Statement

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government proposes to hand over the one million e-mail account (Government) from NIC to Private company "Zoho" to operate; (b) if so, the reasons therefor; and (c) the amount of payment "Zoho" is likely to get from Government as a service provider? 11.03.2026 733 THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA): (a) to (c): The Government of India recognises electronic mail as an important mode of official communication for governance, inter-ministerial coordination and citizen- centric service delivery. In order to modernise the legacy e-mail infrastructure and enhance scalability, security and collaboration capabilities, the Government has undertaken upgradation of the official e-mail system to a secure, cloud-based platform. The upgraded e-mail solution (new platform) is being implemented through Zoho Corporation Ltd., which has been selected through an open and competitive tendering process. The engagement is based on clearly defined technical, security and service-level requirements. Following this approx. 16.68 lakh active official email accounts have been migrated to the upgraded e-mail solution. However, the ownership and control of Government data remain with the Government of India at all times. The payment to the service provider is as per the rates finalised through the open competitive tendering process. The rate per e-mail account has been determined through transparent bidding, ensuring cost-efficiency and value for public funds. The total expenditure is based on the number of accounts provisioned and the terms of the contract executed as per Government norms. 11.03.2026 734 STATE AND DISTRICT CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSIONS 3110. SHRI A. MANI: Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state: (a) whether the Union Government acknowledges the role of the State and District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions in Tamil Nadu including the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Dharmapuri in providing accessible, affordable and technology enabled consumer justice; (b) if so, whether the Government has taken note of improvements such as increased e-filing, virtual hearings and higher disposal rates in several districts of Tamil Nadu including Dharmapuri, while reviewing pendency and average disposal timelines; (c) if so, whether it is a fact that rising caseloads and limited sanctioned strength continue to cause delays in certain categories of consumer disputes; (d) if so, the details of the steps taken by the Union Government to support timely appointments, infrastructure strengthening and digital capacity building; (e) whether any district-specific interventions are proposed to further 11.03.2026 735 accelerate consumer grievance redressal in Tamil Nadu; and (f) if so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI B. L. VERMA): (a) to (f): The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 provides for a three tier quasi- judicial machinery at District, State and National level commonly known as “Consumer Commissions” for protection of the rights of consumers and to provide simple and speedy redressal of consumer disputes including those related with unfair trade practices. The Consumer Commissions are empowered to give relief of a specific nature and award compensation to consumers, wherever appropriate. Further, as per Section 38 (7) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, every complaint shall be disposed of as expeditiously as possible and endeavor shall be made to decide the complaint within a period of three months from the date of receipt of notice by opposite party where the complaint does not require analysis or testing of commodities and within five months, if it requires analysis or testing of commodities. To serve the interest of speedy justice to the end consumers, Consumer Protection Act states that no adjournment shall ordinarily be granted by the consumer commissions unless sufficient cause is shown and the reasons for 11.03.2026 736 grant of adjournment have been recorded in writing by the Commission. Under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, it is the responsibility of the State Governments to fill up the vacancies of President and Members in the State Commissions and District Commissions. Further, as per Rule 6(4) of the Consumer Protection (Qualification for appointment, method of recruitment, procedure of appointment, term of office, resignation and removal of the President and members of the State Commission and District Commission) Rules, 2020, the process of appointments shall be initiated by the State Government atleast 6 months before the vacancy arises. As per Section 32 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, if, at any time, there is a vacancy in the office of the President or Member of the District Commission, the State Government may, by notification, direct -  any other District Commission specified in that notification to exercise the jurisdiction in respect of that district also; or  the President or a member of any other District Commission specified in that notification to exercise the powers and discharge the functions of the President or member of that District Commission also. The Department has launched “e-Jagriti” portal on 1st January, 2025, which aims to enhance consumer grievance redressal through a micro-service architecture, Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning integration and modern features like faceless onboarding and role-based dashboards. It unifies existing 11.03.2026 737 applications (OCMS, e-Daakhil, NCDRC CMS, CONFONET) into a single, scalable platform, allowing users to file complaints seamlessly from anywhere with multilingual support. The portal is designed to provide a convenient, transparent and efficient means for consumers to seek redressal by enabling online complaint filing, digital submission of documents, online payment of fees and also supports virtual courtrooms, enabling the hearing of cases remotely and ensuring faster disposal while reducing dependency on physical infrastructure. These features address bottlenecks like geographical barriers, scheduling conflicts and manual interventions. Further, VC equipment for conducting hearing through video conferencing mode has already been installed and made functional at 10 benches of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) and 35 benches of State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions (SCDRCs) including Tamil Nadu SCDRC. e-Jagriti has reduced reliance on physical proceedings and has accelerated justice delivery. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) and State Commissions in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Uttarakhand achieved disposal rates above 100% after July, 2025. During the period 01.01.2025 to 26.02.2026, 9,499 cases were filed before the Consumer Commissions in the State of Tamil Nadu and 8,769 were disposed of. Out of these 9,499 cases, 2861 cases were heard 11.03.2026 738 through VC and 1954 cases were disposed of. During the period 01.01.2025 to 26.02.2026, the details regarding the number of consumer cases filed and disposed by the Consumer Commissions in the State of Tamil Nadu are at Statement. The responsibility for establishment of Consumer Commissions in the States as well as providing all necessary infrastructure for their effective functioning rests with the State Governments. However, the Central Government has been extending financial assistance under the Strengthening of Consumer Commissions (SCC) Scheme to the State Governments to meet the gaps in resources for ensuring a basic minimum infrastructure (both building and non- building) required for the effective functioning of the Consumer Commissions and for honouring the shared responsibility of consumer protection. Under the SCC scheme, the Central Government’s assistance for building purposes, is limited to creation of built up area of 5,000 square feet in respect of a District Commission building and 11,000 square feet in respect of a State Commission building, which include 1000 square ft. for construction of a Mediation Centre (both for State Commission and District Commission). Assistance for non-building assets is released within the overall cost ceiling of Rs. 25.00 lakh in respect of a State Commission and Rs. 10.00 lakh in respect of a District Commission, irrespective of the location of the Consumer Commission. Under the SCC Scheme, the Department has released funds to the 11.03.2026 739 tune of Rs 13.93 crores to the State of Tamil Nadu for upgrading the infrastructure of the consumer commissions located within the State. STATEMENT Consumer cases filed and disposed by the Consumer Commissions in the State of Tamil Nadu Sl. No. Commission Filed Disposed (also includes the cases disposed which were filed in the previous years) 1 CIRCUIT BENCH MADURAI 1116 282 2 TAMIL NADU SCDRC 1629 789 3 Cuddalore 108 137 4 Dharmapuri 229 223 5 Dindigul 55 123 6 Erode 162 194 7 Kancheepuram 360 376 8 Kanyakumari 195 197 9 Karur 73 60 10 Madurai 404 454 11 Nagapattinam 111 110 12 Namakkal 170 248 13 North Chennai 387 442 14 Perambalur 53 73 15 Pudukkottai 130 170 16 Ramanathapuram 48 65 17 Salem 247 225 18 Ariyalur 69 80 11.03.2026 740 19 South Chennai 490 892 20 Thanjavur 337 358 21 Theni 140 145 22 The Nilgiris 38 38 23 Thiruvallur 217 221 24 Thiruvarur 282 152 25 Thoothukkudi 274 407 26 Tiruchirapplli 284 265 27 Tirunelveli 360 554 28 Tiruppur 138 148 29 Tiruvannamalai 157 123 30 Vellore 197 212 31 Viluppuram 260 239 32 Virudhunagar 146 131 33 Sivaganga 56 58 34 Coimbatore 577 578 Total 9499 8769 पशुजÆय रोग 3111. ®ीमती मंजू शमाª: ³या िव²ान और ÿौīोिगकì मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक: (क) ³या गत कुछ वषŎ के दौरान देश म¤ पशुजÆय रोगŌ के मामलŌ म¤ अचानक वृिĦ हòई है; (ख) यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है और इसके ³या कारण ह§; (ग) ³या मनुÕयŌ को ÿभािवत करने वाली नई बीमाåरयां मु´य łप म¤ पशुजÆय रोगŌ या पशु उÂपादŌ से उÂपÆन हो रही ह§; (घ) यिद हां; तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है; और 11.03.2026 741 (ड.) सरकार Ĭारा इस संबंध म¤ टीका बनाने के िलए िकए जा रहे ÿयासŌ का िवभाग-वार Êयौरा ³या है? िव²ान और ÿौīोिगकì मंýालय के राºय मंýी; पृÃवी िव²ान मंýालय के राºय मंýी; ÿधानमंýी कायाªलय म¤ राºय मंýी; कािमªक, लोक िशकायत और प¤शन मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी; परमाणु ऊजाª िवभाग म¤ राºय मंýी; तथा अंतåर± िवभाग म¤ राºय मंýी (डॉ. िजत¤þ िसंह): (क) से (घ) : भारत सरकार के ÖवाÖÃय एवं पåरवार कÐयाण मंýालय ने देश भर म¤ बीमाåरयŌ के ÿकोप कì चेतावनी शीŅ जारी करने और Âवåरत ÿितिøया को बढ़ावा देने के िलए एकìकृत रोग िनगरानी कायªøम (आईडीएसपी) शुł िकया है। आईडीएसपी के अंतगªत दजª िकये जाने वाले कुछ सामाÆय पशुजÆय रोग ह§: Öøब टाइफस, लेÈटोÖपाइरोिसस, मानव रेबीज, ³यासानूर वन रोग (केएफडी), øìिमयन कांगो हेमोरेिजक फìवर (सीसीएचएफ), िनपाह वायरस रोग और वेÖट नाइल फìवर। एकìकृत रोग िनगरानी कायªøम - एकìकृत ÖवाÖÃय सूचना मंच (आईडीएसपी-आईएचआईपी) के अंतगªत राºयŌ/क¤þ शािसत ÿदेशŌ Ĭारा एल-फॉमª पर दजª िकए गए केएफडी, लेÈटोÖपाइरोिसस और Öøब टाइफस के मामलŌ का वषªवार Êयौरा िववरण-I के łप म¤ संलμन है। वषª 2022 से वेÖट नाइल फìवर, िनपाह वायरस रोग, सीसीएचएफ और मानव रेबीज के ÿकोप के दौरान दजª िकए गए मामलŌ का राºय/क¤þ शािसत ÿदेश-वार Êयौरा िववरण-II के łप म¤ संलμन है। देश म¤ पशुजÆय रोगŌ म¤ वृिĦ (यिद कोई हो) के संभािवत कारण ±मता िनमाªण म¤ सुधार, बेहतर ÿिशि±त ÖवाÖÃयकमê, सुŀढ़ िनदान सुिवधाएं और Óयापक जागłकता अिभयान हो सकते ह§, िजनसे मामलŌ को बेहतर तरीके से पता लगाने और åरपोिट«ग म¤ मदद िमली है। इसके अितåरĉ, मानव- वÆयजीव संपकª का िवÖतार, तीĄ शहरीकरण और जलवायु पåरवतªनशीलता जैसे कारक भी रोगŌ के 11.03.2026 742 ÿसार कì ÿवृितयŌ को बढ़ावा दे रहे ह§। (ड.) : इस संबंध म¤ वै³सीनŌ के िवकास के िलए सरकार Ĭारा िकए जा रहे ÿयासŌ का Êयौरा नीचे िदया गया है। िवभाग/मंýालय पहल बायोटे³नोलॉजी िवभाग, िव²ान एवं ÿौīोिगकì मंýालय 1. ितŁवनंतपुरम िÖथत िāक-राजीव गांधी जैव ÿौīोिगकì क¤þ (आरजीसीबी) रेबीज वायरस को िनयंिýत करने के िलए जÆमजात ÿितर±ा ÿितिøया कì ±मता का पता लगा रहा है और साथ ही टीकाकरण और उपचार दोनŌ ŀिĶकोणŌ से रेबीज वायरस को लि±त करने कì रणनीितयŌ पर भी काम कर रहा है। 2. िāक-आरजीसीबी ड¤गू और जीका वायरस के िलए उÆनत बहò-ÿितजिनत डीएनए और वृ°ाकार आरएनए (सीआईआरसी आरएनए) आधाåरत वै³सीनŌ पर भी काम कर रहा है। 3. िāक-ůांसलेशनल ÖवाÖÃय िव²ान एवं ÿौīोिगकì संÖथान (िāक-टीएचएसटीआई) और िāक-आरजीसीबी संयुĉ łप से िनपाह वायरस के िवŁĦ मोनो³लोनल एंटीबॉडी पर काम कर रहे ह§ और उÆहŌने भारत (आवेदन सं´या: 202411037094, िदनांक 10 मई, 2024) और बांμलादेश (आवेदन सं´या: 167/2025, िदनांक 12 मई, 2025) म¤ अनंितम पेट¤ट के िलए आवेदन िकया है। 4. िāक-राÕůीय ÿितर±ा िव²ान संÖथान (िāक-एनआईआई) जापानी एÆसेफलाइिटस और ड¤गू के िलए दो अगली पीढ़ी के, पूरी तरह से Öवदेशी वै³सीन क§िडडेट तैयार कर रहा है। 5. िāक-राÕůीय ÿितर±ा िव²ान संÖथान (िāक-एनआईआई) यूरोपीय संघ के अनुसंधान समूहŌ के साथ िमलकर दो अगली पीढ़ी के इÆÉलूएंजा वै³सीन िवकिसत करने पर भी काम कर रहा है: (i) कÌÈयूटेशनल łप से अनुकूिलत Óयापक łप से ÿितिøयाशील ÿितजन (कोबरा) वै³सीन, और (ii) ÿितजन-ÿÖतुत करने वाली कोिशका लि±त डीएनए (एपीसी- िम³स) वै³सीन। ये सवª-Óयापी अगली पीढ़ी के वै³सीन इÆÉलूएंजा वायरस के िकसी भी उभरते हòए Öůेन िजनम¤ सूअरŌ या पि±यŌ से उÂपÆन होने वाले Öůेन भी शािमल ह§, से मनुÕयŌ को ÿभावी सुर±ा ÿदान करने म¤ स±म हŌगे। 6. िāक-राÕůीय पशु जैव ÿौīोिगकì संÖथान (िāक-एनआईएबी) āुसेलोिसस, लेÈटोÖपाइरोिसस, तपेिदक, पैराट्यूबरकुलोिसस, टॉ³सोÈलाºमोिसस और रेबीज जैसे पशु- जÆय रोगŌ के िवŁĦ संभािवत वै³सीन क§िडडेट कì पहचान के िलए अनुसंधान कर रहा है, िजनका ÿयोग मु´य łप से पशुओं के िलए िकया जाएगा। 7. िāक-राÕůीय कोिशका िव²ान क¤þ (िāक-एनसीसीएस) आईआईएसईआर भोपाल के साथ िमलकर िनपाह वै³सीन क§िडडेट पर काम कर रहा है और Ìयूåरन मॉडल म¤ इसके ÿभाव का परी±ण कर रहा है। इसके अितåरĉ, उÆहŌने नैदािनक अनुÿयोग के िलए िनपाह ÿोटीन के िवŁĦ काइमेåरक एंटीबॉडी भी िवकिसत कì ह§। वै²ािनक एवं औīोिगक अनुसंधान पåरषद, िव²ान एवं ÿौīोिगकì मंýालय सीएसआईआर-कोिशकìय एवं आणिवक जीव िव²ान क¤þ (सीएसआईआर-सीसीएमबी) अÂयिधक रोगजनक एिवयन इÆÉलूएंजा पर काम कर रहा है। हालांिक ये वायरस पोÐůी म¤ उ¸च मृÂयु दर का कारण बनते ह§ और मनुÕयŌ के िलए पशुजÆय जोिखम उÂपÆन करते ह§, तथािप िपछले एक वषª म¤ मनुÕयŌ म¤ िकसी भी ÿकोप या मामलŌ म¤ अचानक वृिĦ कì कोई åरपोटª नहé िमली है। सावªजिनक ÖवाÖÃय संबंधी तैयाåरयŌ को सुŀढ़ बनाने के िलए, संÖथान ने अपिशĶ जल, झीलŌ, पोÐůी फामŎ के पåरसर और ÿवासी पि±यŌ के आवासŌ म¤ वायरस का 11.03.2026 743 पता लगाने के िलए मानकìकृत पयाªवरणीय िनगरानी ÿोटोकॉल Öथािपत िकए ह§। ये सतत िनगरानी तंý सरकारी ÿािधकाåरयŌ को ÿारंिभक चेतावनी ÿदान करने के िलए तैयार िकए गए ह§, िजससे बड़े पैमाने पर ÿकोपŌ कì रोकथाम के िलए सिøय उपाय िकए जा सक¤। इन ÿयासŌ के अितåरĉ, बायोटे³नोलॉजी िवभाग (डीबीटी) अपने गैर-लाभकारी सावªजिनक ±ेý के उīम, जैव ÿौīोिगकì उīोग अनुसंधान सहायता पåरषद (बाइरैक) के माÅयम से नवाचार- संचािलत अनुसंधान को बढ़ावा देता है। बाइरैक ÖवाÖÃय सेवा अनुसंधान एवं िवकास के िलए आवÔयक िनिध ÿदान करता है, िजसम¤ पशु जÆय रोगŌ के वै³सीनŌ पर िवशेष Åयान िदया जाता है। यह िनिध िनÌनिलिखत तंýŌ के माÅयम से ÿदान कì जाती है: जैव ÿौīोिगकì इिμनशन अनुदान (बीआईजी): यह कायªøम िविभÆन जैव ÿौīोिगकì पåरयोजनाओं को िव° पोिषत करता है, िजनम¤ पशु जÆय रोगजनकŌ पर क¤िþत पåरयोजनाएं भी शािमल है। पशु जÆय रोगŌ के िलए वै³सीन िवकास से संबंिधत बीआईजी समिथªत पåरयोजनाओं कì सूची: øम सं. Öटाटªअप / अनुदान ÿाĮकताª का नाम पåरयोजना का नाम 1 जेिनरॉन बायोलैÊस ÿाइवेट िलिमटेड, ब¤गलुŁ, कनाªटक, भारत आवारा कु°Ō म¤ रेबीज और ÿितर±ा अवरोधन के िलए बाइिसÖůोिनक Öव-ÿितकृित डीएनए वै³सीन 2 प¤टावेल¤ट बायो साइंसेज ÿाइवेट िलिमटेड, ब¤गलुŁ, कनाªटक प¤टाÉलूवैक: पि±यŌ, सूअरŌ और मनुÕयŌ म¤ इÆÉलूएंजा के िलए एक Öवदेशी ÿितकृित-अ±म वायरल वै³सीन 3 अमातेरासु लाइफसाइंसेज एलएलपी, मुंबई, महाराÕů मलेåरया के उपचार के िलए नवीन एकल खुराक इंजे³शन थेरेपी - एसआईडीएमआई एकल खुराक -मलेåरया रोधी इंजे³शन 4 डॉ. ĵेता राघवन, ब¤गलुŁ, कनाªटक ड¤गू से बचाव के िलए एमआरएनए-एलएनपी आधाåरत वै³सीन का िवकास 5 मिफन हेÐथ एंड लाइफÖटाइल ÿाइवेट िलिमटेड, चंडीगढ़ कìमो एिटÆयूएटेड Êलड Öटेज मलेåरया वै³सीन 6 ®ी अŁण शंकरदास, ब¤गलुŁ, कनाªटक ड¤गू वायरस के िलए नवीन सहायक नैनोÈलािÖमड 11.03.2026 744 आधाåरत डीएनए वै³सीन का िवकास: उभरती संøामक बीमाåरयŌ और ‘समान ÖवाÖÃय’ ÿणाली के िलए इस मंच का िवÖतार करने के अवसर । महामारी कì तैयारी संबंधी नवाचार गठबंधन (सीईपीआई) के भारतीय नेटवकª (इंड सीईपीआई) को उभरते संøामक रोगŌ (ईआईडी) के िलए वै³सीन तैयार करने का कायª सŏपा गया है, और यह वैिĵक सीईपीआई ÿाथिमकताओं के अनुłप कायª करता है। िसतंबर 2025 म¤ औपचाåरक łप से Öवीकृत िýप±ीय सहभािगता रणनीित के तहत, डीबीटी, बाइरैक और सीईपीआई ने संभािवत ÿकोपŌ के िवŁĦ भारत कì वै³सीन िवकास ±मताओं को सुŀढ़ करने के िलए पांच वषêय सहयोगाÂमक ढांचा तैयार िकया है। िववरण-I केएफडी, लेÈटोÖपाइरोिसस और Öøब टाइफस के मामलŌ का वषªवार Êयौरा एल फामª के आधार पर आईडीएसपी-आईएचआईपी पोटªल पर 2022-2026* के दौरान भारत म¤ åरपोटª िकए गए अिभिचिÆहत पशुजÆय रोगŌ के मामले वषª ³यासानूर वन रोग लेÈटोÖपायरोिसस Öøब टाइफस मामले मामले मामले 2022 54 10191 32364 2023 23 14217 55077 2024 373 18997 70366 2025 197 19073 86895 2026* 80 2306 10861 कुल 727 64784 255563 यह डाटा आईडीएसपी-आईएचआईपी पोटªल से 06/03/2026 को 3:25 अपराĹ तक िनकाला गया है। *वषª 2025 के िलए आंकड़े 6 माचª 2026 तक के ह§। 