Statement

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state: (a) whether there are any rules/criteria for upgrading any post office in the country to a Head Post Office and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether any proposal is under consideration of the Government to upgrade any post offices in various districts particularly Washim-Yavatmal Lok Sabha Constituency of Maharashtra to Head Post Offices; (c) if so, the present status of such proposals; (d) the reasons that despite Washim district being a new district no Head Post Office is available there; (e) whether the Government is aware that due to the absence of Head Post Offices, citizens are being deprived of various postal services and other 11.03.2026 992 facilities; and (f) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard and the time by when new Head Post Offices are expected to be established in various districts of Maharashtra? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS (DR. CHANDRA SEKHAR PEMMASANI): (a): Yes, Sir. The criteria for upgradation of a Post Office to a Head Post Office are given at Statement. (b) and (c): Establishment/upgradation of a Post office to Head Post office is a dynamic process. The proposals in this regard are examined in terms of extant Establishment Norms. Further, no such proposal for upgradation of Post Office to Head Post Office in Washim-Yavatmal Lok Sabha Constituency is under consideration in the Department. (d): As per the extant norms, there is no justification for head post office in the Washim District. (e) and (f): The Department of Posts provides postal services through its extensive network of Head Post Offices, Sub Post Offices and Branch Post Offices. All of the postal services available at Head Post Offices are also provided through Sub Post Offices and Branch Post Offices, ensuring that citizens continue to receive postal services without inconvenience. 11.03.2026 993 STATEMENT STANDARDS FOR CONVERSION OF LSG SUB POST OFFICE INTO HEAD POST OFFICE AND BIFURCATION OF HEAD POST OFFICE: 1. Each district should have a head post office provided a minimum of 20 sub post offices can be attached to it. In the case of backward areas or places where there will be a definite improvement in financing sub post offices/branch post offices, a lower standard may be adopted, subject to the approval of the Directorate. 2. If there is no HO in a district, opening of HO can be considered, if at least 20 SOs in the same district can be attached with advantage, to the proposed HO irrespective of the fact whether parent HO has 6O SOs or not. It has, however, to be ensured that such up gradation does not bring the number of SOs in account with residuary HO below 20. 3. An existing HO should be bifurcated, if the number of sub offices attached to it exceeds 60. It should, however, be ensured that as a result of the change neither the new nor old HO has less than 20 sub offices attached to it. Note: Sub-Offices include Departmental Sub - Offices justified purely on the workload basis. 11.03.2026 994 खाī पदाथŎ म¤ िमलावट 3176. ®ी भारत िसंह कुशवाहः ³या उपभोĉा मामले, खाī और सावªजिनक िवतरण मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िकः (क) ³या खाī वÖतुओं के ÿसंÖकरण म¤ लगी कुछ कंपिनयŌ के िखलाफ खाī पदाथŎ म¤ िमलावट कì िशकायत¤ लगातार ÿाĮ हो रही ह§; (ख) यिद हाँ, तो िवगत तीन वषŎ के दौरान ÿाĮ िशकायतŌ कì सं´या िकतनी है और उन पर कì गई कारªवाई (जांच, लाइस¤स िनलंबन, जुमाªना, अिभयोजन आिद) का Êयौरा ³या है; (ग) ³या सरकार का उĉ ±ेý म¤ लगी कंपिनयŌ के िलए गुणव°ा मानकŌ को स´ती से लागू करने हेतु नई िनगरानी या परी±ण ÿणाली शुł करने का िवचार है, (घ) यिद हाँ, तो ³या सरकार का जैिवक (ऑग¥िनक) और ÿाकृितक खाī उÂपादŌ के उÂपादन, ÿसंÖकरण और िवपणन के िलए ÿसंÖकरण कंपिनयŌ को िवशेष ÿोÂसाहन/राजसहायता / ÿमाणन जैसी सहायता ÿदान करने का िवचार है; और (ङ) यिद हाँ, तो तÂसंबंधी Óयौरा ³या है? उपभोĉा मामले, खाī और सावªजिनक िवतरण मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी; तथा सामािजक Æयाय और अिधकाåरता मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (®ी बी. एल. वमाª): (क) और (ख) : ÖवाÖÃय एवं पåरवार कÐयाण मंýालय (एमओएचएफडÊÐयू) के अधीन कायªरत भारतीय खाī सुर±ा एवं मानक ÿािधकरण (एफएसएसएआई) को ऑनलाइन खाī सुर±ा अनुपालन ÿणाली (एफओएससीओएस) के अंतगªत संचािलत खाī सुर±ा कने³ट पोटªल के माÅयम से उपभोĉाओं कì िशकायत¤ ÿाĮ होती ह§। िशकायत के सफल पंजीकरण पर, संबंिधत नािमत अिधकाåरयŌ/खाī सुर±ा अिधकाåरयŌ (डीओएस/एफएसओ) और खाī Óयवसाय संचालकŌ (एफबीओ) को उपभोĉाओं Ĭारा उठाई गई िशकायतŌ कì ऑनलाइन पहòंच ÿाĮ होती है। उपभोĉा 11.03.2026 995 िशकायतŌ पर एफएसएस अिधिनयम, 2006 के अनुसार िविनयामक कारªवाई संबंिधत राºय खाī सुर±ा िवभाग/±ेýीय कायाªलयŌ Ĭारा कì जाती है। ÿाĮ और हल कì गई उपभोĉा िशकायतŌ का Êयौरा नीचे िदया गया है: िव° वषª ÿाĮ िशकायत¤ हल कì गई िशकायत¤ 2022-23 4330 4074 2023-24 4735 3993 2024-25 7705 5952 (ग): भारतीय खाī सुर±ा एवं मानक ÿािधकरण (एफएसएसएआई) को खाī पदाथŎ के िलए िव²ान आधाåरत मानक िनधाªåरत करने तथा मानव उपभोग के िलए सुरि±त और पौिĶक भोजन कì उपलÊधता सुिनिIJत करने हेतु उनके िविनमाªण, भंडारण, िवतरण, िबøì और आयात को िविनयिमत करने का अिधकार िदया गया है। राºय खाī सुर±ा ÿािधकरण मु´य łप से जमीनी Öतर पर ÿवतªन के िलए िजÌमेदार ह§। राºयŌ/क¤þ शािसत ÿदेशŌ म¤ खाī सुर±ा आयुĉ के अधीन नािमत अिधकाåरयŌ (डीओ) और खाī सुर±ा अिधकाåरयŌ (एफएसओ) को इस अिधिनयम के ÿावधानŌ को लागू करने का दाियÂव सŏपा गया है। एफएसएसएआई, राºय/क¤þ शािसत ÿदेश के खाī सुर±ा ÿािधकरणŌ और अपने चार ±ेýीय कायाªलयŌ के माÅयम से, अिधिनयम और खाī सुर±ा एवं मानक िविनयमŌ (एफएसएसआर) के तहत िनधाªåरत मानकŌ, सीमाओं और अÆय वैधािनक आवÔयकताओं के अनुपालन को सुिनिIJत करने के िलए राÕůीय वािषªक िनगरानी योजना (एनएएसपी), िनरी±ण और नमूनाकरण गितिविधयŌ सिहत िनयिमत łप से Öथानीय/लि±त िवशेष ÿवतªन और िनगरानी अिभयान चलाता है। इसके अलावा, एफएसएसएआई के पास जोिखम आधाåरत िनरी±ण ÿणाली (आरबीआईएस) है, िजसम¤ खाī पदाथŎ से जुड़े जोिखम के आधार पर िनरी±ण कì आवृि° तय कì जाती है। यिद 11.03.2026 996 मानकŌ से कोई िवचलन या एफएसएसआर का उÐलंघन पाया जाता है, तो दोषी खाī Óयवसाय संचालकŌ (एफबीओ) पर एफएसएस अिधिनयम 2006 और उससे संबंिधत िनयमŌ के तहत दंडाÂमक उपायŌ सिहत िविनयामक कारªवाई कì जाती है। (घ) और (ङ) : खाī ÿसंÖकरण उīोग मंýालय (एमओएफपीआई) अपने क¤þीय ±ेý कì ÖकìमŌ, जैसे ÿधानमंýी िकसान संपदा योजना (पीएमकेएसवाई) Öकìम, खाī ÿसंÖकरण उīोग के िलए उÂपादन-संबĦ ÿोÂसाहन Öकìम (पीएलआईएसएफपीआई) और क¤þ ÿायोिजत - ÿधानमंýी सूàम खाī ÿसंÖकरण उīमŌ के औपचाåरककरण (पीएमएफएमई) Öकìम के माÅयम से ÿोÂसाहन देकर और संबंिधत अवसंरचना कì Öथापना/िवÖतार करके देश भर म¤ खाī ÿसंÖकरण उīोगŌ के समú िवकास को संविधªत करता है और सुिनिIJत करता है। एमओएफपीआई Öकìम¤ मांग-आधाåरत है और पाý उīिमयŌ को संबंिधत अवसंरचना Öथािपत करने के िलए अनुदान के łप म¤ िव°ीय सहायता ÿदान करती है। राजÖथान के खेतड़ी म¤ तांबा संयंý 3177. ®ी बृजेÆþ िसंह ओलाः ³या खान मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िकः (क) ³या राजÖथान के झुंझुनू िजले के खेतड़ी म¤ िÖथत तांबा संयंý "िमनी रÂन ®ेणी-।" के अंतगªत आता है और यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है; (ख) ³या उĉ संयंý पहले तांबा शोधन के िलए कॉपर ÖमेÐटरŌ से सुसिºजत था; (ग) ³या वहां Öथानीय Öतर पर शोधन ÿिøया कì जा रही थी; (घ) यिद हां, तो ³या उĉ संयंý वतªमान म¤ गैर-पåरचालन है और इसके ³या कारण ह§; (ङ) ³या सरकार को इस बात कì जानकारी है िक तांबा ÖमेÐटर के बंद होने के कारण ±ेý के 11.03.2026 997 सैकड़Ō कुशल युवा और ®िमक बेरोजगार हो गए ह§; (च) यिद हां, तो उĉ तांबा ÖमेÐटर के कब तक िफर से शुł होने कì संभावना है; और (छ) यिद नहé, तो इसके ³या कारण ह§? कोयला मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी; तथा खान मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (®ी सतीश चंþ दुबे): (क) से (छ) : राजÖथान के झुंझुनू िजले म¤ िÖथत खेतड़ी कॉपर कॉÌÈले³स (केसीसी), खान मंýालय के अधीन िहंदुÖतान कॉपर िलिमटेड (एचसीएल), एक िमनीरÂन-I केÆþीय सावªजिनक ±ेý उपøम (सीपीएसई) कì एक इकाई है। केसीसी म¤ ÖमेÐटर और åरफाइनरी संयंý को तांबा अयÖक कì िनÌन ®ेणी, उ¸च ÿसंÖकरण लागत, संयंý को दुŁÖत करने एवं ÿदूषण िनयंýण मानदंडŌ के अनुपालन हेतु एिसड संयंýŌ के ÿितÖथापन के िलए आवÔयक अÂयिधक अितåरĉ िनवेश आिद जैसे कारणŌ से बंद कर िदया गया है। केसीसी ÖमेÐटर-åरफाइनरी संयंý के सभी कमªचाåरयŌ को कंपनी के अÆय ÿचालनŌ म¤ तैनात कर िदया गया था। आिथªक łप से Óयवहायª बनने के िलए ÖमेÐटर और åरफाइनरी संयंý कì उÂपादन ±मता अिधक होनी चािहए और इसके िलए अÂयिधक पूंजी िनवेश कì आवÔयकता होती है। कॉपर ÖमेÐटर को पुनः ÿारंभ करने के िलए केसीसी म¤ अिधक माýा म¤ खनन उÂपादन ±मता म¤ वृिĦ कì गुंजाइश आिथªक łप से Óयवहायª नहé है। SC SUB-PLAN EXPENDITURE IN RAILWAYS 3178. DR. D. RAVI KUMAR: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) the number of Scheduled Caste persons employed, trained and promoted by the Railways during the last two years; 11.03.2026 998 (b) the details of SC Sub-Plan expenditure on railway infrastructure, station redevelopment and connectivity in SC-dominated areas; (c) whether any special skill development/apprenticeship programmes have been launched for SC youth and if so, the details thereof; and (d) the measures taken/being taken by the Government to improve safety, housing and social security of Scheduled Caste railway employees? THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS; MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW): (a) to (d): The extant provision of providing 15% reservation for Scheduled Caste persons, in recruitments as well as promotions are followed in Indian Railways. Occurrence and filling up of vacancies are continuous processes on Indian Railways considering its size, spatial distribution and criticality of operation. Adequate and suitable manpower is provided to cater to the regular operations, changes in technology, mechanisations and innovative practices. The vacancies are filled up primarily by placement of indents by Railways with Recruitment agencies as per operational and technological requirements. Presently, recruitment against 1,43,086 vacancies of non-gazetted personnel has been taken up on Indian Railways as per Annual Calendar 2024 and 2025. During January to December 2024, ten Centralized Employment 11.03.2026 999 Notifications (CENs) for 92,116 vacancies were notified for filling up of posts of Assistant Loco Pilots (ALPs), Technicians, Sub-Inspectors, Constables in Railway Protection Force (RPF), Junior Engineers (JEs)/ Depot Material Superintendent (DMS)/ Chemical and Metallurgical Assistant (CMA), Paramedical Categories, Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate), Non-Technical Popular Categories (Under-Graduate), Ministerial and Isolated Categories and Level-1 categories such as Assistants, Track Maintainers and Pointsman. First stage/Single stage Computer Based Tests (CBTs) for 92,116 posts has been completed. Details are as under: - Exam Candidates Cities Languages 1st Stage CBT for the post of ALP (18,799 vacancies) 18,40,347 156 15 CBT for the post of Technician (14,298 vacancies) 26,99,892 139 15 1st Stage CBT for the post of JE/DMS/CMA (7,951 vacancies) 11,01,266 146 15 CBT for the post of RPF-SI (452 vacancies) 15,35,635 143 15 CBT for the post of RPF-Constable (4,208 vacancies) 45,30,288 147 15 CBT for Paramedical Categories (1,376 vacancies) 7,08,321 143 15 1st Stage CBT for Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate) (8,113 vacancies) 58,41,774 141 15 1st Stage CBT for Non-Technical Popular Categories (Under Graduate) (3,445 vacancies) 63,27,473 157 15 11.03.2026 1000 CBT for Ministerial and Isolated categories (1,036 vacancies) 4,46,013 139 15 CBT for level-1 post (32438 vacancies) 1,08,28,261 152 15 Total Candidates 3,58,59,270 2nd stage CBTs for the posts of ALP, JE/DMS/CMA and Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate and Under-Graduate) have also been completed. Details are as under: - Exam Candidates Cities Languages 2nd Stage CBT for the post of ALP (18,799 vacancies) 2,66,363 112 15 2nd Stage CBT for the post of JE/DMS/CMA (7,951 vacancies) 1,17,339 118 15 2nd Stage CBT for Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate) (8,113 vacancies) 1,21,931 129 15 2nd Stage CBT for Non-Technical Popular Categories (Under-Graduate) (3445 vacancies) 51,978 79 15 Total Candidates 5,57,611 Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) for the post of ALP and Non- Technical Popular Categories (Graduate) and Computer based Skill Test for the post of Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate and Under Graduate) and Ministerial and Isolated Categories have also been completed. Details are as under: - 11.03.2026 1001 Exam Candidates Cities Languages CBAT for the post of ALP (18,799 vacancies) 1,32,044 84 2 Translation Test for Ministerial and Isolated Categories 1,233 8 2 CBAT for the post of Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate) 13,616 38 2 Computer Based Typing Skill Test (CBTST) for the post of Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate-level) 30,341 58 2 Computer Based Typing Skill Test (CBTST) for the post of Non-Technical Popular Categories (Under-Graduate-level) 13,145 44 2 Total Candidates 1,90,379 Panels for more than 41,000 candidates for various posts including the posts of Technicians, Junior Engineers, Paramedical Categories, Sub- Inspectors and Constable (RPF) and Assistant Loco Pilots have been finalised. In addition, as per Annual Calendar for the year 2025, nine Centralized Employment Notifications (CENs) for 50,970 vacancies have also been issued. Details are as under: - CEN No. Post Name No. of Vacancies notified Month of Notification 01/2025 Assistant Loco Pilots 9,970 March 2025 02/2025 Technician 6,238 June 2025 03/2025 Paramedical categories 434 July 2025 11.03.2026 1002 04/2025 Section Controller 368 August 2025 05/2025 Junior