opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 865 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Urban–Rural Digital Divide
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Dr. Prabha Mallikarjun

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 865 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## URBAN-RURAL DIGITAL DIVIDE

## 865. DR. PRABHA MALLIKARJUN:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the measures being taken to bridge the urban-rural digital divide and ensure faster adoption of communication initiatives in rural and semi-urban areas;

(b) whether the Government has identified specific low-connectivity districts or blocks where telecom penetration remains below the national average and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details of the steps being taken to ensure digital literacy and community-level awareness to promote effective use of existing infrastructure;

- (d) whether  public-private  partnerships  are  being  encouraged  for  last-mile  connectivity  and service delivery in rural regions and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether any timeline has been fixed for achieving full broadband and mobile coverage in all gram panchayats under Bharat Net Phase-III and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) 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 aims to provide high-speed 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.

(b) Government has identified 10 districts under Mission  Utkarsh where  telecom penetration remains below the national average.

(c) National  Institute  of  Electronics  and  Information  Technology  (NIELIT)  an  autonomous scientific society under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), is providing training on digital literacy courses including the Digital Literacy Programmes across the country.

(d) The  last  mile  network  is  provided  through  BharatNet  Udyamis  (BNU)  which  inter-alia include a village level entrepreneur, Internet Service Provider, Self Help Group etc with a one-time financial  incentive  for  activating  new  home  fiber  connections  as  well  as  share  of  the  monthly revenue.

(e) Amended BharatNet  Program  (ABP)  has  been  approved  under  Design,  Built,  Operate  & Maintain (DBOM) model for up-gradation of existing network of BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II, creation of network in balance GPs, Operation & Maintenance for 10 years and utilization.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 864 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Mining and Utilisation of Nuclear Energy Minerals in Rajasthan
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Smt. Mahima Kumari Mewar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 864 ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026

## MINING AND UTILISATION OF NUCLEAR ENERGY MINERALS IN RAJASTHAN

## 864.  SMT MAHIMA KUMARI MEWAR

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  making  efforts  to  promote  the  mining  and  utilisation  of minerals related to nuclear energy in Rajasthan; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b)  Yes. Atomic Minerals Directorate of Exploration and Reserarch (AMDER), a constituent unit under Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has discovered Uranium deposit  in  Sikar  District,  Rajasthan.    DAE  has  nominated  Uranium  Corporation  of India Limited (UCIL) as the prospective lessee under provisions of Atomic Minerals Concession Rules, 2016 for the grant of mining lease for the Rohil Uranium Deposit in Sikar District, Rajasthan.  Action is in hand to obtain all statutory clearances for commencing the mining operations.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 860 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Setting up of New FM Radio Stations in Karnataka
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Kota Srinivasa Poojary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 860 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026)

## SETTING UP OF NEW FM RADIO STATIONS IN KARNATAKA

## 860.  SHRI KOTA SRINIVASA POOJARY:

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

- a) whether the Government proposes to set up new FM Radio stations and if so, the details thereof especially in Karnataka;
- b) whether the Government propose to set up FM  Stations at three locations at Chikkamagalur District and if so, the details thereof;
- c) the time by which these FM stations are likely to be set up;
- d) the details of the FM radio stations functioning in Karnataka at present; and
- e) whether some of the FM stations sanctioned have not started services and if so, the details thereof especially in Karnataka?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  INFORMATION  AND  BROADCASTING  AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

(DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a)  to  (e)  All  India  Radio  (AIR)  has  591  Broadcasting  stations  in  the  country,  including  24 Akashvani FM stations in the State of Karnataka. Their details are available on the Prasar Bharati website https://prasarbharati.gov.in/radio-network/.  Out  of  the  24  FM  stations,  a  100  W  FM Relay Station at Sringeri in Chikkamagalur District is functional at present.