11.03.2026 745 िववरण-II 2022-2026* के दौरान आईडीएसपी के अंतगªत åरपोटª िकए गए पशुजÆय रोग ÿकोपŌ के मामले रोग का नाम राºय/क¤þ शािसत ÿदेश 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026* वेÖट नाइल फìवर केरल 2 9 5 6 - िनपाह वायरस रोग केरल - 6 2 4 - पिIJम बंगाल - - - - 2 सीसीएचएफ गुजरात 4 6 - 3 2 राजÖथान - - 1 - - मानव रेबीज अŁणाचल ÿदेश - 2 4 3 - असम 1 12 14 6 - जÌमू और कÔमीर - 1 3 6 - झारखंड - - 2 - - कनाªटक 10 21 5 - - मÅय ÿदेश - - 1 7 - महाराÕů - - 1 1 - मिणपुर - - 4 3 - मेघालय - 9 13 10 - नागाल§ड - - 1 4 - तिमलनाडु - - 2 1 - उÂतर ÿदेश - - - 3 - पिIJम बंगाल - - - 1 - नोट * 2026 के आंकड़े 18/01/2026 तक (तीसरे सÈताह) के ह§। åर³त ÿकोÕठ से ताÂपयª है िक उस वषª कोई ÿकोप åरपोटª नहé हòआ। RAILWAY LINES IN BIHAR 3112. DR. ALOK KUMAR SUMAN: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) the details of the new railway lines that have been sanctioned or are under construction in Bihar; (b) the current status of these new lines including expected completion dates; 11.03.2026 746 (c) whether any projects are aimed specifically at improving connectivity to districts like Gopalganj; (d) the details of the estimated cost and sources of funding for these projects; and (e) the manner in which these projects contribute to regional economic development and passenger convenience? THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS; MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW): (a) to (e): Budget allocation for Infrastructure projects and safety works, falling fully/partly in the State of Bihar is as under: Period Outlay 2009-14 ₹1,132 Cr./year 2025-26 ₹10,066 Cr. (Nearly 9 times) The details of commissioning/laying of new track falling fully/partly in the State of Bihar during 2009-14 and 2014-25 is as under :- Period New Track Commissioned Average Commissioning of new tracks 2009-14 318 Km 63.6 Km/year 2014-25 1,899 Km 172.6 Km/year (More than 2.5 times) As on 01.04.2025, 52 projects (31 New Lines, 01 Gauge Conversions and 20 Doubling), of a total length of 4,663 km, costing ₹86,107 crore, falling fully/partly in Bihar, are sanctioned, out of which 1,014 km length has been commissioned and 11.03.2026 747 an expenditure of ₹29,353 crore has been incurred upto March’ 2025. The summary is as under: - Category No of sanctioned Projects Total Length NL/GC/DL (in Km) Length Commissioned till Mar'25 (in Km) Total Exp upto Mar'25 (₹ in Cr) New Lines 31 2,691 516 16,814 Gauge Conversion 1 69 52 544 Doubling/multi- tracking 20 1,904 446 11,995 Total 52 4,663 1,014 29,353 Details of some of the recently completed projects falling fully/partly in Bihar are as under: - SN. Project Length (Km) Cost (In Crores of Rs) 1 Patna rail cum road Bridge 28 3,210 2 Munger rail cum road Bridge 15 3,040 3 Kosi Bridge 22 863 4 Daniawan-Biharsharif New Line 38 354 5 Chandan-Banka New Line 40 496 6 Rampurhat-Mandarhill New Line 130 908 7 Maharajganj-Masrakh New Line 35 412 8 Rajgir-Tilaiya and Natesar-lslampur New Line 67 726 9 Mansi-Saharsa-Purnia Gauge Conversion 141 752 10 Jaynagar-Narkatiaganj Gauge Conversion 260 967 11 Kaptanganj-Chhapra Gauge Conversion 234 819 12 Sakri-Nirmali and Saharasa-Forbesganj Gauge Conversion 206 2,113 13 Mansi-Saharsa, Saharsa-Purnia and Banmakhi- Bihariganj Gauge Conversion 169 752 11.03.2026 748 14 Sahibganj-Pirpainti Doubling 23 129 15 Maheshkunt-Thanabihpur Doubling 32 115 16 Hajipur-Ramdayalu Nagar Doubling 48 367 17 Pirpainti-Bhagalpur Doubling 51 493 18 Bakhtiyarpur-Barh Doubling 19 237 19 Kiul-Gaya Doubling 124 2,462 20 Hajipur-Bachwara Doubling 72 930 21 Darbhanga bypass 9 253 22 Araria-Galgalia (Thakurganj) New Line 110 2,132 23 Saraigarh Byepass Line 5 79 24 Chhapra-Chhapra Kacheri 3rd Line 3 33 Some of the projects falling fully/partly in the State of Bihar which have been taken up are as under: SN. Project Length (Km) Cost (Rs. in Cr.) 1 Sakri-Hasanpur new line 76 735 2 Khagaria-Kusheshwarsthan New line 42 1,511 3 Fatuha-lslampur new line 167 2,882 4 Koderma-Tilaiya new line 65 1,980 5 Hajipur-Sagauli new line 151 2,702 6 Araria-Supaul new line 96 1,925 7 Kursela-Bihariganj new line 58 194 8 Bikramshila-Katareah new line 26 2,171 9 Jhajha-Batia new line 20 588 10 Pirpainti-Jassidih new line 97 2,611 11 Chhitauni-Tumkuhi Road new line 59 1,731 12 Jalalgarh-Kishanganj new line 51 360 13 Jogbani-Biratnagar (Nepal) new line 19 402 14 Darbhanga-Kusheshwarasthan new line 70 367 11.03.2026 749 15 Motihari-Sitamarhi new line 77 1,007 16 Sitamarhi-Nirmali new line 189 2,833 17 Nawada-Laxmipur new line 137 3,121 18 Ara-Bhabua Road new line 150 2,397 19 Gaya-Daltonganj new line 137 2,861 20 Muzaffarpur-Darbhanga new line 69 282 21 Muzaffarpur-Janakpur Road new line 67 228 22 Dehri on Sone-Banjari new line 35 111 23 Chhapra-Muzzafarpur new line 78 1,894 24 Bihta-Aurangabad new line 120 2,995 25 Gaya-Chatra and Gaya-Natesar new line 135 4,543 26 Deogarh-Sultanganj new line incl.Banka-Barahat and Banka-Bhitiah Road 154 665 27 Sultanganj-Katuria new line 77 291 28 Bariarpur-Mananpur new line 68 251 29 Hathua-Bhatni new line 80 318 30 Aurangabad Terminal-Anugrah Narayan Road new line 13 441 31 Nawadah-Pawapuri New line 25 492 32 Jaynagar-Bijalpura Gauge conversion 69 790 33 Dhanbad-Sonnagar 3rd line 291 7,906 34 Samastipur-Darbhanga Doubling 38 826 35 Rampur Dumra-Tal-Rajendra Pul-Additional bridge and Doubling 14 2,535 36 Sagauli-Valmikinagar Doubling 110 1,456 37 Gaya Bye pass for Manpur 2 30 38 Muzaffarpur-Sugauli Doubling 101 1,586 39 Barauni-Bachwara 3rd and 4th line 32 486 40 Sonenagar bye pass(Chiralapothu to Bagha Bishunpur) 10 224 11.03.2026 750 41 Narkatiaganj-Darbhanga and Sitamarhi- Muzaffarpur Doubling 256 4,080 42 Chhapra-Ballia Patch Doubling 65 1,046 43 Gorakhpur-Valmikinagar Doubling 96 1,121 44 Katihar-Kumedpur and Katihar-Mukuria Doubling 65 943 45 Bhadaura Station and Karma Station Surface Triangle Line 11 200 46 ROR at Sasaram connecting GC to Ara- Sasaram Line 9 470 47 Ara Bye pass Line to be connected from Jagjivan Halt to existing ARA-Sasaram line through link cabin (Y-Connectivity at Ara) 3 119 48 Son Nagar-Andal Multitracking 749 12,334 49 Bulb line at Nabinagar (Ankorha) 17 612 50 Punarakh- Barh-Bhaktiyarpur New 4th line and balance 3rd line 28 422 51 Sanjaygram to Dhachna By Pass line 2 34 52 Aluabari Road-Thakurganj Doubling 20 327 53 Aluabari Road-New Jalpaiguri 3rd and 4th Line 57 1,630 54 Bhagalpur-Jamalpur 3rd Line 53 1,156 55 Bhagalpur-Dumka-Rampurh at Doubling 177 3,169 56 Bakhtiyarpur-Rajgir-Tilaiya Doubling 104 2,192 57 Bakthiyarpur-Fatuha 3rd and 4th line 24 931 During last three years (i.e. 2022-2023, 2023-24, 2024-25 and current financial year 2025-26), total 92 Nos. of Surveys (16 New Line, 76 Doubling) falling fully/partly in the State of Bihar having a total length of 4,530 Km have been sanctioned. 11.03.2026 751 Zonal Railway wise details of Railway projects are made available in public domain on Indian Railway’s website. Gopalganj is already an existing station on Hathua-Thawe-Masrakh section and is well connected to rest of Indian Railway network. Sanction of any railway project depend upon many parameters/factors which include the following:  Anticipated traffic projections and Remunerativeness of the proposed route  First and last mile connectivity provided by the project  Connection of missing links and providing additional route  Augmentation of congested/saturated lines  Demands raised by State Governments/Central Ministries/Public representatives,  Railway’s own operational requirements  Socio-economic considerations  Overall availability of funds Completion of Railway project/s depends on various factors which include the following:  Land acquisition by State Government  Forest clearance 11.03.2026 752  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. DEPLOYMENT OF TECHNOLOGY IN SOUTH CENTRAL RAILWAY DIVISION 3113. SHRI B. K. PARTHASARATHI: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Machine Vision–based systems such as the Machine Vision Inspection System (MVIS), Online Monitoring of Rolling Stock System (OMRS) or Wheel Impact Load Detector (WILD) are being deployed/piloted in the South Central Railway (SCR) Division; (b) if so, the details of such technologies, their objectives and the locations identified for pilot or installation; (c) whether any collaborations have been undertaken with research institutions or private entities for these pilots and if so, the details thereof; and (d) the details of the outcomes observed so far in improving safety, predictive 11.03.2026 753 maintenance and operational efficiency? THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS; MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW): (a) to (d): Technological improvement in Indian Railways (IR) is a continuous process. Some major technologies deployed/piloted over IR are as follows: 1. Machine Vision Inspection System (MVIS): MVIS is an Artificial Intelligence (AI)/ Machine Learning (ML) based system which generates alert on detecting any hanging, loose or missing components of moving trains. Three (03) MVIS have been installed in Northeast Frontier Railway, two (02) in Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) and one (01) in South East Central Railway on pilot basis for freight stock. Further, a MoU has been signed between IR and DFCCIL to induct four (04) MVIS over IR network for freight stock. Also, Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) has taken up development of MVIS for rolling stock in collaboration with industry through an Expression of Interest (EoI). 2. Wheel Impact Load Detector (WILD): WILD is a way-side inspection system that measures the impact of wheel on track to identify the defective wheel in Rolling Stock. 24 such systems are installed over IR. 11.03.2026 754 3. Online Monitoring of Rolling Stock (OMRS): OMRS is a way-side inspection system which monitors the health of bearing and wheel of Rolling Stock. 25 such systems are installed over IR out of which one (01) OMRS is installed at Sirpur Kaghaz nagar /Secunderabad Division in South Central Railway. 4. Integrated Track Monitoring Systems (ITMS): ITMS are deployed for comprehensive inspection and monitoring of Railway tracks. The ITMS utilizes machine learning and image processing to monitor and detect defects in railway track components such as rails, sleepers, and fastenings. The data from ITMS is analysed for urgent and planned maintenance of track. Presently three (03) ITMS are deployed for track recording and monitoring of IR track. It helps in better track maintenance planning, enhanced safety, improved reliability of track assets and operational efficiency. 5. Drone based monitoring of Overhead Equipment: Drone based monitoring with thermal imaging of Overhead Equipment (OHE) has been taken up in Raipur division on pilot basis. Further, IR in association with IIT Madras, has taken up development of a Drone based aerial inspection of Overhead Equipment (OHE) which will also analyse the captured data using AI/ML. 6. TRI-Netra: RDSO has taken up development of TRI-Netra (Terrain 11.03.2026 755 Imaging for Locomotive Drivers - Infra-Red, Enhanced Optical and Ranging Device Assisted) for assisting the Loco pilots during foggy, rainy and inclement weather. This system comprises of optical camera, infra- red camera and ranging devices (e.g. Radar/Lidar) and Al to create a real-time, enhanced vision system for assisting Loco pilots. 7. Kavach: i) Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system. Kavach is a highly technology intensive system, which requires safety certification of highest order (SIL-4). ii) Kavach aids the Loco Pilot in running of trains within specified speed limits by automatic application of brakes in case Loco Pilot fails to do so and also helps the trains to run safely during inclement weather. iii) Based on deployment of Kavach version 3.2 on 1465 Route Km on South Central Railway and experience gained, further improvements were made. Finally, Kavach specification version 4.0 was approved by RDSO on 16.07.2024. iv) Major improvement in Version 4.0 includes increased location accuracy, improved information of signal aspects in bigger yards, Station to Station Kavach interface on OFC and Direct Interface to existing Electronic Interlocking System. v) After extensive and elaborate trials, Kavach Version 4.0 has been 11.03.2026 756 successfully commissioned on 1452 Route Kilometres, covering the high density Delhi- Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes as below: SN Section Progress (Route Km) (1) Delhi-Mumbai route: i Junction cabin – Palwal – Mathura –Nagda section 667 ii Vadodara - Ahmedabad section 96 iii Vadodara - Virar section 336 (2) Delhi – Howrah route: i Gaya Sarmatanr section 93 ii Chota Ambana - Bardhaman – Howrah section 260 vi) Further, track side Kavach implementation work has been taken up on 24,427 Route Kilometres covering all GQ, GD, HDN and identified sections of Indian Railways. Progress of key items of Kavach as on 28.02.26 is as under: SN Item Progress i Laying of Optical Fibre Cable 8570 Km ii Installation of Telecom Towers 1100 nos. iii Station Data Centre 767 stations iv Installation of Track side equipment 6776 RKm v Provision of Kavach in Loco 4154 nos. vii) In addition, work for installation of Kavach in 8979 Locomotives and 1200 EMU/MEMU has been taken up. Rail Tech Policy: Further, to support the development of cost-effective, implementable and scalable solutions, including those based on AI and data- driven technologies, a new policy called the Rail Tech Policy has been adopted 11.03.2026 757 on 26.02.2026 by IR and a portal (https://railtech.indianrailways.gov.in) has been launched to facilitate participation of innovators and startups. The proposed Rail Tech Policy incorporates the following key features: • Single-stage detailed submission of proposals by the Innovator. • Provision for submission of proposals for self-initiated challenges by the Innovator on the Rail Tech Portal. • Provision for funding on 50:50 cost-sharing basis between Indian Railways and the Innovator, with the maximum grant up to ₹ 3 Cr for prototype development and trials. • Grant offered for extended trials or scale-up shall be upto five times the initial grant subject to a maximum of ₹ 10 crore. The above proposed Policy will facilitate early adoption of new technologies in Indian Railways. RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION (RDI) SCHEME 3114. SHRI SHASHANK MANI: Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state: (a) the implementation status of Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme to incentivise private sector RandD in sunrise domains like energy transition, deep-tech, AI and biotech; 11.03.2026 758 (b) the projects funded, technologies acquired and Deep-Tech Fund of Funds established; (c) whether the Government has assessed private participation impact and proposes scaling; and (d) if so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SPACE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH): (a) and (b): The Department of Science and Technology (DST), as the nodal Ministry for the RDI Scheme, has formulated and finalized the implementation guidelines for the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, as well as the Special Financial Rules for the Scheme, in consultation with the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) and the Department of Expenditure (DoE). These guidelines have been approved by the Executive Council of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). As per the approved framework, the Technology Development Board (TDB) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) have been 11.03.2026 759 designated as Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs) and launched calls for project proposals on 4 February 2026 and 13 February 2026, respectively. Further, a call inviting applications from additional eligible entities, including Fund of Funds, to act as SLFMs was issued, which closed on 31 January 2026. Applications have been received and the selection process is currently underway. The SLFMs will provide funding to eligible technology entities, including startups, companies and industry-led R&D projects developing technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above, in strategic and sunrise sectors. (c) to (d) : India’s Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) is about 0.64% of GDP, with the public sector accounting for around 60% of the total expenditure, while the private sector contributes about 35–36%. This is lower compared to leading innovation-driven economies where the private sector contributes over 70% of R&D expenditure. To address the gap in patient capital for high-risk and deep-technology research and to encourage greater private sector participation, the Government has launched the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme with a corpus of ₹1 lakh crore, aimed at catalysing private investment in R&D. PORTABILITY UNDER ONE NATION ONE RATION CARD 3115. SHRI JASHUBHAI BHILUBHAI RATHVA: Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION 11.03.2026 760 be pleased to state: (a) whether any technology architecture, authentication framework or data integration platform has been proposed for enabling nationwide portability under One Nation One Ration Card; (b) if so, the current status of development or testing of such systems; (c) whether pilot implementation or phased rollout has been envisaged prior to nationwide launch; and (d) if so, the details of the tentative timeline for such pilots, if any? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA): (a) to (d): The One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) is a technology-driven initiative of the Department of Food and Public Distribution that enables nationwide portability of ration cards for beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). The system allows eligible beneficiaries, particularly migrant workers and other mobile populations, to lift their entitled foodgrains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) in the country through Aadhaar-based biometric authentication using ePoS devices. The system integrates ration card databases of all States/UTs and facilitates seamless portability through interoperable ePoS devices deployed at Fair Price Shops. The implementation of ONORC was carried out in a phased manner, 11.03.2026 761 beginning with pilot inter-State portability transactions in August 2019, followed by gradual onboarding of States/UTs. At present, ONORC has been successfully implemented across all 36 States and Union Territories, covering about 80 crore NFSA beneficiaries (100% of the NFSA population). Accordingly, the ONORC facility is now automatically available to all PMGKAY beneficiaries across the country. कोलवा रेलवे Öटेशन का पूणª िवकिसत Öटेशन म¤ पåरवतªन 3116. ®ी मुरारी लाल मीना: ³या रेल मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक: (क) ³या बांदीकुई और दौसा के बीच िÖथत कोलवा रेलवे Öटेशन, जो 30-40 गाँवŌ के िलए एक ÿमुख संपकª िबंदु है और दौसा लोक सभा िनवाªचन ±ेý के अंतगªत आता है, को बड़ी लाइन म¤ बदलने के बाद Éलैग Öटेशन म¤ बदल िदया गया है और ³या इसे पूणª िवकिसत Öटेशन के łप म¤ बहाल करने पर िवचार िकया जा रहा है और यिद हाँ, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है; (ख) ³या लगभग 25,000 कì आबादी और आसपास के 15 से अिधक गाँवŌ कì िनभªरता वाले बसवा रेलवे Öटेशन पर याýी सुिवधाओं और ůेनŌ के ठहराव को बढ़ाने कì कोई योजना है और यिद हाँ, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है; (ग) ³या िजला मु´यालय दौसा के समीप िÖथत पूवª म¤ बंद िकए गए खान भांकरी और भंदना रेलवे ÖटेशनŌ को ±ेý कì बढ़ती जनसं´या और जयपुर से इसकì िनकटता को देखते हòए िफर से खोलने के िलए कोई सव¥±ण/समी±ा कì गई है और यिद हाँ, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है; और (घ) ³या झार रेलवे Öटेशन पर ůेन सं´या 79601/79602 अजमेर-जयपुर-गंगापुर िसटी डेमू ůेन 11.03.2026 762 का ठहराव ÿदान करने का कोई ÿÖताव है और यिद हाँ, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है? रेल मंýी; सूचना और ÿसारण मंýी; तथा इले³ůॉिनकì और सूचना ÿौīोिगकì मंýी (®ी अिÔवनी वैÕणव): (क) से (घ): कोÐवाúाम रेलवे Öटेशन (Öथानीय łप से ‘कोÐवा’ के नाम से ÿिसĦ) एक हाÐट Öटेशन है, जो दौसा से 18 िक.मी. तथा बांदीकुई Öटेशन से 12 िक.मी. कì दूरी पर िÖथत है। वतªमान म¤, दौसा Öटेशन और बाँदीकुई Öटेशन øमश: 80 और 96 रेलगािड़यŌ Ĭारा सेिवत है जो शहरी और िनकटवतê गाँवŌ कì आबादी कì याýा संबंधी आवÔयकताओं कì पूितª करती ह§। इसके अलावा, वतªमान म¤ कोÐवाúाम Öटेशन पर 08 पैस¤जर रेलगािड़यां łकती ह§, जो िनÌनानुसार ह§: ø. सं. रेलगाड़ी सं´या और नाम 1 09635/09636 जयपुर-रेवाड़ी पैस¤जर 2 51973/51974 मथुरा-जयपुर पैस¤जर 3 14715/14716 िहसार-जयपुर ए³सÿेस 4 14733/14734 जयपुर-बिठंडा ए³सÿेस कोÐवाúाम Öटेशन पर याýी सुिवधाओं म¤ सुधार लाने हेतु Èलेटफ़ॉमª िवÖतार, आ¸छािदत Èलेटफ़ॉमª शेÐटर का ÿावधान, पैदल पार पुल और िदÓयांगजनŌ के ÿवेश के िलए रैÌप कì ÓयवÖथा के कायª शुł िकए जा रहे ह§। वतªमान म¤, बसवा रेल Öटेशन िनÌनिलिखत 14 रेलगाड़ी सेवाओं Ĭारा सेिवत है: ø. सं. रेलगाड़ी सं´या और नाम 1 14661/14662 बाड़मेर-जÌमू तवी ए³सÿेस 2 14715 / 14716 िहसार-जयपुर ए³सÿेस 3 14733/14734 बिठंडा-जयपुर ए³सÿेस 4 19611/19612 अजमेर-अमृतसर ए³सÿेस 5 19613/19614 अजमेर-अमृतसर ए³सÿेस 6 20489/20490 बाड़मेर-मथुरा ए³सÿेस 11.03.2026 763 7 51973 / 51974 मथुरा-जयपुर पैस¤जर भारतीय रेल म¤ ÖटेशनŌ का िवकास/पुनिवªकास/उÆनयन/आधुिनकìकरण सतत् और िनरंतर चलने वाली ÿिøया है और िनमाªण कायŎ को कायª कì आवÔयकता, परÖपर ÿाथिमकता और िनिधयŌ कì उपलÊधता के अÅयधीन शुł िकया जाता है। वतªमान म¤, बसवा रेलवे Öटेशन पर याýी सुिवधाओं को बेहतर बनाने के िलए Èलेटफॉमª िवÖतार और आ¸छािदत Èलेटफ़ॉमª शेÐटर के ÿावधान का कायª शुł िकया गया है। कुछ समय पहले यािýयŌ कì सं´या कम होने के कारण दौसा के नजदीक खान भकरी और भÁडाना हाÐट ÖटेशनŌ को बंद कर िदया गया था। बंद कर िदए गए ÖटेशनŌ को पुनः चालू करने के साथ-साथ नए ÖटेशनŌ का उĤाटन, याýी आवागमन, लागत, आवतê Óयय, पåरचालनाÂमक Óयवहायªता और िनकटवतê ÖटेशनŌ कì दूरी आिद जैसे अनेक कारकŌ पर िनभªर करता है । वतªमान म¤ झर रेल Öटेशन िनÌनिलिखत 04 रेल गाड़ी सेवाओं Ĭारा सेिवत है, जो Öटेशन के याýी जłरतŌ को पूरा करती ह§: ø. सं. रेलगाड़ी सं´या और नाम 1 14733 बिठंडा-जयपुर ए³सÿेस 2 51973/51974 मथुरा-जयपुर पैस¤जर 3 14716 जयपुर-िहसार ए³सÿेस वतªमान म¤ झर रेलवे Öटेशन के पास दौसा/बÖसी ÖटेशनŌ पर रेलगाड़ी सं. 79601/79602 अजमेर-जयपुर-गंगापुर िसटी डेमू का िनधाªåरत ठहराव है। रेलगािड़यŌ के अितåरĉ ठहरावŌ का ÿावधान यातायात औिचÂय, खंड पर रेलपथ कì उपलÊधता सिहत पåरचालनाÂमक Óयवहायªता और Èलेटफॉमª लंबाई और उपयुĉ अवसंरचना कì उपलÊधता पर िनभªर करता है। 11.03.2026 764 RAILWAY CONNECTIVITY TO MAINPURI DISTRICT 3117. SHRIMATI DIMPLE YADAV: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) the present status of railway connectivity in Mainpuri district, including the number of trains originating/terminating/passing through district and whether any proposal for expansion of services has been pending during the last five years and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government has conducted any passenger demand assessment for Mainpuri district in view of increasing population, commuter traffic and student movement to nearby cities and if so, the details thereof; (c) the status of any pending proposals for introduction of new train services/extension of existing routes/doubling of railway lines/ electrification works affecting Mainpuri district; and (d) the details of the timeline and specific steps proposed to enhance railway connectivity and passenger amenities in Mainpuri district to address long- standing service gaps? THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS; MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW): (a) to (d): As the Railway network straddles across district boundaries, trains are introduced/operated across such boundaries as per network requirement. 11.03.2026 765 Mainpuri district is majorly served by Mainpuri, Mainpuri Kacheri and Shikohabad stations which are respectively served by 05 pairs, 02 pairs and 21 pairs of train services as listed below: Trains services serving Mainpuri station: SN Trains number and name 1 14151/14152 Kanpur Central - Anand Vihar (T) Express 2 14117/14118 Prayagraj-Bhiwani Kalindi Express 3 64623/64624 Agra Cantt - Mainpuri MEMU 4 51905/51906 Farrukhabad - Tundla Passenger 5 55341/55342 Shikohabad - Kasganj Passenger Trains services serving Mainpuri Kacheri station: SN Trains number and name 1 51905/51906 Farrukhabad - Tundla Passenger 2 55341/55342 Shikohabad - Kasganj Passenger Trains services serving Shikohabad station: SN Trains number and name 1 12179/12180 Lucknow-Agra Fort Express 2 12311/12312 Howrah-Kalka Express 3 12419/12420 Lucknow-New Delhi Express 11.03.2026 766 4 14117/14118 Prayagraj-Bhiwani Express 5 14151/14152 Kanpur Central-Anand Vihar (T) Express 6 14163/14164 Subedarganj-Meerut City Express 7 14217/14218 Prayagraj Sangam-Chandigarh Express 8 14853/14854 Varanasi City-Jodhpur Express 9 14863/14864 Varanasi City-Jodhpur Express 10 14865/14866 Varanasi City-Jodhpur Express 11 15483/15484 Alipur Duar -Delhi Express 12 15657/15658 Delhi-Kamakhya Express 13 18101/18102 Tatanagar -Jammu Tawi Express 14 18309/18310 Sambalpur-Jammu Tawi Express 15 19037/19038 Bandra (T)-Barauni Express 16 51905/51906 Farrukhabad-Tundla Passenger 17 55341/55342 Shikohabad -Kasganj Passenger 18 64587/64588 Kanpur Central-Tundla MEMU 19 64605/64606 Etawah-Tundla MEMU 20 64625/64626 Etawah -Mathura MEMU 21 64631/64632 Phaphund-Shikohabad MEMU 11.03.2026 767 Proposals/ requests/ suggestions/ representations, both formal and informal inter alia for introduction/extension of trains are received from Members of Parliament, elected representatives, organizations/rail users etc. at various levels including Railway Board, Zonal Railways, Divisional Office etc. As receipt of such proposals/ requests/ suggestions is a continuous and dynamic process, centralized compendium of such requests is not maintained. However, these are examined and action as found feasible and justified is taken from time to time, which is an on-going process. Besides, introduction of train services on any route/section, which is an on- going process, depends on various factors which include:  Capacity of that section.  Availability of path.  Availability of required rolling stock.  Availability of matching infrastructure for rolling stock.  Maintenance requirement of railway tracks and other assets. To improve connectivity of Mainpuri, Etawah-Mainpuri New Line (58 km) has been completed. Budget allocation for infrastructure projects and safety works, falling fully/partly in the State of Uttar Pradesh is as under: Period Outlay 2009-14 ₹1,109 crore/year 2025-26 ₹19,858 crore (Nearly 18 times) 11.03.2026 768 The details of commissioning/laying of new track falling fully/partly in the State of Uttar Pradesh during 2009-14 and 2014-25 is as under: Period New Track Commissioned Average Commissioning of new tracks 2009-14 996 Km 199 Km/year 2014-25 5272 Km 479 Km per year (More than 2 times) As on 01.04.2025, 49 projects (10 New Line, 02 Gauge Conversion and 37 Doubling) of 3,807 Km length, costing ₹62,360 crore falling fully/partly in the State of Uttar Pradesh are sanctioned. The summary is as under: - Category No of Projects Total Length (km) Length Commissioned (km) Exp upto Mar'25 (Rs. in Cr.) New Line 10 1227 340 10517 Gauge Conversion 02 67 0 281 Doubling/Multitracking 37 2513 983 19813 Total 49 3807 1323 30611 Details of some of the recently completed projects falling fully/partly in the State of Uttar Pradesh including Mainpuri District are as under: SN. Project Cost (Rs. in Cr.) 1 Etawah-Mainpuri New Line (58 Km) 313 2 Bahraich-Nanpara-Nepal Ganj Gauge Conversion (56 Km) 342 3 Ballia-Ghazipur city Doubling (65 Km) 650 4 Ghazipur city-Tarighat New Line (17 Km) 1766 5 Gonda-Gorakhpur Loop Gauge Conversion (260 Km) 863 6 Gonda-Bahraich Gauge Conversion (60 Km) 318 7 Barabanki-Akbarpur Doubling (161 Km) 1700 11.03.2026 769 8 Kaptanganj-Thawe-Chhapra Gauge Conversion (234 Km) 819 9 Pilibhit-Shahjahanpur Gauge Conversion (83 Km) 589 10 Indara-Dohrighat Gauge Conversion (34 Km) 213 11 Lucknow-Pilibhit Gauge Conversion (263 Km) 1634 12 Bhadoi-Janghai Doubling (31 Km) 168 13 Lahota-Bhadoi Doubling (39 Km) 184 14 Meerut-Muzaffarnagar Doubling (55 Km) 430 15 Phaphamau-Prayagraj Doubling (14 Km) 212 16 Muzaffarnagar–Tapri Doubling (52 Km) 525 17 Utretia-Raibareilly Doubling (66 Km) 662 18 Raibareilly-Amethi Doubling (60 Km) 668 19 Alamnagar-Utretia Doubling (20 Km) 358 20 Bhimsen—Jhansi Doubling (206 Km) 2620 21 Domingarh-Gorakhpur-Kusumhi-3rd Line and Gorakhpur- Nakaha Jungle Doubling (21 Km) 508 22 Malhaur-Daliganj Doubling (13 Km) 183 23 Ruma Chakeri- Chandari 3rd Line (13 Km) 177 24 Bareilly-Pilibhit-Tanakpur Gauge Conversion (102 Km) 313 25 Rosa-Sitapur Cantt-Burhwal Doubling (181 Km) 2094 26 Jaunpur- Akbarpur (Tanda) Doubling (77 Km) 676 27 Ramna- Renukut-Singrauli Doubling (160 Km) 2436 28 Janghai- Phaphamau Doubling (47 Km) 414 29 Varanasi-Madhosingh-Prayagraj Doubling (120 Km) 2018 30 Karaila Road- Shaktinagar Doubling (32 Km) 763 31 Deoband (Muzzafarnagar)-Roorkee (27 Km) 1289 32 Agra-Etawah New Line(110 Km) 427 Some of the projects falling fully/partly in the State of Uttar Pradesh which have been taken up are as under: SN Project Cost (Rs. in Cr.) 1 Barabanki-Burhwal 3rd Line (27 Km) 426 2 Burhwal- Gonda Kacheri 4th line (56 Km) 796 3 Burhwal-Gonda 3rd Line (62 Km) 1118 11.03.2026 770 4 Bahraich- Khalilabad New Line (240 Km) 4940 5 Katra-Ayodhya Dham Doubling (10 Km) 466 6 Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya- Prayagraj 3rd Line (150 Km) 2649 7 Billi-Chunar Doubling (102 Km) 1424 8 Chhapra-Ballia Doubling (65 km) 1046 9 Unchhar-Amethi New Line (66 Km) 1229 10 Etah-Kasganj New Line ( 29 Km) 389 11 Phephna-Indara, Mau-Shahganj Doubling (150 Km) 1778 12 Gorakhpur- Valmikinagar Doubling (96 Km) 1121 13 Varanasi-Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya 3rd and 4th Line (15 Km) 2464 14 Jhansi-Khairar-Manikpur and Khairar-Bhimsen Doubling (431 Km) 4330 15 Sahjanwa-Dohrighat New Line (81 Km) 1320 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 11.03.2026 771 Electrification: Electrification of railway network on Indian Railways has been taken up in mission mode. So far, about 99.4% of Broad Gauge (BG) network has been electrified. The electrification in remaining network has been taken up. Electrification carried out during 2014-25 and before 2014 is as under: Period Route Kilometer Before 2014 (about 60 years) 21,801 2014-25 46,900 In Uttar Pradesh, entire existing BG network has been electrified including that in Mainpuri district. Further, all new line / multitracking projects are being sanctioned and constructed with electrification. Passenger Amenities: Passenger amenities at a railway station are provided based on norms depending upon the category of the station. Improvement of passenger amenities over Indian Railways including railway stations in Mainpuri District is a continuous and on- going process depending upon need, volume of the passenger traffic and inter-se priority of works, subject to availability of funds. Further, at present, modernization of stations is being taken up under 'Amrit Bharat Station Scheme' which envisages development of stations on a continuous basis with a long-term approach. 