opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3084 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Stringent Empanelment Guidelines for Footage Coverage
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Jai Prakash

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3084 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026)

## Stringent Empanelment Guidelines for Footage Coverage

## 3084. SHRI JAI PRAKASH:

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

- a) whether Doordarshan (DD) News, Lucknow has been following the stringer empanelment  guidelines  for  footage  coverage  dated  02  July  2020  for  empanelment  of stringers in districts Hardoi and Faizabad of Uttar Pradesh in 2024-25;
- b) if  so,  whether  any  advertisement/notification/vacancy  was  issued  and  whether  any selection board/committee was set up in this regard; and
- c) if  not,  the  details  of  disciplinary  action  taken  against  the  delinquent  officials  for  not adhering to the guidelines?

## ANSWER

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

## (DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a) to (c): Doordarshan (DD) News, Lucknow has been following the Stringers' Empanelment Guidelines dated 02 July 2010  for the selection of Stringers  in  various districts  of  the  state of Uttar  Pradesh.  No  process  of  Stringers'  empanelment  was  undertaken  or  notification  of vacancies was issued in the districts of Hardoi and Faizabad of UP in 2024-25.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3083 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Pension Grievances Redressal and Monitoring System Portal
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Shri Biplab Kumar Deb

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PENSION & PENSIONERS' WELFARE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3083

(ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026)

## PENSION GRIEVANCES REDRESSAL AND MONITORING SYSTEM PORTAL

## 3083. SHRI BIPLAB KUMAR DEB:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  total  number  of  pension  grievances  received  and  redressed  through  the  Centralized Pension Grievance Redress and Monitoring System portal during the last three years along with the details of Ministries received the highest number of grievances;
- (b) the details of grievance redressal rate on the portal during the said period and the manner in which it reflects the efficiency of the current pension grievance handling system;
- (c)  the details of the departments which have the highest number of pending cases; and
- (d) the number of pension related cases which are pending for redress from the State of Tripura?

## 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) to (d): Centralized Pension Grievances Redress And Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS) is an online portal for registration, tracking and redressal of pensioners' grievances. On this portal, the  total  number  of  pension  grievances  received  during  the  years  2023,  2024  and  2025  are 78,675,  1,12,215  &  1,07,731  respectively,  while  72,902,  1,07,701  &  1,13,272  grievances, including  those  brought  forward  from  previous  year  also,  have  been  redressed  respectively during these years. Ministry of Defence, Department of Financial Services (Banking Division) and Ministry of Railways have received the highest number of grievances during these years. As a  result  of  the  close  coordination  with  stakeholders  through  Pension  Adalats,  monthly  InterMinisterial  Review  Meetings,  and  annual  Special  Campaigns,  there  has  been  a  significant reduction  in  the  average  redressal  time.  The  present  redressal  time  recorded  during  February, 2026 is 19 days. As on 06.03.2026, Ministry of Defence (3,699), Ministry of Home Affairs (449) and Ministry of Railways (263) have highest number of pending cases.  As on 06.03.2026, on CPENGRAMS portal, two pending pension related cases are from Tripura.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3074 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Shopian-Pulwama Railway Line Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3074 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026

## SHOPIAN-PULWAMA RAILWAY LINE PROJECT

## 3074. SHRI AGA SYED RUHULLAH MEHDI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  proposed/ongoing  rail  line project between Shopian and Pulwama in the Union Territory of Jammu and  Kashmir  is  resulting  in  large-scale  acquisition  and  damage  to orchard land which constitutes the primary source of livelihood for local residents and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the total area of orchard land proposed to be acquired or already acquired for the Shopian-Pulwama rail line project;
- (c)  the  number  of  orchard  owners  and  families  affected  by  the  said acquisition;
- (d)  whether  any  assessment  has  been  made  regarding  the  impact  of  the said project on Environment/social/horticulture/livelihoods/local economy in the affected areas prior to finalising the alignment and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the details of the compensation and rehabilitation measures provided or proposed  for  orchard  owners  whose  livelihoods  are  affected  while pursuing infrastructure development; and
- (f)  whether  the  Government  is  exploring  alternative  routes  or  technical solutions  including  elevated  or  modified  alignments  to  avoid  further damage to productive orchard land and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (f):      To  extend  rail  connectivity  in  Pulwama  district  of  Jammu  & Kashmir,  a  survey  for  Avantipore  (Kakapora)  -  Shopian  (28  km)  New  line was  taken  up.  However,  the  project  is  assessed  to  be  infeasible  and therefore it is dropped.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3070 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Ultra-Mega Solar Projects in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Tharaniventhan M S