The Government has approved the establishment of 68 new Akashvani FM transmitters across the  country  under  the  Broadcasting  Infrastructure  and  Network  Development  (BIND)  Scheme for  2021-26.  These  transmitters  are  at  various  stages  of  implementation.  Of  these,  2  FM transmitters  have  been  sanctioned  in  the  State  of  Karnataka,  namely  Shimoga  (10  kW)  and Udupi (1 kW) under the scheme.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 856 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Merit-cum-Means Scholarship Scheme
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Asaduddin Owaisi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 856

ANSWERED ON 04/02/2026

## MERIT-CUM-MEANS SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME

## 856.  SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  unit  rate  of  Merit-cum-means  scholarship  for minority communities has not been revised since 2008;
- (b) if so, the reasons for non-revision of the rates despite rising tuition fees and living expenses;
- (c) the details of the reduction of beneficiaries due to inadequate scholarship amount;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  a  significant  amount  of  funds  allocated  for scholarships is unutilised and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (e)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  utilise  the  unutilised  funds  for  the  welfare  of  the minority community;
- (f)  whether  the  Government  plans  to  conduct  a  review  of  Merit-cum-Means  scholarship  for minority  communities to  enhance  the  amount  of  scholarship  to  support  poor  and  meritorious students from these communities; and
- (g) if so, the timeline proposed for such revision and its implementation under the scheme?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a)  and  (b):  Under the  Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship scheme, there was a provision of full  fee  reimbursement for listed institutes. Besides,  an amount of Rs. 20,000/- as scholarship and Rs. 10,000 as maintenance allowance for hostellers, were given to those students who were not covered under the category of listed institutes.

- (c) to (e): The scheme has not been approved for implementation beyond 2021-22.
- (f) and (g): There is no such proposal under consideration of this Ministry.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 853 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Solar Connections under PM-SGMBY
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 853

ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026

## SOLAR CONNECTIONS UNDER PM-SGMBY

## 853. SHRI RAMVIR SINGH BIDHURI

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

- (a) the total number of beneficiaries provided with the solar energy connections under Pradhan
- Mantri-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PM-SGMBY) in the country so far;
- (b) the total amount of subsidy disbursed under the said programme till date; and
- (c) the steps being taken by the Government for expanding this programme?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER

## (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

(a) to (c) Since the launch of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY) in February 2024, a total of 22,65,521 RTS systems have been installed across the country, benefitting 28,24,518 households with the disbursement of Rs 16,061.12 crore as Central Financial Assistance (CFA) as on 30.01.2026.

The steps being taken by the Government for expanding the PMSG: MBY inter alia include:

- Online process from registration to disbursal of subsidy directly into the bank account of the residential consumer through National Portal.
- Availability of collateral free loan from nationalized banks at concessional interest rate of repo-rate plus 50 bps i.e. 5.75% per annum for the present, with tenure of 10 years.
- Simplified the regulatory approval process by waiving technical feasibility requirement and introducing auto load enhancement upto 10 kW.
- Included RESCO/ Utility led Aggregation (ULA) Models.
- Net metering agreement has been made part of application in the National Portal.
- Simplified process for registration of vendors to ensure sufficient and qualified vendors are available.
- Capacity building and training programmes being conducted for creating skilled manpower.
- Creating awareness about the scheme, through awareness and outreach program such as print  advertising  in  leading  newspapers,  TV  commercials  campaigns,  Radio  campaigns across FM stations including regional channels, etc., in the country.
- Regular  monitoring  of  the  progress  of  the  scheme  at  different  levels  including  with states/DISCOMs.
- Conducting regional review meetings.
- Established  grievance  redressal  mechanism  for  timely  resolution  of  grievances.  A  Call Centre with telephone number 15555 is operational in 12 languages.

