opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3172 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Setting up of an Ethanol Plant
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Dr. Rabindra Narayan Behera

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3172

## TO BE ANSWERED ON IIT II MARCH, 2026

## SETTING UP OF AN ETHANOL PLANT

## 3172.  DR. RABINDRA NARAYAN BEHERA:

Will  the Minister of  CONSUMER AFFAIRS. FOOD AND  PUBLIC DiSTRIBUTION be pleased to state:

- (a): \\'healer the Go\-ernment  has any plan for setting up of an ethanol plant in Bari area: and
- (b): if  so. the details thereof and if  not. the reasons for not setting up the same?

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

## (SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

(a) &  (b): Central Government does not set up ethanol plant/distillery  in  any part of  the country. Any  entrepreneur can  set up  the  distillery in  the  country,  keeping  in  view  techno-economic viability of the  project, by  getting  required permissions/clearances  from Central  &  concerned State/UT Governments.

In order to augment the capacity of  ethanol production in the country to meet the blending targets set under Ethanol  Blended with  Petrol  (EBP)  Programme, Government of  India  has introduced various Ethanol Interest Subvention Schemes since 2018 to 2022 (in 2021 Ethanol production from  grain was also included under these schemes), to encourage  Sugar Mills/Distilleries to  enhance ethanol production capacities by  setting up of  new distilleries or expansion of existing distilleries  throughout the country. An ethanol interest subvention scheme for Cooperative Sugar Mills  was also notified  in 2025 with  an application window of 6 months for conversion of their existing  sugarcane based plants into multi-feed based ethanol plants.

Under all these interest subvention schemes, Government is facilitating project proponents to avail loans from banks for which  interest subvention @ 6% or 50% of the interest charged  by the banks/financial institutions whichever is lower is being borne by Government for the period of five years including one year of moratorium.

Se SeRge gcSe
Lok Sabha Question No. 3171 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Setting up of Electronics Manufacturing Clusters in Chhattisgarh
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Vijay Baghel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3171

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026

## SETTING UP OF ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURING CLUSTERS IN CHHATTISGARH

## † 3171. SHRI VIJAY BAGHEL:

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

(a) the total number of electronic manufacturing clusters set up in State of Chhattisgarh; (b) whether the Government has any plan to set up an electronic manufacturing cluster in the Durg Lok Sabha constituency as this constituency has maximum number of engineering colleges in Chhattisgarh and thousands receive engineering degree every year in the said region; and (c) whether any electronic manufacturing company has signed an Memorandum of Undertaking (MoU) for a cluster in State of Chhattisgarh and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): To provide world class infrastructure, logistic and plug and play facility for electronics manufacturing,  MeitY  launched  the  Modified  Electronics  Manufacturing  Clusters  (EMC  2.0) Scheme on 1st April 2020 and EMC Scheme on 2012.

Under the EMC Schemes, total 30 EMC projects and 5 CFCs has been approved across 18 States including 2 projects in Chhattisgarh.

One greenfield EMC have been approved at Sector-22, Naya Raipur with an outlay of Rs.103.88 crore, including central financial assistance of Rs.43.08 crore covering an area of 116.48 acres.

Out of the saleable area of 56 acres, 41.78 acres have been allocated, and nine (09) manufacturing companies having commenced production.

Further, a Common Facility Centre (CFC) was approved at Atal Nagar, Raipur, with an outlay of Rs.108.43 crore, including central financial assistance of Rs.75 crore covering an area of 3.23 acres.

The CFC provides shared facilities for design, prototyping, testing and measurement to support electronic industries in the region. The projected investment under the CFC is Rs.70 crore and employment of 2,500 jobs.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3169 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Rare Earth Corridors
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO -3169

