opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1971 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-11
Subject: Development of Sabeya Airfield
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Dr. Alok Kumar Suman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1971

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  11th December 2025 )

## DEVELOPMENT OF SABEYA AIRFIELD

1971.    DR. ALOK KUMAR SUMAN Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  for  the  development  of  Sabeya  Airfield (Hathuwa) after its inclusion under the UDAN Scheme and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether it is a fact that the Government did not include Sabeya Airfield in the bidding scheme  for  operating  small  aircraft  despite  various  representations  and  if  so,  the  reasons therefor; and
- (c)  whether the Government proposes to include the said Airfield in future bidding rounds under UDAN and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (c):  Sabeya  (Hathua)  airstrip,  Bihar  is  available  in  the  tentative  list  of  unserved airstrips/airports  in  the  Regional  Connectivity  Scheme-Ude  Desh  ka  Aam  Nagrik  (RCSUDAN) document.;

As per provisions of the UDAN Scheme, revival / up-gradation of unserved and underserved airports  is  undertaken  upon  its  identification  through  valid  bid  and  award  to  the  Selected Airline Operator (SAO). None of the airlines have submitted any proposal to operate RCS flights from Sabeya airstrip till the completion of five bidding rounds conducted so far. Thus, the airstrip has not been taken up for its revival under the scheme.;

If an airline submits a bid for routes connecting Sabeya Airstrip in future bidding rounds, the same may be considered as per UDAN scheme provisions.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1967 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-11
Subject: MoU with Patanjali Foods Limited
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Dr. Prashant Yadaorao Padole, Shri G Kumar Naik, Shri Sunil Bose

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1967

ANSWERED ON 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## MOU WITH PATANJALI FOODS LIMITED

## 1967.  SHRI SUNIL BOSE:

## DR. PRASHANT YADAORAO PADOLE: SHRI G KUMAR NAIK:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  published  a  call  for  tenders  seeking  investments  before signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Patanjali Foods Limited, if so, the number of proposals received and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) the  details  of  the  due  diligence  process  undertaken  before  signing  the  investment agreements;
- (c) the manner in which the investments would be utilised; and
- (d) whether the Government is aware of the past regulatory violations by Patanjali Foods Limited, if so, the measures being taken to ensure regulatory compliance and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) :  No tender was issued for the MoUs aimed at promoting investments in the food processing sector. Based on the investment intent received from Patanjali Foods Limited, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during World Food India 2025, through which the company expressed its intent to invest. Under the MoU, the Ministry's role is to provide facilitation support to ensure the smooth implementation of the proposed investments.
- (c) : Patanjali Foods Limited intends to invest Rs.1000 crore (approximately) in food processing and allied sectors in greenfield as well as brownfield projects in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya  Pradesh,  Maharashtra,  Karnataka  and  Orissa  as  per  their  internal  business  plans, technical specifications, and operational timelines.
- (d) : Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is mandated to lay down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.

FSSAI  through  State/  UTs  and  its  regional  offices  conduct  regular  surveillance, monitoring, inspection, and random sampling of food products to verify compliance of the standards laid down under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and rules and regulations made thereunder. In case of compliance failure and where the food samples are found to be non-conforming,  penal  action  has  been  initiated  against  the  defaulting  Food  Business Operators as per applicable provisions.

Accordingly, notices have been issued to M/s Patanjali Foods Limited under Section 32 of the Act and rules and regulations framed thereunder.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1961 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-11
Subject: Objectives of India Energy Stack
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Shri Amar Sharadrao Kale

