opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3233 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-12
Subject: Interference with GPS Signals affecting Civil Aviation Operations
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Baijayant Panda, Shri Hanuman Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3233

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  12th March 2026 )

## INTERFERENCE WITH GPS SIGNALS AFFECTING CIVIL AVIATION OPERATIONS

3233.    SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL SHRI BAIJAYANT PANDA Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

(a) whether it is a fact that several flights were disrupted at various airports across the country  including  Delhi  and  Odisha  due  to  alleged  tampering  or  interference  with Global Positioning System (GPS) signals during the last two years and the current year;

(b) if so, the number of such affected flights and the details of the measures taken by the Government to prevent such disruptions; and

(c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  take  any  concrete  steps  to  curb  the increasing incidents of GPS tampering in civilian aircraft in the country and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION          (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a) to (c): Incidents of GPS interference were reported around Delhi airspace. There is no report of such incidents from Odisha.

GPS spoofing linked disruptions are a global phenomenon which were observed with increased frequency in geographical areas surrounding conflict zones.

The total number of GPS interference reported by airlines are 2354 from November, 2023 - December, 2025 and 623 from January, 2026 - February, 2026.

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued Advisory Circular ANSS AC 01 of 2023 dated 24.11.2023 for addressing Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)  interference  in  airspace.  In  addition,  DGCA  has  also  issued  Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) dated 10.11.2025 for real-time reporting of  GPS Spoofing/GNSS interference events around IGI airport.

Airports  Authority  of  India  (AAI)  has  apprised  Wireless  Monitoring  Organization (WMO)  from  time  to  time  regarding  incidents  of  GPS  interference/  spoofing  for investigation.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3228 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-12
Subject: Funding of Drinking Water Projects in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian, Thiru D M Kathir Anand

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO . 3228

ANSWERED ON 12/03/2026

## FUNDING OF DRINKING WATER PROJECTS IN TAMIL NADU

## 3228.  THIRU D M KATHIR ANAND:

## DR. T SUMATHY ALIAS THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Hogenakkal Integrated Drinking Water Project, Phase III is progressing at a slow pace due to the non-release of the Union Government's share of Rupees 2,283 crore and if so, the details and the current status thereof;
- (b) the steps proposed to be taken by the Union Government to expedite the release of pending funds for implementation of the said project; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Union Government to fund any drinking water projects in Tamil Nadu including Vellore Lok Sabha Constituency?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA)

- (a) & (b) Since August 2019, Government of India is implementing a centrally sponsored scheme Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) - Har Ghar Jal, in partnership with States/ UTs including Tamil Nadu, to make provision of safe and adequate tap water connection to every rural household of the country. The Union Cabinet approved the implementation of JJM for a period of five years i.e. 2019-20 to 2023-24, during which, States/ UTs were required to complete  the  planning,  approval,  implementation  of  water  supply  schemes  under  the mission.  States/  UTs  were  also  informed  that  the  central  support  under  JJM  would  be limited to the funds availed during the mission period only.

The State Level Scheme Sanctioning Committee (SLSSC) of the Government of Tamil Nadu accorded approval to Hogenakkal Water Supply Project, Phase-III, in June 2023; however, the project could not be awarded within the mission period.

Hon'ble Finance Minister during her budget speech 2025-26 had announced extension of JJM until 2028.

- (c)  Drinking  Water  being  a  State  subject,  it  is  States,  who  plan,  design,  approve  and implement drinking water supply schemes. Government of India supplements the efforts

of  the  States  by  providing  technical  and  financial  assistance.  Numerous  projects  are implemented concurrently at various levels across the States for achieving the envisaged objectives.  Further,  project-wise  details  of  individual  projects/  schemes  for  rural  water supply projects are maintained at the State Government level.

During  the  mission  period,  an  amount  of  ₹5,899.53  crore  has  been  released  by  the Government of India to Tamil Nadu for implementation of various rural drinking water supply schemes to provide tap water connections to rural households across the State of Tamil Nadu, including those in the Vellore Lok Sabha Constituency .