11.03.2026 772 Ministry of Railways has launched Amrit Bharat Station Scheme for redevelopment of stations with a long-term approach. The scheme involves preparation of master plans and their implementation in phases to improve the stations. The master planning includes:  Improvement of access to station and circulating areas  Integration of station with both sides of city  Improvement of station building  Improvement of waiting halls, toilets, sitting arrangement, water booths  Provision of wider foot over bridge/air concourse commensurate with passenger traffic  Provision of lift/escalators/ramp  Improvement /Provision of platform surface and cover over platforms  Provision of kiosks for local products through schemes like ‘One Station One Product’  Parking areas, Multimodal integration  Amenities for Divyangjans  Better passenger information systems  Provision of executive lounges, nominated spaces for business meetings, landscaping, etc. keeping in view the necessity at each station The scheme also envisages sustainable and environment friendly solutions, provision of ballastless tracks etc. as per necessity, phasing and feasibility and 11.03.2026 773 creation of city centre at the station in the long term. So far, 1,337 stations have been identified for development under this scheme, out of which 157 stations including Mainpuri Junction station of Mainpuri district, are located in Uttar Pradesh. The names of stations identified for development under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme in Uttar Pradesh are as following: State No. of Stations Name of Stations Uttar Pradesh 157 Achnera, Agra Cantt., Agra Fort, Aishbagh Jn, Akbarpur Jn, Aligarh, Amethi, Amroha, Anand Nagar Jn., Aonla, Ayodhya Dham Junction, Azamgarh, Babatpur, Bachhrawan, Badaun, Badshahnagar, Badshahpur, Baheri, Bahraich, Balamau Jn., Ballia, Balrampur, Banaras, Banda, Barabanki Jn, Bareilly, Bareilly City, Barhni, Basti, Belthara Road, Bhadohi, Bharatkund, Bhatni, Bhuteshwar, Bijnor, Bulandsahar, Chandauli Majhwar, Chandausi, Chilbila, Chitrakut dham karwi, Chopan, Chunar Jn., Daliganj, Darshannagar, Deoria Sadar, Dhampur, Dildarnagar, Etawah Jn., Farrukhabad, Fatehabad, Fatehpur, Fatehpur Sikri, Firozabad, Gajraula, Garhmuktesar, Gauriganj, Ghatampur, Ghaziabad, Ghazipur City, Gola Gokarnath, Gomtinagar, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Govardhan, Govindpuri, Gursahaiganj, Haidergarh, Hapur, Hardoi, Hathras City, Idgah Agra Jn, Izzatnagar, Janghai Jn, Jaunpur City, Jaunpur Jn, Kannauj, Kanpur Anwarganj, Kanpur Bridge Left Bank, Kanpur Central, Kaptanganj Jn, Kasganj Jn, Kashi, Khalilabad, Khorason road, Khurja Jn., Kosi Kalan, Kunda Harnamganj, Lakhimpur, Lalganj, Lalitpur Jn, Lambhua, Lohta, Lucknow (Charbagh) NR, Lucknow city, Lucknow Jn. (NER), Maa Belha Devi Pratapgarh Junction, Maghar, Maharaja Bijli Pasi, Mahoba Jn, Mailani Jn, Mainpuri Jn, Malhaur, Manak Nagar, Manikpur Jn, Mariahu, Mathura Jn, Mau Jn, Meerut City Jn, Mirzapur, Modinagar, Mohanlalganj, 11.03.2026 774 Moradabad Jn, Muzaffarnagar, Nagina, Najibabad Jn, Orai, Panki Dham, Phaphamau Jn, Phulpur, Pilibhit Jn, Pokhrayan, Prayag Jn, Prayagraj Jn, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Jn , Rae Bareli Jn, Raja Ki Mandi, Ramghat Halt, Rampur Jn, Renukoot, Saharanpur Jn., Salempur, Seohara, Shahganj Jn, Shahjahanpur, Shamli, Shikohabad Jn., Shivpur, Siddharth nagar, Sitapur Jn., Sonbhadra, Sri Krishna Nagar, Sultanpur Jn, Suraimanpur, Swaminarayan Chappia, Takia, Tulsipur, Tundla Jn., Ujhani, Unchahar, Unnao Jn, Utraitia Jn, Varanasi Cantt., Varanasi City, Vindhyachal, Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi, Vyasnagar, Zafarabad Development works at railway stations under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme in Uttar Pradesh have been taken up at a good pace. Till now, works of 23 stations (Ayodhya Dham Junction, Balrampur, Bareilly City, Bijnor, Fatehabad, Fatehpur, Gola Gokarnath, Gomtinagar, Govardhan, Govindpuri, Hathras City, Idgah Agra Jn, Izzatnagar, Khalilabad, Mailani Jn, Panki Dham, Pokhrayan, Ramghat Halt, Saharanpur Jn., Siddharth nagar, Suraimanpur, Swaminarayan Chappia, Ujhani) in Uttar Pradesh have been completed under this scheme. The activities for development at other stations have also been taken up at good pace and progress of some of the stations is as given below:  Mainpuri Junction station: The works of new station building, porch, Public Reservation System counter, waiting hall, circulating area, parking, approach road, lighting, Public Address System, signages and 12 m Foot Over Bridge have been completed. The work of Divyangjan facilities has been taken up. 11.03.2026 775  Ghaziabad station: The structural works of station building at main entry side and second entry side, foundation work of new Foot Over Bridge-B at Tundla end, roof plaza, extension work of existing Foot Over Bridge-A, finishing work of electrical substation at main entry side and second entry side, Magistrate building, Government Railway Police and Railway Protection Force buildings have been taken up.  Rampur Junction station: The works of new station building, platform shelter, platform surfacing, booking office, waiting hall, toilet have been completed. The works of circulating area and Foot Over Bridge have been taken up.  Shahjahanpur station: The works of platform shelter and platform surfacing at platform no. 1 and 2/3 have been completed. The works of improvement of station building, new station building at second entry, circulating area and Foot Over Bridge have been taken up.  Shikohabad Junction station: The works of new station building, platform surfacing of platform no. 1/2, improvement of circulating area, parking and Divyangjan facilities have been completed. The work of 12 m Foot Over Bridge has been taken up. Further, development / redevelopment / upgradation / modernisation of stations on Indian Railways is a continuous and ongoing process and works in this regard are undertaken as per requirement, subject to inter-se priority and 11.03.2026 776 availability of funds. Development / redevelopment / upgradation / modernisation of a station is carried out based on category of station/condition/traffic handled etc. Development / upgradation / modernisation of stations including under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is generally funded under Plan Head-53 ‘Customer Amenities’. The details of allocation and expenditure under Plan Head-53 are maintained Zonal Railway-wise and not work-wise, or station- wise, or constituency wise or state-wise. Uttar Pradesh is covered under the jurisdiction of five railway zones, namely East Central Railway, Northern Railway, North Central Railway, North Eastern Railway and West Central Railway. For these zones, an allocation of ₹ 3,794 crore has been made for the financial year 2025-26, out of which an expenditure (up to January, 2026) of ₹ 3,343 crore has been incurred so far. 02 water coolers at Mainpuri Railway Station and 01 water cooler at Bhogaon Railway Station are available in the Mainpuri District. Furthermore, work for provision of 02 nos. of Passenger lifts at Mainpuri Railway Station have been taken up. NUCLEAR POWER GENERATION 3118. PROF. SOUGATA RAY: Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state: - 11.03.2026 777 (a) the details/quantity of nuclear power generation through the 2008 India-US civil nuclear agreement so far, year wise; (b) the details of import of uranium for reactors under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards that is significantly boosting nuclear power generation from 14,927 million units in 2008-09 to 56,681 million units in 2024-25; (c) the details of status of completion of the proposed construction of U.S.- designed reactors at Kovvada in Andhra Pradesh; (d) the details of the Expansion Strategy to increase nuclear capacity to 100 GW by 2047, utilising international technology and fuel; and (e) whether the Government has any proposal to involve private players in the sector and if so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SPACE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH): (a): The conclusion of international cooperation agreements in 2008 enabled import of fuel for reactors under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Safeguards. The year-wise generation by reactors using imported fuel is given in 11.03.2026 778 Statement. (b): From 2008-09 till 2024-25, a total of 18842.60 MTs of Uranium in the form of Uranium Ore Concentrate, Natural UO2 pellets and Enriched UO2 pellets was imported for reactors under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Safeguards in India. (c): Presently discussions are in progress with US technology partners to arrive at a viable project proposal. The project construction will commence on finalisation of the project proposal and its approval by the Government. (d): The Government has formulated a roadmap to reach a capacity of 100 GW nuclear power capacity. As per the roadmap, the present nuclear power capacity of 8.78 GW (excluding RAPS-1) is expected to reach about 22 GW by 2031-32 on progressive completion of projects presently at various stages of implementation. Another 32 GW of nuclear power capacity is envisaged to be set up beyond 2032 by NPCIL, comprising of indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) and Light Water Reactors (LWR) with foreign cooperation by 2047 taking the capacity to about 54 GW. The balance of 46 GW is expected to be set up by other Public Sector Enterprises (Central and State), State Governments, Private sector and Joint Ventures in different business models, comprising of reactors of different technologies. (e): The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025, has been enacted and notified by the 11.03.2026 779 Ministry of Law and Justice on the 21st of December 2025 as a single, coherent legislation, with enabling provisions for private sector participation to carry out research and innovations for peaceful application of nuclear energy under license and safety authorization. STATEMENT The year-wise generation by reactors using imported fuel Year Generation using imported Fuel (Million Units) 2009-10 3704 2010-11 11130 2011-12 15637 2012-13 13900 2013-14 16219 2014-15 18697 2015-16 17469 2016-17 19247 2017-18 22134 2018-19 20597 2019-20 29003 2020-21 26685 2021-22 29929 2022-23 27640 2023-24 30763 2024-25 39180 2025-26 upto January 2026 33815 GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX 2025 3119. DR. PRABHA MALLIKARJUN: 11.03.2026 780 Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has examined the findings of the Global Hunger Index 2025, which places India at 102 out of 123 countries and if so, the implications thereof for national food and nutritional security; (b) whether rising food prices and limitations in existing price stabilisation mechanisms are adversely impacting access to adequate and nutritious food particularly for poor households, women and children; (c) if so, the details thereof; and (d) the details of the concrete policy measures being taken by the Government to strengthen food security, price stability and nutritional outcomes, in line with constitutional obligations and welfare commitments? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA): (a): As informed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, an index claimed to be Global Hunger Index (GHI) is published by 3 Non-Government Organizations (viz., Welt Hunger Hilfe of Germany; Concern Worldwide of Ireland; and Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict of Germany). It is a flawed measure of 'Hunger' and does not reflect India's true position. Three out of four of its constituent indicators are actually related to health and nourishment 11.03.2026 781 levels of children. They cannot be projected to reflect prevalence of hunger in the overall population. Only one indicator, prevalence of undernourishment (PoU), is directly related to hunger, and even this indicator suffers from significant methodological and data limitations. Owing to the probabilistic nature of its estimation and uncertainties in underlying parameters, the precision of PoU estimates is generally low. Two indicators (viz., stunting and wasting) are not measures of hunger, but outcomes of multiple complex factors including sanitation, environmental conditions, disease burden, maternal health, genetics, and food utilisation. Similarly, the indicator Under Five Mortality Rate, is influenced by a wide set of determinants such as access to healthcare, immunisation coverage, sanitation and hygiene, safe drinking water, and overall socio-economic conditions. In view of these shortcomings, the methodology adopted by GHI is flawed and, the so-called rankings cannot be taken to reflect hunger level in the overall population. (b) to (d): The Government keeps a close watch on the production and availability of essential commodities through regular reviews by the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC). The Committee reviews, on regular basis, the scenario and the indicative trends in prices of essential agri-horticultural commodities and suggests measures to enhance availability through increased domestic production and rationalisation in export-import policies. Further, Department of Consumer Affairs monitors the daily prices of 40 essential food commodities submitted by the 578 11.03.2026 782 price monitoring centres across the country. As per the data, prices of food commodities are stable and under control. The Government has also implemented the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) in all the States/UTs, which aims to supplement the food requirements of upto 75% of the rural and upto 50% of the urban population. Coverage under the PMGKAY is substantially high to ensure that all the vulnerable and needy sections of the society get its benefit. While Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, which constitute poorest of the poor are entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains, per household per month, Priority Households (PHH) are entitled to 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month free of cost foodgrains. At present, 80.56 crore beneficiaries are covered for getting free-of-cost foodgrains under PMGKAY against the intended coverage of 81.35 crore persons (as per the Census 2011). NATIONAL MINORITIES DEVELOPMENT and FINANCE CORPORATION 3120. SHRI P. V. MIDHUN REDDY: Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) the objectives and functions of National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC); (b) the details of financial assistance provided by NMDFC during the last three years; 11.03.2026 783 (c) the number of persons benefitted under the said scheme, State-wise; and (d) the steps undertaken by the Government to ensure that minority women are adequately represented under NMDFC's schemes? THE MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS; AND MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU): (a): The National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) is a Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Minority Affairs. Its prime mandate is to provide concessional credit for self-employment and income- generating activities of eligible beneficiaries belonging to notified minority communities through State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs) nominated by respective State Govt./UT Administration and select banks. (b) and (c): The details are provided as Statement. (d): The steps undertaken by NMDFC to ensure adequate representation of minority women under its schemes are as under: (i) Concessional Interest Rates for Women: To promote women’s entrepreneurship and higher education, NMDFC provides special interest concessions under Credit Line–2:  Term Loan : 6% p.a. for women (8% p.a. for men)  Micro Finance : 8% p.a. for women (10% p.a. for men)  Education Loan : 5% p.a. for women (8% p.a. for men) (ii) Virasat Scheme (for artisans): Women artisans receive an 11.03.2026 784 additional 1% interest concession, paying 4% p.a. under Credit Line– 1 and 5% p.a. under Credit Line–2, compared to 5% and 6% respectively for male beneficiaries. (iii) Focus on Women under the Micro Finance Scheme: The Micro Finance Scheme primarily targets women, especially those in remote villages and urban slums. Women are organized into Self Help Groups (SHGs) to promote savings and access to credit. Each SHG member can avail loans of up to ₹1.00 lakh (Credit Line–1) or ₹1.50 lakh (Credit Line–2). Nearly 98–99% of the beneficiaries under this scheme are women. 