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1961 ANSWERED ON 11.12.2025

## OBJECTIVES OF INDIA ENERGY STACK

†1961.  SHRI AMAR SHARADRAO KALE:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  objectives  of  developing  the  India  Energy  Stack  (IES)  and  its  proposed contribution to strengthen the digital infrastructure for the power sector;
- (b)  the  manner  in  which  IES  fosters  the  data  interoperability,  transparency  and innovation between utilities and technology partners;
- (c) the stakeholders identified in the ongoing survey and the expected outcomes from their participation; and
- (d) whether a phased implementation plan has been prepared to operationalize the IES and ensure seamless integration with existing utility systems, if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a) to (d) : India Energy Stack (IES) is envisioned with the objective to create a universal digital blueprint for the power sector as a whole so that the disparate parts of the power system can connect and communicate securely through standard protocols. The Ministry has constituted a task force comprising domain experts and various  stakeholders  including  representatives  from  Ministries,  State  utilities, Regulators, technology solution providers, etc to chart a roadmap for the IES so as to bring interoprability.

The rollout of the IES will be done in a phased manner with the timeline for the demonstration of the Proof of Concept in FY 2026-27.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1945 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-11
Subject: Construction of Two Flyovers-cum-Underpasses at Edappally Junction
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1945 ANSWERED ON 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## CONSTRUCTION OF TWO FLYOVERS-CUM-UNDERPASSES AT EDAPPALLY JUNCTION

1945.  SHRI HIBI EDEN:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the Edappally Junction on NH 66 in Kerala continues to experience severe traffic congestion;
- (b) whether  the  proposed  plan  to  construct  two  flyovers-cumunderpasses  at  Edappally  Junction  will  alleviate  chronic  traffic congestion;
- (c) whether  the  construction  of  the  twin  flyovers  at  Edappally Junction will be completed as per the expected timeline and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government plans to implement intelligent traffic management systems (ITMS) to monitor and manage traffic flow in real time, especially at major junctions like Edappally and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  to  replicate  similar flyover-cum-underpass  models  in  other  heavily  congested  urban intersections in Ernakulam District, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) Edappally Junction is a meeting point of two National Highways (NHs), i.e.,  NH-66  &  NH-544.   2  number  of  Flyovers  (1  x 50m) have been proposed to ease and reduce the traffic congestion at Edappally Junction, in the ongoing project of widening of NH-66. (b) Yes Sir. These flyovers are proposed to reduce traffic congestion at Edappally Junction. (c) The structure work of Flyovers is completed and the approaches are under construction, with a scheduled revised date of completed as May, 2026. (d) Yes Sir. As part of the project, Traffic Management System in accordance  with  provisions  of  Concession  Agreement  to  enhance the traffic safety & efficiency in addition to real time monitoring of the stretch, shall be installed. (e) The requirement of grade separated structure/elevated corridor/bypass/ring road etc. is assessed as per site requirements and a decision taken on investment.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1942 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-11
Subject: Status of Vacancies
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Smt. June Maliah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1942 ANSWERED ON 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## Status of Vacancies

1942.    Smt. June Maliah:

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

be pleased to state:

- (a)   the number of sanctioned posts, employees in position and the number of vacancies including reserved posts across categories in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways;
- (b)    the  number  of  vacancies  in  the  Ministry  and  its  Departments since 2014, year-wise and category-wise; and
- (c)    the  number  of  contractual  employees  hired  since  2014,  yearwise and category-wise?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) & (b) A table indicating present sanctioned strength, employees in  position  and  vacancies  in  the  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  & Highways is  as under:

| Groups   | Sanctioned   | Total No. of          | SCs   | STs   | OBC   | Vacancy   |
|----------|--------------|-----------------------|-------|-------|-------|-----------|
|          | Strength     | Employees in Position |       |       |       |           |
| A        | 513          | 396                   | 56    | 25    | 97    | 117       |
| B        | 305          | 222                   | 25    | 7     | 62    | 83        |
| C        | 303          | 177                   | 38    | 8     | 49    | 126       |
| TOTAL    | 1,121        | 795                   | 119   | 40    | 208   | 326       |

