opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 540 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Slowdown of IRCTC Portal
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Adv Priya Saroj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.540 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## SLOWDOWN OF IRCTC PORTAL

540.  ADV. PRIYA SAROJ :

## Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  frequent  server  failures, payment  failures,  and  system  slowdowns  on  the  Indian  Railways Catering  and  Tourism  Corporation  (IRCTC)  portal  especially  during Tatkal booking and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the number of complaints received regarding failed transactions/delayed refunds/booking errors during the last three years;
- (c)   whether any third-party audit of IRCTC's technology infrastructure has  been  conducted  to  assess  capacity  gaps  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to upgrade the IRCTC system/increase  server  capacity  and  ensure  real-time refunds to passengers and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the manner in which Government is ensuring that rural passengers who  usually  have  slower  internet,  get  fair  access  during  Tatkal booking?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (e):  The uptime of IRCTC website was 99.98% during April 2025October 2025, while it was 99.86.% in 2024-25.    Indian  Railways  has

undertaken both administrative and technological measures for system modernization. Administrative measures include deactivation of suspicious user IDs, lodging complaints on National Cyber Crime Portal for suspiciously booked PNRs, revalidation of user IDs etc.

System Improvement Measures include checks and validations, engagement  of  leading  content  delivering  network  and  anti  BOT application with cutting edge technology to ensure smooth booking by genuine  users.  In  addition,  regular  third  party  Audits  of  IRCTC's technology infrastructure are being conducted for improvement in the system.

The share of e-ticketing has since increased to more than 87% of total reserved tickets booked on Indian Railways. However, some complaints are received regarding failed transaction/delayed refund/booking errors which are being monitored on regular basis for quick resolution

The IRCTC website and mobile apps operate on application programming  interface (API)-based  technology,  which  requires  only minimal  text-based  data  exchange  between  the  user's  device  and IRCTC servers. This ensures efficient performance for ticket booking even  in  rural  areas.    In  addition,  IRCTC  has  implemented  advanced Content Delivery Network (CDN) solutions, which is a global network of servers that delivers static content to users more quickly and reliably.

Capacity enhancement and technological upgradation are an ongoing process  on  Indian  Railways,  subject  to  availability  of  resources  and techno-economic feasibility.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 539 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Delay in Approval/Disbursal of Scholarships
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri K E Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 539

ANSWERED ON 03/12/2025

## DELAY IN APPROVAL/DISBURSAL OF SCHOLARSHIPS

## 539.  SHRI K E PRAKASH:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that there are prolonged delays in the approval and disbursal of PreMatric, Post-Matric and Merit-cum-Means scholarships for minority students since the financial year 202223 and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (b) the steps taken by the Government to ensure timely processing, approval and disbursal of these scholarships during the last two years; and
- (c) whether the Government proposes any reforms or procedural changes to prevent such delays in the future and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (c): Ministry of Minority Affairs has implemented Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, Merit-cum-Means based  Scholarship  Schemes  for  the  6  notified  religious  minority  communities.  However,  these schemes have not been approved for implementation beyond 2021-22.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 537 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Decentralized Solar Micro-grids
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 537

ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## DECENTRALIZED SOLAR MICRO-GRIDS

## 537. SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to set up decentralized solar micro-grids in disasterprone areas of Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh;
- (b) if so, the details of locations identified;
- (c) whether such projects would power relief shelters, cold storage units and irrigation pumps during grid failures and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has coordinated with the State of Andhra Pradesh to pilot such models; and
- (e) if so, the details of the proposed timeline for implementation?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF  STATE  FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

- (a) to (e) No such proposal is under consideration.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 528 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Permission for Fiberisation
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Dr. Gumma Thanuja Rani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 528 ANSWERED ON 3 RD  DECEMBER, 2025

## PERMISSION FOR FIBERISATION

## 528. DR. GUMMA THANUJA RANI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to reduce delays and costs associated with the right of way permissions for fiberisation needed for 5G adoption;
- (b) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to improve sharing of fibre infrastructure across Government and private players;
- (c) whether the Government has created a single window clearance of grant of permission for fibre laying; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) The  Government  has  taken  the  following  key  actions  to  reduce  delays  and  costs associated with the right of way permissions for fiberisation needed for 5G adoption:

- i. Launched the Centralized Right of Way (RoW) Portal as a single window platform on May 14, 2022, thus facilitating the streamlining of the RoW permissions for the deployment of telecom infrastructure viz. Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) laying and telecom tower installation.
- ii. Processes to obtain RoW permissions and applicable charges were further made uniform through Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules 2024 under 'The Telecommunications Act, 2023'. The rules are effective from January 01, 2025. The rules are further streamlining and expediting the telecom infrastructure deployment in the country and promoting sharing of fibre infrastructure across Government and private players. RoW portal has been further upgraded in majority of states in accordance with RoW rules 2024.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 527 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: BIS Licenses
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Naveen Jindal

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

## Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 527

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## BIS LICENSES

## 527. SHRI NAVEEN JINDAL:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  a  large  number  of  Helmet  manufacturers  are  operating without Bureau of Indian Studies (BIS) licenses or using counterfeit ISI mark helmets posing major risk to the unsuspecting consumers;
- (b) if so, the reasons due to which such malpractices are continuing unabated; and
- (c) the details of corrective steps taken by the Government to curb the production and availability of the sub-standard helmets?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE

## CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI B.L.VERMA)

(a) to (c) :  Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) vide Quality Control Order dated 1 st June, 2021 has mandated compulsory BIS certification for protective Helmets for Two-wheeler riders as per IS 4151:2015, thereby prohibiting the manufacture, import, sale of distribution of helmets without a valid BIS licence or with counterfeit ISI mark. Any helmet manufactured or sold without having certification under IS 4151: 2015 is a clear violation and an offence under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.