Further, MNRE and REC Ltd., as the National Programme Implementing Agency (NPIA), for PMSG: MBY, work in close coordination with all the DISCOMs, for effective implementation of the scheme.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 849 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Status of Investigation into TRP Manipulation by Regional News Channels
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri K Sudhakaran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.849

## (TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026)

## STATUS OF INVESTIGATION INTO TRP MANIPULATION BY REGIONAL NEWS CHANNELS.

## 849. SHRI K SUDHAKARAN:

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

- (a)  whether the Government has received the preliminary report sought from the Director General of Police, Kerala regarding the investigation into the alleged TRP manipulation scandal involving a BARC employee and a regional news channel of Kerala;
- (b) if so, the details of the findings of Kerala Police;
- (c) the status of the forensic audit initiated by BARC India through an independent agency into the conduct of its Senior Personnel involved in this case;
- (d) whether the Government has initiated any proceedings to suspend or revoke the uplinking and downlinking permissions of the channel in question under the Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies, 2014 in light of the severity of the fraud allegations; and
- (e)  the  timeline  for  the  final  notification  of  the  amendments  to  the  Policy  Guidelines  for Television Rating Agencies for which a revised draft was published on November 6, 2025 to prevent such systemic vulnerabilities in the future?

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND

## ANSWER PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN) :

(a) to (e): The Ministry has taken note of the recent media reports alleging that a television channel was engaged in manipulation of television ratings by bribing an employee of the M/s Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India.

In view of the allegations, a preliminary report, including details of action taken on the FIR reportedly filed in the matter, was sought from the DGP, Kerala Police.  The report is still awaited.

The  Kerala  Police  department  has  constituted  a  Special  Investigation  Team  (SIT)  for investigating the case. BARC informed Government that it has initiated forensic investigation. The report from BARC is still awaited.

Uplinking and downlinking permissions are governed by the Policy Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Television Channels dated 09.11.2022.

Television  ratings  in  India  are  governed  by  the  Policy  Guidelines  for  Television  Rating Agencies,  2014.  On  02.07.2025,  the  Government  published  a  draft  amendment  to  these guidelines  for  public  consultations.  Proposed  amendments  aim  to  enable  fair  competition, generate more accurate and representative data, and ensure that the TRP system reflects the diverse  and  evolving  media  consumption  habits  of  viewers  from  across  the  country.  After examining the inputs, a revised draft amendment has been further published on 06.11.2025 for public consultation.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 844 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Purchasing of Foodgrains
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Arun Govil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 844 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4TH FEBRUARY, 2026

## PURCHASING OF FOODGRAINS

## t844.  SHRI ARUN GOVIL:

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

- (a): whether there is any proposal by the Government to provide an advance to Union/State Governments and Public Sector Undertaking employees for purchasing foodgrains for one year which is likely to be recovered in  ten instalments, with a view to reducing the burden of procurement,  transportation, storage, re-transportation and distribution  currently  undertaken by the Ministry  of  Consumer Affairs,  Food and Public Distribution;
- (b): whether expenditure is likely  to be reduced by the implementation of the said scheme as compared to the existing  system; and
- (C): if  so, the time by which  the Government is likely  to implement  the said scheme?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

(a) to (c):

At  present,  no such proposal is under consideration by the Government.

ScR +cScIeSc
Lok Sabha Question No. 840 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Satellite-Based Internet Services
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Baijayant Panda

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 840 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## SATELLITE-BASED INTERNET SERVICES

## 840. SHRI BAIJAYANT PANDA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether satellite-based internet services have commenced in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons for the delay and the expected timelines for commencing such services; and

(d) the details of the number of applications/companies that have applied for licences to provide satellite-based internet services in the country including the status of spectrum allocation?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) During the last five years, Nelco Limited, Yotta Network Services Private Limited, OneWeb India Communications Private Limited, JIO Satellite Communications Limited, Starlink Satellite  Communications  Private  Limited,  Amazon  Kuiper  Services  India  Private  Limited,  and Connect4sure Technologies  Private  Limited have  applied  to  Department  of  Telecommunications (DoT)  for  grant of Unified License  (UL)  with  authorization for  Global  Mobile  Personal Communication by Sat0ellite (GMPCS) Service.

Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has granted Unified License (UL) with Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) Service authorization to three companies, namely OneWeb India Communications Private Limited, JIO Satellite Communications Limited, and Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited, to provide, inter alia, satellite-based internet services in the country.

The  commencement  of  commercial  operations  by  the  above  licensees  depends  on  the successful demonstration of compliance with the stipulated security and technical conditions and the spectrum assignment to them for providing commercial services.