Engineer/ Depot Material Superintendent 2,585 October 2025 06/2025 Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate) 5,810 October 2025 07/2025 Non-Technical Popular Categories (Under Graduate) 3,058 October 2025 08/2025 Isolated Categories 312 December 2025 09/2025 level-1 22,195 December 2025 First stage/Single stage Computer Based Tests (CBTs) for 2953 posts has been completed. Details are as under: - EXAM Candidates Cities Languages CBT for the post of Section Controller (368 vacancies) 4,33,748 131 15 1st Stage CBT for the post of JE/DMS (2585 vacancies) 5,74,351 133 15 Total Candidates 10,08,099 The RRB examinations are quite technical in nature entailing large scale mobilization of men and resources and training of manpower. Railway overcame all these challenges and successfully conducted the recruitment in a transparent manner following all laid down guidelines. No instance of paper leakage or similar malpractice has occurred during the entire process. Recruitment done in Indian Railways during 2004-2005 to 2013-2014 vis-à- vis during 2014-2015 to 2024-2025 is given as under: - 11.03.2026 1003 Period Recruitments Total SC category 2004-2005 to 2013-2014 4.11 lakh 64,224 2014-2015 to 2024-2025 5.08 lakh 79,115 Further, as system improvement, the Ministry of Railways has introduced a system of publishing the annual calendar from 2024 for recruitment to various categories of Group ‘C’ posts. The introduction of the annual calendar is benefitting the aspirants in the following manner: • More opportunities for candidates; • Opportunities to those becoming eligible every year; • Certainty of exams; • Faster Recruitment process, Training and Appointments The total number of employees promoted and Scheduled Caste employees promoted amongst them in Indian Railways during the last two years are as under: Year Total employees promoted Number of Scheduled Caste employees promoted Percentage of Scheduled Caste employees promoted 2024 121820 20887 17.15% 2025 136270 23383 17.16% Indian Railways has a comprehensive training ecosystem with training 11.03.2026 1004 centres across Zonal Railways and Production Units to provide skilling, re-skilling and up-skilling to employees at various stages of their careers. Irrespective of their category (SC/ST/OBC/General etc), all newly recruited or promoted employees undergo the same structured training framework at various stages of their careers. This includes Induction Training, for fresh recruits, Promotional Training, Refresher Training and Specialized Training, relevant to their respective fields of work. The training standards and opportunities are uniform for all employees, ensuring parity in skill development and capacity building across categories. Additionally, Indian Railways conducts Apprenticeship Training under the Apprentices Act, 1961 at units such as Production Units, Workshops, Loco Sheds, and Carriage and Wagon Depots, where reservation for SC/STs is provided as per rules, enabling youth to acquire skills and enhance employability. Ministry of Railway is contributing to the socio and economic development of Schedule Caste communities by undertaking projects on pan India basis. The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme for redevelopment of stations with a long-term approach has been launched by Ministry of Railway. The scheme involves preparation of master plans and their implementation in phases to improve the stations like 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 11.03.2026 1005 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 creation of city centre at the station in the long term. So far, 1,337 stations have been identified for development under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Development works at railway stations under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme have been taken up at a good pace. Till now, works have been completed at 180 stations. The works at other stations have also been taken up at good pace and works in progress. 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 availability of funds. Development / redevelopment / upgradation / modernisation of a station is carried out based on category of station/condition/traffic handled etc. Further, development / upgradation / modernisation of stations including Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is generally funded under Plan Head–53 ‘Customer 11.03.2026 1006 Amenities’. The details of allocation and expenditure under Plan Head–53 are maintained Zonal Railway-wise and not work-wise or station-wise or state-wise. The fund allocation of ₹ 12,120 crore has been made for the financial year 2025– 26 under Plan Head–53 and expenditure (up to January, 2026) of ₹ 10,657 crore has been incurred so far. Railways’ safety guidelines and welfare policies apply equally to Schedule Caste employees as per extant guidelines. In Housing, reservation of the 10% of Type I and Type II and 5% in Type III and IV railway quarters are made in favour of Schedule Caste employees in all areas where the number of quarters is 50 or more. िडिजटल धोखाधड़ी 3179. ®ी अŁण गोिवलः ³या संचार मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िकः (क) ³या सरकार Ĭारा दूरसंचार संसाधनŌ के दुŁपयोग के माÅयम से िडिजटल धोखाधड़ी और तथाकिथत "िडिजटल अरेÖट" जैसी घटनाओं को रोकने के िलए कोई िवशेष तंý Öथािपत िकया गया है और यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है; (ख) संचार साथी, िव°ीय धोखाधड़ी जोिखम संकेतक और िडिजटल इंटेिलज¤स Èलेटफॉमª जैसी पहलŌ के माÅयम से दूरसंचार संसाधनŌ के दुŁपयोग को रोकने और नागåरकŌ को साइबर धोखाधड़ी से बचाने म¤ अब तक ÿाĮ पåरणामŌ का Êयौरा ³या है; (ग) ³या सरकार ने साइबर धोखाधड़ी को रोकने के िलए जागłकता पैदा करने हेतु ब§कŌ, 11.03.2026 1007 दूरसंचार सेवा ÿदाताओं और आम जनता के िलए कोई ÿिश±ण/जागłकता कायªøम आयोिजत िकए ह§; और (घ) यिद हां, तो िवशेषकर पिIJमी उ°र ÿदेश के मेरठ और हापुड़ िजलŌ के संबंध म¤ तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है? úामीण िवकास मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी; तथा संचार मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (डॉ. चंþ शेखर पेÌमासानी): (क) और (ख): दूरसंचार िवभाग (डीओटी) ने िडिजटल धोखाधड़ी म¤ दूरसंचार संसाधनŌ के दुŁपयोग को रोकने के िलए कई उपाय िकए ह§ िजनम¤ तथाकिथत "िडिजटल अरेÖट" जैसी घटनाएं भी शािमल ह§। कुछ ÿमुख उपाय और उनके पåरणाम िनÌनिलिखत ह§: i. संचार साथी: यह एक नागåरक क¤िþत पहल है, जो वेब पोटªल (www.sancharsaathi. gov.in) और मोबाइल ऐप के łप म¤ उपलÊध है जो नागåरकŌ को संिदμध धोखाधड़ी वाले संचार कì åरपोटª करने, अपने नाम पर मोबाइल कने³शन कì जानकारी ÿाĮ करने, खोए/चोरी हòए मोबाइल ह§डसेट कì åरपोटª करने, मोबाइल ह§डसेट कì ÿामािणकता कì जांच करने आिद कì सुिवधा ÿदान करते ह§। संचार साथी के माÅयम से 9.08 लाख खोए/चोरी हòए मोबाइल ह§डसेट बरामद िकए गए ह§, नागåरकŌ Ĭारा 'मेरा नंबर नहé' या 'आवÔयक नहé' के łप म¤ åरपोटª िकए गए 2.41 करोड़ मोबाइल कने³शन काट िदए गए ह§ और नागåरकŌ Ĭारा संिदμध धोखाधड़ी वाले संचार से संबंिधत ÿदान कì गई 8.54 लाख इनपुट के आधार पर 39.73 लाख मोबाइल कने³शन काट िदए गए ह§। ii. अंतराªÕůीय इनकिमंग ÖपूÉड कॉÐस िÿव¤शन िसÖटम (सीआईओआर): यह ऐसा िसÖटम है जो भारत से आते हòए ÿतीत होने वाले भारतीय मोबाइल नंबरŌ से ÿदिशªत होने वाली अंतराªÕůीय ÖपूÉड कॉÐस कì पहचान करता है और उÆह¤ Êलॉक करता है। ऐसी कॉÐस का दुŁपयोग, अÆय 11.03.2026 1008 बातŌ के साथ-साथ, िडिजटल अरेÖट जैसी साइबर-धोखाधड़ी म¤ सरकारी अिधकाåरयŌ के łप म¤ िकया जा रहा है। िदनांक 17.10.2024 को शुł िकए जाने के बाद से, सीआईओआर ने 24 घंटŌ म¤ 1.35 करोड़ कॉÐस को Êलॉक करते हòए महÂवपूणª पåरणाम िदखाए है और भारतीय कॉिलंग लाइन पहचान वाली ÖपूÉड कॉÐस म¤ लगभग 99% कì कमी आई है। जो कॉÐस अभी भी अंतराªÕůीय गेटवे पर आती ह§, उÆह¤ वहé Êलॉक कर िदया जाता है। iii. िडिजटल इंटेिलज¤स Èलेटफॉमª (डीआईपी): यह साइबर-अपराधŌ और िव°ीय धोखाधड़ी म¤ दूरसंचार संसाधनŌ के दुŁपयोग कì रोकथाम के िलए िहतधारकŌ के साथ िĬिदशाÂमक सूचना साझाकरण हेतु सुरि±त ऑनलाइन Èलेटफॉमª है। डीआईपी पर 1,200 से अिधक संगठन पंजीकृत ह§, िजनम¤ क¤þीय सुर±ा एज¤िसयां, 36 राºयŌ और संघ राºय ±ेýŌ के पुिलस िवभाग, भारतीय साइबर अपराध समÆवय क¤þ (आई4सी), ब§क, एकìकृत भुगतान इंटरफेस (यूपीआई) सेवा ÿदाता, भुगतान ÿणाली ÿचालक और दूरसंचार सेवा ÿदाता (टीएसपी) शािमल ह§। iv. िव°ीय धोखाधड़ी जोिखम संकेतक (एफआरआई): यह जोिखम-आधाåरत मापदंड है जो िकसी संिदμध मोबाइल नंबर को िव°ीय धोखाधड़ी के मÅयम, उ¸च या अÂयंत उ¸च जोिखम से जुड़े होने कì संभावना के आधार पर वगêकृत करता है। एफआरआई िहतधारकŌ - िवशेष łप से ब§कŌ, गैर-ब§िकंग िव°ीय कंपिनयŌ (एनबीएफसी) और यूपीआई सेवा ÿदाताओं को ÿवतªन को ÿाथिमकता देने और अितåरĉ úाहक सुर±ा उपाय, जैसे िक बढ़ी हòई तÂपरता और िचिĹत मोबाइल नंबरŌ के िलए आवÔयक वाÖतिवक-समय ÿितिøया ÿोटोकॉल (अलटª, लेनदेन म¤ देरी, चेतावनी, लेनदेन कì अÖवीकृित आिद) को अपनाने को स±म बनाता है। मई, 2025 म¤ इसके शुł होने के बाद से, िव°ीय संÖथानŌ ने बताया है िक एफआरआई का उपयोग करके 1,500 करोड़ Łपये से अिधक के लेनदेन को रोका गया है। (ग) और (घ) : दूरसंचार िवभाग (डीओटी) और उसकì ±ेýीय इकाइयाँ सोशल मीिडया Èलेटफॉमª, 11.03.2026 1009 समाचार लेख, िडिजटल Öøìन, सावªजिनक ÖथानŌ पर होिड«μस, टीवी एवं रेिडयो संदेश, एसएमएस अिभयान, संचार िमý Öकìम के माÅयम से छाý ÖवयंसेवकŌ आिद सिहत बहòभाषी जागłकता अिभयान सिøय łप से चला रही ह§। दूरसंचार िवभाग टीएसपी, ब§कŌ, राºय पुिलस सिहत िविभÆन िहतधारकŌ के िलए िनयिमत ÿिश±ण आयोिजत कर रहा है। दूरसंचार िवभाग कì ±ेýीय इकाइयŌ ने िदनांक 1.1.2025 से 639 संचार साथी जागłकता कायªøम, िहतधारकŌ के साथ 399 बैठक¤, ह§डसेट åरकवरी के िलए राºय पुिलस ÿयोĉाओं के िलए 141 ÿिश±ण आयोिजत िकए ह§ और 1217 भौितक एवं इले³ůॉिनक िव²ापन ÿकािशत िकए ह§। मेरठ और हापुड़ िजलŌ म¤, उपयुªĉ अविध के दौरान कुल 10 संचार साथी जागłकता कायªøम और राºय पुिलस ÿयोĉाओं के िलए एक ÿिश±ण आयोिजत िकए गए ह§। CRITICAL MINERALS 3180. DR. THOL THIRUMAAVALAVAN: Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state: (a) the details and number of minerals are classified as Critical Minerals; (b) whether leasing area limit has been increased during the last three years; and (c) if so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINES (SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY): (a): A list of 24 critical and strategic minerals has been included in Part-D of the First Schedule of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) [MMDR] 11.03.2026 1010 Act, 1957 is enclosed at Statement. (b) and (c) : The Ministry of Mines in exercise of the powers conferred under the proviso to clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section (6) of the MMDR Act, 1957, has relaxed the area limit for prospecting licence and mining lease in respect of each of the 24 critical and strategic minerals listed in Part-D of the First Schedule to the MMDR Act, 1957, to 100 sq. km. and 50 sq. km. respectively, for each of the States, vide order dated 22.02.2024. STATEMENT List of 24 Critical and Strategic Minerals 1. Beryl and other beryllium bearing minerals. 2. Cadmium bearing minerals. 3. Cobalt bearing minerals. 4. Gallium bearing minerals. 5. Glauconite. 6. Graphite. 7. Indium bearing minerals. 8. Lithium bearing minerals. 9. Molybdenum bearing minerals. 10. Nickel bearing minerals. 11. Niobium bearing minerals. 12. Phosphate (without uranium). 13. Platinum group of elements bearing minerals. 14. Potash. 15. Minerals of the "rare earths" group not containing Uranium and Thorium. 16. Rhenium bearing minerals. 17. Selenium bearing minerals. 18. Tantalum bearing minerals. 19. Tellurium bearing minerals. 11.03.2026 1011 20. Tin bearing minerals. 21. Titanium bearing minerals and ores (ilmenite, rutile and leucoxene). 22. Tungsten bearing minerals. 23. Vanadium bearing minerals. 24. Zirconium-bearing minerals and ores including zircon. BHARATNET SCHEME IN CHITRADURGA DISTRICT 3181. SHRI GOVIND MAKTHAPPA KARJOL: Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state: (a) the details of the total number of Gram Panchayats in Chitradurga District targeted under BharatNet Scheme and the number of GPs made service- ready as on date; (b) the details of the total funds allocated, released and utilized for BharatNet project implementation in Chitradurga District during the last five years; (c) the details of utilization of BharatNet bandwidth by Government institutions such as schools, Primary Health Centres, Anganwadis and Common Service Centres (CSCs) in the district; (d) the details of delays, if any, in execution of Bharat Net works in the district and the reasons therefor including issues relating to Right of Way (RoW), contractor performance, technical constraints or fund allocation; and (e) the steps taken to upgrade existing infrastructure in the district to provide higher bandwidth and fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) connectivity under PPP model and last-mile connectivity and improve digital inclusion in rural and 11.03.2026 1012 remote areas of Chitradurga District? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS (DR. CHANDRA SEKHAR PEMMASANI): (a) to (d): In Chitradurga District, all 190 GPs planned under BharatNet Phase-I, have been made service ready. A total of Rs. 635.89 crore have been allocated and utilised during last five financial years (2020-21 to 2024-25) under BharatNet Project for all the districts of Karnataka including Chitradurga District. As on 28.02.2026, 284 FTTH connections using BharatNet with minimum speed of 25 Mbps per connection are working in Government Institutions, including schools and primary health centers, in Chitradurga District of Karnataka. (e): BharatNet project is implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages beyond GPs on demand basis across the country, including rural and remote areas of Chitradurga District in Karnataka. Under Amended BharatNet program, following steps have been included to provide high speed broadband connectivity for improved digital inclusion in rural and remote areas: (i) Creation and Upgradation of BharatNet network in ring architecture (ii) Operation and Maintenance for 10 years (iii) Dedicated Network Operation Centre 11.03.2026 1013 (iv) Provisioning of 1.5 crore FTTH connections using BharatNet Udyamis (BNUs) NATIONAL FILM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 3182. SHRI G. KUMAR NAIK: Will The Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to State: (a) the total funds allocated and disbursed to National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) under all its programmes during each of the last five years, State-wise; (b) the details of the schemes and sub-schemes implemented by the NFDC during the said period including the quantum of funds released under each scheme and the purpose for which the funds were utilised; (c) the number of artists, filmmakers, technicians, producers and other creative professionals supported under these schemes, year and State-wise along with the details of broad criteria and process followed for their selection including the role of selection committees or panels and any clearances or NOCs required; (d) the details of major events, festivals, workshops, screenings and dissemination activities undertaken or supported by the NFDC in each year including the number of participants, State/UT-wise representation; and (e) whether any partnerships were undertaken with State Governments and if 11.03.2026 1014 so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN): (a) to (e): The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting allocates funds under DCDFC (Development, Communication and Dissemination of Filmic Content) Scheme to National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). The aims of scheme are to promote the creation, innovation, and dissemination of film content. This includes organizing and participating in the film festivals to promote Indian films at national and international platforms, while also providing financial assistance to filmmakers and film-related institutions to enhance the visibility and global reach of Indian cinema. It further supports preservation, restoration, digitization, and archiving of India’s film heritage, and provides incentives for Audio-Visual co-production and international films shooting in India. The Ministry also supports filmmakers and other creative professionals through the DCDFC Scheme by organizing and supporting various film festivals, workshops, screenings, masterclasses, and dissemination activities that encourage the growth of the film sector and facilitate interaction among filmmakers, artists, technicians, and other industry professionals. The details in this regard are available at https://www.nfdcindia.com and 11.03.2026 1015 https://mib.gov.in/en/offerings/schemes-monitoring . The funds utilisation details of DCDFC Scheme are given below: S No. Financial Year Funds Allocated and Disbursed to NFDC (₹ in Cr) Funds Utilised by NFDC (₹ in Cr) 1 2021-22 84.50 77.69 2 2022-23 127.00 122.78 3. 2023-24 348.12 339.89 4. 2024-25 340.68 324.21 5 2025-26* 232.46 156.86 *Till 26.02.2026. The Ministry through NFDC undertakes partnerships with State Governments to promote cinema and related activities like organization of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) at Goa every year. Further, WAVES (World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit) was organized successfully at Mumbai in year 2025. Also, Residential Writers’ Lab was organized in collaboration with the Maharashtra Film Stage and Cultural Development Corporation Ltd. (MFSCDCL) at Maharashtra Film City. The year- wise details of major events, number of screenings/shows and approximate number of delegates/participants are placed below: Year Event No. of Screenings/ Shows Approx Delegates/ Participants 2025 International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 380 17,999 2025 World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) - 1,00,000 + 2024 International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 435 15,384 11.03.2026 1016 2024 Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 314 12,027 2023 International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 318 13,902 2022 International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 293 12,431 2022 Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 119 8,898 2021 International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 236 8,888 Participation in these events includes representation from various States/UTs as well as international delegates. IMPLEMENTATION OF MINORITY WELFARE SCHEMES IN DISTRICTS OF ASSAM 3183. SHRI AMARSING TISSO: Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state: - (a) the details of beneficiaries and funds disbursed in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram during the last five years; (b) the details of infrastructure projects sanctioned under the said scheme in the said districts; and (c) whether any proposals from these districts are pending with the Government and if so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS; AND MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU): (a) to (c): Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) is a Centrally 11.03.2026 1017 Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs for creation of community infrastructure in Minority Concentration Areas across the country. The scheme focuses on sectors such as Health, Education, Skill Development, Women-centric projects, Drinking Water Supply, Sanitation, Sports, Renewable Energy, Tourism, Animal Husbandry and other community infrastructure. The infrastructure created under the scheme benefits the entire population residing in the notified areas, including minorities. PMJVK is a demand-driven scheme, under which projects are considered and approved based on proposals received from the respective State Governments/UT Administrations. The project proposals are formulated and submitted by the concerned State Governments/UT Administrations. During the last five years, no project proposals for the districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao in the State of Assam have been received by the Government under PMJVK. Accordingly, no infrastructure projects have been sanctioned, and no funds have been disbursed specifically for these districts during this period. Further, no proposals from these districts are presently pending with the Government. However, district-wise allocation of funds is not made under PMJVK. Funds are released to the State Government based on approved projects. The details of funds released to the State of Assam under PMJVK during the last five years are as under: 11.03.2026 1018 Financial Year Fund released (Rs. in Lakh) 2020-21 7148.95 2021-22 15999.31 2022-23 - 2023-24 - 2024-25 12900.00 Thus, while funds have been released to the State of Assam under PMJVK during the last five years, no specific proposals relating to Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts were received, sanctioned, or are pending with the Government during the said period. CONSUMER PROTECTION AND EXPEDITIOUS GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL THROUGH DIGITAL JUSTICE 3184. SHRI GANESH SINGH: Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state: (a) whether digital reforms such as e-Daakhil, e-Jagriti, video conferencing, and the AI-enabled National Consumer Helpline (NCH) have led to measurable improvements in case disposal and if so, the extent of reduction in pending cases; (b) whether it is a fact that in 2025, more than 1.4 lakh cases were disposed of, over 90,000 virtual hearings were conducted and refunds amounting to 11.03.2026 1019 42.6 crore were facilitated; (c) if so, whether the Government is preparing a roadmap to further strengthen these digital systems up to the district and block levels; (d) if so, whether the Government proposes to further expand collaboration with Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), Bureau of India Study (BIS), Legal Metrology and private/academic institutions to effectively regulate misleading advertisements, dark patterns and unfair trade practices in digital markets; and (e) 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 (c): The e-Daakhil portal, launched in 2020, facilitated online filing, fee payment and case monitoring. Further, to modernize the existing applications with the latest technologies, 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 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 11.03.2026 1020 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). 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. In 2025, 1,62,474 cases were filed and 1,50,197 disposed of, that outperformed the disposal rate of the year 2024. Also, 679 Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) registered their complaints using e-Jagriti portal from abroad till 28th February, 2026. The National Consumer Helpline (NCH) administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs has emerged as a single point of access to consumers across 11.03.2026 1021 the country for their grievance redressal at a pre-litigation stage. Consumers can register their grievances from all over the country in 17 languages including Hindi, English, Kashmiri, Punjabi, Nepali, Gujarati, Marathi, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Maithili, Santhali, Bengali, Odia, Assamese and Manipuri through a 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. 1,398 companies, who have voluntarily partnered with NCH as part of the ‘Convergence’ programme directly respond to these grievances according to their redressal process and revert by providing a feedback to the complainant on the portal. The technological transformation of the NCH has significantly boosted its call- handling capacity. The number of calls received by NCH has grown from 62,172 calls in December 2019 to 3,59,336 calls in December 2025. This growth reflects the rising confidence of consumers in the helpline. Similarly, the average number of complaints registered per month has surged from 37,062 in 2017 to 1,47,635 in 2025. Additionally, grievance registration via WhatsApp has gained momentum, with the percentage of complaints filed through the platform increasing from 12% in December 2023 to 21% in December 2025 demonstrating a growing preference for digital communication channels. 11.03.2026 1022 In a significant move to further enhance grievance redressal, NCH has introduced AI-based Speech Recognition, a Translation System, and an AI enabled Chatbot as part of the NCH 2.0 initiative. These technological advancements aim to make the grievance filing process more seamless, efficient, and inclusive. The AI-powered Speech Recognition and Translation System enables consumers to file complaints through voice input, reducing manual intervention. The AI enabled Chatbot provides real-time assistance, streamlining complaint-handling processes, and improving the overall user experience. These upgrades ensure that consumers from diverse linguistic backgrounds have equal access to the grievance redressal system. The National Consumer Helpline (NCH) has successfully facilitated refund of ₹52 crore to consumers between 25th April 2025 and 31st January 2026. This significant redressal was achieved across 31 sectors, effectively addressing 79,521 consumer grievances related to refund claims. (d) and (e): To safeguard consumers from unfair trade practices in e-commerce, the Department of Consumer Affairs has also notified the Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020 under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. These rules, inter-alia, outline the responsibilities of e-commerce entities and specify the liabilities of marketplace and inventory e-commerce entities, including provisions for consumer grievance redressal. Central Consumer Protection Authority, in exercise of the powers conferred 11.03.2026 1023 by Section 18 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, issued “Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023” on 30th November, 2023, listing 13 specified dark patterns identified in e-Commerce sector. These include false urgency, Basket Sneaking, Confirm shaming, forced action, Subscription trap, Interface Interference, Bait and switch, Drip Pricing, Disguised Advertisements, Nagging, Trick Wording, Saas Billing and Rogue Malwares. A Joint Working Group, comprising representatives from Ministries, National Law Universities and Voluntary Consumer Organizations, has been constituted vide Office Memorandum dated 5th June,2025 for identifying the dark patterns and stakeholders to work together in creating a transparent, ethical and user-centric online environment . An “Advisory in terms of Consumer Protection Act, 2019 on Self-Audit by E- Commerce Platforms for detecting the Dark Patterns on their platforms to create a fair, ethical and consumer centric digital ecosystem” was issued by Central Consumer Protection Authority on 5th June, 2025. 