Complaints  related  to  sale  of  helmets  without  a  valid  BIS  license  or  unauthorized  use  of  BIS Standard Mark for  Helmets were received.  As  a  safeguard  measure  to  enhance  consumer  protection  and safety,  a  special  campaign  was  launched  against  such  manufacturers  and  retailers  to  ensure  proper implementation of the Quality Control Order dated 1 st June, 2021 issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). D.O letters were issued to District Collectors/ Magistrates and also to DC/DMs and SPs in Delhi and NCR region wherein it was requested to physically check the premises of firms whose license is expired/cancelled.

As part of the special campaign, during FY 2024-25 & FY 2025-26 (till date) search and seizure operations were conducted at 9 manufacturers, resulting in the seizure of over 2,500 helmets without valid BIS certification. Further, search and seizure operations were also carried out at 18 retail outlets/roadside vendors selling helmets without valid BIS certification to consumers, leading to the seizure of around 500 helmets. Legal prosecution is carried out against the defaulters for violation of the BIS Act, 2016, wherein a penalty of a minimum fine of Rs.2.00 lakh for the first contravention, extendable up to ten times the value of the goods manufactured or sold is stipulated which may also include imprisonment of up to two years.
Lok Sabha Question No. 519 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: State Mining Readiness Index
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, Smt. Mahima Kumari Mewar, Shri Chandan Chauhan, Shri Vijay Baghel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †519

ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## STATE MINING READINESS INDEX

†519. SHRI VIJAY BAGHEL: SHRI VISHWESHWAR HEGDE KAGERI: SHRI CHANDAN CHAUHAN: SMT. MAHIMA KUMARI MEWAR:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  objective  behind  assessing  State  performance  under  the  newly  introduced State Mining Readiness Index (SMRI) and the indicators used for the same; (b) the details of the States that seemed top position under various mineral wealth categories including the factors contributing to their rankings; (c) the expected role of the said index in promoting competition and reforms among States in areas such as auction performance and sustainable mining; and (d) whether the Government proposes to link this index to future capacity building or to  incentive  mechanisms  for  the  State  specially  Rajasthan  and  if  so,  the  details
- thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):  The  objectives of the State Mining Readiness Index (SMRI) are to capture a State's  relative  contribution  in  developing  the  country's  mining  sector,  assess effectiveness  in  mining  regulation  &  administration  and  instill  competitive  spirit among States. The indicators used to assess performance of States under SMRI are auction performance, mine operationalization, thrust on exploration and sustainable mining.

(b): Under SMRI, States have been grouped on the basis of their mining and mineral resource potential into three categories viz. A (high), B (medium) and C (low). The category-wise top three ranked States are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat in  Category  A;  Goa,  Uttar  Pradesh  and  Assam  in  Category  B;  and  Punjab, Uttarakhand and Tripura in Category C. The factors contributing to their rankings broadly include auction of mineral blocks, auctioned blocks operationalized, number of Composite Licenses (CLs) and letters of intent (LoIs) for CLs issued, average time taken for issue of LoI to preferred bidders from date of auction, geo-science data integration on National Geoscience Data Repository, number of exploration projects completed, and various measures for sustainable mining.

(c): Auction performance and sustainable mining are two out of four indicators for computing  the  SMRI.  Improvement  in  these  indicators  results  in  better  scores, thereby promoting reforms and healthy competition among States.

(d): The index is linked with an incentive mechanism for all States, including the State of Rajasthan. A provision for an incentive of ₹100 crores to each of the top 3-ranked States in each of the three categories (A, B and C) has been made under the Scheme of Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) 2025-26.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 518 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Revised Guidelines in PMKKKY
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Dr. Manna Lal Rawat

## MINISTRY OF MINES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. †518

ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## REVISED GUIDELINES IN PMKKKY

†518. DR. MANNA LAL RAWAT:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that point 4(1) of the revised guidelines of the Pradhan Mantri the appointment  of  the  concerned  Lok  Sabha  MP  as  the  Chairman  of  the  Governing

Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) January 2024 provides for Council and Management Committee of the district; (b) if so, the current status and  likely timeframe  for  implementing  the  said arrangement; and (c)  if  not,  the  reasons  therefor  and  whether  the  Government  is  considering

- amendments in this regard in the future?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b) No. However, the PMKKKY Guidelines, 2024 provide for Hon'ble MPs to be members of the Governing Council of the District Mineral Foundation (DMF).