11.03.2026 785 STATEMENT Eligible beneficiaries belonging to notified minority communities through State Channelizing Agencies (Rs. In Lakh) STATE 2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025 2025-2026 No. of benf. Amt. disbursed No. of benf. Amt. disbursed No. of benf. Amt. disbursed No. of benf. Amt. disbursed Andaman and Nicobar 1 0.46 1 1.50 - - 2 3.50 Andhra Pradesh 2,525 509.96 187 154.30 172 188.00 430 424.31 Arunachal Pradesh - - - - 127 190.00 5 12.79 Assam 59 58.54 - - 7 8.00 31 68.69 Bihar 4 3.91 12 14.40 6 10.00 8 10.54 Chandigarh 7 10.00 7 10.00 - 2 3.00 Chhattisgarh - - - - 2 3.00 4 6.18 Delhi 17 25.00 - - - Goa 70 104.26 3 7.90 14 21.60 9 13.50 Gujarat 78 121.00 7 7.90 6 11.00 16 49.93 Haryana 633 880.15 185 266.00 360 570.70 266 397.70 Himachal Pradesh 1,000 1,500.00 856 1,284.00 564 846.00 517 775.74 Jammu and Kashmir 5,019 6,278.00 1,911 2,830.20 1,957 2,926.00 870 1,251.91 Jharkhand 119 160.05 120 180.00 - - 16 27.62 Karnataka 272 184.64 152 159.30 224 174.00 466 457.29 Kerala 78,279 33,331.52 74,088 31,876.50 76,662 32,367.00 56,522 29,169.30 Ladakh - - - - 67 100.00 279 418.20 11.03.2026 786 Lakshadweep 2 3.00 - - - - 4 5.81 Madhya Pradesh 1 0.46 - - 1 2.00 4 6.83 Maharashtra 1,137 1,203.45 1,267 1,899.60 3,014 4,512.00 1,036 1,567.61 Manipur 8 3.45 - - - - 24 33.11 Meghalaya 4 2.94 - - 1 0.50 69 75.74 Mizoram 207 305.18 141 212.00 113 170.00 340 503.37 Nagaland 5 3.16 - - - - 31 40.51 Odisha 2 2.00 - - 10 4.00 5 5.02 Puducherry - - 1 1.90 - - 1 0.39 Punjab 60 84.65 77 113.50 629 944.00 468 800.48 Punjab Gramin Bank - - 134 200.00 304 419.00 Rajasthan 350 515.84 70 104.80 295 445.00 6 15.23 Sikkim - - 13 20.00 19 7.73 Tamil Nadu 13,855 5,677.08 16,554 5,704.40 19,443 7,702.00 20,656 8,555.68 Telangana 669 608.39 35 22.10 8 4.00 67 99.42 Tripura 1 1.00 - - 3 3.00 46 65.40 Uttar Pradesh 133 129.91 75 135.30 94 136.00 60 109.79 Uttarakhand 26 16.42 19 34.90 3 2.00 54 42.81 West Bengal 101,237 36,446.94 89,097 31,524.60 96,350 34,483.00 118,193 39,053.56 Grand Total 205780 88171.36 184865 76545.1 200279 86042.8 200830 84497.69 11.03.2026 787 हåरत ऊजाª पåरयोजनाओं म¤ अंतराªÕůीय सहयोग 3121. ®ीमती कलाबेन मोहनभाई देलकर: ³या नवीन और नवीकरणीय ऊजाª मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक: (क) देश के िविभÆन राºयŌ, िवशेष łप से संघ राºय ±ेý दादरा और नगर हवेली म¤ वतªमान म¤ चल रही हåरत ऊजाª पåरयोजनाओं का Êयौरा ³या है; (ख) राºय-वार ±मता आवधªन का Êयौरा ³या है; (ग) सौर और पवन ऊजाª के ±ेý म¤ अंतराªÕůीय सहयोग के Öवłप का Êयौरा ³या है; (घ) सौर पाकŎ के िलए िव° पोषण कì पĦित का Êयौरा ³या है; और (ङ.) िúड एकìकरण म¤ आ रही चुनौितयŌ का Êयौरा ³या है? िवīुत मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी; तथा नवीन और नवीकरणीय ऊजाª मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (®ी ®ीपाद येसो नाईक): (क) और (ख): िदनांक 31.01.2026 कì िÖथित के अनुसार, देश म¤ कुल 263.18 गीगावॉट नवीकरणीय ऊजाª ±मता Öथािपत कì गई है, िजसम¤ संघ राºय ±ेý दादरा एवं नगर हवेली तथा दमन एवं दीव म¤ 138.65 मेगावाट शािमल है। इसके अलावा, देश म¤ 180.67 गीगावॉट ±मता कì नवीकरणीय ऊजाª पåरयोजनाएं आवंिटत कì गई ह§ और 47.92 गीगावॉट ±मता कì पåरयोजनाओं के िलए िनिवदाएं जारी कì गई ह§। िदनांक 31.01.2026 कì िÖथित के अनुसार, नवीकरणीय ऊजाª Öथािपत ±मता का राºय-वार Êयौरा िववरण म¤ िदया गया है। (ग) : नवीन एवं नवीकरणीय ऊजाª मंýालय सौर ऊजाª, पवन ऊजाª, úीन हाइűोजन, भंडारण, िúड एकìकरण आिद सिहत नवीकरणीय ऊजाª के ±ेý म¤ संभािवत देशŌ के साथ समझौता ²ापन (एमओयू), आशय पý (एलओआई), संयुĉ आशय घोषणा पý (जेडीआई), ऊजाª संवाद और 11.03.2026 788 साझेदारी जैसे िविभÆन तंýŌ के माÅयम से सहयोग करता है। नवीकरणीय ऊजाª ±ेý के िविभÆन ±ेýŌ म¤ सहयोग के तौर-तरीकŌ म¤ नीितयŌ का आदान-ÿदान, ±मता िनमाªण और सीखे गए सबक, ÿिश±ण के िलए किमªयŌ का आदान-ÿदान, वै²ािनक सूचनाओं का आदान-ÿदान, कायªशालाओं, सेिमनारŌ और कायª समूह कì बैठकŌ का आयोजन, परÖपर िहत के िवषयŌ पर संयुĉ अनुसंधान या तकनीकì पåरयोजनाओं का िवकास शािमल है। इस ÿिøया म¤, साझेदारी को आसान बनाने के िलए िवदेशी सरकारŌ और िनजी उīोगŌ के अिधकाåरयŌ के साथ Óयापक संपकª िकया जाता है। (घ): “सौर पाकŎ और अÐůा मेगा सौर िवīुत पåरयोजनाओं का िवकास” के िलए योजना के अंतगªत सौर पाकŎ कì साझा अवसंरचना के िवकास के िलए 20.00 लाख Łपए ÿित मेगावाट तक अथवा पåरयोजना लागत का 30 ÿितशत, जो भी कम हो, केÆþीय िव°ीय सहायता (सीएफए) ÿदान कì जाती है। इसके अलावा, िवÖतृत पåरयोजना åरपोटª (डीपीआर) तैयार करने के िलए ÿित सौर पाकª 25 लाख Łपये तक का सीएफए ÿदान िकया जाता है। (ड): नवीकरणीय ऊजाª को िúड म¤ एकìकृत करने म¤ ÿमुख चुनौितयाँ नवीकरणीय ऊजाª उÂपादन म¤ अिनरंतरता, भूिम अिधúहण और Öथानीय मंजूåरयां आिद ह§। िववरण िदनांक 31.01.2026 कì िÖथित के अनुसार, नवीकरणीय ऊजाª Öथािपत ±मता का राºय-वार Êयौरा ø.सं. राºय/संघ राºय ±ेý लघु जल िवīुत पवन िवīुत जैव (बायो) िवīुत सौर िवīुत बड़ी जल िवīुत कुल (मेगावाट) (मेगावाट) (मेगावाट) (मेगावाट) (मेगावाट) (मेगावाट) 1 आंň ÿदेश 164.51 4415.78 594.02 6935.38 3290.00 15399.69 2 अŁणाचल ÿदेश 140.61 0.00 15.44 1615.00 1771.05 3 असम 34.11 2.00 474.21 346.00 856.32 4 िबहार 70.70 140.22 435.34 646.26 5 छ°ीसगढ 100.90 285.42 1755.40 120.00 2261.72 6 गोवा 0.05 1.94 73.64 75.63 7 गुजरात 113.30 14855.19 129.85 26909.30 1990.00 43997.64 8 हåरयाणा 73.50 325.67 2540.08 2939.25 11.03.2026 789 9 िहमाचल ÿदेश 1000.71 10.20 346.28 11421.02 12778.21 10 जÌमू एवं कÔमीर 189.93 0.00 79.48 3360.00 3629.41 11 झारखंड 4.05 20.14 235.77 210.00 469.96 12 कनाªटक 1284.73 8423.64 1917.05 10824.00 3689.20 26138.62 13 केरल 276.52 71.52 2.50 2080.26 2008.15 4438.95 14 लĥाख 45.79 0.00 12.02 89.00 146.81 15 मÅय ÿदेश 123.71 3591.15 155.46 5855.64 2235.00 11960.96 16 महाराÕů 384.28 5847.01 2998.30 19105.13 3047.00 31381.72 17 मिणपुर 5.45 0.00 17.52 105.00 127.97 18 मेघालय 55.03 13.80 4.28 322.00 395.11 19 िमजोरम 45.47 0.00 33.69 60.00 139.16 20 नागाल§ड 32.67 0.00 3.34 75.00 111.01 21 ओिडशा 140.63 64.22 773.32 2154.55 3132.72 22 पंजाब 176.10 576.59 1560.99 1096.30 3409.98 23 राजÖथान 23.85 5229.15 207.52 37925.04 412.50 43798.06 24 िसि³कम 55.11 0.00 7.56 2282.00 2344.67 25 तिमलनाडु 123.05 12084.56 1046.62 11731.61 2203.20 27189.04 26 तेलंगाना 89.67 128.10 221.67 5065.10 2405.60 7910.14 27 िýपुरा 16.01 0.00 35.16 51.17 28 उ°र ÿदेश 50.60 2310.39 3829.88 501.60 6692.47 29 उ°राखंड 233.82 149.57 837.89 4785.35 6006.63 30 पिIJम बंगाल 98.50 351.86 320.62 1341.20 2112.18 31 अंडमान और िनकोबार Ĭीप समूह 5.25 0.00 32.12 37.37 32 चंडीगढ़ 0.00 78.85 78.85 33 दादरा और नागर हवेली तथा दमन और दीव 3.75 134.90 138.65 34 िदÐली 85.17 403.30 488.47 35 ल±Ĭीप 0.00 6.57 6.57 36 पुदुचेरी 0.00 77.61 77.61 37 अÆय 4.30 0.00 45.01 49.31 कुल (मेगावाट) 5158.61 54650.40 11613.93 140601.75 51164.67 263189.36 मोबाइल और दूरसंचार नेटवकª रिहत ±ेý 3122. डॉ. आनÆद कुमार गŌड: ³या संचार मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िकः (क) ³या सरकार इस बात से अवगत है िक देश के कई ±ेýŌ म¤ मोबाइल और दूरसंचार नेटवकª 11.03.2026 790 रिहत ±ेý (Êलैक Öपॉट्स) मौजूद ह§, जो न केवल úामीण ±ेýŌ म¤ बिÐक शहरी ±ेýŌ म¤ भी ह§, िजसके कारण नागåरकŌ को कॉल űॉप, इंटरनेट Óयवधान और आपातकालीन संचार म¤ किठनाइयŌ का सामना करना पड़ता है; (ख) यिद हाँ, तो देश के úामीण और शहरी ±ेýŌ म¤ िचिĹत िकए गए मोबाइल/दूरसंचार 'Êलैक Öपॉट्स' कì सं´या िकतनी है और इसका राºय/शहर-वार Êयौरा ³या है; (ग) ³या सरकार मोबाइल टावरŌ कì Öथापना, नेटवकª घनÂव बढ़ाने, 4जी/5जी िवÖतार या वैकिÐपक ÿौīोिगिकयŌ के माÅयम से उĉ 'Êलैक Öपॉट' ±ेýŌ म¤ संपकª सुधारने के िलए कोई िवशेष योजना लागू कर रही है; और (घ) उĉ उपायŌ कì वतªमान ÿगित ³या है और िनवाªध दूरसंचार सेवाएं सुिनिIJत करने के िलए िकतनी समय-सीमा िनधाªåरत कì गई है? úामीण िवकास मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी; तथा संचार मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (डॉ. चंþ शेखर पेÌमासानी): (क) और (ख): वतªमान म¤, दूरसंचार िवभाग कì फìÐड इकाइयŌ ने बताया है िक देश के लगभग 8,985 गांवŌ म¤ मोबाइल सेवाएं उपलÊध नहé (ÊलैकÖपॉट्स) ह§। दूरसंचार सेवा ÿदाता िनयिमत űाइव टेÖट Ĭारा शहरी और úामीण ±ेýŌ म¤ सेवा से वंिचत ±ेýŌ कì पहचान करते ह§ और मौजूदा नेटवकª को इĶतम बनाकर और तकनीकì-वािणिºयक Óयवहायªता के अनुसार नए बेस ůांसीवर Öटेशन (बीटीएस) Öथािपत करके कवरेज ÿदान करते ह§। सेवा से वंिचत गांवŌ कì राºय/ संघ राºय ±ेý-वार सूची िववरण म¤ संलμन है। (ग) और (घ): देश के सेवा से वंिचत दूरÖथ और úामीण गांवŌ और ĬीपसमूहŌ को उ¸च ब§डिवड्थ ±मता वाली इंटरनेट / āॉडब§ड कनेि³टिवटी और मोबाइल सेवाएं ÿदान करने के िलए िडिजटल भारत िनिध (डीबीएन) Ĭारा िव° पोिषत िनÌनिलिखत पåरयोजनाएं शुł कì गई ह§। 11.03.2026 791 i. भारत नेट पåरयोजना: देश कì सभी úाम पंचायतŌ (जीपी) और गांवŌ को āॉडब§ड कनेि³टिवटी ÿदान करने के िलए इसे चरणबĦ तरीके से कायाªिÆवत िकया जा रहा है। जनवरी-2026 तक, भारतनेट पåरयोजना के तहत देश म¤ 2,14,921 úाम पंचायतŌ (जीपी) को सेवा के िलए तैयार िकया गया है। इसके अलावा, िदनांक 04.08.2023 को सरकार Ĭारा अनुमोिदत संशोिधत भारत नेट कायªøम (एबीपी) को भारत नेट चरण-1 और चरण-2 के मौजूदा नेटवकª के उÆनयन, शेष úाम पंचायतŌ (जीपी) म¤ नेटवकª का िनमाªण करने और मांग के आधार पर संबंिधत úाम पंचायतŌ (जीपी) से शेष úाम पंचायत िवहीन गांवŌ को कनेि³टिवटी ÿदान करने के िलए कायाªिÆवत िकया जा रहा है। ii. 4जी सेचुरेशन: देश म¤ जनवरी-2026 तक सरकार Ĭारा िव° पोिषत 4जी सेचुरेशन पåरयोजना और अÆय मोबाइल पåरयोजनाओं के तहत 23,994 मोबाइल टावर चालू िकए गए ह§। iii. सबमरीन ऑिÈटकल फाइबर केबल: चेÆनई एवं अंडमान और िनकोबार Ĭीपसमूह के बीच (2312 िकमी) और मु´य भूिम (कोि¸च) और ल±Ĭीप Ĭीप समूह के बीच (1869 िकमी) सबमरीन ऑिÈटकल फाइबर केबल कì कमीशिनंग। एफटीटीएच और अÆय सेवाओं के ÿावधान के िलए ल±Ĭीप Ĭीपसमूह म¤ 225 िकमी ओएफसी नेटवकª का िनमाªण। इन ऑिÈटकल फाइबर केबल पåरयोजनाओं से Ĭीपसमूह म¤ िफ³Öड लाइन āॉडब§ड / इंटरनेट सेवाओं, मोबाइल सेवाओं (4जी/5जी) और अÆय हाई-Öपीड डेटा सेवाओं को तेजी से रोल आउट करने कì सुिवधा िमली है। िववरण िदनांक 31.01.2026 तक सेवा से वंिचत गांवŌ कì राºय / संघ राºय ±ेý-वार सूची ø.सं. राºय / संघ राºय ±ेý का नाम सेवा से वंिचत गांवŌ कì सं´या 1 अंडमान और िनकोबार Ĭीपसमूह 127 11.03.2026 792 2 आंň ÿदेश 394 3 अŁणाचल ÿदेश 1,185 4 असम 163 5 िबहार 39 6 चंडीगढ़ 0 7 छ°ीसगढ़ 769 8 दादरा और नगर हवेली और दमन और दीव 0 9 गोवा 38 10 गुजरात 213 11 हåरयाणा 1 12 िहमाचल ÿदेश 510 13 जÌमू और कÔमीर 248 14 झारखंड 324 15 कनाªटक 470 16 केरल 0 17 लĥाख 10 18 ल±Ĭीप 0 19 मÅय ÿदेश 960 20 महाराÕů 872 21 मिणपुर 191 22 मेघालय 159 23 िमजोरम 54 24 नागाल§ड 131 25 राÕůीय राजधानी ±ेý िदÐली 0 26 ओिडशा 1,237 27 पुडुचेरी 0 28 पंजाब 2 29 राजÖथान 531 30 िसि³कम 6 31 तिमलनाडु 3 32 तेलंगाना 228 33 िýपुरा 7 34 उ°र ÿदेश 36 35 उ°राखंड 68 36 पिIJम बंगाल 9 कुल 8,985 11.03.2026 793 NATIONAL BROADBAND MISSION IN WEST BENGAL 3123. SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN: Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is implementing the National Broadband Mission (NBM) with the objective of expanding high-speed internet and digital infrastructure across the country particularly in rural and remote areas of West Bengal including Bankura district; (b) if so, the details of the progress made under the NBM in West Bengal especially in Bishnupur Lok Sabha Constituency; (c) whether any timelines have been set for universal broadband coverage in all villages and hamlets of Bankura under the NBM and if so, the expected date of completion; and (d) the steps taken by the Government to bridge the digital divide in backward and tribal blocks of Bankura including the provision of affordable internet, digital devices and localised digital content? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT; AN MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS (DR. CHANDRA SEKHAR PEMMASANI): (a), (b) and (d): Yes Sir. The Government has taken the following key measures to fast-track the rapid expansion of digital communications infrastructure, bridge the digital and socio-economic divide, ensuring high-speed broadband and 11.03.2026 794 meaningful connectivity for all across the country, including rural and remote areas of West Bengal including Bankura district. i. Launched the centralized Right of Way (RoW) portal on May 14, 2022, thus facilitating the streamlining of the RoW permissions for the deployment of telecom infrastructure viz. optical fiber cable (OFC) laying and telecom tower installation. ii. Process to obtain RoW permissions and applicable charges was further made uniform through Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024 (RoW Rules 2024) under ‘The Telecommunications Act, 2023’. The rules are effective from January 01, 2025. The rules are further streamlining and expediting the telecom infrastructure deployment in the country. The centralized RoW portal has been further upgraded in majority of States and UTs in accordance with the central RoW Rules, 2024. Most States and UTs have issued orders/notifications directing the concerned departments and local bodies to follow the central RoW Rules, 2024. A few States have yet to issue such orders, including West Bengal. The Government has also requested the State of West Bengal multiple times to issue the necessary orders/notifications and upgrade its RoW portal in line with the central RoW Rules, 2024. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is further ensuring stable broadband connectivity in rural and remote areas (including backward and tribal 11.03.2026 795 blocks) and bridging the digital divide through the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN). Key initiatives include: i. The BharatNet project for providing broadband to Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages (on demand). ii. Various schemes for high-speed internet/broadband and mobile services (including 4G) in remote areas, such as the North-East, Islands, LWE (Left-Wing Extremism)-affected regions, Aspirational Districts, and border villages. On 4.8.2023, the Union Cabinet approved the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) for up-gradation of existing network of BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II, creation of network in balance GPs, operation and maintenance for 10 years and utilization. The connectivity to remaining non-GP villages is proposed to be provided on demand basis from their respective GPs. In West Bengal, a total of 2,677 GPs out of 3,340 have been made service- ready. Further, 663 GPs are planned under ABP. In Bankura district, all 190 GPs are made service ready. 37 GPs of Bishnupur Lok Sabha Constituency have been made service ready under BharatNet project. Under the LWE-I (Left-Wing Extremism) scheme, mobile towers are functional at five locations of Bankura in West Bengal. (c) : In Bankura district, all 190 GPs have been made service ready. 11.03.2026 796 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND RAILWAY PROJECTS 3124. SHRI IMRAN MASOOD: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to ensure environmental oversight on projects given that the Environment (Protection) Act does not apply to work under Section 11 of the Railway Act, 1989; (b) if so, the details thereof including the internal mechanisms for preventing ecological damage during construction; and (c) whether there are any plans to align railway expansion with the National Forest Policy and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS; MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW): (a) to (c): Railways are environment friendly and energy-efficient mode of transportation, yielding substantially lower CO2 emissions. Reduction in CO2 emissions in transportation by railways as compared to transportation by road is as under (Ref:- NITI Aayog Report titled “Fast Tracking Freight in India, June 2021”): Mode of transportation CO2 emission for transportation of 1 tonne for 1 Km Road 101 gm Rail 11.5 gm (about 89% less) 11.03.2026 797 Shifting of one MT of freight from road to rail reduces the carbon emission by about 5.37 Crore Kg. During the period from 2014 to 2025, about 562 MT freight has shifted to railways which corresponds to reduction in carbon emission amounting to 3,018 crore kg. As per the extant policy guidelines, Railway projects are exempted from environmental clearance. However, forestry/wild life clearances are taken from Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFandCC), wherever the diversion of forest land is involved. Electric traction is more environment friendly and energy efficient. Accordingly, electrification of railway network on Indian Railways has been taken up in mission mode. So far, 99.4% of Broad Gauge (BG) network has been electrified. The electrification in remaining network has been taken up. Electrification carried out during 2014-25 and before 2014 is as under: Period Route Kilometre Before 2014 (about 60 years) 21,801 2014-25 46,900 Further, Indian Railways has instituted several mechanisms to minimize ecological impacts during construction and operation of projects, which inter alia include: Afforestation in coordination with State Forest Departments where forest land is involved, adoption of eco-friendly construction practices, including proper 11.03.2026 798 disposal of construction debris, slope stabilization, and protection of natural drainage, provision of wildlife crossings, animal underpasses/overpasses and other mitigation measures in environmentally sensitive areas, wherever required and continuous monitoring of environmental safeguards during project implementation by concerned railway authorities. डीजल लोकोमोिटव और ओवर हेड िवīुतीकरण म¤ खराबी 3125. ®ी संिदपनराव आसाराम भुमरे: डॉ. िशवाजी बंडाÈपा कालगे: ³या रेल मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक: (क) गत तीन वषŎ के दौरान देश भर म¤ डीजल इंजनŌ और ओवर हेड िवīुतीकरण (ओएचई) कì खराबी के कारण ůेन समय-सारणी के पालन न करने और समयपालन से संबंिधत डेटा कì ज़ोन-वार वतªमान िÖथित ³या है; (ख) ³या महÂवपूणª रेल पटरी रखरखाव ÿिøया (डीप Öøìिनंग) बीस वषŎ से लंिबत है और यिद हाँ, तो सरकार Ĭारा उĉ लंिबत कायª को पूरा करने के िलए िवशेषकर