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3226 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-12
Subject: Climate Resilient Design for Roads and Bridges
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Jashubhai Bhilubhai Rathva

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3226 ANSWERED ON 12 TH  March, 2026

## CLIMATE RESILIENT DESIGN FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES

3226. SHRI JASHUBHAI BHILUBHAI RATHVA:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  special  engineering  standards  and  climate  resilient design  features  are  being  adopted  for  construction  of  roads  and bridges in snow bound, landslide prone and flood affected areas;
- (b) if so, the details of standards and technologies adopted;

(c)whether  these  measures  have  reduced  seasonal  disruptions  to road connectivity; and

- (d)  the  details  of  findings  of  any  assessments  conducted  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) to (b) National Highways (NHs) Projects including those sections of  NHs  passing  through  snowy,  landslide-prone  and  flood-affected areas  are  planned,  designed  and  constructed  in  accordance  with the provisions of Indian Roads Congress (IRC) codes and specifications. IRC has published several guidelines/standards/techniques such as 'IRC:52  Guidelines  for  the Alignment Survey and Geometric Design of Hill Roads', 'IRC:75(Part2)  Guidelines  for  Retrofitting  Measures  for  Protection  of  Road Systems  Including  Surrounding  Areas  from  Rainfall,  Waterlogging and Flooding', 'IRC:138 Guidelines for Highway Engineers on Disaster Resilient Green Highways in Multi-Hazard Ecosystem', 'IRC: SP:48  Hill  Road  Manual',  'IRC:SP:106  Engineering  Guidelines  on Landslide  Mitigation  Measures',  '  IRC:SP:113  Guidelines  on  Flood Disaster Mitigation for Highway Engineers' etc. (c)  to  (d)  IRC  guidelines  are  developed  on  the  basis  of  global successful best practices adjusted to local climatic & load conditions  and  outcome  of  indigenous  research.  These  guidelines have the provisions of selection of alignment/improvement option on the  basis  of  landslide  susceptibility  map,  design  criteria  such  as highest flood level, rainfall intensity, seismic zone, exposure condition like corrosion resistant reinforcement, road building materials of bitumen duly considering prevailing  maximum  & minimum pavement temperature/frost resistant materials, landslide protection measures  including avalanche protection, etc.  NHs planned, designed and constructed duly considering project specific climatic factors/design parameters/materials  which  results into climate  resilient  infrastructure  resisting  seasonal  disruptions  to road connectivity.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3220 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Low SC/ST Representation in Senior and Policy Positions
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Dr. Mallu Ravi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3220 (ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026)

## LOW SC/ST REPRESENTATION IN SENIOR AND POLICY POSITIONS

## 3220. DR. MALLU RAVI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the  representation  of  SC/ST  is  disproportionately low  at  Joint  Secretary  level  and above and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the promotion-linked stagnation is disproportionately affecting SC/ST officers and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government tracks the time taken for promotion by social category and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  lack of representation affects policy sensitivity towards constituencies like Nagarkurnool and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether cadre review mechanisms are likely to address this imbalance and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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): Data in this regard is not maintained.
- (b) to (d): As per the policy of the Government, reservation is provided to SCs and STs in promotion upto the lowest rung of Group A @ 15% and 7.5% respectively. ln order to ensure implementation of reservation policies in the Ministries/Departments, instructions have been issued by DoPT requesting all the Ministries/Departments including organisations under them to  designate  an  officer,  at  least  of  the  rank  of  Deputy  Secretary,  as  a  Liaison  Officer  in respect  of  matters  relating  to  SC/ST.  Ministries/  Departments  are  also  required  to  create  a Reservation Cell under the direct control of Liaison Officer to assist him in discharging of his duties  effectively.  Instructions  have  also  been  issued  to  the  Ministries/  Departments  to convene DPCs well in advance so that the vacancies are filled up in a time bound manner.

As per the  data available with Ministries/Departments,  the overall  representation of SCs and STs as on 01.01.2025 is more than 15% and 7.5% respectively.

- (e): Cadre review is a periodic administrative mechanism conducted to realign a service to the ever-changing organizational  needs  and  maintain congruence amongst  functional,  structural and personnel needs in accordance with pre-defined principles.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3219 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Investment in North Eastern Region
Ministry: DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
Asked by: Shri Joyanta Basumatary

## Government of India

## Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region LOK SABHA

## Unstarred Question No. 3219

To be answered on

Wednesday, March 11, 2026/Phalguna 20, 1947 (Saka)

## QUESTION Investment in North Eastern Region

3219.  Shri Joyanta Basumatary:

Will the Minister of DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  actions  to  attract  the  MNCs  or organizations  to  invest  in  North  Eastern  Region  of  the  country  to  create  employment opportunities and development in the region and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  seeking  some  investments  before  signing  the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with different companies;
- (c) if so, the details of proposals received and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the details of steps taken by the Government to attract more investors?