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3070

ANSWERED ON 11.0 3 .2026

## ULTRA-MEGA SOLAR PROJECTS IN TAMIL NADU

## 3070. SHRI THARANIVENTHAN M S

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

- (a) the current status of the Development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects Scheme in Tamil Nadu along with the details of total number of solar parks and ultra-mega solar power projects have been developed in the State so far;
- (b) whether the Government has extended the timeline for implementation of the scheme in Tamil Nadu and if so, the details of revised timeline for the completion of these solar projects in the State;
- (c) the total capacity of solar energy expected to be generated from the solar parks and ultramega solar power projects in Tamil Nadu and the progress has been made towards meeting this target;
- (d) the primary reasons for the extension of the scheme's timeline and the manner in which the Government plans to overcome challenges related to land acquisition, environmental clearances; and
- (e) the steps are being taken by the Government to ensure that the development of solar parks in Tamil Nadu leads to the creation of sustainable jobs?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e) There is no solar park developed in Tamil Nadu under the scheme for 'Development of Solar Parks and Ultra-Mega Solar Power Projects.'

Previously, two solar parks were sanctioned in Tamil Nadu which were subsequently cancelled due to slow progress with the primary reason being difficulty in land acquisition.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3069 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: State Public Universities
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Shri Basavaraj Bommai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3069

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026

## STATE PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

## 3069. SHRI BASAVARAJ BOMMAI:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of measures taken to improve governance structures in State Public Universities (SPUs) particularly regarding greater autonomy,  leadership  capacity  building  and  transparency  in decision-making;
- (b) the manner in which the Government plans to promote internships, apprenticeships and skill-based learning within SPUs to align with the evolving job market; and
- (c) whether the Government has any plans to introduce innovative financing  models  such  as  Public  Private  Partnerships  (PPPs)  or performance-based  funding  for  State  Public  Universities  and  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS & PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION; MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

Page 1 of 2 (a) to (c): NITI Aayog's report on 'Expanding Quality Higher Education through States and State Public Universities' was released in February

2025. The report focuses on improving governance structures through capacity  building  of  leadership  and  enhanced  autonomy,  boosting employability through internships and apprenticeships, and augmenting institutional and systemic funding and financing capacity through innovative financing models, such as Public Private Partnerships  (PPPs).  The  report  is  recommendatory  in  nature  and suggests various policy changes at the  State Government and State Public  University  levels  for  all  States.  State  Public  Universities  are primarily  the  responsibility  of  State  Governments.  As  for  the  Central Government,  various  Central  Government  programmes  and  schemes such as the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme (MMTTP), PM-Internship Scheme,  National  Apprenticeship Training  Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Vidyalaxmi (PM-Vidyalaxmi), and Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (PM-USHA)  are  available  to  State  Public Universities. The Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme of the Ministry of Finance,  Government  of  India,  is  applicable  in  PPP  mode  to  Central Ministries,  State  Governments,  and  Statutory  Authorities,  including those from the Higher Education sector, as the case may be.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3065 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Targets set under PM-SGMBY
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Anil Yeshwant Desai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3065

ANSWERED ON 11.0 3 .2026

## TARGETS SET UNDER PM-SGMBY

3065. SHRI ANIL YESHWANT DESAI

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

- (a) the details of targets set under the Pradhan Mantri-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PM SGMBY) during the last three years;
- (b) the total number of households received benefits out of this yojana in the country during the last three years;
- (c) the details of subsidy applicable under the said Yojana; and
- (d) the details of services available after the installation of solar panels under the said Yojana?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

(a) & (b): The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is implementing PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY) since February 2024 with an aim to achieve rooftop solar (RTS) installations in one crore households in the residential sector by FY 2026-27.