ANSWERED ON 11/03/2026

## RARE EARTHS CORRIDORS

## 3169. SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether Andhra Pradesh has been identified for establishment of Rare Earth Corridors under the recently launched scheme;
- (b) If so, the details thereof including proposed locations and activities if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) whether  the  Union  Government  proposes  to  consider  Andhra  Pradesh  including Tirupati region in future phases of the scheme and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) (b) & (c) The Union Budget 2026-27 made an announcement to support mineral-rich coastal states of Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to establish dedicated Rare Earth corridors to promote all related activities. These Rare Earth Corridors are intended for developing a resilient and globally competitive rare earths ecosystem in India by enhancing production of the NdPr and Samarium oxides and fostering the domestic demand for production of RE magnets and at the same time supporting states in facilitating in the value chain of REs.   States will be supported in identifying the location/region with due consultation.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3168 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Internet Access in Rural Areas
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Rajeev Rai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3168 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  MARCH, 2026

## INTERNET ACCESS IN RURAL AREAS

## 3168.   SHRI RAJEEV RAI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that people's access to internet in rural areas of the country is very limited and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is formulating new plans/strategies to provide internet facility to the people in rural parts of the country at cheaper rates;
- (c) whether the Government has provided internet and wi-fi facilities to all the villages of the country for the benefit of the farmers to increase their knowledge about the agriculture sector and keep them informed about the new developments in the agriculture sector;
- (d) if so, the measures/action being taken by Government under this issue; and
- (e) if not, by when this target would be completed to provide internet and wi-fi facilities to all the villages across the country?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e) As of January 2026, out of 6,44,131 villages in the country (as per data of Registrar General of India), 6,35,146 villages are covered with mobile connectivity (2G/3G/4G) and 6,32,059 villages have 4G mobile connectivity.

Government is implementing various schemes under Digital Bharat Nidhi for expansion of internet facilities through installation of 4G mobile towers in the rural and remote areas of the country under 4G saturation project. In addition, BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity such as Wi-Fi Hotspots, Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections etc. to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages on demand basis.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3166 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Stoppage at Pudukkottai Railway Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Durai Vaiko

§

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3166

## LOK SABHA TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026

## STOPPAGE AT PUDUKKOTTAI RAILWAY STATION

## 3166. SHRI DURAI VAIKO:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to provide a stoppage at Pudukkottai Railway  Station  for  Train  Nos.  22613/22614  Ayodhya-Rameswaram Express running between Ayodhya and Rameswaram on both directions and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  assessed  passenger  demand  and  the regional, social and religious significance of Pudukkottai district while considering the said stoppage; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the timeline for its implementation and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (c)  To  facilitate  the  passengers  of  Pudukkottai  station,  it  has  been decided  to  provide  the  stoppage  of  22613/22614  Rameswaram  -  Ayodhya Cantt. Shraddha Sethu Express at Pudukkottai station.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3165 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Cleanliness and Hygiene in Passenger Trains of Tamil Nadu
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Raja A

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3165 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026

## CLEANLINESS AND HYGIENE IN PASSENGER TRAINS OF TAMIL NADU

## 3165. SHRI RAJA A:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has conducted any inspection, audit, passenger feedback  analysis/internal  assessment  during  the  last  five  years  to evaluate the effectiveness of cleanliness and hygiene measures especially in the passenger trains catering to Tamil Nadu and if so, the key findings along with the details of actions taken thereon; and
- (b) the details of the steps taken by the Government to ensure cleanliness and hygiene to be maintained in the running trains across the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) & (b): Cleanliness is a continuous process and Indian Railway (IR) makes every  endeavor  to  keep  the  trains  in  properly  maintained  and  clean condition.  IR  conducts  periodic  inspections,  internal  audits,  passenger feedback analysis and special checks to ensure cleanliness and hygiene in all the passenger trains including those catering to the state of Tamil Nadu. Passenger  feedback/complaints  are  closely  monitored  through  the  Rail Madad portal to ensure timely redressal of issues related to cleanliness and hygiene. Railway officials conduct regular inspections to monitor cleanliness and  housekeeping  standards  on  trains.  Penalties  are  imposed  on  service providers  of  onboard  housekeeping  services  for  deficiencies  noticed  with regard to on-board cleanliness. Payment of service provider is also linked with passenger feedback.