## ANSWER

## The Minister of State of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region [Dr. Sukanta Majumdar]

(a) to (d) Ministry  of  Development  of  North  Eastern  Region  (MDoNER)  organized Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025 to catalyze trade and investment in the North Eastern Region. The focus sectors of the summit identified for attracting investment in the North Eastern Region were Tourism and Hospitality; Agro-Food Processing & allied sectors; Textiles, Handloom and Handicrafts; Healthcare; Education and Skill Development;  IT/ITeS;  Entertainment  &  Sports; Infrastructure and  Logistics;  and Energy.  Collectively,  the  Summit  and  its  pre-event  roadshows  garnered  investment interests  of  ₹ 4.48 lakh crore  through  Memoranda of Understanding  (MoU),  letters  of intent, and qualified leads from private investors, public sector undertakings, and major industrial  conglomerates.  The  investment  will  enhance  industrial  capacity  of  North Eastern Region as well as provide employment opportunities. State Governments are actively engaged with all the investors for grounding of the investment interests. Further, various  steps  have  been  taken  by  North  Eastern  State  Governments  to  facilitate of

investment, which inter alia , include single window  clearance, establishment investment promotion agency, creation of land banks, incentives for investments etc. For strengthening the industrial eco-system and attracting private investment in North Eastern Region, Government of India is implementing Uttar Poorva Transformative  Industrialization  (UNNATI)  Scheme.  The  incentives  provided  under UNNATI  scheme  are  (i)  Capital  Investment  Incentive;  (ii)  Central  Capital  Interest

Subvention Incentive; and (iii) Manufacturing & Services Linked Incentive.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3216 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Internet connectivity to Rural India
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Rahul Kaswan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3216 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  MARCH, 2026

## INTERNET CONNECTIVITY TO RURAL INDIA

## †3216. SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the current status of the Government's plan to connect rural areas of the country with internet;

(b) whether the  Government has  achieved the  targets set in  this  regard  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;

(c) the  details  of  the  number  of  villages  in  Rajasthan,  particularly  in  Churu  LoK  Sabha constituency, connected with internet so far; and

(d) whether any delay has been reported in the completion of the work of the said scheme in many areas and if so, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs). The total number of GPs undertaken under BharatNet Phase-I  and  Phase-II  are  2,22,341,  out  of  which  2,14,921  GPs  are  Service  Ready.  Further, Government has approved the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) on 04.08.2023 through which Optical Fiber Connectivity is to be provided to approximately 2.64 lakh GPs and approximately 3.8 lakh non-GP villages on demand basis.

(c) A total of 8,776 GPs including 349 GPs of Churu Lok Sabha constituency are Service Ready under BharatNet in Rajasthan.

(d) The  Amended  BharatNet  Program  (ABP)  is  under  implementation  and  work  has  been awarded  to  Project  Implementation  Agencies  (PIAs)  for  twenty-four  States  and  UTs  including Rajasthan. Right of Way (RoW) approvals, provision of separate electricity connections for ABP equipment  at  GPs  have  been  identified  as  constraints  in  implementation  and  the  Department  of Telecommunications (DoT) as well as BSNL (as Project Management Agency for ABP) have been coordinating with concerned authorities for resolution of the same.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3213 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Religious Affairs of the Sikhs
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No-3213

ANSWERED ON -11/03/2026

## RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS OF THE SIKHS

## 3213. SMT. HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of recent newspaper reports regarding the President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) expressing concern about alleged Governmental interference in the religious affairs of the Sikh community;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  any  steps  have  been  taken  or  proposed  to  be  taken  to  ensure  that  such interference  in  Sikh  religious  affairs  does  not  recur  including  any  consultations  or  meetings held with the SGPC in this regard; and
- (c)  the  details  of  institutional  mechanism  through  which  the  Government  addresses  issues relating to the Sikh community along with the details of the meetings held, decisions taken and representations received from Sikh religious bodies during the last three years?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (c): No  Sir.  No  such  matter  has  been  received  in  the  National  Commission  of Minorities or taken up by the Commission.