(c) No such proposal is under consideration.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 517 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Monitoring of Hashtags and Social Media Campaigns
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Sasikanth Senthil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 517

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 03.12.2025

## MONITORING OF HASHTAGS AND SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS

## 517.   SHRI SASIKANTH SENTHIL:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is monitoring major hashtags and social-media campaigns originating in Tamil Nadu which reflect public sentiment around Union-State relations;
- (b) if so, the number of instances in the last twelve months where such campaigns have led to actionable referrals (by law-enforcement or regulatory agencies) for misinformation or incitement;
- (c)  the  measures  been  taken  to  ensure  transparent  moderation,  data-privacy  and  freedom  of expression in the online public sphere in Tamil Nadu; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to publish a State-wise dashboard or report covering socialmedia trends, incidents and responses for the year 2025-26 and if so, the timeline for its release?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): The policies of the Government are aimed at ensuring that the Internet in India is Open, Safe & Trusted and Accountable to all its users in the country.

Government doesn't monitor any hashtags and social -media campaigns in the online space.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 515 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Ethanol  from Sugar Sector
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri  Selvaganapathi T.M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 515

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 3RD DECEMBER, 2025

## ETHANOL  FROM SUGAR SECTOR

## 515. SHRI SELVAGANAPATHI T.M.:

Will  the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND  PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Indian Sugar &  Bio  Energy Manufacturers Association has demanded that the Government must ensure 50 per cent ethanol is sourced from  sugar sector and if  so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is a fact that only 289 crore litre ethanol had been allocated from sugar-based feedstock or 28% of the total need and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is a fact that the sugar industry invested almost Rs.40,000 crore with a capacity to supply 650 crore litre of ethanol a year and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the sugar industry have also demanded to  enhance Minimum Support Price, announce sugar export policy and increase ethanol procurement price; and
- (e) if  so, the details thereof alongwith  the steps taken by the Government  in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI  BAMBHANIYA)

- (a): Government has received representation from  Indian  Sugar &  Bio  Energy Manufacturers Association (ISM A)  wherein ISMA  has inter-alia requested  to reserve  at least 50% of total ethanol procurement for sugarcane-based feedstock to ensure parity and economically acceptable utilization of existing capacity.

(b): Out of total allocation of  1050 crore litres for Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26, 289 crore litre  has been allocated to  sugarcane-based feedstock.

(c): Ethanol Production capacity of  sugarcane based distilleries is 838 crore litres. More  than 42,000 crore rupees have been sanctioned as loan by the banks/ Financial Institutions for setting up of  new  sugarcane/  grain  based distilleries/ Expansion  of  existing capacity  of  distilleries upto 31.10.2025.

(d) &  (e): Representations  have been  received from various stakeholders  for enhancing Minimum  Selling Price, announcing sugar export policy  and increase ethanol procurement price. In this regard, Government has allowed export of  15 LMT  sugar for current Sugar Season 2025-26 on 14.11.2025

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Lok Sabha Question No. 514 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: AI Data Centres
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Sribharat Mathukumilli

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 514

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 03.12.2025

## AI DATA CENTRES

## 514. SHRI SRIBHARAT MATHUKUMILLI:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  cognizance  of  the  accelerating  expansion  of  Artificial Intelligence  (AI)  and  other  large-scale  data  centres  across  the  country  and  the  resultant  increased demands on the national energy grid and freshwater resources;
- (b) whether the Government maintains data on the aggregate electricity and freshwater consumption of AI and other data centres nationally and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government plans to propose new guidelines, standards or policies to regulate energy and water efficiency in data centres; and
- (d)  the  steps  being  considered  or  implemented  to  manage  future  demand  of  power  sourcing requirements for data centres and domestic consumption needs?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d):  The  Government  is  cognizant  of  the  accelerating  usage  and  requirement  of  Artificial Intelligence (AI) and large-scale data centres across the country. It is also aware of the corresponding increase in energy infrastructure demand associated with this growth.

## IndiaAI Mission and Compute Capacity

For meeting the demand of Artificial Intelligence, the Government has launched IndiaAI Mission. As on date 38,231 GPU have been onboarded from 14 empanelled service providers/data centres under the IndiaAI compute capacity framework.

## Planning for energy demand

The National Electricity Plan (NEP) is prepared every five years by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). It incorporates projected power requirements, including those arising from the growth of AI and data centres.

As  per  information  available  with  the  Ministry  of  Power,  electricity  demand  from  data  centres  is projected to reach around 13.6 GW by 2031-32.

Government  of  India  is  continuously  encouraging  data  centre  providers  to  adopt  sustainable technologies resulting in betterment of Power Usage Efficiency (PUE).

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has specified norms and standards under:

- Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC 2017) for energy utilisation in chillers Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC), Air Handling Units (AHU) Fans etc.
- Energy Conservation & Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC 2024), which includes provisions related to energy and water norms

India's power generation and transmission infrastructure is adequately developed to meet the power demand and ensure reliable power flow across regions.

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