29 leading e-commerce platforms have voluntarily submitted their self- declaration letters confirming compliance with the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023. MODERNISATION OF FAIR PRICE SHOPS 3185. SHRI KAMAKHYA PRASAD TASA: 11.03.2026 1024 Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that the modernisation of Fair Price Shops (FPS) by the Government aims to transform traditional, paper-based ration shops into efficient, transparent and digitally- enabled "Jan Poshan Kendras" (Nutritional Hubs); (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) the details of the number and percentage of Fair Price Shops (FPS) that have been digitised and equipped with electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices across the country; (d) whether the Government has evaluated the impact of FPS digitisation on curbing leakages and improving beneficiary experience; (e) if so, the details thereof; and (f) the details of the steps being taken by the Government to ensure FPS viability and expand services beyond foodgrain distribution? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA): (a) to (e): As part of the technology driven Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) reforms and with the aim to enhance transparency and efficiency in the TPDS, ration cards/beneficiaries database have completely been digitized (100%) 11.03.2026 1025 in all States/UTs. Further, for better tracking of foodgrains distribution, 99.8 % i.e. 5.50 Lakhs out of 5.51 Lakhs Fair Price Shops (FPSs) have been automated by installing ePoS devices for the distribution of foodgrains in a transparent manner (electronically) through biometric/Aadhaar authentication of beneficiaries. (f): Under sub-clause (7) of clause 9 of the TPDS (Control) Order, 2015, it is the sole responsibility of the State Government to fix fair price shop owner’s margin, and this shall be periodically reviewed for ensuring sustained viability of the fair price shop operations. The Central Government only provides the assistance to States/UTs for meeting the expenditure towards intra-State movement and handling of foodgrains and fair price shop dealers’ margin under the NFSA in accordance with the provisions of Food Security (Assistance to State Governments) Rules, 2015 (as amended from time to time) which inter-alia provides for norms of expenditure and pattern of central sharing. In order to ensure viability of Fair Price Shops, the norms of FPS Dealers margin was enhanced as per the details given below: Category of States Component of FPS margin Pre-revised norms (Rate in rupee per quintal) (upto 31st March, 2022) Revised norms (Rate in rupee per quintal) (w.e.f. 1.4.2022) General Category States/UTs Transportation and handling 65 70 FPS Dealers Margin 70 90 Additional margin 17 21 Special category States/UTs Transportation and handling 100 105 FPS Dealers Margin 143 180 Additional margin 17 26 11.03.2026 1026 Special category states includes Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep and seven north east states. The State Governments are free to fix the actual rates, which can be higher than the norms specified in the rules. Central assistance will be limited to the rates specified in the Rules or the actual average rates for the State as a whole, at which the expenditure was actually incurred by the State Government, whichever is lower. Further, the Department has linked the payment of additional dealer margins to States/UTs with the requirement that ePoS devices be integrated with e-weighing scales. This measure incentivises States/UTs to adopt the linkage, ensuring that beneficiaries receive the accurately measured quantity of their entitled foodgrains. As per sub-clause (9) of Clause 9 of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) Control Order, 2015, the State Government shall allow sale of commodities other than the foodgrains distributed under the TPDS at the fair price shop to improve the viability of the fair price shop operations. It has been the endeavor of the Government to improve the financial viability of Fair Price Shops (FPSs) by providing additional business avenues to FPS dealers and enhancing beneficiary experience through the provision of value-added services at FPS. To improve the financial viability of FPSs, 11.03.2026 1027 Government of India had requested all State/UT Governments to take up initiatives through FPSs such as providing banking services through tie-up with banks/corporate Banking Correspondents, banking and citizen-centric services of India Post Payment Bank (IPPB), Retail selling of small (5kg) LPG cylinders, Sale of other commodities/ general store items etc. The Department has also partnered with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) to enhance the capacity and confidence of Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers by equipping them with essential entrepreneurship and business management skills. Under this collaboration, NIESBUD (an autonomous institute under MSDE) has developed a specialised training programme for FPS dealers covering digital and financial literacy, e-commerce, retail management, and basic nutrition. To date, approximately 325 FPS dealers across nine States— Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana, Karnataka, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Bihar—have undergone this training. As a result, 90 FPS outlets have been converted into Jan Poshan Kendras (JPKs) across five cities: Hyderabad, Ghaziabad, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Indore, improving their commercial viability and community outreach. िदÓयांगŌ और वृĦ ÓयिĉयŌ के िलए छूट/राजसहायता 3186. ®ी उÂकषª वमाª मधुर: ³या रेल मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक: 11.03.2026 1028 (क) ³या रेलवे का िदÓयांगŌ और वृĦ ÓयिĉयŌ के िलए याýा िटकटŌ म¤ पहले कì तरह राजसहायता बहाल करने का िवचार है और यिद नहé, तो इसके ³या कारण ह§; (ख) ³या िदÓयांगजनŌ और वृĦ लोगŌ के िलए िनचली बथª आरि±त करने कì कोई योजना है और यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है और यिद नहé, तो इसके ³या कारण ह§; (ग) उन राºयŌ के नाम ³या ह§ जहाँ बुलेट ůेन चलाने कì योजना है; (घ) ³या िनकट भिवÕय म¤ उ°र ÿदेश म¤ बुलेट ůेन चलाने कì कोई योजना है और यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है और इसकì समय सीमा ³या है; और (ङ) ³या बुलेट ůेन का मागª लखीमपुर खीरी से होकर गुजरेगा और यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है और इसकì समय-सीमा ³या है? रेल मंýी; सूचना और ÿसारण मंýी; तथा इले³ůॉिनकì और सूचना ÿौīोिगकì मंýी (®ी अिÔवनी वैÕणव): (क) से (ङ) : भारतीय रेल समाज के सभी वगŎ को िकफायती सेवाएँ ÿदान करने के िलए ÿितबĦ है और वषª 2024-25 म¤ याýी िटकटŌ पर 60,239 करोड़ Łपए कì सिÊसडी दी गई। यह रािश रेलवे म¤ याýा करने वाले ÿÂयेक Óयिĉ के िलए औसतन 43% कì åरयायत के बराबर है। दूसरे शÊदŌ म¤, यिद सेवा ÿदान करने कì लागत 100 Łपए है, तो िटकट कì कìमत केवल 57 Łपए होगी। यह सिÊसडी सभी यािýयŌ के िलए जारी है। इसके अलावा, िदÓयांगजनŌ कì 4 कोिटयŌ, रोिगयŌ कì 11 कोिटयŌ और िवīािथªयŌ कì 8 कोिटयŌ जैसी कई कोिटयŌ के िलए इस सिÊसडी से अितåरĉ åरयायत¤ जारी रखी गई ह§। भारतीय रेल वåरķ नागåरकŌ और िदÓयांग यािýयŌ सिहत सभी यािýयŌ कì सुिवधा के िलए िविभÆन ÿकार कì सुिवधाएँ मुहैया कराने हेतु िनरंतर ÿयासरत रहती है। वåरķ नागåरकŌ और िदÓयांग यािýयŌ को मुहैया कराई जाने वाली कुछ सुिवधाएँ िनÌनानुसार ह§: 11.03.2026 1029 i.िदÓयांग यािýयŌ, वåरķ नागåरकŌ, 45 वषª और उससे अिधक आयु कì मिहला यािýयŌ को शाियका कì उपलÊधता के अÅयधीन िनचली शाियका का Öवतः आवंटन, चाहे कोई िवकÐप न िदया गया हो। ii.वåरķ नागåरकŌ, 45 वषª और अिधक आयु कì मिहला यािýयŌ और गभªवती मिहलाओं के िलए शयनयान ®ेणी म¤ छह से सात िनचली शाियकाएं ÿित सवारी िडÊबा, वातानुकूिलत 3 िटयर ®ेणी म¤ चार से पांच िनचली शाियकाएं ÿित सवारी िडÊबा और वातानुकूिलत 2 िटयर ®ेणी म¤ तीन से चार िनचली शाियकाएं ÿित सवारी िडÊबा (रेलगाड़ी म¤ उस ®ेणी के सवारी िडÊबŌ कì सं´या के आधार पर) का एक संयुĉ आर±ण कोटा िनधाªåरत िकया गया है। iii.सभी मेल/ए³सÿेस गािड़यŌ म¤, िजनम¤ राजधानी/शताÊदी ÿकार कì गािड़यां शािमल ह§, िदÓयांग यािýयŌ और उनके पåरचरŌ के िलए आरि±त कोटा का िनधाªरण िनÌनानुसार िकया गया है: - • शयनयान ®ेणी म¤ चार शाियकाएं (िजनम¤ दो िनचली और दो िमडल शाियकाएं शािमल ह§) • 3एसी/3ई म¤ चार शाियकाएं (िजनम¤ दो िनचली और दो िमडल शाियकाएं शािमल ह§) • आरि±त िĬतीय िसिटंग (2एस)/वातानुकूिलत कुसê यान (सीसी) म¤ चार सीट¤, यिद उस गाड़ी म¤ उस ®ेणी के दो से अिधक सवारी िडÊबे हŌ। iv. रेलगाड़ी म¤ åरĉ होने वाली िनचली शाियकाओं को वåरķ नागåरकŌ, िदÓयांगजन यािýयŌ अथवा गभªवती मिहला यािýयŌ (िजÆह¤ िमडल/ऊपरी शाियका आवंिटत कì गई है) को ÿाथिमकता के आधार पर आवंटन िकया जाता है। वतªमान म¤, महाराÕů और गुजरात से होकर गुजरने वाली मुंबई – अहमदाबाद उ¸च गित रेल पåरयोजना (508 िक.मी.) िनमाªण चरण म¤ है। इसके अलावा, राÕůीय पåरवहन अवसंरचना को सुŀढ़ करने और ±ेýीय आिथªक िवकास को ÿोÂसािहत करने के िलए, सरकार ने क¤þीय बजट 2026-27 म¤ िनÌनिलिखत सात नए उ¸च-गित रेल 11.03.2026 1030 गिलयारे िवकिसत करने कì घोषणा कì है:- (i) मुंबई - पुणे (ii) पुणे - हैदराबाद (iii) हैदराबाद - ब¤गलुŁ (iv) हैदराबाद - चेÆनै (v) चेÆनै - ब¤गलुŁ (vi) िदÐली - वाराणसी (vii) वाराणसी - िसलीगुड़ी उपयुªĉ म¤ से, िदÐली-वाराणसी और वाराणसी-िसलीगुड़ी गिलयारे उ°र ÿदेश राºय से होकर गुजरते ह§। बहरहाल, िकसी भी उ¸च गित रेल गिलयारे/पåरयोजना के अÂयंत पूंजी-गहन होने के कारण इÆह¤ Öवीकृत करने का िनणªय कई कारकŌ जैसे िवÖतृत पåरयोजना åरपोटª के पåरणाम, तकनीकì– आिथªक Óयवहायªता अÅययन और संसाधनŌ कì उपलÊधता जैसे िव°पोषण िवकÐप आिद पर िनभªर करता है। चøधरपुर मंडल के िलए कॉपōरेट सामािजक उ°रदाियÂव (सीएसआर) कायª 3187. ®ीमती जोबा माझी: ³या रेल मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक: (क) ³या भारतीय रेलवे म¤ सबसे अिधक राजÖव अिजªत करने वाले मंडलŌ म¤ से एक होने के बावजूद, दि±ण पूवª रेलवे के चøधरपुर मंडल Ĭारा ±ेý के आिदवासी और वंिचत वगŎ के उÂथान के िलए रेलवे Ĭारा कोई ÖपĶ कॉपōरेट सामािजक उ°रदाियÂव (सीएसआर) कायª नहé िकया जा रहा है और यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है; 11.03.2026 1031 (ख) ³या सरकार इस तÃय से अवगत है िक चøधरपुर िÖथत लोको åरपेयर शेड को यहाँ से Öथानांतåरत कर िदया गया था, िजससे Öथानीय रोजगार पर ÿितकूल ÿभाव पड़ा है और यिद हाँ, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है और इसके ³या कारण ह§; (ग) ³या सरकार यहाँ उपलÊध अिधशेष भूिम और पयाªĮ मानव संसाधनŌ को देखते हòए और Öथानीय लोगŌ तथा ÓयवसायŌ को रोजगार ÿदान करने के िलए चøधरपुर/िसंहभूम म¤ कोच फै³ůी या अÆय उÂपादन इकाई Öथािपत करने कì योजना बना रही है; और (घ) यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है और यिद नहé, तो इसके ³या कारण ह§? रेल मंýी; सूचना और ÿसारण मंýी; तथा इले³ůॉिनकì और सूचना ÿौīोिगकì मंýी (®ी अिÔवनी वैÕणव): (क) से (घ) : चøधरपुर मंडल के अंतगªत आने वाले रेल नेटवकª कì संपकª ता म¤ सुधार लाने के िलए, िनÌनिलिखत कायª पूरे/शुł कर िदए गए ह§। हाल ही म¤ पूरी कì गई पåरयोजनाएँ चøधरपुर मंडल म¤ पूणªतः/अंशतः पड़ने वाली हाल ही म¤ पूरी कì गईं कुछ पåरयोजनाओं का Êयौरा िनÌनानुसार है: ø.सं. पåरयोजना का नाम लंबाई (िक.मी. म¤) 1 राजखरसावां-िसनी तीसरी लाइन 15 2 िसनी-आिदÂयपुर तीसरी लाइन 23 3 डŌगापोसी- राजखरसावां तीसरी लाइन 75 4 राजखरसावां -चøधरपुर तीसरी लाइन 20 5 चøधरपुर-गोइलकेरा तीसरी लाइन 34 6 गोइलकेरा-मनोहरपुर तीसरी लाइन 28 7 मनोहरपुर-बŌडामुंडा तीसरी लाइन 30 8 चÌपाझरण-िबमलगढ़ दोहरीकरण 21 9 बांसपानी-दैतारी-तोमका-जाखापुरा दोहरीकरण 164 10 झारसुगुड़ा-सरडेगा दोहरीकरण 50 11.03.2026 1032 ø.सं. पåरयोजना का नाम लंबाई (िक.मी. म¤) 11 बŌडामुंडा-राउरकेला चौथी लाइन 9 12 राउरकेला-झारसुगुड़ा तीसरी लाइन 101 चालू पåरयोजनाएं चøधरपुर मंडल म¤ पूणªतः/अंशतः पड़ने वाली कुछ चालू पåरयोजनाओं का Êयौरा िनÌनानुसार है: ø.सं. पåरयोजना का नाम लंबाई (िक.मी. म¤) 1 गÌहåरया – चांिडल तीसरी और चौथी लाइन 26 2 िबमलगढ़ - बरसुआन दोहरीकरण 21 3 डांगोपोसी - जरोली तीसरी और चौथी लाइन 43 4 िसनी - कांþा तीसरी और चौथी लाइन 13 5 राउरकेला-बŌडामुंडा पांचवé लाइन 10 6 बगदेही-झारसुगुड़ा चौथी लाइन 21 7 बाँगरीपोसी-गोŁमिहसाणी नई लाइन 86 8 बादामपहाड़-क¤दुझारगढ़ नई लाइन 82 9 खड़गपुर-आिदÂयपुर तीसरी लाइन 132 चालू सव¥±ण कायª/िवÖतृत पåरयोजना åरपोटª चøधरपुर मंडल म¤ पूणªतः/अंशतः पड़ने वाले कुछ सव¥±णŌ/िवÖतृत पåरयोजना åरपोटª कì िÖथित िनÌनानुसार है: ø.सं. सव¥±णŌ के नाम िÖथित 1 बड़िबल - बोलानीखादान दोहरीकरण (3 िक.मी.) िवÖतृत पåरयोजना åरपोटª तैयार कर ली गई है 2 बागडेही - चøधरपुर - टाटानगर - खड़गपुर चौथी लाइन (367 िक.मी.) िवÖतृत पåरयोजना åरपोटª तैयार कर ली गई है 3 झारसुगुड़ा - बागडेही - खड़गपुर पांचवé और छठी रेलवे लाइन (399 िक.मी.) सव¥±ण कायª शुł कर िदया गया है 4 िकåरबुŁ - बड़िबल - बरसुआन का Öटील िवÖतृत पåरयोजना åरपोटª तैयार कर ली 11.03.2026 1033 ø.सं. सव¥±णŌ के नाम िÖथित कॉåरडोर (199 िक.मी.) गई है 5 नयागढ़ - बांसपानी नई लाइन (56 िक.मी.) िवÖतृत पåरयोजना åरपोटª तैयार कर ली गई है 6 राजखरसावां-डांगोपोसी चौथी लाइन (71 िक.