Railway Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 804 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026

## AMRIT BHARAT STATION SCHEME FOR DAHOD RAILWAY STATION

†804. SHRI JASWANTSINH SUMANBHAI BHABHOR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  current  progress  of  the  plan  to  modernise  the  railway  workshop located at Dahod and convert it into an electric locomotive manufacturing unit;
- (b) the number of direct and indirect employment opportunities likely to be generated for local tribal youth through this project; and
- (c) the quantum of amount allocated by the Government to develop Dahod railway  station  as  a  world-class  station  under  the  Amrit  Bharat  Station Scheme?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (c) The work of setting up of Electric loco manufacturing unit at Dahod for manufacturing 9000 Horse Power Electric locomotive is completed. The prototype locomotive has already been manufactured and series production of Electric locomotive has been taken up. It is planned to manufacture 1200 nos. (9000 HP) Electric Freight locomotives in this unit.

The setting up of the electric locomotive manufacturing unit at Dahod will generate direct employment as well as create substantial indirect employment by boosting demand for ancillary industries such as component suppliers,  logistics,  maintenance  services  etc.  Overall,  the  project  will support  regional  economic  growth  and  employment  generation  in  the surrounding areas of Dahod.

Development works at railway stations under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme in Gujarat have been taken up at a good pace. Till now, works of 21 stations (Dakor,  Derol,  Godhra  Jn,  Hapa, Jam  Jodhpur,  Jam  Wanthali,  Kanalus  Jn, Karamsad,  Khambhaliya,  Kosamba  Jn,  Limbdi,  Mahuva,  Mithapur,  Morbi, Okha,  Palitana,  Porbandar,  Rajula  Jn,  Samakhiyali,  Sihor  Jn.,  Utran,)  in Gujarat have been completed under this scheme.

The  development  work  at  Dahod  station  has  also  been  taken  up  at  a sanctioned  cost  of  Rs.  26.24  Cr.  The  works  of  improvement  of  station building elevation, circulating area, improvement to booking counters and waiting  hall,  renovation  of  existing  toilet,  construction  of  new  entrance porch,  construction  of  new  pay  and  use  toilet,  improvement  to  station illumination,  improvement  to  Platform  shelter  and  platform  surfacing  at Dahod station have been completed. The work of 12 metre foot over bridge has been taken up.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 781 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Delay in Film Certification by the CBFC
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 781 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026

## DELAY IN FILM CERTIFICATION BY THE CBFC

## 781: SMT. PRIYANKA GANDHI VADRA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has received complaints regarding the inordinate delay in film certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and if so, the details thereof including any action taken in this regard;

(b) the number of film certification decisions challenged before Revising Committees and High Courts since the abolition of the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) in 2021, yearwise;

(c) the average time taken for disposal of such appeals and the number of films whose release was delayed as a result, year-wise since 2021;

(d) the details of instances since 2021 in which the CBFC has re-examined certified films; and (e)  the  details  of  measures  taken  to  strengthen  the  grievance  redressal  mechanism  for applicants?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a) to (e): The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) functions in accordance with the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024. Under Rule 37

of the said Rules, the prescribed time limit for certification of films is 48 working days. With the  implementation  of  the  Online  Certification  System,  the  present  average  time  taken  for certification is 18 working days for feature films and 3 working days for short films.

The  year-wise  details  of  films  certified  for  theatre  release  by  CBFC,  decisions  challenged before the Revising Committees (RC) and various High Courts (HC) since the abolition of the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) in 2021 are given below:

| Year                  |   2021-22 |   2022-23 |   2023-24 |   2024-25 |   2025-26 till date |
|-----------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|---------------------|
| Total films certified |      2031 |      2777 |      2837 |      2687 |                2248 |
| Challenged before RC  |        25 |        46 |        49 |        38 |                  55 |
| Challenged before HC  |         2 |         4 |         1 |         4 |                  10 |

The  time  taken  for  disposal  of  films  in  the  Revising  Committee  is  within  the  timeframe prescribed under Rule 37(7) of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024.

The extant norms under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, provide for a multi-level grievance redressal mechanism, allowing applicants to appeal to a Revising Committee.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 779 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Consultative Committee Management System (CCMS)
Ministry: PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Smt. Vijaylakshmi Devi, Shri Vishnu Dayal Ram, Shri Pradeep Kumar Singh

779

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  779 ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026

Constitution of the Consultative Committee (CCMS)

Shri Pradeep Kumar Singh: Shri Vishnu Dayal Ram: Smt. Vijaylakshmi Devi:

Will  the  Minister  of  PARLIAMENTARY  AFFAIRS be  pleased  to state:

- a) the  details  of  the  latest  number  of  ministries  and  advisory committees onboarded on the Consultative Committee Management System (CCMS) portal as on date;
- b) the details of the number of MPs actively using the CCMS portal and the status of  documents, agenda  notes and minutes distributed digitally through the portal;
- c) whether it has been assessed in the manner of which effectively CCMS has reduced delays, paperwork and administrative costs and if so, the details thereof; and
- d) whether  any  steps  are  proposed  to  improve  the  portal  with additional features to  further enhance accessibility, data security and real-time coordination between stakeholders and if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

(a) to (d) After the constitution of 18th  Lok Sabha, the Consultative Committee Management System (CCMS) portal  was launched by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. 42 Consultative Committees (Advisory Committees) have been constituted whose composition may be seen on the Consultative Committee Management System (CCMS) portal at https://oams.nic.in/ccms/Index.aspx.  The  portal  helps  in  smooth communications  and  exchange  of  documents  viz  agenda  notes, minutes of the meeting etc. among the stakeholders. So as to make necessary improvement of the portal and catering to the needs of the  stakeholders,  necessary  reviews/initiatives  are  taken  by  the Ministry from time to time.

