opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 559 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Wi-Fi Connectivity in Gram Panchayats
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Smt. Delkar Kalaben Mohanbhai, Dr. Shivaji Bandappa Kalge, Shri Bhumare Sandipanrao Asaram, Shri Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke, Shri Gyaneshwar Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 559 ANSWERED ON 3 RD  DECEMBER, 2025

## WI-FI CONNECTIVITY IN GRAM PANCHAYATS

## †559.   DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE:

SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM:

SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL:

SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE:

SMT. DELKAR KALABEN MOHANBHAI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has accelerated the programme to provide Wi-Fi connectivity in Gram Panchayats in various States across the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  State/UT-wise  number  of  Gram  Panchayats  currently  having  Wi-Fi  connectivity particularly in States of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli;
- (d) the financial outlay allocated for Gram Panchayat internet services in the current year; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof including States of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Total number of service ready Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the Country is 2,14,864 as on 17.11.2025. The state-wise details are available on Digital Bharat Nidhi website (https://usof.gov.in/en/home). Wi-Fi service is supported by equipment installed at many GPs.

(d) & (e) In current financial year 2025-26, Rs. 28,400 Crores have been allocated for DBN's Schemes to provide internet/telecom services in  rural  and remote areas of the  country including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 557 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Critical Minerals and Deep-Sea Exploration
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, Shri Kali Charan Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.557

ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## CRITICAL MINERALS AND DEEP-SEA EXPLORATION

557.    SHRI VISHWESHWAR HEGDE KAGERI: SHRI KALI CHARAN SINGH:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) the present status of the exploration and auction of 20 identified critical mineral blocks;
- (b) the steps being taken to expedite technical cooperation/tie-ups for exploration of seabed resources in the Indian Ocean;
- (c) the details of proposed research areas and facilities for critical mineral processing at the National Institute of Advanced Mineral Technology; and
- (d) the details of specific financial incentives being provided to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the mining sector?

## ANSWER

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

(a): The Geological Survey of India (GSI), an attached office of the Ministry of Mines, carries  out  mineral  exploration,  including  critical  minerals,  and  has  handed  over Geological Reports of 83 critical mineral blocks and Geological Memorandums of 77 critical mineral blocks to the Central Government. So far, 59 critical mineral blocks have  been  auctioned  successfully.  Further,  the  Central  Government  has  notified Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) of 23 critical mineral blocks for auction.

- (b):  The  Ministry  of  Earth  Sciences  conducts  exploration  of  deep  seabed  mineral resources beyond India's EEZ in the Indian Ocean through signed contract with the International Seabed Authority.

(c):  There  is  no  institute  with  the  name  'National  Institute  of  Advanced  Mineral Technology. In view of this, question does not arise.

(d): In order to attract Foreign Direct Investment(FDI), as per the FDI Policy, 2020, 100% FDI is allowed under automatic route for mining and exploration of metal and non-metal  ores  including  diamond,  gold,  silver  and  precious  ores  but  excluding titanium bearing minerals and its ores.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 555 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Cloud Seeding Operations
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Ms. Mahua Moitra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 555

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 3 RD  DECEMBER, 2025

## CLOUD SEEDING OPERATIONS

## 555.    MS. MAHUA MOITRA:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the ongoing cloud seeding operations in various parts of the country including Kanpur and nearby regions have been stopped due to a decline in atmospheric humidity;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for such reduction in humidity levels;
- (c) the total  expenditure incurred on cloud seeding operations so far during the current year;
- (d) whether the Government has assessed the effectiveness and outcomes of these cloud seeding experiments; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and findings of such assessment along with the future plan for similar operations?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a) The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) is not involved in the ongoing cloud seeding operations in various parts of the country. However, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology  (IITM)  under  the  Ministry  had  conducted  a  research  study  on  rain enhancement  through  cloud  seeding  in  the  rain  shadow  region  of  India  during  the period 2017-2019 through the Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment (CAIPEEX) Program. Details of this research project and the outcome of the study are available at https://www.tropmet.res.in/~lip/Publication/Technical-Reports/CAIPEEX-ReportJuly2023.pdf.

(b)-(e) The question does not applicable in this scenario.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 554 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Research and Development in Renewable Energy Technologies
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Biplab Kumar Deb, Shri Anup Sanjay Dhotre

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 554

ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES

## 554. SHRI ANUP SANJAY DHOTRE SHRI BIPLAB KUMAR DEB

Will the MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  Research  and  Development  (R&D)  initiatives  undertaken  for  next-generation renewable technologies;
- (b) the manner in which the Government collaborating with academic and research institutions in this regard;
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to promote indigenous manufacturing of renewable energy equipment;
- (d) the manner in which the Government encourage innovation in energy storage and smart grids;
- (e) whether there are special grants or funds for startups working on clean energy and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  increase  investments  in  Research  and  development  of advanced solar cells, wind turbines and energy storage to enhance energy efficiency and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (e)  The  Ministry  is  implementing  a  'Renewable  Energy  Research  and  Technology Development Programme (RERTD)' through various research institutions and industry to develop indigenous  technologies  and  manufacturing  for  widespread  applications  of  new  and  renewable energy including energy storage and smart grids technologies in efficient and cost-effective manner in the country.