DoT has sought recommendations from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on terms  and  conditions  of  spectrum  assignment,  including  spectrum  pricing  for  satellite-based communication services. TRAI provided its Recommendations on 09.05.2025 and response to DoT's back-reference on 08.12.2025.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 837 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP), 2025 and 6G Readiness
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Y S Avinash Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 837 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## NATIONAL FREQUENCY ALLOCATION PLAN (NFAP), 2025 AND 6G READINESS

## 837. SHRI Y S AVINASH REDDY:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the National Frequency Allocation Plan, 2025 has been notified and if so, the key provisions relating to spectrum allocation for 5G expansion and future 6G services and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether  any  impact  assessment  has  been  carried  out  on  industry  preparedness,  research ecosystem readiness and implications for rural and remote connectivity;

- (c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether timelines have been fixed for permitting unlicensed or shared spectrum access to support innovation and local networks and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the  steps  taken  to  ensure  equitable  access,  affordability and  digital  inclusion  while implementing advanced spectrum and next-generation communication technologies?

## ANSWER

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

(a) The  Department  of  Telecommunications  (DoT)  has  published  the  National  Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP), 2025 which is effective from 30 th  December 2025. The frequency bands, or  parts  thereof,  identified  for  the  implementation  of  International  Mobile  Telecommunications (IMT), which includes 5G, 5G-Advanced, and future 6G services, are provided in the footnote 'IND 16'of NFAP 2025.

(b) & (c) NFAP  2025  has  been  formulated  through  extensive  consultations  with  various national stakeholders, including government ministries/departments, service providers, industry and their associations, academia and start-ups, factoring the inputs and proposals submitted by them.

(d) Unlicensed use of spectrum is permitted for general public use on a shared basis from time to time, based on requirements, spectrum availability and international best practices.

(e) NFAP 2025 ensures that adequate spectrum is allocated to support various radiocommunication  services,  while  factoring  into  the  spectrum  requirements  of  next-generation communication technologies. In addition, DoT has also undertaken progressive policy reforms such as Spectrum Trading, Intra-band Spectrum Sharing and Spectrum Liberalization to promote growth and digital transformation.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 831 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Allocation of Stalls at Railway Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Mr Pathan Yusuf

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 831

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026

## ALLOCATION OF STALLS AT RAILWAY STATIONS

## 831. MR PATHAN YUSUF:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the criteria for the allocation of stalls at railway stations;
- (b) the details of total stalls allocated till date, station-wise;
- (c) the details of total stalls allocated to SC and ST communities, stationwise;
- (d) whether the Government allocates free stalls at railway station to any category of individuals/organisations and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the details of the total such stalls along with names  of the organisations/individuals, year and station-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (e): To ensure availability of adequate facilities for travelling passengers,  allotment  of  stalls  at  railway  stations  is  done  through  eauction/e-tender  in  accordance  with  extant  policy  in  vogue  from  time  to time.

Presently,  there  are  11650  stalls/units  at  railway  stations,  allocated  to eligible applicants including those from SC/ST communities.

There  is  no  provision  in  the  extant  policy  for  allocation  of  free  stalls  at railway stations.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 830 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Smt. Sanjna Jatav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 830 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## PRODUCTION LINKED INCENTIVE (PLI) SCHEME

## †830.  SMT. SANJNA JATAV:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) the  main  objectives  of  the  Production  Linked  Incentive  (PLI)  scheme  for  telecom  and networking related products;

(b) the number of companies benefitted under the said scheme and the major results achieved as of 2025; and

(c) the extent to which this scheme has contributed to employment generation and export growth in this sector?

## ANSWER

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

(a) The  main  objectives  of  the  Production  Linked  Incentive  (PLI)  Scheme  for  Telecom  and Networking Products are to boost domestic manufacturing of telecom and networking products and to attract investments in telecom sector.

(b) & (c) Under  the  scheme,  total  42  companies  are  approved  as  beneficiaries.  As  on 30.11.2025, these companies have collectively invested Rs 4,789 crores, generated sales worth Rs 1,01,109 crores which includes exports of Rs 21,033 crores, and employment of 29,446.

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