The PMSG: MBY is a demand driven scheme wherein all residential consumers in the country, having grid connected electricity connection of the local DISCOM can avail the benefits of the scheme, for installation of RTS systems, by applying on the National Portal of the scheme.

Under the scheme, since its launch in February 2024, a total of 31,12,850 households have been benefitted with installation of RTS systems as on 06.03.2026.

- (c) The Central Financial Assistance (CFA) available for residential sector under the scheme is as follows: -
- For individual households, the CFA is Rs. 30,000/- per kWp for the first 2 kWp and Rs. 18,000/- per kWp for the additional one kWp. The subsidy is capped at 3 kWp rooftop solar plant capacity for individual household.
- For Group Housing Societies/ Residential Welfare Associations (GHS/RWA), the CFA is Rs. 18,000/- per kWp with rooftop solar plant capacity limit of 500 kWp.
- In case of special category states/UTs including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Ladakh, States in the North East Region, UTs of A&N and Lakshadweep, the CFA is 10% higher.
- (d) Under the PMSG: MBY, registered vendors are required to maintain the RTS plants installed for 5 years from the date of commissioning. Further, the respective OEMs provide warranties on the system components.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3053 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Low Utilisation of Budget
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Azad Kirti Jha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3053 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  MARCH, 2026

## LOW UTILISATION OF BUDGET

## 3053.   SHRI AZAD KIRTI JHA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) the reasons for the low utilization of budget allocations during FY 2024-25, with only 6% of funds allocated to the BSNL/MTNL Revival Plan, 23% for BharatNet and 8% for the Connectivity for Indian Railways (CIOR) scheme spent;

(b) the  details  of  project  deadlines  and  measurable  output  milestones  introduced  following repeated Standing Committee observations regarding underutilization; and

(c) whether the Department has operationalized any risk-based or performance-linked budget monitoring mechanism since the said observations and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) In  FY  2024-25,  the  utilization  of  funds  against  Revised  Estimates  (RE)  was  99.87%  in BSNL/MTNL Revival Plan, 61.46% in Bharat Net and 72.06% in Prevention of Spoofed Incoming International Calls System (CIOR).

The reasons  for 61.46% utilization of funds in FY 2024-25  in respect of Bharat Net is due to delay in finalization of bids for implementation of Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) by BSNL, which is Project Management Agency for ABP.

(b) BharatNet  project  is  being  implemented  in  a  phased  manner  to  provide  broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages in the country. As of Feb-2026, 2,17,805 GPs  have  been  made  service  ready  under  BharatNet  project  in  the  country.  Further,  Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) approved by the Government is under implementation 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 connectivity to remaining non-GP villages on demand basis from their respective GPs.

(c) The physical and financial progress in respect of Projects/Schemes is regularly monitored at highest level to ensure optimal  utilization of funds.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3046 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Vacancies in Ministry of Minority Affairs
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Mr Pathan Yusuf