महाराÕů राºय म¤ ³या कदम उठाए गए ह§/उठाए जाने का ÿÖताव है; (ग) िवशेष łप से महाराÕů राºय म¤ रेल पटरी रखरखाव और डीप Öøìिनंग के लंिबत कायŎ को पूरा करने के िलए सरकार Ĭारा ³या कदम उठाए गए ह§/उठाए जाने का ÿÖताव है; (घ) िविभÆन राºयŌ, िवशेष łप से महाराÕů राºय म¤ िसμनल कì खराबी, पटåरयŌ कì ±ित, भीड़भाड़ और रोिलंग Öटॉक से संबंिधत समÖयाओं के कारण ůेनŌ म¤ होने वाले िवलंब का अīतन डेटा ³या है; और 11.03.2026 799 (ङ) िनरंतर बनी रहने वाली उĉ समÖयाओं के समाधान के िलए जवाबदेही तय करने हेतु सरकार Ĭारा िकए गए उपायŌ का Êयौरा ³या है? रेल मंýी; सूचना और ÿसारण मंýी; तथा इले³ůॉिनकì और सूचना ÿौīोिगकì मंýी (®ी अिÔवनी वैÕणव): (क) से (ङ) : भारतीय रेल समय पर रेलगाड़ी चलाने के िलए हर संभव ÿयास करता है। भारतीय रेल कì समयबĦता कई कारकŌ के कारण ÿभािवत होती है िजनम¤ कोहरे का मौसम, मागª कì बाधाएं, पåरसंपि° का अनुर±ण और अÆय मुĥे, अलामª चेन खéचना, आंदोलन, मवेशी का रेलपथ पर आना और अÆय अÿÂयािशत पåरिÖथितयां शािमल ह§। भारतीय रेल Ĭारा रेलगािड़यŌ कì समयबĦता म¤ सुधार के िलए कई कदम उठाए गए ह§। इनम¤ याýी रेलगािड़यŌ के संचालन कì मंडल, ±ेýीय और रेलवे बोडª Öतर पर गहन िनगरानी, पåरसंपि°यŌ कì िवĵसनीयता बढ़ाने हेतु अनुर±ण के िलए रोिलंग Êलॉक ÿणाली कì शुłआत, योजनाबĦ तरीके से अवसंरचनाÂमक बाधाओं को दूर करना और वै²ािनक तरीके से समय सारणी का युिĉकरण शािमल है। इसके अलावा, याýी रेलगािड़यŌ के आगमन/ÿÖथान कì वाÖतिवक समय और उिचत सूचना सुिनिIJत करने के िलए, डेटा लॉगर का उपयोग िकया जा रहा है। सुधार पर िनरंतर Åयान देने से पåरसंपि° िवĵसनीयता म¤ सुधार और बेहतर समयबĦता ÿदशªन म¤ सहायता िमली है, जो नीचे िदए गए ह§: वषª समयपालन 2023-24 73.62 ÿितशत 2024-25 77.12 ÿितशत 2025-26 (फरवरी 2026 तक) 77.24 ÿितशत भारतीय रेल ÿितिदन लगभग 25,000 रेलगािड़यां पåरचािलत करता है और लोको/ओएचई 11.03.2026 800 सिहत पåरसंपि° िवफलता कì घटनाएं केवल 2 ÿितशत ह§। असामाÆय घटनाओं का िवĴेषण िकया जाता है और तदनुसार उिचत सुधाराÂमक उपाय िकए जाते ह§। रेलगािड़यŌ के सुरि±त पåरचालन को सुिनिIJत करने के िलए रेलपथ, चल Öटॉक, ओएचई, िसगनल ÿणाली आिद सिहत सभी रेल संपि°यŌ का िनयिमत िनरी±ण और अनुर±ण िनधाªåरत मानदंडŌ के अनुसार िकया जाता है। इनकì िनयिमत िनगरानी ±ेýीय रेलŌ के सभी मंडलŌ/िडपो और कारखानŌ आिद म¤ नािमत अिधकाåरयŌ Ĭारा कì जाती है। सुरि±त रेलगाड़ी पåरचालन सुिनिIJत करने के िलए िनवारक अनुर±ण भी िकया जाता है। इन मानकŌ को बेहतर बनाने के िलए कमªचाåरयŌ को िनयिमत łप से परामशª और ÿिशि±त िकया जाता है। भारतीय रेल ने पåरसंपि° िवĵसनीयता म¤ सुधार के िलए दीघªकािलक और अÐपकािलक उपायŌ को िचिĹत िकया है और उÆह¤ लागू िकया है। इसके अलावा, रेलवे ने िवशेष समयपालन अिभयान शुł करने और रेलगाड़ी पåरचालन म¤ शािमल कमªचाåरयŌ को संवेदनशील बनाने जैसे िविभÆन उपाय शुł िकए ह§। डीजल ईंजन, िशरोपåर उपÖकर (ओएचई) िवफलता, िसगनल िवफलता, रेलपथ, भीड़भाड़ और चल Öटॉक मुĥŌ जैसी पåरसंपि°यŌ के अनुर±ण के कारण समय कì पाबंदी म¤ होने वाली हािन कì घटनाओं कì िनगरानी कì जाती है और मूल कारणŌ कì पहचान करने और सुधाराÂमक कायŎ के िलए तुरंत िवĴेषण िकया जाता है। डीजल रेल ईंजन और ओएचई कì िवĵसनीयता म¤ सुधार लाने के िलए कई सुधाराÂमक उपाय िकए गए ह§, जो इस ÿकार ह§: डीजल ईंजन: भारतीय रेल कì संकट ÿबंधन योजना के िलए डीजल ईंजन महÂवपूणª ह§। िवĵसनीयता को बनाए रखने और सुधारने के िलए इस महÂवपूणª संपि° के अनुर±ण पर अिधक Åयान िदया जा रहा है, जैसे: 11.03.2026 801  डीजल इंजनŌ म¤ लोकोमोिटव और रेलगािड़यŌ कì åरमोट मॉिनटåरंग और ÿबंधन (आरईएमएमएलओटी) का ÿावधान।  डÊÐयूडीजी4जी/6जी लोकोमोिटव म¤ समÖयाओं के Âवåरत समाधान के िलए पूरे भारत म¤ Âवåरत ÿितिøया दल कì तैनाती।  बेहतर िवĵसनीयता के िलए कंÈयूटर िनयंिýत āेक ÿणाली जैसे घटकŌ कì अनुर±ण आविधकता म¤ सुधार। िशरोपåर उपÖकर (ओएचई): िशरोपåर उपÖकर िवĵसनीय रेलगाड़ी पåरचालन के िलए महÂवपूणª है। भारतीय रेल ने िनयिमत आविधक अनुर±ण और िवशेष ÿयास के माÅयम से िशरोपåर उपÖकर िवĵसनीयता म¤ सुधार िकया है। िनयोिजत पैदल गÔत, िनयिमत टावर-वैगन िनरी±ण, टीआरडी ऑिडट और पुरानी पåरसंपि°यŌ के ÓयविÖथत ÿितÖथापन ने ÿणाली के िनÕपादन को सुŀढ़ िकया है। िपछले 02 वषŎ म¤ िवफलताओं म¤ िनरंतर कमी देखी गई है। अपनाई कुछ अ¸छी पĦितयां है जैसेः • रेलपथ के िकनारे पेड़Ō कì पहचान के िलए सव¥±ण, जो िशरोपåर उपÖकर िवफलता और उनकì छटाई/कटाई के िलए संभािवत हो सकते ह§। • ÿदूिषत ±ेýŌ म¤ इÆसुलेटरŌ कì िनरंतर सफाई। • मौसम म¤ बदलाव के ÿभाव को कम से कम करना, हर मौसम म¤ ऑटो टेÆशिनंग िडवाइसेस (एटीडी) के पैरामीटर कì Öवतंý आवाजाही और समायोजन सुिनिIJत करना। • øॉसओवर और टनªआउट, िशरोपåर उपÖकर मानदंड और इसके समायोजन कì जांच के िलए िवशेष ÿयास। • िनधाªåरत अनुर±ण पĦितयŌ के पालन को सुŀढ़ करने के िलए िडपो Öतर पर िनयिमत परामशª 11.03.2026 802 सý। • मानक पĦितयŌ के संदभª म¤ किमयŌ और अंतरालŌ कì पहचान करने के िलए अÆय िडपो Ĭारा अनुर±ण िडपो के øॉस ऑिडट। • अनुर±ण किमªयŌ के िलए िनयिमत ÿिश±ण। • पुरानी पåरसंपि°यŌ का समय पर ÿितÖथापन और कैटेनेरी और संपकª तारŌ का शतŎ के आधार पर ÿितÖथापन। • टूटे हòए और Éलैश वाले आइसोलेटरŌ कì पहचान और िवशेष ÿयास से उनका ÿितÖथापन। रेलपथ अनुर±ण (डीप Öøìिनंग): एक ÿमुख मशीनीकृत अनुर±ण गितिविध के łप म¤ रेलपथ सुŀढ़ता, िÖथरता और जल िनकासी के िलए िगĘी कì डीप Öøìिनंग कì जाती है। यह कायª उ¸च आउटपुट सिहत िगĘी सफाई मशीनŌ (बीसीएम) का उपयोग करके िकया जाता है। िगĘी सफाई मशीन¤ (एचओबीसीएम) Æयूनतम मानव हÖत±ेप के साथ रेलपथ कì कुशल और समान सफाई सुिनिIJत करती ह§। इससे पहले, 2021 तक, समय के आधार पर डीप Öøìिनंग कì गई थी। इस ŀिĶकोण को अब एक Öव¸छ िगĘी आधाåरत मानदंड म¤ संशोिधत िकया गया है, िजससे ÿिøया वै²ािनक और वाÖतिवक ±ेý कì िÖथितयŌ को ÿितिबंिबत करती है। संशोिधत मानदंडŌ के अनुसार, मु´य लाइन रेलपथ कì डीप Öøìिनंग तब िनधाªåरत कì जाती है जब Öव¸छ िगĘी 200 िममी से कम हो जाता है। िपछले पांच वषŎ के दौरान एचओबीसीएम सिहत 65 बीसीएम को शािमल करने के साथ मशीनीकृत ±मता को भी काफì मजबूत िकया गया है, िजसने डीप Öøìिनंग के िलए भारतीय रेल कì समú ±मता को बढ़ाया है। 11.03.2026 803 एक समान कायाªÆवयन और गुणव°ा िनयंýण का समथªन करने के िलए, डीप Öøìिनंग कì कुशलता और गुणव°ा बढ़ाने के िलए िवÖतृत िदशािनद¥श और मानक संचालन ÿिøयाएं जारी कì गई ह§। पåरचालन संबंधी योजना म¤ सुधार िजसम¤ बैलाÖट, उपकरण, यंý और ÿिशि±त जनशिĉ कì अिúम ÓयवÖथा के साथ-साथ बेहतर कायª िनधाªरण और कायªøम शािमल है, Ĭारा तीĄ कायाªÆवयन और संसाधनŌ कì बेहतर उपयोिगता सुिनिIJत कì गई है। उनकì पåरचालन संबंधी संवेदनशीलता को Åयान रखते ÈवाइंटŌ और øॉिसगŌ को िवशेष ÿाथिमकता भी दी गई ह§। इन ÖथानŌ पर सुरि±त और समिÆवत िनÕपादन कì सुिवधा के िलए िवशेष िदशािनद¥श और एक संयुĉ ÿिøया आदेश (जेपीओ) जारी िकया गया है। उÆनत मशीनीकरण और संरिचत कायाªÆवयन ÿिøयाओं Ĭारा समिथªत आयु-आधाåरत ŀिĶकोण से िÖथित-आधाåरत ŀिĶकोण म¤ पåरवतªन ने डीप Öøìिनंग म¤ गहन Öøìिनंग कì गित, द±ता और गुणव°ा म¤ उÐलेखनीय सुधार िकया है। डीप Öøìिनंग कì कुल ÿगित लगातार बढ़ रही है जो िनÌनानुसार है: ø.सं. वषª ÿगित (रेलपथ िक.मी. म¤) 1 2020-21 9985 2 2021-22 10056 3 2022-23 10766 4 2023-24 14935 5 2024-25 15433 िमशन मौसम 3126. ®ीमती अिनता नागरिसंह चौहान: ³या पृÃवी िव²ान मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक: (क) ³या सरकार ने देश म¤ मौसम के पूवाªनुमान, जलवायु सेवाओं और ÿारंिभक ÿणािलयŌ को आपदाओं के िलए अिधक सटीक, ÿभावी और समयबĦ बनाने के उĥेÔय से ‘िमशन मौसम’ शुł 11.03.2026 804 िकया है; (ख) यिद हाँ, तो उĉ िमशन के ÿाथिमक उĥेÔयŌ, ÿमुख घटकŌ और इसके कायाªÆवयन के िलए िनधाªåरत समय-सीमा का Êयौरा ³या है; (ग) ³या उĉ िमशन का भारत मौसम िव²ान िवभाग (आईएमडी) और भारतीय राÕůीय महासागर सूचना सेवा क¤þ (आईएनसीओआईएस) के बीच डेटा और ÿौīोिगकì के एकìकरण के साथ-साथ कृिýम बुिĦमता (एआई), हाई-परफॉम¦स कंÈयूिटंग (एचपीसी) और उÆनत रडार ÿणािलयŌ के उपयोग का िवचार है और यिद हाँ, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है; (घ) ³या सरकार Ĭारा देश म¤, िवशेष łप से मÅय ÿदेश के रतलाम लोक सभा िनवाªचन ±ेý के अंतगªत आने वाले िजलŌ और अÆय दूरदराज के ±ेýŌ म¤ मौसम सेवाओं कì पहòंच और गुणव°ा म¤ सुधार के िलए कोई िवशेष कायª योजना तैयार कì गई है; और (ङ) कृिष, मÂÖयपालन, आपदा ÿबंधन और आम जनता के दैिनक जीवन पर उĉ िमशन के संभािवत ÿभाव और लाभ का Êयौरा ³या है ? िव²ान और ÿौīोिगकì मंýालय के राºय मंýी; पृÃवी िव²ान मंýालय के राºय मंýी; ÿधानमंýी कायाªलय म¤ राºय मंýी; कािमªक, लोक िशकायत और प¤शन मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी; परमाणु ऊजाª िवभाग म¤ राºय मंýी; तथा अंतåर± िवभाग म¤ राºय मंýी (डॉ. िजत¤þ िसंह): (क) : जी हां। सरकार ने देश म¤ आपदा ÿबंधन के िलए मौसम पूवाªनुमान, जलवायु सेवाओं और पूवª चेतावनी ÿणािलयŌ कì सटीकता, ÿभावशीलता और समयबĦता बढ़ाने के िलए "िमशन मौसम" शुł िकया है। िमशन को पृÃवी िव²ान मंýालय Ĭारा अपने संÖथानŌ, िजनम¤ भारत मौसम िव²ान िवभाग (आईएमडी), भारतीय उÕणदेशीय मौसम िव²ान संÖथान (आईआईटीएम), और राÕůीय मÅयम अविध मौसम पूवाªनुमान क¤þ (एनसीएमआरडÊÐयूएफ) शािमल ह§, के माÅयम से ÿे±ण नेटवकª को मजबूत करके, सं´याÂमक मौसम पूवाªनुमान मॉडल म¤ सुधार करके और अिधक सटीक और समय पर पूवाªनुमान और 11.03.2026 805 चेताविनयां देने के िलए उ¸च िनÕपादन कंÈयूिटंग ±मताओं का िवÖतार करके कायाªिÆवत िकया जा रहा है। (ख) : जी हां। पृÃवी िव²ान मंýालय Ĭारा शुł िकया गया िमशन मौसम, चरम मौसम कì घटनाओं के िलए मौसम पूवाªनुमान और पूवª चेताविनयŌ कì सटीकता, लीड टाइम और िवĵसनीयता को बढ़ाने का लàय रखता है। ÿाथिमक उĥेÔयŌ म¤ मौसम और जलवायु पूवाªनुमान ±मताओं म¤ सुधार करना, ÿे±ण नेटवकª को मजबूत करना, उ¸च-िवभेदन सं´याÂमक मौसम पूवाªनुमान मॉडल को उÆनत करना और मौसम सेवाओं के अंितम-छोर तक ÿसार म¤ सुधार करना शािमल है। सं±ेप म¤ िमशन मौसम का उĥेÔय देश को "मौसम तैयार और जलवायु Öमाटª" बनाना है। िमशन के ÿमुख घटकŌ म¤ ÿे±ण ÿणािलयŌ का िवÖतार और उÆनयन, उ¸च िनÕपादन कंÈयूिटंग ±मता म¤ वृिĦ, कृिýम बुिĦम°ा और मशीन लिन«ग सिहत उÆनत मॉडिलंग ÿणािलयŌ का िवकास, और भारत मौसम िव²ान िवभाग (आईएमडी), भारतीय उÕणदेशीय मौसम िव²ान संÖथान (आईआईटीएम), और राÕůीय मÅयम अविध मौसम पूवाªनुमान क¤þ (एनसीएमआरडÊÐयूएफ) जैसे संÖथानŌ के माÅयम से ÿभाव-आधाåरत पूवाªनुमान सेवाओं म¤ सुधार शािमल है। िमशन को पृÃवी िव²ान मंýालय के अंतगªत अÆय संÖथानŌ म¤ भी समिथªत और िनÕपािदत िकया जा रहा है। िमशन को 2031 तक कई चरणŌ म¤ लागू िकया जा रहा है। (ग) : जी हां। िमशन मौसम म¤ बेहतर मौसम, समुþ और जलवायु सेवाओं के िलए भारत मौसम िव²ान िवभाग (आईएमडी) और भारतीय राÕůीय महासागर सूचना सेवा क¤þ (इंकॉइस) सिहत पृÃवी िव²ान मंýालय के संÖथानŌ के बीच ÿे±ण संबंधी डेटा, मॉडिलंग िसÖटम और तकनीकì ±मताओं का एकìकरण करने कì पåरकÐपना कì गई है। िमशन के तहत कृिýम बुिĦम°ा (एआई), उ¸च िनÕपादन कंÈयूिटंग (एचपीसी) िसÖटम, उÆनत सं´याÂमक मौसम पूवाªनुमान मॉडल और ÿे±ण नेटवकª के िवÖतार और उÆनयन के बेहतर उपयोग को 11.03.2026 806 संभव बनाता है। ये ÿौīोिगिकयां चरम मौसम और समुþ से संबंिधत जोिखमŌ के िलए पूवाªनुमान और पूवª चेताविनयŌ कì सटीकता और लीड समय म¤ सुधार करने के िलए वायुमंडलीय, समुþी और उपúह ÿे±णŌ से जिटल डेटा आमेलन म¤ सहायक हŌगी। (घ) : जी हां। सरकार ने देश भर म¤, दूरÖथ और संवेदनशील ±ेýŌ सिहत, मौसम सेवाओं कì पहòंच और गुणव°ा म¤ सुधार के िलए कई उपाय िकए ह§। पृÃवी िव²ान मंýालय, भारत मौसम िव²ान िवभाग के माÅयम से, Öवचािलत मौसम ÖटेशनŌ (एडÊÐयूएस), Öवचािलत वषाª गेज (एआरजी), और डॉÈलर मौसम रडार के नेटवकª का िवÖतार कर रहा है, और िजला-Öतरीय पूवाªनुमान और ÿभाव-आधाåरत चेतावनी सेवाओं को मजबूत कर रहा है। मंýालय ने मÅय ÿदेश के सीहोर िजले के िसÐखेड़ा गांव म¤ िÖथत एक ÿमुख ÿे±ण सुिवधा भी Öथािपत कì है। मानसून कोर जोन के क¤þ म¤ रणनीितक łप से िÖथत, वायुमंडलीय अनुसंधान परी±ण पटल (एआरटी), मÅय भारत (सीआई) का उĥेÔय लंबे समय से चले आ रहे डेटा अंतराल को कम करना और मानसून संवहन, बादल सूàम भौितकì, भूिम-वायुमंडल कì अंतरिøया और सीमा परत ÿिøयाओं कì समझ म¤ सुधार करना है जो मÅय भारत म¤ वषाª पåरवतªनशीलता को ÿभािवत करती ह§। मौसम पूवाªनुमान और चेतावनी मोबाइल एिÈलकेशन (मौसम, मेघदूत, दािमनी आिद), एसएमएस अलटª, टेलीिवजन, रेिडयो और सोशल मीिडया सिहत कई ÈलेटफामŎ के माÅयम से ÿसाåरत कì जाती है, िजससे जनता और Öथानीय अिधकाåरयŌ तक Óयापक पहòंच सुिनिIJत होती है। ये सेवाएं मÅय ÿदेश म¤ रतलाम लोकसभा िनवाªचन ±ेý के अंतगªत आने वाले सभी राºयŌ और िजलŌ के साथ-साथ देश के अÆय दूरदराज के ±ेýŌ म¤ भी उपलÊध ह§। इसके अलावा, समय पर तैयारी और ÿितिøया का समथªन करने के िलए िकसानŌ, आपदा ÿबंधन ÿािधकरणŌ और अÆय िहतधारकŌ को ±ेý-िविशĶ परामशª ÿदान िकए जाते ह§। (ङ) : पृÃवी िव²ान मंýालय Ĭारा कायाªिÆवत िमशन मौसम से मौसम पूवाªनुमान और पूवª चेताविनयŌ कì 11.03.2026 807 सटीकता और समय म¤ सुधार से कई ±ेýŌ म¤ महÂवपूणª लाभ िमलेगा। कृिष म¤, बेहतर मौसम और मानसून पूवाªनुमान फसल योजना, िसंचाई का समय तय करने और चरम मौसम कì घटनाओं से सुर±ा का समथªन करते ह§। मÂÖय पालन ±ेý म¤, भारतीय राÕůीय महासागर सूचना सेवा क¤þ जैसे संÖथानŌ Ĭारा जारी िकए गए उÆनत समुþ और मौसम परामशª मछुआरŌ कì सुर±ा सुिनिIJत करने और कुशल मÂÖययन का समथªन करने म¤ मदद करते ह§। मंýालय ने भारतीय समुþ म¤ मछली के संभािवत झुंड के ÿॉ³सी के łप म¤ संभािवत मÂÖययन ±ेý (पीएफजेड) के सीमांकन के िलए उपúह ÓयुÂपÆन डेटा का सफलतापूवªक उपयोग िकया है। आपदा ÿबंधन के िलए, चøवात, भारी वषाª, बाढ़, लू और अÆय चरम घटनाओं के अिधक सटीक और समय पर पूवाªनुमान और पूवª चेतावनी अिधकाåरयŌ Ĭारा िनकासी योजना और तैयारी को स±म करते ह§। आम जनता के िलए, बेहतर मौसम सेवाएं दैिनक गितिविधयŌ कì बेहतर योजना, याýा, चरम मौसम िÖथितयŌ के दौरान ÖवाÖÃय तैयारी और भारत मौसम िव²ान िवभाग Ĭारा ÿदान िकए गए कई ÿसार ÈलेटफामŎ के माÅयम से िवĵसनीय मौसम जानकारी तक पहòंच को सुगम बनाती ह§। TRAIN SERVICE FOR SILCHAR-NAHARLAGUN AND SILCHAR-DELHI 3127. SHRI PARIMAL SUKLABAIDYA: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government proposes to reintroduce the Silchar–Naharlagun service and introduce a Silchar–Delhi Rajdhani Express and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether additional stoppages at Salchapra and Chandranathpur Stations in Cachar district are under consideration and if so, the details thereof; and 11.03.2026 808 (c) the details of the response received from Northeast Frontier Railway in this regard? THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS; MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW): (a) to (c): In its constant endeavour to cater to the needs of travelling passengers, Indian Railways operates Special train services during festivals, holidays, etc.. Accordingly, to cater to the needs of passengers of Silchar-Naharlagun sector, Indian Railways operated 05637/38 Silchar-Naharlagun Special till recently. Silchar is directly connected to Delhi by 14037/14038 Silchar-New Delhi Poorvottar Sampark Kranti Express. Besides, introduction of train services on any route/section, which is an on-going process, depends on various factors which include:  Capacity of that section.  Availability of path.  Availability of required rolling stock.  Availability of matching infrastructure for rolling stock.  Maintenance requirement of railway tracks and other assets. To cater to the needs of passengers stoppage of 15615/15616 Guwahati- Silchar Express has been provided at Salchapra w.e.f. 20.02.2026. Accordingly, 12 train services are catering to the needs of Salchapra station as listed below: - 11.03.2026 809 SN Train Number and Name 1 15615 Guwahati-Silchar Express 2 15616 Silchar- Guwahati Express 3 55661 Maishashan - Silchar Passenger 4 55662 Silchar- Maishashan Passenger 5 55667 Silchar- Bairabi Passenger 6 55668 Bairabi- Silchar Passenger 7 55677 Silchar- Dharmanagar Passenger 8 55678 Dharmanagar- Silchar Passenger 9 55669 Silchar- Sairang Passenger 10 55670 Sairang- Silchar Passenger 11 55685 Maishashan- Silchar Passenger 12 55686 Silchar- Maishashan Passenger Similarly, 02 train services viz. 15615/16 Guwahati- Silchar Express are catering to the needs of Chandranathpur. Further, it has been decided to provide stoppage of 12503/12504 SMVT Bengaluru - Agartala Humsafar Express and 15611/15612 Silchar- Rangiya Express at Chandranathpur. Besides, provision of stoppages of train services, which is an on-going process, depends on the traffic justification, operational feasibility including availability of extra time on the section and availability of matching infrastructure such as Platform length etc. 11.03.2026 810 NATIONAL POLICY OF SOFTWARE PRODUCT 3128. SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY VEMIREDDY: Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state: (a) the details regarding the present status of programmes under the National Policy on Software Products, 2019 (NPSP) such as FutureSkills Prime, NGIS, SAMRIDH, GENESIS, TIDE 2.0, Digi-SAPNE and BHASHINI; (b) the details regarding the total number of beneficiaries of above specified programmes during the last five years programme, State and district-wise especially in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh; (c) the details regarding the total amount of funds allocated, released and utilised for implementing NPSP across the country during the last five years, programme, State and district-wise especially in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh; (d) the details regarding the list of Centres of Entrepreneurship proposed, selected and presently functional across the country, State and district-wise in Andhra Pradesh; and (e) whether the Government has undertaken any activities/campaigns to increase awareness regarding the programs under NPSP and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? 