Some of  the  major  steps  taken  to  ensure  cleanliness  and  hygiene  in  the running trains, are as under:-

-  Mechanized Coach Cleaning is being ensured during primary maintenance  for  better  cleaning  of  the  coach  including  interior, exterior and toilets.
-  On-Board  Housekeeping  Staff  Service  is  provided  in  identified  long distance Mail/Express trains for cleaning of coach toilets, doorways, aisles and passenger compartments during the run of the trains and to attend any passenger grievance.
-  Clean  Train  Station  service  has  been  introduced  for  mechanized cleaning in identified trains during their scheduled stoppage enroute. Dedicated team of staff equipped with high pressure jet machines and cleaning equipment carries out cleaning followed by drying of coach toilets.
-  Regular pest and rodent control of coaches and station areas.
-  Awareness  drives  are  conducted  to  sensitize  passengers  regarding maintaining cleanliness.
-  Provision of dustbins in AC and non-AC coaches.
-  Installation of bio-toilets in all passenger coaches.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3164 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Segment-wise Revenue Earned by Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri G Lakshminarayana

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3164 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026

## SEGMENT-WISE REVENUE EARNED BY RAILWAYS

## 3164. SHRI G LAKSHMINARAYANA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the details of total revenue  earned by Indian Railways during the last five  years  with  a  segment-wise  break-up  under  passenger  services, freight, parcel services and non-fare revenue, year-wise;
- (b)  the  details  of  operating  surplus  or  deficit/profit  or  loss  reported  by Indian Railways during the same period, year-wise;
- (c) the total subsidy or financial support provided by the Government during the last five years specifying the major heads under which such support was extended, year-wise;
- (d)  the  details  of  the  categories  of  beneficiaries  who  were  granted passenger  fare concessions  or subsidies during the said period, including students, persons with disabilities, patients and other eligible groups; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  reinstate  fare  concessions  for senior citizens and if so, the details and proposed timeline thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to  (e)  The  year-wise  break-up  of  total  revenue  earned,  expenditure incurred  and surplus / deficit generated by  Indian Railways  during the last five financial years (FYs) is as under:

(₹ in crore)

| FY                   | Revenue   | Expenditure   | Surplus / deficit   |
|----------------------|-----------|---------------|---------------------|
| 2020-21 (Covid Year) | 1,40,784  | 1,38,236      | 2,548               |
| 2021-22 (Covid Year) | 1,91,367  | 2,06,392      | (-) 15,025          |

| 2022-23   | 2,40,177   | 2,37,660   | 2,517   |
|-----------|------------|------------|---------|
| 2023-24   | 2,56,093   | 2,52,834   | 3,260   |
| 2024-25   | 2,65,678   | 2,63,018   | 2,660   |

Segment-wise  break-up  of  revenue  generated  and  subsidy  given  as Social Service Obligation are provided in Annual Statistical Statement and Year Book of Indian Railways available on website (https://www.indianrailways.gov.in).

Indian Railways strives to provide affordable services to all strata of the society and gave subsidy of ₹60,239 crore on passenger tickets in 202425. This amounts to concession of 43% on an average, to every person, travelling on Railways. In other words, if the cost of providing service is ₹100, then the price of ticket is ₹57 only. This subsidy is continuing for all  passengers.  Further,  concessions  beyond  this  subsidy  amount  are continuing  for  many  categories  like  4  categories  of  Persons  with Disabilities (Divyangjans), 11 categories of patients and 8 categories of students.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3163 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Spectrum allocation to Telecom Operators
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Kalipada Saren Kherwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3163 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  MARCH, 2026

## SPECTRUM ALLOCATION TO TELECOM OPERATORS

## 3163.   SHRI KALIPADA SAREN KHERWAL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the quantum of spectrum allocated to each telecom operators during the last two auctions along with the total revenue generated therefrom;
- (b) the total number of rural telecom sites that have been shut down due to the financial distress of operators; and
- (c) whether  the Government  has  undertaken  any  assessment of the  impact of market consolidation and rising tariffs on consumer affordability and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The quantum of spectrum assigned to each telecom operators in the last two auctions held in the year 2022 and 2024, alongwith the total revenue generated from these auctions is provided below:
- (b) A total of 874 rural telecom sites have been shut down due to financial distress of operators.