Under  the  RE-RTD  programme,  the  Ministry  provides  up  to  100%  financial  support  to Government/non-profit  research  organizations  and  upto  70%  to  Industry,  start-ups,  private Institutes, entrepreneurs, and manufacturing units.

- (f)  Yes.  The  Government  is  continuously  enhancing  investments  in  research,  development  and demonstration of advanced renewable energy technologies through RE-RTD Programme, including next-generation solar cell technologies including perovskite and perovskite -silicon tandem solar cells, wind resources assessment, and emerging energy storage technologies.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 552 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: PDS in Bharatpur
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Smt. Sanjna Jatav

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 552 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3RD DECEMBER, 2025

## PDS IN BIIARATPUR

'i'552. SMT. SANJNA JATAV:

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

- (a) whether the  Government is  aware of  the problems being faced in  Bharatpur district  of Rajasthan in the functioning of fair price shops, availability of essential commodities  and coverage of the Public Distribution  System  (PDS) especially for disadvantaged communities;
- (b) if  so, the details of  the steps taken by the Government in the district  to improve monitoring, prevent  misappropriation of goods and ensure timely  supply of rations; and
- (C) if  not, the reasons for the weaknesses in the PDS system which is affecting food security?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI  BAMBHANIYA)

(a) to  (c): The Targeted Public Distribution  System (TPDS) is governed under National Food Security Act  (NFS A),  2013 and it is operated under the joint  responsibility of  the Central and the State/Union Territory (UT)  governments. The operational responsibilities for  allocation of  food grains within the States/ UTs, identification of eligible beneficiaries,  issuance of ration cards to them, distribution  of  food  grains to  the eligible  beneficiaries under TPDS, issuance of  license to the Fair Price Shop dealers, supervision over and monitoring of functioning of Fair Price Shops (FPSs) etc. rest with  the concerned State/UT Government.

The  Rajasthan Government has informed  that  in  Bharatpur district,  2,10,329 families (9,58,135 units), covering 64.92(% of  the population (as per 2011 census) are included under NFS A.  Efficient  PDS operations are being undertaken by  proper identification of  beneficiaries, timely lifting of food grains from designated FCI Depots, its delivery to fair price shops and distribution to the eligible beneficiaries including disadvantaged communities.

Through e-KYC of  all  ration card units and State Government's Voluntary Give-Up Campaign, illegal  and incorrect  entries have been removed.  In  order to  maintain efficiency  in the PDS operation, the scheme is running smoothly in the district through measures like allocation of desired quantity, timely  lifting  of  foodgrains, removal of  ineligible families and inclusion of eligible  and genuine ones, biometric  verification through  e-PoS machine, multi-level grievance redressal mechanism and timely  disposal of  grievances/ complaints.  No  evidence has emerged indicating any shortcomings in  the operation of  the PDS in the district. Therefore, the PDS is operating efficiently  in the district  and eligible  beneficiaries are receiving benefits.

SeRIe IcqeSc
Lok Sabha Question No. 551 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Green Solar Cities
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Smt. Shambhavi, Shri Rajesh Verma, Dr. Lata Wankhede, Shri Atul Garg

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 551

ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## GREEN SOLAR CITIES

551. SHRI ATUL GARG DR. LATA WANKHEDE SHRI RAJESH VERMA SMT. SHAMBHAVI

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

- (a)  the details of the cities that have been identified or developed as Green Solar Cities so far along with the total installed solar capacity in urban areas since 2021, State-wise and year-wise particularly in Sagar, Khagaria, Samastipur and Ghaziabad Lok Sabha Constituencies of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh;
- (b) the details of the grid integration challenges faced by the Government in supplying solar power to urban consumers and the manner in which the Government is addressing the regulatory hurdles and approval processes for solar installations;
- (c)  the details of contribution of the green solar cities in the carbon reduction and employment generation in solar energy sector;
- (d) whether any financial support or subsidies for urban solar energy projects are provided under the said initiative and if so, the details of the financial support provided since 2021, year wise; and
- (e)   whether the Government is considering to expand the initiative to smart cities and integrate solar power with urban infrastructure and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

(a) to (e) Presently, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is not implementing any special scheme to develop various cities of the country as Green Solar Cities.

However, the  Ministry  in  2020  had  requested  all  States  /UTs  to  select  at-least  one  city  to  be developed as solar city with funds available under the different existing schemes to be utilized for development of solar cities.