11.03.2026 811 THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA): (a) to (e): The National Policy on Software Products (NPSP), 2019 has played a significant role in transforming India’s IT sector from a service-led industry to a product-driven digital economy. The policy aims to position India as a global hub for software products, promote Intellectual Property (IP) creation, and boost domestic demand and exports of software products. To achieve the objectives of NPSP, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has initiated the following key programmes: Initiative Brief Status FutureSkills Prime Re-skilling/ up-skilling of IT professionals in new/emerging technologies including AR/VR, Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) etc More than 27.53 lakh candidates have registered on the FutureSkills Prime portal (https://futureskillsprime.in), out of which over 17.2 lakh candidates have enrolled/ trained in various courses. In the State of Andhra Pradesh, more than 3.29 lakh candidates have enrolled/trained under the programme, including over 9,000 candidates from Nellore district. A budget of Rs. 436.87 Cr has been allocated for this. 11.03.2026 812 GENESIS Aims to identify, nurture and empower 10,000 youth-led startups from across India More than 500 Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) beneficiaries have been supported so far. Out of these, 29 EIRs have been supported from Andhra Pradesh. A total amount of Rs 54.5 crore has been released under the programme. BHASHINI National Language Translation Mission (NLTM) to transcend the language barrier for digital access. The programme has a budget outlay of Rs 495.51 crore, out of which Rs 464.27 crore has been sanctioned so far. The BHASHINI platform (https://bhashini.gov.in/) currently supports 36 Indian languages, hosts 350 AI language models, and has processed over 4 billion inferences, with an average of over 13 million inferences per day. Digi-SAPNE Supporting startups in the North East by helping them scale into large ventures creating tech solutions of societal impact 36 selected startups from the North Eastern Region are being supported over a duration of three years, with 12 startups selected in each cohort The scheme has a budgetary outlay of Rs 5.76 crore. SAMRIDH Provides market access and investor connect to startups for scaling through accelerators 43 top accelerators across 16 States were selected to support the acceleration of 373 startups, of which 241 startups have secured matching investment funding. Further, an amount of Rs 99 crore has been released and the programme concluded on 31st January, 2026. TIDE 2.0 Facilitates technology entrepreneurship through financial and infrastructural support in incubators More than 1,800 startups have been supported through 51 incubation centres, with a total release of Rs 224 crore. The programme concluded on 31 January 2026. NGIS (Next Generation Incubation Scheme) Supports tech startups in Tier- II and Tier-III cities to boost inclusive growth in innovation 686 startups have been supported, of which 180 received seed funding and 359 received stipend support. A total Rs 67.84 Cr has been released and the programme concluded on 25th September, 2025. In the State of Andhra Pradesh, 133 startups have been supported. Further, 24 Centres of Entrepreneurship (CoEs) of Software Technology Parks 11.03.2026 813 of India (STPI) are functional across the country. In the State of Andhra Pradesh, one CoE on Industry 4.0, namely Kalpataru, is functional at Visakhapatnam. The Government has undertaken various awareness and outreach initiatives to promote programmes under the National Policy on Software Products, 2019. These include workshops, expert talks and webinars, innovation and hackathon challenges, collaboration with industry bodies and academic institutions, promotion through official portals and social media platforms, participation in startup and technology events and targeted outreach in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. These efforts are ongoing to further enhance awareness and participation across the country. ůांसिमशन लाइनŌ के िलए मुआवजा 3129. ®ी अमरा राम: ³या नवीन और नवीकरणीय ऊजाª मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक: (क) ³या राजÖथान म¤ बड़े पैमाने पर सौर ऊजाª उÂपादन और कई 765 केवी ůांसिमशन लाइनŌ के वतªमान िनमाªण को देखते हòए, सरकार का 'भूिम अजªन, पुनवाªसन और पुनÓयªवÖथापन म¤ उिचत ÿितकर और पारदिशªता अिधकार अिधिनयम, 2013' के अंतगªत भूिम, फलदार वृ±Ō, खेजड़ी के वृ±Ō और अÆय संरचनाओं के िलए मुआवजा ÿदान करने का िवचार है; (ख) यिद हाँ, तो राजÖथान सिहत देशभर म¤ िबजली िúड कंपिनयŌ Ĭारा अब तक िकसानŌ को भुगतान िकए गए मुआवजे का िजला-वार Êयौरा ³या है; और (ग) उĉ मुआवजे का िनपटान कब तक कर िदया जाएगा और यिद नहé, तो इसके ³या कारण ह§? 11.03.2026 814 िवīुत मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी; तथा नवीन और नवीकरणीय ऊजाª मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (®ी ®ीपाद येसो नाईक): (क) से (ग) : िवīुत मंýालय, भारत सरकार ने ůांसिमशन लाइनŌ के िलए मागª का अिधकार (RoW) के िलए मुआवजे के भुगतान के संबंध म¤ िदनांक 14.06.2024 के साथ िदनांक 21.03.2025 और 15.12.2025 के अनुवतê संशोधनŌ के िदशािनद¥श जारी िकए ह§। चूंिक भूिम राºय का िवषय है, इसिलए संबंिधत राºय सरकारŌ के पास या तो केÆþ सरकार के िदशा-िनद¥शŌ को पूरी तरह से अपनाने अथवा अपने Öवयं के िदशा-िनद¥श तैयार करने का िववेकािधकार है तदनुसार, ůांसिमशन पåरयोजनाओं को लागू करते समय, िज़ला अिधकाåरयŌ Ĭारा तय िकए गए मुआवज़े म¤ शािमल भूिम कì कìमत म¤ कमी, फ़सल कì ±ित, और संरचनाओं तथा वृ±Ō के िलए मुआवज़ा राºय-दर-राºय अलग- अलग होता है। तथािप, आरओडÊÐयू मुआवजे, फसल मुआवजे और अÆय संबंिधत मामलŌ से संबंिधत िनणªय राºय सरकारŌ के अिधकार ±ेý म¤ आते ह§। इसके अलावा, राजÖथान सरकार ने राºय म¤ 132kV और उससे अिधक वोÐटेज Öतर कì ůांसिमशन लाइनŌ के िनमाªण के िलए मागª का अिधकार (RoW) के संबंध म¤ िजला Öतर सिमित (DLC) दर पर मुआवजा भुगतान के संबंध म¤ नीित जारी कì है, जो िदनांक 08.11.2024 को ÿकािशत कì गई है और संशोिधत नीित िदनांक 05.08.2025 को (400kV वोÐटेज Öतर और उससे अिधक कì ůांसिमशन लाइनŌ के िनमाªण के िलए) ÿकािशत कì गई। यह नीित पावरिúड/अÆय क¤þ/राºय सरकार कì एज¤िसयŌ और राºय म¤ 132 केवी और उससे अिधक वोÐटेज Öतर पर ůांसिमशन लाइनŌ का िनमाªण कर रही सभी िनजी संÖथाओं पर लागू है। देश भर म¤ पावर िúड कंपिनयŌ Ĭारा िकसानŌ को भुगतान िकए गए मुआवजे का िजला-वार Êयौरा नवीन और नवीकरणीय ऊजाª मंýालय म¤ केÆþीय Öतर पर नहé रखा जाता है। 11.03.2026 815 PULSES IN PDS 3130. SHRI CHANDAN CHAUHAN: Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government proposes to include pulses or other protein-rich edible items under the Public Distribution System (PDS) to enhance nutritional security among beneficiaries and if so, the details thereof including the types of pulses/food items proposed to be distributed, quantity per household and the proposed timeline for implementation; (b) whether any pilot projects have been conducted in this regard in any State/Union Territory and if so, the outcome thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c) whether additional budgetary allocation is proposed for the same and if so, the details of financial implications of such inclusion; (d) whether pulses were distributed under PDS in the financial year 2024-25; and (e) if so, the details thereof, State-wise especially in Uttar Pradesh, district-wise and if not, the reasons therefor? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA): 11.03.2026 816 (a) to (e): Public Distribution System (PDS) is governed as per the provisions of National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) wherein the term “foodgrains” is defined as rice, wheat or coarse grains (including millets) or any combination thereof conforming to such quality norms as may be determined, by order, by the Central Government from time to time. In order to improve the level of nutrition among the beneficiaries covered under the NFSA, all the States/UTs have been advised to procure millets and distribute to NFSA beneficiaries as per local consumption preferences and as per guidelines issued by the Central Government from time to time. There is no proposal by the Union Government to supply pulses at subsidized rates through Public Distribution System (PDS). PDS, NFSA, ONORC IN UT OF LAKSHADWEEP 3131. SHRI HAMDULLAH SAYEED: Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state: (a) the details of the Central schemes relating to Ministry being implemented in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep and the extent of their coverage; (b) the status of implementation of schemes such as Public Distribution System (PDS) National Food Security Act (NFSA), One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) and Consumer Protection initiatives in Lakshadweep; (c) the challenges faced in implementation due to geographical isolation, 11.03.2026 817 transportation and storage constraints; and (d) the steps taken by the Government to ensure timely availability of essential commodities, price stability and effective consumer grievance redressal in Lakshadweep? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA): (a) and (b): The Central Government is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), which provides for coverage of upto 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population, which at Census 2011 comes to 81.35 crore persons. The PMGKAY is being successfully implemented in all the States/UTs including Union Territory of Lakshadweep. The UT Administration of Lakshadweep has identified 20,095 beneficiaries against the intended coverage of 21,868 beneficiaries for receiving free of cost foodgrains under the PMGKAY. The One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) plan is successfully implemented by all States/UTs including Union Territory of Lakshadweep. (c): The implementation of PDS in Lakshadweep is ensured meeting all geographical, storage and transportation challenges. (d): The Essential Commodities Act (EC Act), 1955 and the Prevention of Black marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act(PBMMSEC 11.03.2026 818 Act), 1980 provide the legislative and administrative foundations to the Government to regulate prices, production, supply, distribution etc. of essential commodities for maintaining or increasing their supplies and for securing the equitable distribution and availability at fair prices, and to prevent hoarding/black- marketing of foodstuffs. The National Consumer Helpline (NCH) administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs has emerged as a single point of access for consumers across the country including the Union Territory of Lakshadweep for the redressal of their grievances at the pre-litigation stage. Consumers can register their grievances in 17 languages including Hindi, English and Malayalam through the toll-free number 1915. These grievances can be registered on Integrated Grievance Redressal Mechanism (INGRAM), an omni-channel IT enabled central portal, through various channels- WhatsApp (8800001915), SMS (8800001915), email (nch- ca@gov.in), the NCH app, the web portal (consumerhelpline.gov.in) and the Umang app, as per their convenience. Further, for price stability, the Department of Consumer Affairs monitors the daily prices of 40 essential food commodities submitted by the 578 price monitoring centres across the country. As per the data, prices of food commodities are stable and under control. Government keeps a close watch on the production and availability of essential commodities through regular reviews by the Inter-Ministerial Committee 11.03.2026 819 (IMC). The Committee reviews, on regular basis, the scenario and the indicative trends in prices of essential agri-horticultural commodities and suggests measures to enhance availability through increased domestic production and rationalisation in export-import policies. HIGH-IMPACT RESEARCH AREAS 3132. DR. K. SUDHAKAR: Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state: (a) the details of progress made after the first Governing Board meeting of Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF); (b) the details of the grants awarded and high-impact research areas supported; (c) whether the Department has assessed innovation ecosystem boost and proposes additional missions; and (d) if so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF 11.03.2026 820 SPACE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH): (a) and (b): Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired the first meeting of the Governing Board of Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) on 10th September, 2024. The meeting focussed on discussion about India’s Science and Technology landscape and redesigning of research and development programmes. The board discussed several areas of strategic interventions of ANRF which include India’s international status in important sectors, aligning RandD with national priorities, promoting inclusive growth, capacity building, driving scientific advances and innovation ecosystem, as well as bridging the gap between academic research and industrial applications. The major programs initiated by ANRF since its inceptions are given below:-  Mission for Advancement in High-impact Areas (MAHA) program of ANRF addresses priority-driven, solution-focused research in mission-mode that would catalyse multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary and multi-investigator collaboration to address scientific challenges and advance the frontiers of technology in key scientific areas. So far, ANRF has identified and launched Electric Vehicle (EV) Mission, 2D Innovation Hub, MedTech Mission, AI for Science and Engineering and CRM Research Program as the priority areas of focus under MAHA program.  Several broad-based programs like Advanced Research Grant (ARG), Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant (PMECRG), Inclusivity 11.03.2026 821 Research Grant (IRG) launched by ANRF to providing financial assistance to researchers and scientists in academic institutions in order to create supportive environment for doing research in frontier areas of science and engineering all across the country.  Convergence Research Centres of Excellence (CoE) to establish "convergence" research Centres of Excellence (CoEs) launched by ANRF to undertake cutting edge, innovative and impactful research at the interface of Science, Technology, Humanities, Social Sciences and Society. These Centres will address complex societal challenges that require integrated perspectives from both technical and social sciences/humanities domains.  ANRF launched Centre of Excellence for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators and Analytics (COE-STIIA) with the aim to strengthen the institutional mechanism for STI indicators with an end-to-end system. The key objective is to enhance the quality, contextual relevance and applicability of India’s STI indicators, their analysis, interpretations and dissemination of information and insights at various levels of policy and program planning, as well as foster alignment with the global indicator frameworks to position India effectively in international indices.  ANRF launched PAIR (Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research) program which is designed to boost the research capability of 11.03.2026 822 those institutions including State Universities where research is at a nascent stage but which have the potential to perform well, in a mentorship mode by pairing them with well-established top-tier research institutions in a hub and spoke framework.  The ANRF Translational Research and Innovation (ATRI) initiative will bring together all key stakeholders to channelise the expertise and resources for unlocking the tremendous innovation potential. Under this initiative, ANRF will establish ATRI centres to provide targeted support for advancing potential technologies from TRL 4 to TRL 7, thereby strengthening the innovation pipeline from lab to market.  ANRF has launched National Post-Doctoral Fellowship (NPDF) program to support young researchers after finishing Ph.D. which is effective to retain them in the country. ANRF launched Ramanujan Fellowship to attract brilliant scientists and engineers of Indian origin working abroad to return and take up scientific research positions in India.  The ANRF has launched programs such as the National Science Chair, JC Bose Grant and Prime Minister Professorship programs to recognise eminent senior scientists for their outstanding contributions at both national and international levels. These initiatives also aim to leverage the expertise of scientists and faculty from reputed academic institutions, research laboratories and industry. 