मी.) िवÖतृत पåरयोजना åरपोटª तैयार कर ली गई है ऊपरी/िनचले सड़क पुल संबंधी कायª: समपारŌ (समपार) के Öथान पर ऊपरी सड़क पुल (आरओबी)/िनचले सड़क पुल(आरयूबी) के कायŎ को अनुमोिदत करना भारतीय रेल कì एक सतत और गितशील ÿिøया है। ऐसे कायŎ को गाड़ी पåरचालन म¤ संर±ा पर ÿभाव, गािड़यŌ कì गितशीलता, सड़क उपयोगकताªओं पर ÿभाव और Óयवहायªता आिद के आधार पर ÿाथिमकता दी जाती है और शुł िकया जाता है। भारतीय रेल म¤ वषª 2004-14 कì तुलना म¤ 2014-26 (जनवरी 2026 तक) कì अविध के दौरान िनिमªत िकए गए ऊपरी/िनचले सड़क पुलŌ कì सं´या िनÌनानुसार है: अविध िनिमªत िकए गए आरओबी/आरयूबी 2004-14 4,148 अदद 2014-26 (जनवरी 2026 तक) 14,024 अदद (चøधरपुर मंडल म¤ 174 अदद आरओबी/आरयूबी सिहत) 01.02.2026 कì िÖथित के अनुसार, भारतीय रेल म¤ 1,14,196 करोड़ Łपए कì लागत पर कुल 4,802 आरओबी/आरयूबी को Öवीकृित दी गई है जो योजना िनमाªण और कायाªÆवयन के िविभÆन चरणŌ म¤ ह§। इनम¤ से दि±ण पूवª रेलवे के चøधरपुर मंडल म¤ 1,281 करोड़ Łपए कì लागत पर 42 अदद ऊपरी/िनचले सड़क पुलŌ के िनमाªण कायŎ को Öवीकृित दी गई है। ऊपरी/िनचले सड़क पुल कायŎ का पूरा होना और कमीशिनंग िविभÆन कारकŌ पर िनभªर करती 11.03.2026 1034 है जैसे िक पहòँच मागª संरेखण का िनधाªरण, सामाÆय ÓयवÖथा आरेख (जीएडी) कì Öवीकृित, भूिम अिधúहण, अितøमण हटाना, अितलंघनकारी जनोपयोगी सुिवधाओं का Öथानांतरण, िविभÆन ÿािधकरणŌ से सांिविधक Öवीकृितयाँ, जलवायु संबंधी पåरिÖथितयŌ के कारण िविशĶ पåरयोजना/±ेý म¤ वषª म¤ कायाªविध आिद। ये सभी कारक पåरयोजनाओं/कायŎ के पूरा करने के समय को ÿभािवत करते ह§। रेलवे ने ऊपरी/िनचले सड़क पुल कायŎ कì ÿगित म¤ तेजी लाने के िलए िनÌनिलिखत उपाय िकए ह§: (i) सामाÆय ÓयवÖथा आरेख (जीएडी) को अंितम łप देने से पहले संबंिधत राºय सरकार/सड़क ÖवािमÂव ÿािधकरण के साथ संयुĉ सव¥±ण िकया जाता है तािक सुगम िनÕपादन सुिनिIJत िकया जा सके। (ii) रेलवे और राºय सरकार के अिधकाåरयŌ कì समय-समय पर बैठक¤ आयोिजत कì जाती ह§ तािक ऊपरी सड़क पुल/ िनचले सड़क पुल कायŎ से संबंिधत िविभÆन मुĥŌ का समाधान िकया जा सके। (iii) रेलवे के भाग पर सड़क कì चौड़ाई, Öपैन और िवषम तल के िविभÆन संयोजनŌ के िलए अिधसंरचना आरेखŌ का मानकìकरण िकया गया है तािक िडजाइन के अनुमोदन के दौरान िवलंब से बचा जा सके। इसे एक संकलन के łप म¤ जारी िकया गया है, िजसे रेल लाइनŌ पर ऊपरी सड़क पुल के िलए Âवåरत योजना हेतु सीधे अपनाया जा सकता है। Öटेशन पुनिवªकास अभी तक, भारतीय रेल म¤ अमृत भारत Öटेशन योजना के अंतगªत िवकास के िलए 1337 रेलवे ÖटेशनŌ को िचिĹत िकया गया है िजनम¤ से 18 Öटेशन चøधरपुर मंडल म¤ ह§। चøधरपुर मंडल म¤ अमृत भारत Öटेशन योजना के अंतगªत िवकास हेतु िचिĹत िकए गए 11.03.2026 1035 ÖटेशनŌ के नाम िनÌनानुसार ह§ :- मंडल ÖटेशनŌ कì सं´या ÖटेशनŌ के नाम चøधरपुर 18 बादामपहाड़, बाराजामदा जं, बड़िबल, िबमलगढ़, चायबासा, चøधरपुर, डांगोपोसी, गमहåरया, जरोली, झारसुगुड़ा जं, मनोहरपुर, पांपोष, रैरंगपुर, राजगंगपुर, राजखरसवां, राउरकेला, िसिन, टाटानगर अमृत भारत Öटेशन योजना म¤ रेलवे ÖटेशनŌ को बेहतर बनाने के िलए माÖटर Èलान तैयार करना और उनका चरणŌ म¤ कायाªÆवयन करना शािमल ह§। माÖटर Èलान बनाने म¤ िनÌनिलिखत शािमल ह§: i.रेलवे Öटेशन और पåरचलन ±ेýŌ तक पहòँच म¤ सुधार ii.रेलवे Öटेशन का शहर के दोनŌ तरफ के साथ एकìकरण iii.रेलवे Öटेशन के भवन म¤ सुधार iv.ÿती±ालय, शौचालय, बैठने कì ÓयवÖथा, वाटर-बूथŌ म¤ सुधार v.याýी यातायात के अनुłप चौड़े ऊपरी पैदल पार पुल/एयर कॉÆकोसª कì ÓयवÖथा vi.िलÉट/एÖकेलेटर/रैÌप कì ÓयवÖथा vii.Èलेटफ़ॉमª कì सतह म¤ सुधार/िनमाªण और Èलेटफ़ॉमª पर कवर कì ÓयवÖथा viii.'एक Öटेशन एक उÂपाद' जैसी योजनाओं के माÅयम से Öथानीय उÂपादŌ के िलए िकयोÖक कì ÓयवÖथा ix. पािक«ग ±ेý, यातायात के िविभÆन साधनŌ का एकìकरण x.िदÓयांगजनŌ के िलए सुिवधाएँ xi.बेहतर याýी सूचना ÿणाली xii.ÿÂयेक रेलवे Öटेशन पर आवÔयकता को देखते हòए ए³ज़ी³यूिटव लाउंज, Óयावसाियक बैठकŌ के िलए 11.03.2026 1036 िनिदªĶ Öथान, पåरवेश सŏदयêकरण आिद कì ÓयवÖथा। इस योजना म¤ दीघाªविध म¤ दीघªकािलक और पयाªवरण अनुकूल समाधानŌ; आवÔयकतानुसार, चरणबĦ łप से एवं यथा Óयवहायª िगĘी रिहत पटåरयŌ कì ÓयवÖथा आिद और रेलवे Öटेशन पर िसटी सेÆटरŌ के िनमाªण कì पåरकÐपना भी कì गई है। चøधरपुर मंडल दो राºयŌ अथाªत झारखंड और ओिडशा के अंतगªत आता है। अमृत भारत Öटेशन योजना के तहत झारखंड म¤ 57 ÖटेशनŌ और ओिडशा म¤ 59 ÖटेशनŌ को िचिĹत िकया गया है। झारखंड और ओिडशा म¤ अमृत भारत Öटेशन योजना के तहत िवकास के िलए िचिĹत िकए गए ÖटेशनŌ के नाम िनÌनिलिखत ह§:- राºय ÖटेशनŌ कì सं´या ÖटेशनŌ के नाम झारखंड 57 बालिसåरंग, बानो, बाराजामदा जं³शन, बरकाकाना, बासुकìनाथ, भागा, बोकारो Öटील िसटी, चाइबासा, चøधरपुर, चांिडल, चंþपुरा, डाÐटनगंज, डांगोआपोसी, देवघर, धनबाद, दुमका, गÌहåरया, गंगाघाट, गढ़वा रोड, गढ़वा टाउन, घाटिशला, िगåरडीह, गोड्डा, गोिवंदपुर रोड, हैदरनगर, हिटया, हजारीबाग रोड, जामताड़ा, जपला, जिसडीह, कतरासगढ़, कोडरमा, कुमारधुबी, लातेहार, लोहरदगा, मधुपुर, मनोहरपुर, मुहÌमदगंज, मुरी, एन.एस.सी.बी. गोमोह, नगरउंतारी, नामकोम, ओरगा, पाकुड़, पारसनाथ, िपÖका, राजखरसवां, राजमहल, रामगढ़ क§ट, रांची, सािहबगंज, शंकरपुर, िसÐली, िसनी, टाटानगर, टाटीिसलवई, िवīासागर ओिडशा 59 अंगुल, बादामपहाड़, बलांगीर, बालासोर, बालूगांव, बड़िबल, बरगढ़ रोड, बाåरपदा, बरपाली, बेलपहाड़, बेतनोटी, भþक, भवानीपटना, भुवनेĵर, िबमलागढ़, āĺपुर, āजराजनगर, छýपुर, कटक, दमनजोड़ी, ढ¤कानाल, गुनुपुर, हåरशंकर रोड, िहमगीर, हीराकुड, जाजपुर-³यŌझर रोड, जलेĵर, जारोली, जेपोर, झारसुगुड़ा, झारसुगुड़ा रोड, कांटाबांजी, क¤दुझारगढ़, केिसंगा, खाåरयार रोड, खोरदा रोड, कोरापुट, िलंगराज मंिदर रोड, मंचेĵर, 11.03.2026 1037 मेरामंडली, मुिनगुड़ा, Æयू भुवनेĵर, पांपोष, पारादीप, परलाखेमुंडी, पुरी, रघुनाथपुर, रायराखोल, रायरंगपुर, राजगंगपुर, रायगड़ा, राउरकेला, सखी गोपाल, संबलपुर, संबलपुर िसटी, सोरो, तालचेर, तालचेर रोड, िटटलागढ़ जं³शन। पूरे िकए गए Öटेशन झारखंड और ओिडशा म¤ अमृत भारत Öटेशन योजना के तहत रेलवे ÖटेशनŌ पर िवकास कायª तेज गित से शुł िकए गए ह§। इन राºयŌ म¤ पूरे िकए गए ÖटेशनŌ का Êयौरा िनÌनानुसार है: राºय ÖटेशनŌ कì सं´या ÖटेशनŌ के नाम झारखंड 9 गोड्डा, गोिवंदपुर रोड, लोहरदगा, मधुपुर जं³शन, मुरी जं³शन, िपÖका, राजमहल, सािहबगंज, संकरपुर ओिडशा 6 बारीपदा, बरपाली, िबमलागढ़, कटक, परलाखेमुंडी, तालचेर अÆय ÖटेशनŌ पर िवकास कì गितिविधयाँ भी तेज गित से शुł कì गई ह§ और कुछ ÖटेशनŌ कì ÿगित इस ÿकार है: झारखंड :  चøधरपुर Öटेशन: नए दूसरे ÿवेश Ĭार पर Öटेशन भवन, Èलेटफॉमª कì सतह, पहòँच मागª, पीने का पानी, कंपाउंड वॉल और ÿवेश/िनकास गेट के कायª पूरे हो चुके ह§। शौचालय Êलॉक, पåरचलन ±ेý और पािक«ग के कायª शुł कर िदए गए ह§।  चाईबासा Öटेशन: Èलेटफामª िवÖतार और Èलेटफामª कì सतह के कायª पूरे हो गए ह§। Öटेशन भवन, नया Èलेटफामª, पåरचलन ±ेý, पािक«ग, पहòंच मागª और ÿवेश/िनकासी के कायª शुł कर िदए गए ह§। 11.03.2026 1038  डांगोपोसी Öटेशन: पहòँच मागª और पेयजल बूथ के कायª पूरे हो चुके ह§। Öटेशन भवन म¤ सुधार, Èलेटफामª िवÖतार और Èलेटफामª कì सतह, पहòँच मागª और ÿवेश/िनकास Ĭार के कायª शुł कर िदए गए ह§।  मनोहरपुर Öटेशन: नए Öटेशन भवन, Èलेटफ़ॉमª िवÖतार और Èलेटफामª कì सतह के कायª, पåरचलन ±ेý, पािक«ग, पहòँच मागª और ÿवेश/िनकास गेट के कायª शुł कर िदए गए ह§।  राजखरसावां Öटेशन: नए Öटेशन भवन, Èलेटफॉमª शेÐटर, Èलेटफॉमª कì सतह, पåरचलन ±ेý, पािक«ग, पहòँच मागª, ÿवेश/िनकास सड़क और 12 मीटर फुट ओवर िāज के कायª शुł कर िदए गए ह§। ओिडशा :  भुवनेĵर Öटेशन: पूवª और पिIJम िदशा कì ओर नए Öटेशन भवन का संरचनाÂमक कायª और एयर कॉनकोसª का कायª पूरा कर िलया गया है। Öटेशन कì पूवª और पिIJम िदशा कì ओर एलीवेटेड űाइववे का संरचनाÂमक कायª, ऊपरी पैदल पुल का िवÖतार और Èलेटफामª शेÐटर का कायª शुł कर िदया गया है। Öटेशन कì पूवª और पिIJम िदशा कì ओर नए Öटेशन भवन का िफिनिशंग कायª, एमईपी (मेकैिनकल, इलेि³ůकल और Èलंिबंग), एचवीएसी (हीिटंग, व¤िटलेशन और एयर कंडीशिनंग) और एÖकेलेटर का कायª शुł कर िदया गया है।  पुरी Öटेशन: Öटेशन भवन का संरचनाÂमक कायª पूरा हो चुका है। Öटेशन भवन कì िफिनिशंग, Èलेटफामª उÆनयन और चारदीवारी के कायª शुł कर िदए गए ह§।  बादामपहाड़ Öटेशन: Èलेटफामª िवÖतार और Èलेटफामª कì सतह के कायª पूरे हो चुके ह§। नए Öटेशन भवन, शौचालय Êलॉक, पåरचलन ±ेý, पािक«ग, पेयजल बूथ और ÿवेश/िनकास Ĭार के कायª शुł कर िदए गए ह§। 11.03.2026 1039  जारोली Öटेशन: नई ÿती±ालय सह िटकट काउंटर, शौचालय, पहòँच मागª, पåरचलन ±ेý और पािक«ग के कायª शुł कर िदए गए ह§।  पांपोश Öटेशन: नए Öटेशन भवन, पहòँच मागª, पåरचलन ±ेý और ÿवेश/िनकास Ĭार के कायª शुł कर िदए गए ह§।  राजगंगपुर Öटेशन: नए Öटेशन भवन और Èलेटफ़ॉमª कì सतह के कायª शुł कर िदए गए ह§। इसके अलावा, भारतीय रेल म¤ रेलवे ÖटेशनŌ का िवकास/पुनिवªकास/उÆनयन/आधुिनकìकरण सतत और िनरंतर चलने वाली ÿिøया है और इस संबंध म¤ कायª सापे± ÿाथिमकता और धन कì उपलÊधता के अÅयधीन आवÔयकता के अनुसार शुł िकए जाते ह§। रेलवे ÖटेशनŌ के िवकास/पुनिवªकास/उÆनयन/आधुिनकìकरण कायŎ को Öटेशन कì कोिट/अवÖथा/यातायात कì सÌहलाई आिद के आधार पर िøयािÆवत िकया जाता है। रेलवे ÖटेशनŌ का िवकास/उÆनयन जिटल Öवłप का होता है िजसम¤ यािýयŌ और रेलगािड़यŌ कì संर±ा अंतúªÖत होती है और इसके िलए दमकल िवभाग कì Öवीकृित, धरोहर, पेड़Ō कì कटाई, िवमानप°न संबंधी Öवीकृित इÂयािद जैसी िविभÆन सांिविधक ÖवीकृितयŌ कì आवÔयकता होती है। इनकì ÿगित जनोपयोगी सेवाओं (िजनम¤ जल/सीवेज लाइन, ऑिÈटकल फाइबर केबल, गैस पाइप लाइन, पावर/िसगनल केबल इÂयािद शािमल ह§) अितलंघनŌ को Öथानांतåरत करने, याýी संचलन को बािधत िकए िबना रेलगािड़यŌ के पåरचालन, रेलपथ एवं उ¸च वोÐटेज िबजली लाइनŌ के नजदीक िकए जाने वाले कायŎ के कारण गित ÿितबंध आिद जैसी āाउन फìÐड संबंधी चुनौितयŌ के कारण भी ÿभािवत होती है और ये कारक कायª के समापन समय को ÿभािवत करते ह§। सामाÆयतः अमृत भारत Öटेशन योजना सिहत अÆय योजनाओं के अंतगªत रेलवे ÖटेशनŌ के िवकास/उÆनयन/आधुिनकìकरण का िव°पोषण योजना शीषª-53 'úाहक सुिवधाएँ' के अंतगªत िकया 11.03.2026 1040 जाता है। योजना शीषª-53 के अंतगªत आबंटन और Óयय का Êयौरा ±ेýीय रेल-वार रखा जाता है, न िक कायª-वार या रेलवे Öटेशन-वार या राºय-वार। झारखंड राºय तीन ±ेýीय रेलŌ अथाªत् पूवª रेलवे, पूवª मÅय रेलवे, और दि±ण पूवª रेलवे के ±ेýािधकार म¤ आता है। इन ±ेýŌ के िलए िव°ीय वषª 2025-26 के िलए 1,469 करोड़ Ł. का आवंटन िकया गया है, िजसम¤ से अभी तक (जनवरी 2026 तक) 1,292 करोड़ Ł. का Óयय उपगत िकया जा चुका है। ओिडशा राºय तीन ±ेýीय रेलŌ अथाªत् दि±ण पूवª रेलवे, दि±ण पूवª मÅय रेलवे, और पूवª तट रेलवे के ±ेýािधकार के अंतगªत आता है। इन ±ेýीय रेलŌ के िलए िव°ीय वषª 2025-26 के िलए 1,584 करोड़ Ł. का आवंटन िकया गया है, िजनम¤ से अभी तक (जनवरी, 2026 तक) 1,252 करोड़ Ł. का Óयय उपगत िकया गया है। इसके अलावा, उīिमयŌ कì कॉपōरेट सामािजक उ°रदाियÂव (सीएसआर) गितिविधयाँ, िजनम¤ क¤þीय सावªजिनक ±ेý उīम (सीपीएसई) शािमल ह§, कंपनी अिधिनयम, 2013 कì धारा 135 कì संरचना और सावªजिनक उīम िवभाग (डीपीई) के िदशािनद¥शŌ के तहत शािसत है। रेलवे एक मंýालय है न िक कोई कंपनी जो कॉपōरेट सामािजक उ°रदाियÂव के मानदंडŌ के अंतगªत आती हो। दीन दयाल उपाÅयाय नगर-चिकया/नौगढ़ के बीच रेल सेवा 3188. ®ी छोटेलाल: ³या रेल मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक: दीन दयाल उपाÅयाय नगर (िजसे पहले मुगलसराय के नाम से जाना जाता था) से भभुआ होते हòए चिकया, नौगढ़ और सोनभþ तक नई रेलवे लाइन कब तक िबछाई जाएगी? 11.03.2026 1041 रेल मंýी; सूचना और ÿसारण मंýी; तथा इले³ůॉिनकì और सूचना ÿौīोिगकì मंýी (®ी अिÔवनी वैÕणव): सोनभþ और भभुआ रोड (मोहिनया) Öटेशन मौजूदा रेल नेटवकª से पंिडत दीन दयाल उपाÅयाय और चुनार के माÅयम से पहले से ही जुड़े हòए ह§। नौगढ़ के राÖते पंिडत दीन दयाल उपाÅयाय-भभुआ नई लाइन (57 िक.मी.) के िलए Óयवहायªता अÅयययन िकया गया था। कम यातायात अनुमानŌ के कारण पåरयोजना को शुł नहé िकया जा सका। िकसी भी रेल पåरयोजना कì Öवीकृित अनेक मापदंडŌ/कारकŌ पर िनभªर करती है, िजनम¤ िनÌनिलिखत शािमल ह§:  ÿÂयािशत यातायात पूवाªनुमान और ÿÖतािवत मागª कì लाभÿदता  पåरयोजना Ĭारा उपलÊध कराई गई अंितम छोर संपकª ता  अनुपलÊध किड़यŌ को जोड़ना और अितåरĉ मागª उपलÊध कराना  संकुिलत/संतृĮ लाइनŌ का संवधªन  राºय सरकारŌ/क¤þीय मंýालयŌ/जनÿितिनिधयŌ Ĭारा कì गईं मांग¤  रेलवे कì अपनी पåरचालिनक आवÔयकताएँ  सामािजक-आिथªक महÂव  धन कì समú उपलÊधता रेल पåरयोजना/पåरयोजनाओं का पूरा होना कई कारकŌ पर िनभªर करता है, िजनम¤ िनÌनिलिखत शािमल ह§:  भूिम अिधúहण  वािनकì Öवीकृित 11.03.2026 1042  अितलंघनकारी जनोपयोगी सेवाओं का Öथानांतरण  िविभÆन ÿािधकरणŌ से सांिविधक Öवीकृितयाँ  ±ेý कì भूवै²ािनक और Öथलाकृितक पåरिÖथितयाँ  पåरयोजना Öथल के ±ेý म¤ कानून एवं ÓयवÖथा कì िÖथित  पåरयोजना Öथल िवशेष के िलए एक वषª म¤ कायª करने के महीनŌ कì सं´या आिद। ये सभी कारक पåरयोजना/पåरयोजनाओं के समापन समय और लागत को ÿभािवत करते ह§। ESTABLISHMENT OF TIER-3 EDGE DATA CENTRE 3189. SHRI SAGAR ESHWAR KHANDRE: Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is likely to consider establishing a Tier-3 Edge Data Centre or Data Hub in Bidar district of Karnataka under the proposed Data Centre Economic Zone framework, in view of the district’s strategic location on the Maharashtra–Telangana–Karnataka corridor; (b) whether the Government proposes to include Bidar in the next phase of the Digital India Future Skills PRIME initiative to provide training in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing and cybersecurity; and (c) if so, the proposed implementation plan and institutional support and if not, the reasons therefor? 11.03.2026 1043 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): Data centre industry in India is growing at a steady pace. Current data centre capacity in the country has grown from 375 MW in 2020 to about 1500 MW till 2025. Data centres in India are majorly developed, owned, and operated by professional players in the sector companies. Companies evaluate factors such as demand projection, operational expenses, availability of power, skilled manpower and long-term business viability before choosing locations for establishing a data centre. Based on commercial demand, data centres are set up in different locations keeping in mind consumer needs. The Tier rating of data centres is governed by professionally administered certification frameworks, and the decision to obtain such certification rests with data centre developers. There is no proposal under consideration with the Government of India to create Data Centre Economic Zones. FutureSkills PRIME Programme It is a collaborative initiative of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) aimed at making India a cutting-edge digital talent nation. 11.03.2026 1044 Key features of the Programme are skilling, reskilling, and upskilling in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, IoTs, Cyber Security, Blockchain, AR/VR, etc. The courses for this programme are developed in the consultation with industry to align with actual employment needs. The course information and registration facility is accessible online at https://futureskillsprime.in. About 27.53 lakh candidates have registered on Future skills Prime portal, out of which more than 17.24 lakh candidates are enrolled/trained in various courses. This number includes more than 1.82 lakh candidates from State of Karnataka with over 900 candidates from Bidar district. CONSTRUCTION OF HEAD POST OFFICE BUILDINGS IN MALAPPURAM DISTRICT, KERALA 3190. SHRI E. T. MOHAMMED BASHEER: Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has sanctioned funds for the construction of buildings for the following Head Post Offices in Malappuram district, Kerala, namely Malappuram, Manjeri, Ponnani and Tirur Head Post Offices; (b) if so, the amount of funds sanctioned for each of the above Head Post Offices and the present status of the proposed construction works; (c) whether any specific timelines have been fixed for the commencement and 11.03.2026 1045 completion of the construction of these Head Post Offices and if so, the details thereof; and (d) if not, the reasons for the delay and the steps being taken by the Government to ensure early commencement and completion of the works? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS (DR. CHANDRA SEKHAR PEMMASANI): (a) and (b): Yes Sir. The details of amount of funds sanctioned for each of the above Head Post Offices and the present status of the proposed construction works are as follows; (c) : No sir. (d): There is no delay and the works will be completed observing all codal formalities and associated timelines. S.No. Name of the Head Post Office Project Fund sanctioned in 2025-26 (In Rs.) Status 1 Malappuram 0 Pre-construction formalities have been completed. 2 Manjeri 0 Pre-construction formalities have been completed. 3 Ponnani 1,48,000 Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) has been issued. 4 Tirur 10,00,000 Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) has been issued. 11.03.2026 1046 PASSENGER OVERCROWDING ON BENGALURU-MYSURU RAIL CORRIDOR 3191. SHRI YADUVEER WADIYAR: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware of severe passenger overcrowding on the Bengaluru - Mysuru rail corridor during weekends, festivals and peak seasons; (b) the details of the number of special trains operated on this route during the year 2025 and the average occupancy levels; and (c) whether a permanent increase in train frequency or coach capacity is being considered and if so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS; MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW): (a) to (c): On Indian Railways, the occupancy pattern of trains varies over lean and peak periods. During peak rush periods, the occupancy of the trains especially on popular routes remains full whereas during lean periods and on less popular routes, there is sub optimal utilization. Presently, Bengaluru -Mysuru sector is served by 34 pairs of train services which includes 2 pairs of Vande Bharat services, one pair each of Shatabdi and Rajya Rani Express and 4 pairs of Passenger services. These are listed below: 11.03.2026 1047 SN Train No. and Name 1 20607/20608 MGR Chennai Central- Mysuru Vande Bharat Express 2 20663/20664 MGR Chennai Central-Mysuru Vande Bharat Express 3 12007/12008 MGR Chennai Central-Mysuru Shatabdi Express 4 20659/20660 KSR Bengaluru City-Mysuru Rajya Rani Express 5 12577/12578 Darbhanga-Mysuru Bagmati Express 6 12613/12614 KSR Bengaluru City-Mysuru Wodeyar Express 7 12785/12786 Kacheguda - Ashokapuram Express 8 12975/12976 Mysuru - Jaipur Express 9 16021/16022 MGR Chennai Central-Ashokapuram Kaveri Express 10 16207/16208 Yesvantpur - Mysuru Express 11 16209/16210 Ajmer - Mysuru Express 12 16215/16216 KSR Bengaluru City-Mysuru Chamundi Express 13 16217/16218 Mysuru - Sainagar Shirdi Express 14 16219/16220 Chamarajanagar - Tirupati Express 15 16227/16228 Mysuru - Talguppa Express 16 16231/16232 Cuddalore Port - Mysuru Express 17 16235/16236 Tuticorin - Mysuru Express 18 16315/16316 Mysuru - Thiruvananthapuram North (Kochuveli) Express 19 16535/16536 Pandharpur-Mysuru Golgumbaz Express 20 16551/16552 MGR Chennai Central-Ashokapuram Express 21 16585/16586 SMVT Bengaluru - Murdeshwar Express 22 16591/16592 SSS Hubballi-Mysuru Hampi Express 23 17307/17308 Bagalkot-Mysuru Basava Express 24 19667/19668 Udaipur-Mysuru Humsafar Express 25 20623/20624 KSR Bengaluru City-Ashokapuram Malgudi Express 26 20675/20676 Belagavi-Mysuru Vishwamanav Express 27 22135/22136 Renigunta -Mysuru Express 28 22681/22682 MGR Chennai Central-Mysuru Express 29 22687/22688 Varanasi -Mysuru Express 30 22817/22818 Howrah-Mysuru Express 31 56281/56282 Chamarajanagar -Tumakuru Passenger 32 66551/66552 KSR Bengaluru City-Ashokapuram MEMU 11.03.2026 1048 33 66553/66554 KSR Bengaluru City-Ashokapuram MEMU 34 66579/66580 KSR Bengaluru City-Ashokapuram MEMU Further, in its constant endeavour to provide additional accommodation to travelling passengers, Indian Railways (IR), operates Special train services during festivals, holidays, etc. to cater to the extra needs of passengers and supplement the accommodation available by regular services. Furthermore, the load of trains are also augmented, both on a permanent and temporary basis, to generate additional accommodation for different segments of passengers. Accordingly, to cater to the needs of passengers of Begaluru-Mysuru sector, IR operated around 1600 trips of special trains and also augmented the loads of 24 trains serving the sector during the year 2025. DIGITAL INDIA PROGRAMME IN BIHAR 3192. SHRI MANOJ KUMAR: Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state: (a) the status of the implementation of the Digital India Programme in the State of Bihar including that of Kaimur Bhabua and Rohtas districts of Sasaram Lok Sabha Constituency; (b) the total budgetary allocation under general and SCSP/TSP budget by Union Government during the last five years for the programme in the region and its 11.03.2026 1049 utilization etc.; (c) the status of IT Park at Sasaram and Kaimur Bhabua; (d) the details of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) students who get computer education and skill and placed through the different short term, long term training and academic programme of NIELIT including Kaimur and Rohtas districts of Bihar; (e) whether the Government has plan to establish IT infrastructure including new NIELIT center in Kaimur and Rohtas districts of the Sasaram Lok Sabha Constituency; and (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? 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 (f): In line with Hon’ble Prime Minister's vision to democratise technology and empower citizens, the Government of India had launched the Digital India programme in July, 2015. The overall goal is to ensure that digital technologies improve the life of every citizen, expand India’s digital economy, and create investment and employment opportunities in India. Under the Digital India Programme, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has taken several initiatives to enable online delivery of citizen- 11.03.2026 1050 centric services. These include development and implementation of digital platforms, promotion of Aadhaar-based authentication for beneficiary identification, and expansion of service delivery through Common Service Centres (CSCs) to provide assisted access to citizens, particularly in rural and remote areas. Details of some of the key initiatives are as follows:  DigiLocker: DigiLocker has provided anytime access to authentic digital documents from original issuer for the common citizen. More than 67.17+ crore users are registered with DigiLocker to avail its services and more than 967.01+ crore documents issued from 2456 issuers onboarded on the platform. More than 255.78 Lakh Aadhaar enabled registrations have taken place in the State of Bihar to avail DigiLocker services.  Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG), one mobile application for all government services, is operational and offers 2446+ services for individuals. In the State of Bihar, services from various departments integrated/onboarded on the UMANG platform include e- Labharthi (4 services), Mera Ration (1 service), and Post Matric Scholarship– Bihar (2 services).  eSign: It provides easy, efficient, and secure signing of electronic documents by an Aadhaar holder. There are 37.72 crore e-Signs issued so far and 610.78 Lakh e-Signs have been issued in the State of Bihar.  Aadhaar: Aadhaar is the world’s largest digital identity programme that 11.03.2026 1051 provides biometric and demographic-based unique digital identity. 143.80+ crore Aadhaar IDs have been generated so far. 12.27 Crore Aadhaar IDs have been generated in the state of Bihar.  Common Services Centres – CSCs are offering government and business services in digital mode enhancing last-mile connectivity in rural areas through Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs). Over 800 services are being delivered through CSCs. As on January, 2026, 5.54 lakh CSCs are functional across the country (in rural and urban areas), out of which 4.32 lakh CSCs are functional at the Gram Panchayat level (rural). A total number of 62,106 CSCs are functional in the state of Bihar, including 905 CSCs in Kaimur Bhabhua and 1376 CSCs in Rohtas District. State/UT wise and district wise details of CSCs are available at https://csc.gov.in/ and list of services is available at https://csc.gov.in/.  National Knowledge Network (NKN): NKN carries the digital-traffic of National/state Data Centres (NDCs/SDCs), State-Wide Area Networks (SWANs) and provides connectivity to various Digital India initiatives, and carry digital-traffic of various G2G (Government to Government) and G2C (Government to Citizen) services, District Connectivity, etc. It also interconnects higher education and research institutions across the country to facilitate resource sharing and collaborative research, thereby supporting both the National Government Network (NGN) and the Research and Education 11.03.2026 1052 Network (REN). A total of 1,823 institutes are connected under NKN, including 54 institutes in Bihar, while 681 district links covering 560 districts are operational across India, of which 43 are in Bihar.  National Scholarship Portal (NSP): The platform enables scheme owning Ministries/Departments and States/UTs to process applications and disburse Scholarships/funds directly into the beneficiary’s bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) serves over 7.47 Crore beneficiaries, with a total disbursement exceeding Rs. 44,181+ Crore. So far, 153 schemes belonging to 13 Ministries/Departments and 21 States/UTs are onboarded on NSP. Till 31st January 2026, about 29 lakh scholarships amounting to Rs. 1,460 crore has been disbursed in the State of Bihar including Kaimur Bhabhua and Rohtas districts of Sasaram Lok Sabha Constituency.  MyGov: MyGov is a Government of India’s Citizen Engagement Platform which collaborates with multiple Government bodies/ Ministries to engage people in policy formulation and seeks the opinion of people on issues/ topics of public interest and welfare. Presently, over 6.11+ crore citizens are registered with MyGov, participating in various activities hosted on MyGov platform. The Government has taken several initiatives to provide skilling/upskilling to youth, including students from Scheduled Castes(SC), Scheduled Tribes(ST), Other 11.03.2026 1053 Backward Classes(OBC), and Economically Weaker Sections(EWS). These initiatives aim to develop industry-ready manpower in emerging and advanced technology domains across the country, including the State of Bihar. The key initiatives are as follows: (i). PMGDISHA: Under the Digital India programme, Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) was launched in 2017 to ensure digital literacy. The scheme concluded on 31st March 2024. Key aspects of the scheme were: o The Scheme was one of the world’s largest digital literacy initiatives o Over 6.39 Crore persons trained nationwide (against the target of 6 Crore) o 74,12,740 candidates were trained in the state of Bihar, including 1,28,125 candidates from Kaimur (Bhabhua) and 2,21,634 Rohtas district. (ii). FutureSkills Prime: FutureSkills PRIME program is a collaborative initiative of MeitY and National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) aimed at making India a cutting-edge digital talent nation. Key features are: o Skilling, reskilling, and upskilling in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Analytics, IoTs, Cyber Security, Blockchain, AR/VR, etc. 11.03.2026 1054 o Courses are developed in the consultation with industry to align with actual employment needs. o Portal can be accessed online at https://futureskillsprime.in/ to earn skill certificates in line with their aptitude and aspirations. o Under the programme, so far, 17.24+ lakh candidates have enrolled/trained in various courses. o In the state of Bihar, a total of 26,000 candidates are enrolled/trained in various courses. This includes more than 800 in Rohtas district and 300+ in Kaimur Bhabhua district. (iii). National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT): o NIELIT provides digital literacy courses such as Awareness in Computer Concept (ACC), Course on Computer Concepts (CCC) etc. o NIELIT has trained 43 lakh+ candidates under various courses, including digital literacy and cyber security awareness. o Training is delivered through a wide network of 56 NIELIT Centres and 9000+ Accredited Training Partners/Facilitation Centres. o NIELIT is providing digital skilling to the youth of Bihar through its own 3 Centres located in the State at Patna, Buxar, Muzaffarpur for overall monitoring of skill development activities in the State. 11.03.2026 1055 Besides own centres, NIELIT has more than 300 Facilitation Centres spread across the State, out of which 06 centres are located in the Districts of Rohtas and Kaimur, for promoting Digital Literacy Courses (DLC). o In the last 2 years, number of candidates skilled in various long term and short term in the state of Bihar is as under: Year 2023-2024 2024-2025 No. of SC Candidates 1,186 985 No. of ST Candidates 137 96 (iv). In addition, the NIELIT Digital University (NDU) Platform is launched by NIELIT under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to deliver online and blended skill- based courses in emerging technology areas. This Platform is designed to offer future-ready, industry- aligned programs in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, and other frontier domains. This platform also features built-in virtual labs for real-time experimentation in Semiconductor Design, cybersecurity, Cyber Forensics, Industry 4.0, and other emerging domains. Through the NDU platform, every learner can have access anytime-anywhere to NSQF- aligned courses. So far more than 55,000 candidates have registered through NDU Platform. 