So far, Ministry has not received any specific reports on grid integration challenges faced by the Government in supplying solar power to urban consumers.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 550 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: DPDP Rules
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Balwant Baswant Wankhade, Shri Benny Behanan, Dr. Sharmila Sarkar, Shri Anto Antony, Shri K Sudhakaran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 550

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 03.12.2025

## DPDP RULES

## 550. SHRI BALWANT BASWANT WANKHADE:

SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

SHRI K SUDHAKARAN:

DR. SHARMILA SARKAR:

SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that rules for Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act has not been made;
- (b) if so, the current status of the draft rules under the DPDP Act, 2023 along with the reasons for the delay in notifying the DPDP Rules;
- (c) whether it is a fact that DPDP was passed in 2023 and only draft rules have been framed as of 2025 and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  the  timeline  proposed  by  the  Government  for  finalising  and  releasing  DPDP  Rules  for  public implementation;
- (e) the measures being taken by the Government to ensure the DPDP rules align with international data protection standards, such as the General Data Protection Regulation;
- (f) the details of stakeholders, experts or organizations consulted during the drafting of the DPDP Rules;
- (g) whether any public consultations were held regarding the same; and
- (h) the details of budget allocation and utilization of DPDP board since its inception, year wise?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (h): The Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 ('Rules') were notified on 13 November 2025.

The Government studied global best practices while drafting the act and rules. This approach guided the provisions on transparency in personal data processing, adequate security measures, and Data Principals' rights, and ultimately ensured consistency with international standards.

During the formulation of the Rules, the Government sought public feedback by publishing the draft Rules on the MyGov portal and undertaking public consultations in nine cities nationwide.

These consultations witnessed participation from a diverse set of stakeholders, including startups, MSMEs, industry  associations,  civil  society  groups,  and  various  government  departments,  all  of whom submitted detailed recommendations.

In addition, 6,915 comments were received from individuals and organisations through the MyGov portal.

After notification of Rules on 13th Nov 2025, steps have been taken for establishing the DPB as per rules.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 546 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Shrirampur-Parli Railway Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 546 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## SHRIRAMPUR-PARLI RAILWAY LINE

## †546.    SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it  is  a  fact  that  Shrirampur-Parli  railway  line  in  the  Shirdi Lok Sabha Constituency of Maharashtra State was approved during the British period and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the work of filling up the land by acquiring 331-61 hectares for the said railway line up to Shevgaon has been completed and 70 percent  of  the  filling  is  in  good  condition  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (c) whether the then Deputy Chief Minister of the Maharashtra on behalf of  the  State  Government issued a consent letter to the Ministry of Railways in 2019 to bear 50 percent of the construction cost of this railway line; and
- (d) if so, the present status of the construction of this railway line and the reasons for delay in the construction of this railway line?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d): Before Independence, a Narrow Gauge Rail project from Belapur to Shevgaon (80 Km) was conceived and land acquisition was also done for Narrow Gauge Rail link. The work was later abandoned in the year of 1948. At present, 338 Ha land is under the ownership of Railways. There has been major encroachment over this land.

After Independence, a survey for new Broad Gauge line between Shrirampur  (Belapur)  -  Shevgaon  -  Parli  (241  Km)  was  completed  in  the year 2018. As per Survey Report, the cost of the project was assessed as Rs.  3,904  crore.  However,  the  project  was  not  taken  forward  due  to  low traffic projections though State Government was ready to share 50% of the project cost.

Belapur is an existing station on Manmad - Ahmednagar - Daund section. Belapur - Ahmednagar is already an existing double line section. Further Ahmednagar - Beed section of Ahmednagar - Beed - Parli Vaijnath New line project, has been commissioned in February, 2025.

Belapur and Parli are existing stations and are connected via Ankai, Jalna, Parbhani. Moreover, a shorter route between Belapur and Parli Vaijnath via Beed has been envisaged with completion  of  Ahmednagar -  Beed  -  Parli Vaijnath New Line Project.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 543 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Food Quality Control under PDS
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Rajeev Rai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 543 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3RD DECEMBER, 2025

## FOOD QUALITY CONTROL UNDER PDS

## 543. SHRI RAJEEV RAI:

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

- (a) whether the Government has put in place any mechanism during the last five years to ensure quality control over the food provided under the Public Distribution  System  (PDS) through ration shops 9
- (b) if  so, the details thereof and if  not, the reasons therefor;
- (C) whether any action is taken in case of violations  of quality norms;
- (d) if  so, the details thereof and if  not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) whether any grievance redressal mechanism has been set up for filing  complaints in cases of lapses in quality; and
- (f) if  so, the details thereof and if  not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI  BAMBHANIYA)

- (a) and (b): The Department has formulated and issued a Quality Control Manual, to uniformly maintain the quality standards of  foodgrains from procurement  to its distribution to  the eligible beneficiaries through various social security programmes  of GoI.
- (c) and (d): Regular surveillance, monitoring,  inspection and random sampling of  food products are being carried out by the machinery of Food Safety Departments of the respective States/UTs to check compliance of the standards laid down under Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, Rules and Regulations made there under. In  cases, where the food  samples are found to be nonconforming, penal  action  is  initiated  against the  defaulting  Food  Business Operators as per provisions ofFSS  Act, Rules and Regulations made there under.
- (e) and (f): Under TPDS, every State Government is required to put in place an internal grievance redressal mechanism which may include call centres, help lines, designation of nodal officers, or such other mechanism as may be  prescribed. Whenever any complaints are received in  this Department from  any source, they  are forwarded to  the  concerned State/UT Governments for inquiry  and appropriate action at their end.

SeRge SeR