As per section 9(d) of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Act, 1992, the Commission  took  up  all  the  grievances  received  from  minority  individuals  /  institutions  / bodies  / organizations with appropriate authorities  in  Central  Government  and  State Governments.

As  regards  meeting  held  with  the  Sikh  community,  a  total  of  13  meetings  were conducted with representatives of the Sikh community on various issues during the period 2023-24 to 2025-26 (till 05.03.2026).

The number of representations received from Sikh community during the year 202324 to 2025-26 (till 05.03.2026) is annexed as Annexure-I.

*****

ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (A)  TO  (C)  OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  3213  REGARDING  RELIGIOUS  AFFAIRS  OF  THE SIKHS ASKED BY SMT. HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL.

The number of representations received from Sikh community during the year 202324 to 2025-26 (till 05.03.2026) in NCM are given below:

| Year                      |   No. of representations |
|---------------------------|--------------------------|
| 2023-24                   |                      307 |
| 2024-25                   |                      221 |
| 2025-26 (till 05.03.2026) |                      140 |
Lok Sabha Question No. 3209 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Double Tracking Project (South Western Railways)
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Captain Viriato Fernandes

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3209 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026

## DOUBLE TRACKING PROJECT (SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAYS)

## 3209. SHRI CAPTAIN VIRIATO FERNANDES:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government/Railway  authorities  possess  valid  ownership documents or legally concluded land records for all properties on which railway tracks have already been laid in respect of the Double Tracking project on the South Western Railway particularly the section between Margao and Vasco da Gama in Goa and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether land acquisition process including transfer of title and payment of  compensation  has  been  completed  in  respect  of  each/every  such property and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  if  not,  the  details  of  properties  where  tracks  have  been  laid  without completion of acquisition or availability of ownership documents along with reasons therefor;
- (d)  whether  laying  of  tracks  prior  to  completion  of  acquisition  is  in conformity with the Railways Act, 1989 and applicable land acquisition
- laws and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  the  details  of  the  corrective  steps  taken  or  proposed,  including timelines to regularize ownership and address any legal or procedural violations?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (e): To  improve  the  rail  connectivity  of  Goa  region,  doubling  of Hosapete - Hubballi - Londa - Vasco-da-Gama  (312 Km) has been taken up.

Doubling of 261 Km out of 312 Km length of project has been completed. 72  Km of this project lies in  State  of  Goa  out  of  which  30  Km has  been commissioned.

The total scope of land acquisition for the length of project in Goa is 149 Ha. Out of this, 13 Ha is private land and 136 Ha is forest land. 11 Ha out of the total 13 Ha private land has been acquired. Diversion of forest land is not completed.

Completion of this project will improve mobility and connectivity of goods & passengers from Goa to other parts of the country.

Railway acquires land through concerned State/District Authorities. All the activities in connection with land acquisition like assessment of amount of compensation to land losers etc. are under purview of the State Government.

Compensation  for  land  acquisition  is  made  to  the  land  losers  by  the Revenue Department of the State Government after demanding the same from  Railways.  The  process  is  undertaken  in  coordination  with  state governments, following the provisions of the Railway Act, 1989.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3208 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: New Train Service from Sultanganj to Katoria (Bihar)
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Giridhari Yadav

§

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3208

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026

## NEW TRAIN SERVICE FROM SULTANGANJ TO KATORIA (BIHAR)

## †3208. SHRI GIRIDHARI YADAV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  new  railway  line  project  between  Sultanganj-Katoria (Banka district) in Bihar was announced by the Government five years ago;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the amount spent on the said railway
- line so far; and
- (c) the timeline by when the said project is likely to be completed?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (c): The direct connectivity from Sultanganj to Katuria via Asarganj, Tarapur  and  Belhar  new  line  project  (77  Km)  has  been  sanctioned.  This project has been declared as a Special Railway Project for land acquisition. Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA) has also been nominated. Land acquisition for this project has been taken up.

Completion of Railway project/s depends on various factors which include the following:

-  Land acquisition by State Government
-  Forest clearance
-  Shifting of infringing utilities

 Statutory clearances from various authorities  Geological and topographical conditions of area  Law and order situation in the area of project site  Number of working months in a year for particular project site etc. All these factors affect the completion time and cost of the project/s. *****