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3046

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026

## VACANCIES IN MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

3046.  MR. PATHAN YUSUF:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the number of sanctioned posts in position and the number of vacancies including reserved posts across categories in the Ministry of Minority Affairs;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  number  of  vacancies  in  the  Ministry  and  institutes  under  it  including  the reserved posts since 2014, year and category-wise; and
- (c) the details of the number of contractual employees hired since 2014, year and category-wise?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a) & (b): This Ministry is manned by officials/ officers belonging to All India, Other Organised and General Civil Services etc. This Ministry implements posting, transfer & promotion orders of the cadre controlling authorities of these services. In Ministry of Minority Affairs, 98 posts are filled up, against sanctioned strength of 127. Regarding vacancies and hiring of employees since 2014, it is informed that occurrence and filling up of vacancies is a continuous process. By the time, vacancies reported by the Department to the cadre controlling authorities, are filled up, in compliance with the reservation norms/guidelines, some new vacancies arise due to retirement, resignation, death, promotion etc. of an employee.
- (c):  Contractual  engagements  are  resorted  to  as  a  stopgap  arrangement  for  fixed  tenure,  in accordance  with  Govt.  of  India  rules  and  regulations  due  to  exigencies  of  work,  economy  of operations  and  unavoidable  circumstances,  till  filling  up  of  vacancies  by  various  recruiting agencies of Central Government including Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Staff Selection Commission (SSC) etc or till the requirement exist.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3039 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: State Legislatures under NeVA
Ministry: PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 3039 ANSWERED ON - 11/03/2026

State Legislatures under NeVA

3039. Shri Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa

Will  the  Minister  of  PARLIAMENTARY  AFFAIRS  be  pleased  to state:

- (a)  whether  any  arrangement  has  been  entered  into  by  the Government with  the  State  Legislatures  under  the  National  eVidhan Application (NeVA);
- (b) if so, the features of the National e-Vidhan Application along with  the  details  of  the  arrangement  with  the  State  of  Punjab; and
- (c) the time by which the National e-Vidhan Application is likely to be launched in Punjab Legislative Assembly?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

(a)  &  (b)  Yes.  The  Government  of  India  has  entered  into Tripartite Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with 28 State/UT Legislatures  and  the  concerned  State  Governments,  including Punjab, for implementation of the National e-Vidhan Application

(NeVA) in the respective Legislatures. NeVA enables a paperless and digital House by providing a platform for managing  and  accessing  legislative  business  such  as  List  of Business,  Questions  and  Replies,  Notices,  Bills,  Debates  and Proceedings.

(c)  The  Punjab  Legislative  Assembly  has  already  transformed itself into a fully digital house by onboarding NeVA platform on 21 st  September, 2023.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3038 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Closure of Post Offices
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Adv. Adoor Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3038 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  MARCH, 2026

## CLOSURE OF POST OFFICES

## 3038.   ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has decided to cut down the number of Post Offices in many States including Kerala and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b) the details of the number of post offices closed and identified for closure so far, State-wise;
- (c) whether the Government has noted the concern among the public and postal employees over the closure of Post Offices; and
- (d) if so, the details of the measures proposed by the Government to address the same?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No Sir.
- (b) In view of (a) above, question does not arise.
- (c) & (d) In view of (a) above, questions do not arise. Under the rationalisation exercise across the country, post offices have been rationalised as per the prescribed norms of the Department of Posts.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3037 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Annual e-waste Recycling Capacity
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Dileshwar Kamait, Shri Rahul Singh Lodhi, Shri Saumitra Khan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †3037

ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026

## ANNUAL E-WASTE RECYCLING CAPACITY

†3037. SHRI RAHUL SINGH LODHI: SHRI DILESHWAR KAMAIT: SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the updated annual recycling capacity in respect of e-waste, lithium-ion batteries and other types of scraps; (b) whether there has been an increase in the critical mineral reserves of the country after the implementation of the incentive scheme and if so, the details thereof; and (c) the effectiveness of the said scheme in reducing India's import dependence and supply
- chain vulnerabilities in respect of critical minerals especially in West Bengal?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL AND MINES (SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY)

(a)  to  (c):  Under  the  National  Critical  Mineral  Mission  (NCMM),  the  Government  has approved  a  ₹1,500  crore  incentive  scheme  for  recycling  capacity  of  e-waste,  spent lithium-ion  batteries  and  other  scrap.  The  Scheme  guidelines  were  issued  and  the Scheme launched on 02.10.2025. Last date for submission of applications is 01.04.2026. The  Scheme  incentivizes  recycling  capacity  for  extraction  of  critical  minerals,  which reduces their import dependence and supply chain vulnerability of the country, including West Bengal.

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