The portal is meant to reduce delays, paperwork and administrative cost considerably as all activities to be done in paperless manner. Various steps have been taken from time to time for improving the utilities of the portal, ensuring its accessibility, data security and real time co-ordination among stakeholders.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 775 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Vernacular Innovation Centres
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Shri Appalanaidu Kalisetti

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 775 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026

## VERNACULAR INNOVATION CENTRES

## 775.  SHRI APPALANAIDU KALISETTI

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of proposals received for setting up of Vernacular innovation Centers (VICs) under the Language Inclusive Programme for Innovation (LIPI) along with the details of the number of such centres approved, rejected and under construction;
- (b) the  present  status  of  establishment  of  VICs  including  the details of the number  of centres operational and under implementation, State wise;
- (c) the total funds allocated, released and utilized for the establishment and functioning of VICs since inception of LIPI, Year and State wise;
- (d) the number of innovators, students, startups and first generation  learners  supported  through  VICs  including  the details of languages in which innovation, design thinking and mentorship modules are being delivered; and
- (e) whether any third party evaluation has been conducted or is proposed  to  assess  the  effectiveness  of  VICs  in  improving access  to  the  national  innovation  ecosystem  and  if  so,  the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a)  &  (b)  The  call  for  applications  for  setting  up  Vernacular Innovation Centres (VICs) under the Language Inclusive Programme  of  Innovation  (LIPI)  has  not  been  launched  yet. Hence, there are no centres as of now or under implementation.

(c) The total funds allocated for LIPI Centres is Rs. 90 Cr for 30 Centres. No grant has been released/utilized  as the centres are not established yet.

(d) & (e) In view of the reply to (a) & (b) above, question does not arise.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 772 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Exemption from Qualifying Language Paper
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Shri Mohmad Haneefa

## MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 772

(ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026)

## EXEMPTION FROM QUALIFYING LANGUAGE PAPER

## 772. SHRI MOHMAD HANEEFA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that candidates from the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim are exempted from the qualifying language papers in the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government recognises that aspirants from UT Ladakh face similar or more acute linguistic and educational constraints as many receive early education in local languages and dialects not included in the prescribed list of qualifying languages and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any proposal is under consideration to extend a similar exemption from qualifying language papers to candidates from Ladakh and if so, the timeline for taking a decision and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether the Government will consider such exemption, keeping in view the disadvantages faced by Ladakhi students and the need for equity, inclusiveness and balanced regional representation in the All India and Central Civil Services and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a):  Civil  Services  Examination  (CSE)  is  conducted  by  Union  Public  Service  Commission (UPSC) annually in accordance with the CSE Rules notified by this Department for a particular CSE. As per CSE Rules-2025, the Paper A on Indian Language is not compulsory for candidates hailing  from  the  States  of  Arunachal  Pradesh,  Manipur,  Meghalaya,  Mizoram,  Nagaland  and Sikkim.

(b) to (d): CSE Rules are part of a dynamic, evolving framework. To ensure a level playing field for  the  aspirants  nationwide,  Government  continuously  undertakes  reforms  and  remedial measures.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 769 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Sono Jamui Gold Project
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Arun Bharti

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.769

ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026

## SONO JAMUI GOLD PROJECT

## 769. SHRI ARUN BHARTI:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  approved/sanctioned  the  G-2  or  G-1  stage exploration  for  the  Sono  (Karmatia)  Gold  Block  in  Jamui  district  of  Bihar  during Financial Year 2025-26 and if so, the status of the drilling activities and timeline;
- (b) the details of physical and financial progress of the resource estimation report by Geological Survey of India (GSI)/Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL) for this block as on 1st January, 2026;
- (c)  whether funds released vs utilised under the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) for the Jamui gold project during Financial Year 2025-26 and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether a shortfall was identified in the assay results regarding gold concentration (g/tonne)  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  remedial  timeline  for  reevaluation; and
- (e)  whether  new  approvals  proposed  for  auctioning  the  Sono  Gold  Block  for commercial mining in Financial Year 2026-27 and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b): The Geological Survey of India took up a two-year reconnaissance survey (G4 stage) for gold in and around Karmatiya, Boutha, Mahugaon and Sono areas of Jamui district,  Bihar  during  field  season  2023-24  &  2024-25.  No  positive  outcome could be established from the survey and hence, no G3/G2 stage exploration was carried out. The Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited has also not carried out any exploration activity in Sono, Jamui district, Bihar.

- (c) and (d): The National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust (NMEDT) has not funded any mineral exploration project in Jamui district, Bihar.
- (e): There is no proposal for auctioning the Sono Gold Block for commercial mining in financial year 2026-27.

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