| Auction Year                      | 2022                         | 2022                     | 2024                         | 2024                     |
|-----------------------------------|------------------------------|--------------------------|------------------------------|--------------------------|
| Name of the Bidder/Operator       | Quantum of Spectrum assigned | Total revenue (in ₹ cr.) | Quantum of Spectrum assigned | Total revenue (in ₹ cr.) |
| M/s Adani Data Networks Limited   | 400 MHz                      | 212                      | No participation             | -                        |
| M/s Bharti Airtel Limited         | 19,867.8 MHz                 | 43,084                   | 97 MHz                       | 6,857                    |
| M/s Vodafone Idea Limited         | 6,228.4 MHz                  | 18,799                   | 30 MHz                       | 3,510                    |
| M/s Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited | 24,740 MHz                   | 88,078                   | 14.40 MHz                    | 973                      |

(c) The  tariff  for  telecom  services  is  under  forbearance,  as  per  the  regulatory  framework prescribed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Subject to compliance with extant regulatory  provisions,  service  providers  are  free  to  design  and  offer  tariffs  based  on  their understanding of the market situation.

It may be noted that adequate competition exists in the market with four telecom operators offering competitive plans in the market. It may also be noted that the Indian telecom tariffs are amongst the lowest in the world.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3160 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Sports activities in BSNL
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Anurag Singh Thakur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3160 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  MARCH, 2026

## SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN BSNL

## 3160.   SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether BSNL has taken a decision  to suspend its  sports  activities including  support for disciplines such as cricket, athletics, badminton, volleyball and kabaddi which may affect dedicated athletes  employed  by  the  organisation  who  have  proudly  represented  India  at  national  and international levels;

- (b) if so, the rationale for this step;
- (c) the details of any representations or appeals received from concerned athletes, coaches, or associations including those from BSNL's national teams of various sports;
- (d) whether  the  Government  intends  to  review  this  decision,  encourage  discussions  with stakeholders and sustain support for sports talent in BSNL; and
- (e) if not, the supportive alternatives being explored to protect the welfare of these athletes and strengthen the national sports framework?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) BSNL has temporarily suspended its sports activities purely as an austerity measure in view of the prevailing financial constraints.

- (c) BSNL  had  received  representations  from  Unions/Associations  for  restoration  of  sports activities in BSNL.
- (d) & (e) The restoration of sports activities would be reviewed after improvement in financial condition of BSNL.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3157 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Impact of Misleading Advertisements
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Zia Ur Rehman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3157 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026)

## IMPACT OF MISLEADING ADVERTISEMENTS

## 3157. SHRI ZIA UR REHMAN:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  examined  the  impact  of  misleading  advertisements  and fake news disseminated through digital platforms;
- (b)  the  actions  being  taken  to  strengthen  monitoring  and  regulatory  mechanisms  in  this regard; and
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes to introduce any new guidelines to protect viewers especially children from harmful content?

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

## (a) to (c):

Government has notified  the  Information  Technology  (Intermediary  Guidelines  and  Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, under the Information Technology Act, 2000, (dated 25th February, 2021). Part-III of these Rules inter alia provides for Code of Ethics to be followed by publishers of news & current affairs. It includes adherence to the Programme Code laid down under the Cable Television Networks Act, 1995, and the Norms of Journalistic Conduct under the Press Council Act, 1978. A three-tier grievance redressal mechanism is provided under  the  IT  Rules. Also,  Part  II  of  the  IT  Rules,  inter  alia,  casts  an  obligation  on intermediaries to prevent the dissemination of information that is patently false, untrue, or misleading in nature.

A Fact Check Unit (FCU) has been set up under the Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to check fake news relating to the Central Government. After verifying  the  authenticity  of  news  from  authorized  sources  in  Ministries/  Departments  of Government of India, FCU posts correct information on its social media platforms.

The  Central  Consumer  Protection  authority  (CCPA)  under  the  Department  of  Consumer Affairs has notified 'Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022' on 9th June, 2022. The guidelines are aimed  at  curbing  misleading  advertisements  and  protecting  the  consumers,  who  may  be exploited  or  affected  by  such  advertisements. Complaints  relating  to  violation  of  the guidelines, including false and misleading advertisements, are addressed under Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

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