11.03.2026 1056 The Government of India is making continuous efforts to promote IT industry across India including smaller cities and towns. As a part of this initiative, Software Technology Parks have been established in 68 cities across India with 60 centres in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. The STPI centres provide Incubation services, High Speed Data Communication services, Cloud services and other statutory support services. At present, three Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) centres are operational in Bihar at Patna, Bhagalpur, and Darbhanga. Digital India is an umbrella programme covering multiple projects implemented across Central Ministries/Departments and State/UT Governments. Its execution requires close coordination among these agencies, as many initiatives are jointly developed and implemented. The details of funds allocated to MeitY under the Digital India Programme for the General component, Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes (DAPSC), and Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) for the last five years (2020–21 to 2024–25), along with the current financial year 2025–26 (as on 23.02.2026), is as below: (Rs. in crore) Budget heads FY 2020-21 FY 2021-22 FY 2022-23 FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 FY 2025-26 General component 2587.82 5429.80 4534.96 3737.81 3547.05 4371.76 Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes (DAPSC) 253.00 530.20 487.70 382.78 346.36 427.55 Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) 204.00 428.00 377.84 307.42 279.59 345.14 11.03.2026 1057 FUNCTIONING OF PDS 3193. SHRI GODAM NAGESH: Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has assessed the effectiveness and smooth functioning of the Public Distribution System (PDS) across the country, particularly in the State of Telangana; (b) the steps taken to ensure timely availability of foodgrains, transparency in distribution and prevention of leakages under the PDS, State/UT-wise including Telangana; (c) the measures implemented to strengthen digital monitoring, Aadhaar- based authentication and grievance redressal mechanisms in fair price shops in Telangana; and (d) whether the Government proposes any reforms or technology-driven interventions to further improve service delivery and beneficiary satisfaction under the PDS and if so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA): (a): Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) governed under National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central 11.03.2026 1058 and the State/UT Governments. The operational responsibilities for allocation of foodgrains within the States/UTs, identification of eligible beneficiaries and families, issuance of ration cards to them, distribution of foodgrains to eligible beneficiaries, supervision and monitoring of functioning of Fair Price Shops (FPSs) etc. rest with the concerned State/ UT Governments. Union Government has laid down a robust mechanism to seamlessly distribute the food grains under PMGKAY to around 80 Crore Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) beneficiaries through Fair Price Shops in all the State/UTs. Further, this Department engaged Monitoring Institutions (MIs) of repute to undertake concurrent evaluation of the implementation of National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) in different States/UTs for Phase-I (2018-20) and Phase-II (2020-23). Reports submitted by the MIs are available in public domain at https://nfsa.gov.in/portal/Concurrent_Evaluation (b) to (d): As part of the Government’s digital initiatives to enhance reach, effectiveness under PMGKAY and the Public Distribution System (PDS), the ration card/beneficiary database has been 100% digitised across all States and Union Territories, with 99.7% ration cards Aadhaar-seeded and 99.2% beneficiaries aadhaar seeded. This has enabled beneficiaries to access their full entitlements at Fair Price Shops through e-PoS devices using their Ration Card Number or Aadhaar Number, with biometric authentication. Further, initiatives such as One Nation 11.03.2026 1059 One Ration Card (ONORC), Mera Ration App and Anna Sahayata have expanded the reach of food security benefits, particularly to migrant and mobile populations, thereby improving the effectiveness of PMGKAY and PDS. CATERING SERVICES AND GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL IN PREMIUM TRAINS 3194. SHRI SUDAMA PRASAD: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) the details of regular complaints received against services provided on premium trains operated by Railways including those relating to catering, availability of drinking water and other onboard services on trains such as Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto and Humsafar Expresses; (b) the details of complaints received during the last five years, specifically relating to quality, quantity and hygiene of food, non-availability of drinking water, deficiencies in other passenger services, Zonal Railway and train- category-wise; (c) whether the Government maintains data on repeated offenders including catering contractors/service providers against whom multiple complaints have been substantiated during the said period and if so, the details and the action taken thereon, Zone-wise; and (d) whether any corrective and preventive measures have been taken by the Government and IRCTC to improve service quality on premium trains 11.03.2026 1060 including penalties, blacklisting, enhanced inspections, use of feedback/complaint monitoring systems and timelines for grievance redressal and if so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS; MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW): (a) to (d): Indian Railways serve about 58 cr meals every year on average in all trains including premium trains. About only 0.0008% complaints are received on average. Based on inquiry on these complaints during the last three years, a fine of Rs 2.6 cr has been imposed. Indian Railways continuously endeavour to make available food items to the travelling passengers as per the prescribed rates. Necessary steps are accordingly taken by Indian Railways from time to time to ensure the same. The following measures have been taken to improve quality, hygiene, and food safety: ● Supply of meals from designated Base Kitchens. ● Commissioning of modern Base Kitchens at identified locations. ● Installation of CCTV Cameras in Base Kitchens for better monitoring of food preparation. ● Shortlisting and use of popular and branded raw materials, like cooking oil, atta, rice, pulses, masala items, paneer, dairy products etc. for food production. 11.03.2026 1061 ● Deployment of Food Safety Supervisors at Base Kitchens to monitor food safety and hygienic practices. ● Deployment of on-board IRCTC supervisors on trains. ● Introduction of QR codes on food packets, enabling display of details like name of kitchen, date of packaging etc. ● Regular deep cleaning and periodical pest control in Base Kitchens and Pantry Cars. ● In order to ensure compliance with Food Safety Norms, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) certification from designated Food Safety Officers of each catering unit has been made mandatory. ● Regular food sampling as a part of the inspection and monitoring mechanism to ensure quality of food on trains. ● Third Party Audit is done to examine hygiene and quality of food in Pantry Cars and Base Kitchens. Customer satisfaction survey is also conducted. ● Regular and surprise inspections by Railway/ IRCTC officials, including Food Safety Officers. ● Regular training is conducted by IRCTC to enhance the skills of catering staff, focusing on customer service areas i.e., communication, courteous behaviour, service standards, personal grooming, and hygiene. 11.03.2026 1062 IRCTC and Railway officials conduct surprise and periodic checks to ensure compliance with catering standards on trains. IRCTC has deployed supervisors and catering assistants for ongoing monitoring of onboard services and real-time resolution of passengers grievances. To enhance inspection coverage, IRCTC has engaged additional Hospitality Monitors for sectional oversight of catering services on mail express trains. In order to take passenger feedback, complaint management system over Indian Railways has been strengthened, simplified and made more accessible over the last few years through introduction of RailMadad Portal. With the launch of RailMadad Portal, Indian Railways provided passengers a single window system to register complaints and suggestions. In case any food related passenger complaint in trains is reported, prompt and appropriate punitive action is taken against the service providers for deficiency in service. EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT OF MINORITY COMMUNITIES 3195. DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED: Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) the details of initiatives and schemes undertaken for the educational advancement of minority communities across the country specifically in the State of Bihar along with the details of beneficiaries and expenditure 11.03.2026 1063 incurred during the last five years, scheme-wise; (b) whether the Government has identified major hurdles and challenges in the effective educational development of minorities and the implementation of minority education schemes particularly in Bihar including issues relating to access, infrastructure, teacher availability, digital divide, awareness and fund utilisation; and (c) the steps taken or proposed to be taken to overcome these hurdles and improve educational outcomes for minority students especially in Bihar and particularly in educationally backward districts? THE MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS; AND MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU): (a) to (c): It is the mandate of the Ministry of Education to oversee all aspects related to educational advancement including minority communities across the country. Ministry of Minority Affairs specifically implements the three Scholarship schemes namely Pre-Matric, Post-Matric and Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship for the six notified religious minority communities. However, these Scholarship schemes have not been approved for implementation beyond the academic year 2021-22. 11.03.2026 1064 दूरसंचार अवसंरचना का िवÖतार 3196. ®ी लालजी वमाªः ³या संचार मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िकः (क) वषª 2023-24, 2024-25 और 2025-26 के दौरान देश भर म¤ दूरसंचार अवसंरचना (मोबाइल टावर, 4जी/5जी नेटवकª ) के िवÖतार के िलए िकतनी धनरािश आवंिटत और Óयय कì गई; (ख) úामीण और दूर-दराज के ±ेýŌ सिहत ऐसे िकतने ±ेý ह§ जहां अभी भी नेटवकª कनेि³टिवटी का अभाव है अथवा कमजोर िसμनल कì समÖया का सामना करना पड़ रहा है; (ग) उĉ ±ेýŌ म¤ कनेि³टिवटी बढ़ाने के िलए सरकार Ĭारा ³या िवशेष कदम उठाए गए ह§; और (घ) सरकार Ĭारा उ°र ÿदेश के अÌबेडकर नगर िजले के úामीण ±ेýŌ म¤ संपकª बढ़ाने के िलए ³या िवशेष कदम उठाए जा रहे ह§? úामीण िवकास मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी; तथा संचार मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (डॉ. चंþ शेखर पेÌमासानी): (क): देश के úामीण एवं दूरÖथ के ±ेýŌ म¤ दूरसंचार सेवाओं के िवÖतार के िलए िविभÆन िडिजटल भारत योजनाओं के अंतगªत िव°ीय वषª 2023-24, 2024-25 तथा 2025-26 के दौरान िदनांक 28.02.2026 तक 39,050 करोड़ Łपये आवंिटत िकए गए ह§ तथा 24,188.49 करोड़ Łपये िवतåरत िकए गए ह§। (ख) से (घ): देश के ऐसे दूरÖथ एवं úामीण गाँवŌ तथा ĬीपŌ, जहाँ वतªमान म¤ कवरेज का अभाव है, वहाँ उ¸च ब§डिवड्थ ±मता वाली इंटरनेट/āॉडब§ड कनेि³टिवटी और मोबाइल सेवाएँ उपलÊध कराने के िलए िडिजटल भारत िनिध (डीबीएन) [पूवª म¤ यूिनवसªल सिवªस ऑिÊलगेशन फंड (यूएसओएफ)] से िव°पोषण के माÅयम से अनेक कदम और पåरयोजनाएँ ÿारंभ कì गई ह§। 11.03.2026 1065 ÿमुख पåरयोजनाओं का िववरण िनÌनिलिखत है: (i) भारतनेट पåरयोजना को चरणबĦ तरीके से देश के सभी úाम पंचायतŌ (जीपी) तथा गाँवŌ म¤ āॉडब§ड कनेि³टिवटी ÿदान करने के िलए लागू िकया जा रहा है।फरवरी 2026 तक देश म¤ 2,17,805 úाम पंचायतŌ को भारतनेट पåरयोजना के अंतगªत सेवा हेतु तैयार िकया जा चुका है। िजनम¤ उ°र ÿदेश के अंबेडकर नगर िजले कì 809 úाम पंचायत¤ भी शािमल ह§। इसके अितåरĉ, सरकार Ĭारा अनुमोिदत, संशोिधत भारतनेट कायªøम (एबीपी) के अंतगªत भारतनेट चरण-I एवं चरण-II के मौजूदा नेटवकª के उÆनयन, शेष úाम पंचायतŌ म¤ नेटवकª का िनमाªण तथा संबंिधत úाम पंचायतŌ से मांग के आधार पर शेष गैर-úाम पंचायत वाले गाँवŌ को कनेि³टिवटी ÿदान करने का कायª िकया जा रहा है। (ii) सरकार Ĭारा िव°पोिषत 4जी सैचुरेशन पåरयोजना तथा अÆय मोबाइल पåरयोजनाओं के अंतगªत फरवरी 2026 तक देश म¤ 24,263 मोबाइल टावरŌ को चालू िकया जा चुका है। (iii) चेÆनई और अंडमान एवं िनकोबार Ĭीपसमूह के बीच (2312 िकमी) तथा मु´यभूिम (कोि¸च) और ल±Ĭीप Ĭीपसमूह के बीच (1869 िकमी) लंबी सबमरीन ऑिÈटकल फाइबर केबल कì कमीशिनंग कì गई है। ल±Ĭीप Ĭीपसमूह म¤ 225 िकमी ऑिÈटकल फाइबर केबल नेटवकª का िनमाªण िकया गया है, िजससे एफटीटीएच (फाइबर टू द होम) तथा अÆय सेवाएँ ÿदान कì जा सक¤। इन ऑिÈटकल केबल पåरयोजनाओं से Ĭीप समूहŌ म¤ िफ³Öड लाइन āॉडब§ड/इंटरनेट सेवाओं, मोबाइल सेवाओं (4जी/5जी) तथा अÆय उ¸च-गित डेटा सेवाओं के तीĄ िवÖतार को सुगम बनाया गया है। 