Occurrence and filling up of vacancies is a continuous process. Vacancies,  as  and  when  they  occur,  are  filled  up  in compliance with the prescribed guidelines/reservation norms.  Vacancies  are  intimated  to  respective  cadre  controlling authorities and recruiting agencies like Staff Selection Commission/Union Public Service Commission (SSC/UPSC) for filling up. (c) Contractual engagements are resorted to as a stopgap arrangement  due to exigencies of work, economy of operations and unavoidable circumstances. Presently, there are 770 persons engaged on contractual/outsourcing basis for projects, consultancy, technical/secretarial assistance, housekeeping and cleanliness work etc.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1940 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-11
Subject: Challenges in Aviation Sector
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Vijay Kumar Hansdak

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1940

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  11th December 2025 )

## CHALLENGES IN AVIATION SECTOR

## 1940.    SHRI VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether high operational costs, infrastructure bottlenecks and persistent human resource shortages are some of the major challenges faced by the aviation sector of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto;

(c) whether the Government has any plans to make structural and administrative reforms in the aviation sector to ensure safety in air travel; 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): The expansion and development of infrastructure at airports is a continuous process and  is  undertaken  from  time  to  time  depending  up  on  the  passenger  demand  forecast, operations/regulators requirements for safety of aircraft operations and demand from airlines depending  up  on  the  availability  of  land,  financial  viability  and  as  well  as  other  facilities related to intended aircraft operations.;

;

Manpower  position  in    Directorate  General  of  Civil  Aviation  (DGCA),  Bureau  of  Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) & Airports Authority of India (AAI) is enclosed in Annexure I.;

;

The  shortfall in manpower  requirements  has  not  impacted  the functioning of these organisations.;

;

Structural  and  administrative  reforms  in  aviation  sector  is  a  continuous  process  based  on international aviation standards and evolving technological trends.

******

*****

## Annexure I

## Details of vacancies against sanctioned posts in DGCA, AAI & BCAS:

| Name Organisation   |   of Sanctioned |   Filled up |   Vacant |
|---------------------|-----------------|-------------|----------|
| BCAS                |             598 |         395 |      203 |
| DGCA                |            1630 |         836 |      794 |
| AAI                 |           25730 |       15959 |     9771 |

(As on 30.11. 2025)
Lok Sabha Question No. 1934 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-11
Subject: Operational Challenges in PLISFPI Scheme
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Parbhubhai Nagarbhai Vasava, Shri Sunil Kumar, Shri Miteshbhai Rameshbhai Patel, Shri Sanatan Pandey, Shri Hasmukhbhai Somabhai Patel, Shri Ashish Dubey, Shri Mukesh Rajput

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1934

ANSWERED ON 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES IN PLISFPI SCHEME

## 1934.   SHRI PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA:

SHRI SUNIL KUMAR:

SHRI MITESH PATEL BAKABHAI:

SHRI SANATAN PANDEY:

SHRI HASMUKHBHAI SOMABHAI PATEL:

SHRI ASHISH DUBEY:

SHRI MUKESH RAJPUT:

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

- (a) the  major  operational  challenges  encountered  in  the  units  approved  under  the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) along with the steps being taken by the Government to address the said challenges;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to take any measures to ensure greater participation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) or to support diversification among new and high value product categories under the said scheme;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  any  mechanism  is  currently  in  place  to  monitor  long-term  sustainability, technology adoption and outcomes of employment generation in the units supported under the PLISFPI scheme;
- (e) if so, the details thereof;
- (f) whether the Government has set up or proposes to set up any industrial unit in West Champaran district in Bihar under the said scheme; and
- (g) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a): The Ministry has not observed any operational challenges among the approved units under Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industries (PLISFPI).

(b) & (c): Support is provided under the PLISFPI scheme to facilitate greater participation of small  and  medium  enterprises  and  diversification  into  new  and  value  added  product categories. Under the PLISFPI Scheme, 69 applicants and 40 contract manufacturers of the applicants are from Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Sector. Further, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) provides support to MSME enterprises under Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) and Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) Schemes.