11.03.2026 823 The details of the grants awarded in high-impact areas are given below: Sr. No. Project Title Institute Name Total Cost (₹ in Crore) 1 Development and Demonstration of Materials and Fabrication Technologies for Tropical Batteries International Advanced Research Centre For Powder Metallurgy And New Materials (Arci), Hyderabad 68.38 2 Te-MobiX: Safe and Degradation- controlled Batteries with Efficient Charging for Tropical e-Mobility Excellence Indian Institute Of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi 47.77 3 Grid Readiness for EV: Enablers and Technological developments (GREET) Indian Institute Of Technology Kanpur 47.45 4 Empowering Research in Indigenous Development of EV Sub-systems (E- RIDES) Indian Institute Of Technology Bombay 56.56 5 Development of high-power Grid-friendly Conductive and Static Wireless Chargers for Electric Vehicles Indian Institute Of Technology Kharagpur 18.37 6 Rare Earth Magnet-Free Axial Flux Synchronous, Radial Flux Switched Reluctance Motor and their Controllers for EV Applications National Institute Of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal 7.76 7 Development of wide-bandgap semiconductors based highly efficient power electronics systems for Electric Vehicle Csir-Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute(Csir-Ceeri), Pilani 18.41 (c) to (d) : The Department has launched several mission-mode initiatives to strengthen the innovation ecosystem and promote high-impact research in emerging technology areas. The National Quantum Mission (NQM), approved by the Union Cabinet with an outlay of ₹6003.65 crore for a period of eight years, 11.03.2026 824 aims to support research and development in quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing and quantum materials. Under the Mission, four Thematic Hubs have been established in September 2024: Quantum Computing at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru; Quantum Communication at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras in association with C-DOT; Quantum Sensing and Metrology at IIT Bombay; and Quantum Materials and Devices at IIT Delhi. These Hubs are undertaking activities in technology development, human resource development, entrepreneurship development and industry collaboration, as well as international collaborations, to strengthen the quantum innovation ecosystem in the country. The National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM- ICPS) supports the development of Cyber-Physical Systems technologies through a network of Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) across academic institutions, focusing on areas such as AI, robotics, autonomous systems, smart manufacturing and advanced communication technologies. In addition, the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has initiated several mission-mode programmes, including Drones, Water, 6G and Leapfrog Demonstrators, to promote solution-oriented and translational research in priority technology areas. 11.03.2026 825 एएवाई और पीएचएच 3133. ®ी देवेश शा³य: ³या उपभोĉा मामले, खाī और सावªजिनक िवतरण मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक: (क) वतªमान म¤ देश म¤ अंÂयोदय अÆन योजना (एएवाई) और ÿाथिमकता वाले पåरवारŌ (पीएचएच) आिद सिहत िविभÆन ®ेिणयŌ के अंतगªत पंजीकृत राशन काडªधारकŌ कì कुल सं´या िकतनी है और िवशेषकर बरेली, बदायूं, शाहजहाँपुर, जौनपुर, एटा और कासगंज िजलŌ का Êयौरा ³या है; (ख) िपछले पांच वषŎ के दौरान उĉ िजलŌ म¤ पहचाने गए फजê या अपाý लाभािथªयŌ कì कुल सं´या िकतनी है और उनके िवŁĦ कì गई कारªवाई तथा संबंिधत उिचत दर दुकान (एफपीएस) डीलरŌ और िवभागीय अिधकाåरयŌ के िवŁĦ शुł कì गई दंडाÂमक या िवभागीय कायªवाही का Êयौरा ³या है; (ग) उĉ अविध के दौरान उĉ िजलŌ म¤ िनलंिबत, रĥ या काली सूची म¤ डाली गई उिचत दर दुकानŌ कì कुल सं´या िकतनी है; (घ) ³या सावªजिनक िवतरण ÿणाली (पीडीएस) कì िनगरानी और िनरी±ण म¤ संसद सदÖयŌ (एमपी), िवधायकŌ (एमएलए) और úाम ÿधानŌ जैसे जन ÿितिनिधयŌ के िलए कोई औपचाåरक भूिमका अिनवायª कì गई है; (ड.) ³या ये जन ÿितिनिध सावªजिनक िव°ीय ÿबंधन ÿणाली (पीएफएम) या िकसी अÆय संबंिधत तंý के माÅयम से पाý लेिकन छूटे हòए पåरवारŌ को शािमल करने कì िसफाåरश करने के िलए सशĉ ह§; और (च) यिद हाँ, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है? उपभोĉा मामले, खाī और सावªजिनक िवतरण मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (®ीमती िनमुबेन जयंतीभाई बांभिणया): 11.03.2026 826 (क): बरेली, शाहजहाँपुर के बदायूं, जौनपुर, एटा और कासगंज िजलŌ म¤ अंÂयोदय अÆन योजना (एएवाई) और ÿाथिमकता वाले पåरवारŌ (पीएचएच) के तहत वतªमान म¤ पंजीकृत राशन काडªधारकŌ कì कुल सं´या िववरण-I म¤ दी गई है। देश म¤ अंÂयोदय अÆन योजना (एएवाई) और ÿाथिमकता वाले पåरवारŌ (पीएचएच) के तहत वतªमान म¤ पंजीकृत राशन काडªधारकŌ कì कुल सं´या िववरण -II म¤ दी गई है। (ख) और (ग): उĉ िजलŌ म¤ िपछले पांच वषŎ के दौरान पहचाने गए फजê या अपाý लाभािथªयŌ कì कुल सं´या और उनके िवłĦ कì गई कारªवाइयŌ का िववरण िववरण -III म¤ िदया गया है। जनवरी 2015 से िदसंबर 2025 तक पीडीएस/टीपीडीएस (िनयंýण) आदेशŌ के ÿासंिगक खंडŌ के तहत उ°र ÿदेश राºय सरकार Ĭारा कì गई कारªवाई के पåरणामŌ को दशाªने वाला Êयौरा िववरण -IV पर रखा गया है। (घ) से (च): एनएफएसए, 2013 कì धारा 29 के अनुसार, राºय सरकारŌ को लि±त सावªजिनक िवतरण ÿणाली के कामकाज कì पारदिशªता और जवाबदेही के िलए तंý Öथािपत करना अिनवायª है, िजसम¤ सामािजक लेखापरी±ा, अिभलेखŌ का सावªजिनक ÿकटीकरण और सामुदाियक िनगरानी शािमल है। इस संदभª म¤, úाम पंचायत और उनके ÿितिनिधयŌ (úाम ÿधानŌ सिहत) जैसे Öथानीय िनकायŌ को लाभाथê सूिचयŌ के सÂयापन, सामािजक लेखापरी±ा और Öथानीय Öतर पर उिचत दर दुकानŌ के पयªवे±ण जैसी िनगरानी गितिविधयŌ से जोड़ा जा सकता है। इसके अलावा, टीपीडीएस (िनयंýण) आदेश, 2015 के तहत राºयŌ/संघ राºय ±ेýŌ को राºय, िजला, Êलॉक और उिचत दर दुकान Öतर पर सतकª ता सिमितयां Öथािपत करने का अिधदेश है तािक पीडीएस के कामकाज कì िनयिमत िनगरानी कì जा सके और खाīाÆन िवतरण का पारदिशªता और जवाबदेही सुिनिIJत कì जा सके। इन सतकª ता सिमितयŌ का उĥेÔय Öथानीय िनकायŌ, जन ÿितिनिधयŌ और अÆय सामुदाियक िहतधारकŌ के ÿितिनिध शािमल करना है तािक उिचत दर दुकानŌ 11.03.2026 827 और िवतरण ÿणाली के कामकाज कì देखरेख कì जा सके। िववरण -I बरेली, शाहजहांपुर के बदायूं, जौनपुर, एटा और कासगंज िजलŌ म¤ अंÂयोदय अÆन योजना (एएवाई) और ÿाथिमकता वाले पåरवारŌ (पीएचएच) के तहत वतªमान म¤ पंजीकृत राशन काडªधारकŌ का Êयौरा ø.सं. राºय का नाम िजले का नाम राशनकाडª कì सं´या एएवाई पीएचएच कुल 1 उ°र ÿदेश बरेली 99,596 6,89,068 7,88,664 2 उ°र ÿदेश बदायूं 45,187 5,18,790 5,63,977 3 उ°र ÿदेश शाहजहांपुर 37,847 5,58,718 5,96,565 4 उ°र ÿदेश कासगंज 27,592 2,23,303 2,50,895 5 उ°र ÿदेश जौनपुर 1,25,473 7,14,972 8,40,445 6 उ°र ÿदेश एटा 26,491 2,86,709 3,13,200 िववरण -II देश म¤ अंÂयोदय अÆन योजना (एएवाई) और ÿाथिमकता ÿाĮ पåरवारŌ (पीएचएच) के तहत वतªमान म¤ पंजीकृत राशन काडªधारकŌ का Êयौरा ø.सं . राºय का नाम राशनकाडª कì सं´या एएवाई पीएचएच कुल 1 अंडमान व िनकोबार Ĭीप समूह 3,508 14,475 17,983 2 आंň ÿदेश 8,52,852 79,87,222 88,40,074 3 अŁणाचल ÿदेश 39,796 1,46,572 1,86,368 4 असम 6,68,788 64,08,554 70,77,342 5 िबहार 22,84,229 1,86,45,109 2,09,29,338 11.03.2026 828 6 चंडीगढ़ 280 83,284 83,564 7 छ°ीसगढ 7,19,969 49,48,839 56,68,808 8 दादरा और नगर हवेली तथा दमन और दीव 4,461 53,223 57,684 9 िदÐली 65,535 16,57,746 17,23,281 10 गोवा 11,600 1,18,849 1,30,449 11 गुजरात 7,69,333 67,81,610 75,50,943 12 हåरयाणा 2,88,299 36,99,161 39,87,460 13 िहमाचल ÿदेश 1,60,721 5,81,380 7,42,101 14 जÌमू और कÔमीर 2,21,490 14,37,260 16,58,750 15 झारखंड 8,79,739 51,36,867 60,16,606 16 कनाªटक 10,47,980 98,49,413 1,08,97,393 17 केरल 5,95,502 37,11,188 43,06,690 18 लĥाख 5,384 22,935 28,319 19 ल±Ĭीप 1,111 3,491 4,602 20 मÅय ÿदेश 13,66,416 1,18,79,427 1,32,45,843 21 महाराÕů 24,74,457 1,43,40,347 1,68,14,804 22 मिणपुर 63,364 5,17,066 5,80,430 23 मेघालय 70,005 3,50,780 4,20,785 24 िमजोरम 25,080 1,56,352 1,81,432 25 नागाल§ड 46,874 2,77,439 3,24,313 11.03.2026 829 26 ओिडशा 12,30,974 85,69,613 98,00,587 27 पुĥुचेरी 25,399 1,83,741 2,09,140 28 पंजाब 97,050 39,93,687 40,90,737 29 राजÖथान 5,91,991 1,02,93,148 1,08,85,139 30 िसि³कम 16,478 80,122 96,600 31 तिमलनाडु 18,99,691 98,21,167 1,17,20,858 32 तेलंगाना 5,69,966 50,74,804 56,44,770 33 िýपुरा 1,11,037 4,89,645 6,00,682 34 उ°राखंड 1,82,614 11,98,345 13,80,959 35 उ°र ÿदेश 40,84,262 3,23,60,221 3,64,44,483 36 पिIJम बंगाल 16,05,925 1,20,93,115 1,36,99,040 कुल 2,30,82,16 0 18,29,66,19 7 20,60,48,35 7 िववरण -III िपछले पांच वषŎ के दौरान पहचाने गए फजê या अपाý लाभािथªयŌ का िववरण और उनके िवłĦ कì गई कारªवाई का Êयौरा ø.सं. राºय का नाम िजले का नाम सही लàयीकरण िचिĹत लाभाथê राºय सरकार Ĭारा हटाए गए लाभाथê 1 उ°र ÿदेश बरेली 1,27,725 55,498 2 उ°र ÿदेश बदायूं 96,349 36,116 3 उ°र ÿदेश शाहजहांपुर 55,791 21,250 4 उ°र ÿदेश कासगंज 42,625 27,854 5 उ°र ÿदेश जौनपुर 1,19,478 36,789 6 उ°र ÿदेश एटा 50,207 34,492 11.03.2026 830 िववरण -IV जनवरी 2015 से िदसंबर 2025 तक पीडीएस/टीपीडीएस (िनयंýण) आदेशŌ कì संबंिधत धाराओं के तहत उ°र ÿदेश राºय सरकार Ĭारा कì गई कारªवाई के पåरणामŌ को दशाªता Êयौरा राºय/ संघ राºय ±ेý का नाम वषª िनरी±णŌ कì सं´या छापेमारी कì सं´या िगरÉतार/ मुकĪा चलाए गए/ दोषिसĦ ÓयिĉयŌ कì सं´या िनलंिबत/ रŀ उिचत दर दुकान लाईस¤स/ जारी िकए गए कारण बताओ नोिटस/ दजª ÿाथिमिकयŌ कì सं´या उ°र ÿदेश 2015 45376 * 1009 6665 2016 62322 6961 887 6545 2017 29804 3141 557 2461 2018 (अÿैल 18 – माचª,19) 138302 * 3385 9419 2019-20 150970 2343 1086 6404 2020-21 153393 14329 1199 6506 2021-22 116734 11207 573 5026 2022-23 108662 10312 716 4245 2023 28237 2684 122 820 2024 * * * * 2025 * * * * *राºय सरकार Ĭारा जानकारी ÿदान नहé कì गई 11.03.2026 831 EFFICIENCY OF PDS AND ISSUES WITH EPOS MACHINES 3134. SUSHRI PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE: Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state: (a) the steps taken by the Government to enhance the efficiency of the Public Distribution System (PDS) across the country, particularly in addressing frequent technical glitches and downtimes in Electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) machines; and (b) the number of complaints registered regarding ePoS machine failures in the last three years along with the measures implemented to ensure seamless Aadhaar-enabled authentication and biometric verification for beneficiaries, State/UT-wise? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA): (a): For addressing frequent technical glitches and downtimes in Electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) machines, whenever such issues are reported by the State Governments, this Department takes up the matter with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and resolves the same in coordination with them. (b): No such State-wise reports of complaints registered regarding ePoS machine failures in the last three years have been received in this Department. 11.03.2026 832 All States/UTs have been categorically advised that no beneficiary or household shall be denied their entitled quantity of subsidised foodgrains due to failure of biometric or Aadhaar authentication arising from network connectivity issues, technical reasons, Aadhaar linking issues, or poor biometric quality. States/UTs have been instructed to follow alternative and exception handling mechanisms to ensure uninterrupted access to foodgrains. हाजीपुर से अजमेर के िलए नई रेल सेवा 3135. ®ी रामवीर िसंह िबधूड़ी: ³या रेल मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक: (क) ³या पूवª मÅय रेल (ईसीआर जोन) Ĭारा हाजीपुर से िदÐली-रेवाड़ी-अटेली-नारनौल-रéगस होते हòए अजमेर तक एक नई रेल सेवा के संचालन के िलए रेलवे बोडª को कोई ÿÖताव भेजा गया है; और (ख) यिद हाँ, तो वतªमान म¤ उĉ ÿÖताव कì िÖथित सिहत तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है? रेल मंýी; सूचना और ÿसारण मंýी; तथा इले³ůॉिनकì और सूचना ÿौīोिगकì मंýी (®ी अिÔवनी वैÕणव): (क) और (ख): अÆय बातŌ के साथ-साथ नई रेलगाड़ी सेवा शुł करने के िलए ±ेýीय रेलŌ से ÿÖताव ÿाĮ होना एक सतत ÿिøया है। इनकì जांच कì जाती है और समय-समय पर यथाÓयवहायª और यथोिचत कारªवाई कì जाती है। वतªमान म¤, हाजीपुर-अजमेर खंड िनÌनिलिखत 04 जोड़ी रेल सेवाओं Ĭारा सेिवत है: ø. सं. रेलगाड़ी का नाम और सं´या 1 19615 /16 कामा´या-उदयपुर ए³सÿेस 11.03.2026 833 2 15715/16 िकशनगंज-अजमेर ए³सÿेस 3 19601/02 Æयू जलपाईगुड़ी-उदयपुर ए³सÿेस 4 15269/70 मुजÉफरपुर - साबरमती ए³सÿेस इसके अलावा, पटना जो हाजीपुर से अ¸छी तरह से जुड़ा हòआ है, अजमेर से भी िनÌनिलिखत 03 जोड़ी रेल सेवाओं Ĭारा जुड़ा हòआ है: ø. सं. रेलगाड़ी का नाम और सं´या 1 12395/96 अजमेर-राज¤þ नगर ए³सÿेस 2 13423/24 अजमेर-भागलपुर ए³सÿेस 3 12315/16 उदयपुर - कोलकाता ए³सÿेस इसके अलावा, नई रेलगाड़ी सेवाएं शुł करना जो एक सतत ÿिøया है, िनÌनिलिखत िविभÆन कारकŌ पर िनभªर करता है-  उस खंड कì ±मता  पथ कì उपलÊधता  अपेि±त चल Öटॉक कì उपलÊधता  चल Öटॉक के िलए उपयुĉ अवसंरचना कì उपलÊधता  रेलपथ और अÆय पåरसंपि°यŌ कì अनुर±ण संबंधी आवÔयकता।  खंड कì अिधभोिगता और यातायात आवÔयकता EXTENSION OF 66601/02 COIMBATORE-ERODE MEMU TRAIN 3136. SHRI K. E. PRAKASH: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has any proposal under consideration to extend the 66601/02 Coimbatore–Erode MEMU train service up to Salem via Karur 11.03.2026 834 and Namakkal; (b) if so, the details of the proposal and the present status of its examination; (c) whether the Government is aware that such an extension would significantly benefit students from Kumarapalayam, Namakkal due to improved daily commuting facilities; and (d) whether the Government also recognizes that the proposed extension would facilitate pilgrims visiting the temples in Namakkal and improve regional connectivity and if so, the steps being taken in this regard? THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS; MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW): (a) to (d): At present, Coimbatore - Erode - Karur sector and Karur - Salem sector are being served by 10 pairs and 20 pairs of train services respectively. These are listed below: Train serving Coimbatore - Erode - Karur sector: Sl. Train No. and Name 1 12083/12084 Mayiladuturai - Coimbatore Jan Shatabdi Express 2 16615/16616 Mannargudi - Coimbatore Express 3 16617/16618 Rameswaram - Coimbatore Express 4 16159/16160 Chennai Egmore - Mangalore Central Express 5 16843/16844 Tiruchchirappalli - Palakkad Town Express 11.03.2026 835 6 16321/16322 Nagercoil Junction - Coimbatore Express 7 16187/16188 Karaikal - Ernakulam Express 8 16857/16858 Puducherry - Mangalore Central Express 9 22667/22668 Nagercoil Junction - Coimbatore Express 10 22629/22630 Dadar - Tirunelveli Express Train serving Karur - Salem sector: Sl. Train No. and Name 1 11021/11022 Dadar - Tirunelveli Express 2 12689/12690 MGR Chennai Central - Kanniyakumari Express 3 16231/16232 Cuddalore Port - Mysore Express 4 16235/16236 Tuticorin - Mysore Express 5 16339/16340 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (T) - Nagercoil Junction Express 6 16353/16354 Kacheguda - Nagercoil Junction Express 7 16733/16734 Rameswaram - Okha Express 8 16787/16788 Tirunelveli - Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Express 9 16811/16812 Mayiladuturai - Salem Express 10 17235/17236 SMVT Bengaluru - Nagercoil Junction Express 11 17315/17316 Vasco Da Gama - Velankanni Express 12 19567/19568 Tuticorin - Okha Express 13 20493/20494 Madurai - Chandigarh Express 11.03.2026 836 14 20601/20602 MGR Chennai Central - Bodinayakkanur Express 15 20671/20672 Madurai - Bengaluru Cantt. Vande Bharat Express 16 22497/22498 Shri Ganganagar - Tiruchchirappalli Humsafar Express 17 22651/22652 MGR Chennai Central - Palakkad Express 18 22715/22716 Kacheguda - Madurai Express 19 76821/76822 Salem - Karur Passenger 20 76823/76824 Salem - Karur Passenger Besides, introduction/extension of train services on any route/section, which is an ongoing process, depends on various factors which include: ● Capacity of that section. ● Availability of path. ● Availability of required rolling stock. ● Availability of matching infrastructure for rolling stock. ● Maintenance requirement of railway tracks and other assets. VACANCIES IN MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS 3137. SUSHRI MAHUA MOITRA: Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state: (a) whether the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions have hired contractual employees since the year 2014; and 11.03.2026 837 (b) if so, the details thereof, year and category-wise? THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SPACE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH): (a) and (b): To meet the administrative exigencies of work and operational requirements, the Ministry hires/outsources the manpower services through a contract with the qualified service provider agencies under the provisions of General Financial Rules 2017. The details of service provision including the number of personnel, term of service, payment obligations and other important terms and conditions governing the hired services are specified in the Contract. REVISED TICKET CANCELLATION POLICY 3138. DR. RAJ KUMAR CHABBEWAL:

Spoke on 2026-03-11T00:00:00.000Z

In debate Ruling regarding Notices of Adjournment Motion