(d) & (e): Under  the  PLISFPI scheme,  the  advanced technologies are adopted by eligible applicants to set up multiple production lines for the manufacturing and processing of various types of food products. The scheme has led to creation of food processing capacity of 35.00 lakh MT per annum in the country. About 3.39 lakhs, both direct and indirect employment, have been generated under the PLISFPI.

(f) & (g): There is no food processing unit or a proposal to set up under PLISFPI scheme in West Champran district in the state of Bihar.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1932 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-11
Subject: Regional Air Connectivity in Kasaragod
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Rajmohan Unnithan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1932

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  11th December 2025 )

## REGIONAL AIR CONNECTIVITY IN KASARAGOD

## 1932.    SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government has assessed the lack of regional air connectivity for Kasaragod district and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether any proposals have been considered for new regional air routes under UDAN for Kasaragod district and if so, the details thereof; and

(c)  the  expected  bidding,  operator  selection  and  timeline  fixed  for  commencement  of  such routes?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): RCS-UDAN is a market-driven, ongoing scheme aimed at providing affordable air connectivity to unserved and underserved areas. The list of such airstrips, heliports and water aerodromes  is  finalised  in  consultation  with  State  Governments.  Bidding  rounds  are conducted periodically for provision of connectivity on the listed airstrips.

The State government of Kerala has not indicated the existence of any airstrip in Kasargod district for inclusion in the UDAN Scheme.

However,  the  Kasaragod  Water  Aerodrome  proposed  by  the  Government  of  Kerala  is included in the tentative list of water aerodromes under the UDAN Scheme Document.

During the UDAN 5.5 bidding round, bids were received for Kasaragod (Water Aerodrome) and  a  Letter  of  Intent  (LoI)  has  been  issued  for  seaplane  operations  on  routes  connecting Kasaragod with Mangalore and Kannur.

As per the scheme provisions, the required infrastructure  for the water  aerodrome is to be developed by the State Government of Kerala. Commencement of operation is subject to the readiness of infrastructure and the operator..

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1931 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-11
Subject: Mechanism for Investigation of Aircraft Accidents
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Dr. M P Abdussamad Samadani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1931

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  11th December 2025 )

## MECHANISM FOR INVESTIGATION OF AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS

## 1931.    DR.  M P ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government proposes to establish a fully independent, statutory mechanism for  the  investigation  of  aircraft  accidents  and  incidents  in  the  country  in  line  with  the standards  and  recommended  practices  under  Annex  13  of  the  International  Civil  Aviation Organization (ICAO) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Aircraft  Accident  Investigation  Bureau  (AAIB)  has  been  evaluated  for functional  autonomy,  adequacy  of  technical  capacity  and  insulation  from  regulatory  or operational conflicts of interest and if so, the details thereof along with the key findings of such evaluation;
- (c) whether the Government has identified gaps in manpower, forensic capability, accidentsite  investigation  infrastructure  or  access  to  flight  data  analysis  tools  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to amend the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2012 to strengthen institutional independence and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  the  timeframe  within  which  a  fully  autonomous  and  internationally  compliant  aviation safety

investigation mechanism would be operationalised?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (e): In accordance with the 'Standards and Recommended Practices' (SARPS) contained in  Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, Ministry of Civil Aviation established Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) as an independent body in July, 2012,  to  ensure  functional  autonomy  and  independence  in  conduct  of  investigations.  The administration of AAIB is vested with the Director General (DG), AAIB.;

;

To enhance expertise and technical base of AAIB, 14 additional posts were created in 2022, increasing its sanctioned strength of 21 posts in 2015 to 35 posts by 2022.;

;

Cockpit  Voice  Recorder  (CVR)  and  Flight  Data  Recorder  (FDR)  Lab  has  been  set  up  at AAIB in April 2025, Phase I of the set-up has been completed and Phase II upgradation of the facility is being carried out.; ; Subsequent to the passing of the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, which came into force from 1st January, 2025, the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025 have been notified. These rules empower AAIB to investigate aircraft accidents and serious incidents independently.

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