11.03.2026 1066 एबीएसएस के तहत महाराÕů को िनिध का आवंटन 3197. डॉ. िशवाजी बंडाÈपा कालगे: ®ी िनलेश ²ानदेव लंके: ³या रेल मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक: (क) देश म¤ िवशेषकर महाराÕů म¤ उन रेलवे ÖटेशनŌ का Êयौरा ³या है जहां अमृत भारत Öटेशन योजना (एबीएसएस) के अंतगªत पुनिवªकास कायª पूरा कर िलया गया है और उन ÖटेशनŌ कì सूची ³या है जहां वतªमान म¤ उĉ कायª ÿगित पर है; (ख) ÿÂयेक िनिवदा ÿदान करने कì तारीख सिहत उन ÖटेशनŌ का Êयौरा ³या है जहां सरकारी łप से िनिवदाएं जारी कर दी गई ह§ लेिकन अभी तक कायª शुł नहé हòआ है; (ग) उĉ योजना के कायाªÆवयन के िलए उपयोग िकए जा रहे िव°पोषण के िविभÆन साधनŌ का Êयौरा ³या है और उĉ ÿÂयेक साधन के अंतगªत िकतने ÖटेशनŌ का िव°पोषण िकया जा रहा है; (घ) उĉ योजना के ÿारंभ से लेकर अब तक महाराÕů म¤ केÆþीय िनिध के आवंटन, जारी और उपयोग कì गई कुल रािश का Êयौरा ³या है; और (ङ) उĉ योजना के अंतगªत उन रेलवे ÖटेशनŌ कì सूची ³या है िजनके िनमाªण कायª पूरा होने कì मूल ितिथ पहले ही समाĮ हो चुकì है; इसम¤ िवलंब के ³या कारण ह§ और उÆह¤ पूरा करने के िलए संबंिधत संशोिधत समय-सीमा ³या है? रेल मंýी; सूचना और ÿसारण मंýी; तथा इले³ůॉिनकì और सूचना ÿौīोिगकì मंýी (®ी अिÔवनी वैÕणव): (क) से (ङ): रेल मंýालय ने दीघªकािलक ŀिĶकोण के साथ ÖटेशनŌ के पुनिवªकास के िलए अमृत भारत Öटेशन योजना शुł कì है। 11.03.2026 1067 इस योजना म¤ ÖटेशनŌ म¤ सुधार लाने के िलए माÖटर योजना तैयार करना और उनका चरणबĦ कायाªÆवयन शािमल ह§। इस माÖटर योजना म¤ िनÌनानुसार शािमल ह§: • Öटेशन और पåरचलन ±ेýŌ तक पहòंच म¤ सुधार, • Öटेशन का शहर के दोनŌ भागŌ के साथ एकìकरण, • Öटेशन भवन म¤ सुधार, • ÿती±ालय, शौचालय, बैठने कì ÓयवÖथा, पेयजल बूथŌ म¤ सुधार, • याýी यातायात के अनुłप चौड़े पैदल पार पुल/एयर कॉनकोसª का ÿावधान • िलÉट/Öवचािलत सीिढ़यŌ/र§प का ÿावधान • Èलेटफॉमª कì सतह और Èलेटफॉमª पर कवर म¤ सुधार/ÿावधान • ‘एक Öटेशन एक उÂपाद’ जैसी योजनाओं के माÅयम से Öथानीय उÂपादŌ के िलए िकयोÖक का ÿावधान, • पािक«ग ±ेý, यातायात के िविभÆन साधनŌ के साथ एकìकरण, • िदÓयांगजनŌ के िलए सुिवधाएं, • बेहतर याýी सूचना ÿणाली • ÿÂयेक Öटेशन पर आवÔयकता को Åयान म¤ रखते हòए ए³जी³यूिटव लाउंज, Óयावसाियक बैठकŌ के िलए नािमत Öथान, ल§डÖकेिपंग आिद का ÿावधान इस योजना म¤ आवÔयकतानुसार, चरणबĦ और Óयवहायª łप से दीघªकािलक और पयाªवरण अनुकूल समाधान, िगĘी रिहत रेलपथ का ÿावधान आिद और दीघाªविध म¤ Öटेशन पर िसटी स¤टर के िनमाªण कì भी पåरकÐपना कì गई है। अब तक, अमृत भारत Öटेशन योजना के अंतगªत 1337 ÖटेशनŌ को िचिĹत िकया गया है। िजनम¤ से 132 Öटेशन महाराÕů म¤ िÖथत ह§। अमृत भारत Öटेशन योजना के अंतगªत महाराÕů राºय म¤ 11.03.2026 1068 िवकास के िलए िचिĹत िकए गए ÖटेशनŌ के नाम िनÌनानुसार है: राºय अमृत ÖटेशनŌ कì सं´या अमृत ÖटेशनŌ के नाम महाराÕů 132 अहमदनगर, अजनी (नागपुर), अ³कलकोट रोड़, अकोला, आकुडê, अमलनेर, आमगाँव, अमरावती, अंधेरी, बडनेरा, बÐहारशाह, बांþा टिमªनस, बारामती, बेलापुर, भंडारा रोड, भोकर, भुसावल, बोरीवली, भायखला, चालीसगाँव, चांदा फोटª, चंþपुर, चनê रोड, छýपित संभा जी नगर, छýपित िशवाजी महाराज टिमªनस, िचंचपोकली, िचंचवाड, दादर (मÅय रेल), दादर (पिIJम रेल), दिहसर, दŏड, देहò रोड, देवलाली, धामणगांव, धरणगांव, धारािशव, धमाªबाद, धुले, िदवा, दुधनी, गंगाखेर, गोधानी, गŌिदया, úांट रोड, हडपसर, हातकणंगले, हजूर सािहब नाÆदेड, िहमायत नगर, िहंगनघाट, िहंगोली द³कन, इगतपुरी, जलगाँव, जालना, जेऊर, जोगेĵरी, कÐयाण जं³शन, कामटी, कांिदवली, कंजुर मागª, कराड, काटोल, केडगाँव, िकनवट, कोपरगाँव, कुडुªवाडी जं³शन, कुलाª जं³शन, लासलगाँव, लातूर, लोकमाÆय ितलक टिमªनस, लोनंद जं³शन, लोनावाला, लोअर परेल, मलाड, मलकापुर, मनमाड जं, मानवत रोड, मरीन लाइÆस, माटुंगा, िमराज जं³शन, मुदखेड़ जं³शन, मुंबई स¤ůल, मुंāा, मुितªजापुर, नागरसोल, नागपुर जं, नंदगाँव, नांदुरा, नंदुरबार, नरखेड़ जं³शन, नािसक रोड, नेताजी सुभाष चंþ बोस इतवारी जं³शन, पाचोरा जं³शन, पालघर, पंढरपुर, पनवेल जं³शन, परभणी जं³शन, परेल, परली वैजनाथ, परतूर, फलटाण, ÿभादेवी, पुलगाँव जं³शन, पुणे जं³शन, पूणाª जं³शन, रावेर, रोटेगांव, साईंनगर िशडê, स§डहÖटª रोड, सांगली, सतारा, सावदा, सेलू, सेवाúाम, शहाड, शेगांव, िशवाजी नगर पुणे, ®ी छýपित शाहó महाराज टिमªनस कोÐहापुर, सोलापुर, तलेगांव, ठाकुलê, ठाणे, िटटवाला, तुमसर रोड, उमरी, उŁली, वडाला रोड, िवīािवहार, िवøोली, वडसा, वधाª, वािशम, वाठार अमृत भारत Öटेशन योजना के तहत महाराÕů राºय म¤ रेलवे ÖटेशनŌ पर िवकास कायª तेज गित से शुł िकए गए ह§। महाराÕů राºय म¤ अब तक 17 ÖटेशनŌ (आमगांव, बारामती, चांदा फोटª, िचंचपोकली, देवलाली, धुले, केडगांव, लासलगांव, लोनंद जं³शन, माटुंगा, मुितªजापुर जं³शन, नंदुरा, नेताजी सुभाष चंþ बोस इतवारी जं³शन, परेल, सावदा, शहाड और वडाला रोड) का कायª इस योजना के तहत पूरा हो चुका है। अÆय ÖटेशनŌ पर भी कायª तेज गित से शुł िकए गए ह§ और उपरोĉ म¤ से कुछ ÖटेशनŌ कì ÿगित िनÌनानुसार है: 11.03.2026 1069  िदवा Öटेशन: Öटेशन भवन, पåरचलन ±ेý और पूवê िदशा म¤ पािक«ग का सुधार, नया ÿवेश Ĭार, Èलेटफामª नंबर 5/6 और 7/8 का Èलेटफामª उठाना और फशª बनाना, Èलेटफामª नंबर 7/8 पर Èलेटफामª शेÐटर, नया शौचालय Êलॉक, पिIJमी िदशा म¤ सीवेज ůीटम¤ट Èलांट, कÐयाण छोर और मुंबई छोर पर उपåर पैदल पुल का सुधार और उपåर पैदल पुल के िलए नई सीढ़ी के िनमाªण कायª पूरे कर िलए गए ह§। नए 6 मीटर उपåर पैदल पुल के िनमाªण कायª शुł कर िदए गए ह§।  मुंāा Öटेशन: Èलेटफॉमª कì सतह, बैठने कì ÓयवÖथा, नया शौचालय Êलॉक, बुिकंग कायाªलय का सुधार, पåरचलन ±ेý, सीवेज ůीटम¤ट Èलांट और उपåर पैदल पुल कì सतह के सुधार के कायª पूरे हो चुके ह§। एÖकेलेटर का कायª शुł कर िदया गया है।  िटटवाला Öटेशन: Öटेशन भवन, ÿवेश Ĭार, Èलेटफामª कì सतह, िटकट बुिकंग कायाªलय का सुधार, शौचालय Êलॉक, सीवेज ůीटम¤ट Èलांट और पूवê एवं पिIJमी िहÖसे पर दुपिहया पािक«ग और पहòँच मागª के सुधार का कायª पूरा हो चुका है। नया 6 मीटर उपåर पैदल पुल का कायª शुł कर िदया गया है।  िवøोली Öटेशन: Öटेशन भवन के पिIJमी िहÖसे म¤ सुधार के कायª, Èलेटफामª का सतहीकरण, Èलेटफामª शेÐटर, मुंबई छोर पर नया टॉयलेट Êलॉक, कÐयाण छोर पर टॉयलेट Êलॉक म¤ सुधार और उपåर पैदल पुल के कायª पूरे कर िलए गए ह§। नए बुिकंग कायाªलय, पूवª और पिIJम िहÖसे म¤ पåरचलन ±ेý और पूवê िहÖसे म¤ पािक«ग के िनमाªण कायª शुł िकए गए ह§।  इगतपुरी Öटेशन: नए Öटेशन भवन का संरचनाÂमक कायª, मौजूदा Öटेशन भवन का सुधार कायª, ÿवेश Ĭार, िटकट कायाªलय, शौचालय Êलॉक, Èलेटफामª का सतहीकरण, उपåर पैदल पुल कì सीिढ़यŌ पर Èलेटफामª शेÐटर और एÖकेलेटर, पåरचलन ±ेý शेÐटर और सीवेज ůीटम¤ट Èलांट का कायª पूरे हो गए ह§। नए Öटेशन भवन का िफिनिशंग कायª शुł िकया गया है। 11.03.2026 1070 इसके अलावा, भारतीय रेल म¤ ÖटेशनŌ का िवकास/पुनिवªकास/उÆनयन/आधुिनकìकरण िनरÆतर और सतत ÿिøया है और इस संबंध म¤ कायŎ को पारÖपåरक ÿाथिमकता और िनिधयŌ कì उपलÊधता के अÅयधीन, आवÔयकतानुसार िकया जाता है। ÖटेशनŌ के िवकास/पुनिवªकास/ उÆनयन/आधुिनकìकरण के कायª Öटेशन कì कोिट/िÖथित/संभाले जाने वाला यातायात आिद के आधार पर शुł िकए जाते ह§। िनिवदाओं का आबंटन साइट सिøयता, संरचनाओं, सुिवधाओं आिद का पुनÖथाªपन और उनके संबंिधत ÖवीकृितयŌ जैसे ÿारंिभक कायŎ कì योजना के बाद िकया जाता है। भारतीय रेल के पास पåरयोजनाओं के िøयाÆवयन कì िनगरानी के िलए एक सुÖथािपत तंý है, िजसम¤ उनकì समी±ा, िनरी±ण, कायŎ कì गुणव°ा जांच और लेखापरी±ा शािमल ह§। कायª िविभÆन संिहताओं और िनयमाविलयŌ म¤ िनधाªåरत मानकŌ और िविनद¥शŌ का पालन करते हòए िकए जाते ह§। समय-समय पर िविभÆन एज¤िसयŌ/अिधकाåरयŌ/बहò-िवषयक टीमŌ Ĭारा िनधाªåरत अनुदेशŌ के अनुसार िनरी±ण/लेखापरी±ा/जांच कì जाती है और तÂकाल सुधाराÂमक कारªवाई कì जाती है। यह एक सतत और िनरंतर ÿिøया है। रेलवे ÖटेशनŌ का िवकास/उÆनयन जिटल ÿकृित का होता है िजसम¤ यािýयŌ और रेलगािड़यŌ कì संर±ा शािमल होती है और इसके िलए फायर ³लीयर¤स, धरोहर, पेड़Ō कì कटाई, िवमानप°न ³लीयर¤स इÂयािद जैसी िविभÆन सांिविधक ÖवीकृितयŌ कì आवÔयकता होती है। इनकì ÿगित जनोपयोगी सेवाओं को Öथानांतåरत करने (िजनम¤ जल/सीवेज लाइन, ऑिÈटकल फाइबर केबल, गैस पाइप लाइन, पावर/िसगनल केबल इÂयािद शािमल ह§), अितलंघन, याýी संचलन को बािधत िकए िबना रेलगािड़यŌ का पåरचालन, उ¸च वोÐटेज िबजली लाइनŌ के िनकट सािÆनÅय म¤ िकए जाने वाले कायŎ के कारण गित ÿितबंध आिद के कारण भी ÿभािवत होती है और ये कारक कायª के समापन समय को ÿभािवत करते ह§। 11.03.2026 1071 अमृत भारत Öटेशन योजना के अंतगªत शािमल ÖटेशनŌ का िवकास/उÆनयन/आधुिनकìकरण को सामाÆयत: योजना शीषª-53 ‘úाहक सुिवधाएं’ के अंतगªत िव°पोिषत िकया जाता है। योजना शीषª-53 ‘úाहक सुिवधाएं’ के अंतगªत ÖटेशनŌ के िवकास एवं अनुर±ण हेतु िनिधयŌ के आबंटन का Êयौरा कायª-वार या Öटेशन-वार या राºय-वार नहé बिÐक ±ेýीय रेल-वार रखा जाता है। महाराÕů चार रेलवे ±ेýŌ अथाªत् मÅय रेलवे, दि±ण मÅय रेलवे, दि±ण पूवª मÅय रेलवे और पिIJम रेलवे के अिधकार ±ेý म¤ आता है। इन ±ेýŌ के िलए िव° वषª 2025-26 के िलए ₹3,834 करोड़ का आवंटन िकया गया है, िजसम¤ से अब तक (जनवरी, 2026 तक) ₹3,461 करोड़ का Óयय उपगत िकया गया है। राÕůीय युवा संसद योजना 2.0 3198. ®ी आशीष दुबे: ³या संसदीय कायª मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िकः (क) राÕůीय युवा संसद योजना 2.0 के ÿारंभ होने के बाद से भागीदारी कì मोड-वार िÖथित ³या है और इस पोटªल के माÅयम से िकतने नागåरक इसम¤ भाग ले रहे ह§; (ख) úामीण ±ेýŌ, छोटे संÖथानŌ और िविभÆन सामािजक समूहŌ म¤ इस योजना कì समावेिशता, पहòंच और जागłकता सुिनिIJत करने के िलए ³या कदम उठाए गए ह§; (ग) ³या सरकार पाठ्यचयाª समेकन, ±मता िनमाªण अथवा िडिजटल नवाचारŌ के माÅयम से इस योजना को और सुŀढ़ करने पर िवचार कर रही है; और (घ) यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है? िविध और Æयाय मंýालय के राºय मंýी; तथा संसदीय कायª मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (®ी अजुªन राम मेघवाल): (क) और (ख) : युवा संसद कायªøम का िवÖतार करने तथा दूर-दराज और úामीण इलाकŌ सिहत 11.03.2026 1072 िवīािथªयŌ कì Óयापक भागीदारी सुिनिIJत करने के िलए, मंýालय ने राÕůीय युवा संसद योजना (एनवाईपीएस) वेब पोटªल के एक उÆनत संÖकरण कì शुłआत कì है िजसे एनवाईपीएस 2.0 के नाम से जाना जाता है। केवल माÆयता ÿाĮ संÖथानŌ के िवīािथªयŌ तक सीिमत िपछले संÖकरण के िवपरीत, एनवाईपीएस 2.0 देश भर के सभी शै±िणक संÖथानŌ, समूहŌ और सभी नागåरकŌ के िलए उपलÊध है। यह जाित, िलंग, पंथ, धमª, नÖल, ±ेý, देश म¤ िकसी Öथान, úामीण इलाकŌ, छोटे संÖथानŌ इÂयािद कì परवाह िकए िबना ÿितभािगता हेतु उपलÊध है। युवा संसद सýŌ कì भागीदारी और संचालन का िववरण िनÌन ÿकार है:- 01.12.2025 1073 ø.सं. वषª संÖथा Ĭारा भागीदारी समूह Ĭारा भागीदारी Óयिĉगत भागीदारी ÿितभागी नागåरकŌ/ िवīािथªयŌ कì कुल सं´या (क+ख+ग) पंजीकरणŌ कì सं´या आयोिजत कायªøमŌ कì सं´या (यु.सं.स. कì सं´या*) ÿितभागी िवīािथªयŌ कì सं´या (क) पंजीकरणŌ कì सं´या आयोिजत कायªøमŌ कì सं´या (यु.सं.सýŌ कì सं´या) ÿितभागी नागåरकŌ/ िवīािथªयŌ कì सं´या (ख) ÿितभागी नागåरकŌ/ िवīािथªयŌ कì सं´या (ग) 1 11.09.2024 को शुłआत से 08.03.2026 तक 4586 1564 53048 640 22 905 44222 98175 *यु.सं.स. – युवा संसद सý 11.03.2026 1074 एनवाईपीएस 2.0 के संबंध म¤ समावेिशता और जागłकता लाने हेतु, मंýालय ने सभी राºय सरकारŌ, संघ राºय ±ेýŌ के ÿशासनŌ; राºयŌ/संघ राºय ±ेýŌ कì िवधानसभाओं; िविभÆन िश±ा बोडŎ (सीबीएसई, सीआईएससीई) को िलखा है और साथ ही संसद टीवी पर समय-समय पर एक ÿचार वीिडयो भी ÿसाåरत िकया जाता है। (ग) और (घ) : वतªमान म¤, मंýालय म¤ ऐसा कोई ÿÖताव िवचाराधीन नहé है। सावªजिनक इंटरनेट ए³सेस कायªøम 3199. ®ी हरीश चंþ मीनाः ³या इले³ůॉिनकì और सूचना ÿौīोिगकì मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िकः (क) िडिजटल इंिडया के अंतगªत पिÊलक इंटरनेट ए³सेस ÿोúाम (पीआईएपी) और भारत नेट पåरयोजना के अंतगªत टŌक-सवाई माधोपुर लोक सभा िनवाªचन ±ेý के ÿÂयेक Êलॉक, úाम पंचायत और भारत नेट से जुड़े कॉमन सिवªस स¤टर (सीएससी) म¤ वतªमान म¤ सिøय इंटरनेट कने³शन कì सं´या का Êयौरा ³या ह§ और उनकì अपलोड-डाउनलोड गित िकतनी है और तकनीकì खािमयŌ या नेटवकª संबंधी समÖयाओं के कारण िकतने केÆþ िनिÕøय पड़े ह§; और (ख) िवगत तीन वषŎ के दौरान टŌक और सवाई माधोपुर िजलŌ म¤ भारतनेट के माÅयम से िकतने नागåरकŌ ने ई-गवन¥स सेवाओं (जैसे आयुÕमान भारत, पीएम िकसान, जाित/अिधवास ÿमाण पý, प¤शन, राशन, छाýवृि° आिद) का लाभ उठाया है और इसके िलए कुल िकतने लेन-देन िकए गए ह§? वािणºय और उīोग मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी; तथा इले³ůॉिनकì और सूचना ÿौīोिगकì मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (®ी िजितन ÿसाद): (क) और (ख): टŌक और सवाई माधोपुर िजलŌ म¤, भारतनेट पåरयोजना के अंतगªत āॉडब§ड सेवाएं 11.03.2026 1075 वतªमान म¤ úाम पंचायत Öतर (जीपी) पर उपलÊध ह§। 21.11.2025 तक, दूरसंचार िवभाग (डीओटी) Ĭारा भारतनेट पåरयोजना के अंतगªत राजÖथान के टŌक म¤ 230 úाम पंचायतŌ और सवाई माधोपुर िजलŌ म¤ 200 úाम पंचायतŌ को सेवा हेतु तैयार िकया गया है। टŌक और सवाई माधोपुर लोकसभा ±ेý म¤ इंटरनेट कने³शनŌ कì सं´या और अपलोड/डाउनलोड Öपीड इस ÿकार है: ø.सं. िनवाªचन ±ेý Êलॉक एबीपी सिहत एक Êलॉक म¤ कुल úाम पंचायत एक Êलॉक म¤ इंटरनेट कने³शनŌ कì कुल सं´या एक Êलॉक म¤ कुल सिøय इंटरनेट कने³शन अपलोड- डाउनलोड गित तकनीकì खराबी के कारण िनिÕøय पड़े क¤þ / एक Êलॉक म¤ नेटवकª समÖया 1 सवाई माधोपुर बामनवास 36 35 20 4 एमबीपीएस 15 2 गंगापुर 38 35 28 7 3 खंडर 38 33 22 11 4 सवाई माधोपुर 49 49 28 21 5 टŌक देवली 39 39 35 4 6 मालपुरा 36 36 31 5 7 नेवाई 41 41 39 2 8 टŌक 50 50 39 11 9 उिनयारा 33 33 22 11 कुल 360 351 264 87 कॉमन सिवªसेज स¤टर (सीएससी) पåरयोजना िडिजटल इंिडया पहल के तीसरे Öतंभ (पिÊलक इंटरनेट ए³सेस ÿोúाम) के अंतगªत भारत सरकार कì एक पहल है। इसका उĥेÔय सीएससी नेटवकª को úाम पंचायतŌ तक िवÖताåरत करना और नागåरकŌ को ई-सेवाओं तक पहòंच ÿदान करना है। सीएससी कì Öथापना और संचालन/संचालन úाम Öतरीय उīमी (वीएलई) Ĭारा एक Öव-िटकाऊ मॉडल पर िकया जाता है, जो 800 से अिधक नागåरक सेवाएं ÿदान करता है। सेवाओं कì सूची 11.03.2026 1076 https://csc.gov.in/ पर उपलÊध है । 31 जनवरी 2026 तक, टŌक और सवाई माधोपुर िजलŌ सिहत देश भर म¤ सीएससी कì राºय/िजलावार सं´या https://csc.gov.in/ वेबसाइट पर उपलÊध है । टŌक और सवाई माधोपुर म¤ ई-गवन¦स सेवाएं ÿदान करने के िलए िपछले 3 वषŎ म¤ सीएससी के माÅयम से िकए गए लेनदेन कì कुल सं´या इस ÿकार है: लाख म¤ िजला वषª 2023 वषª 2024 वषª 2025 वषª 2026 से अब तक टŌक 6.96 6.92 5.98 4.53 सवाई माधोपुर 4.99 5.19 4.67 3.82 PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM MODERNIZATION AND FOOD SECURITY ENHANCEMENT IN PEDDAPALLI DISTRICT 3200. SHRI VAMSI KRISHNA GADDAM: Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state: (a) the specific allocation of foodgrains under the National Food Security Act for Peddapalli Lok Sabha Constituency during the last five years, year- wise, particularly focusing on coverage of coal mining workers and their families under the Priority Household category; (b) the implementation status of One Nation One Ration Card system in Peddapalli Lok Sabha Constituency to ensure portability of food security benefits for migrant workers employed in coal mining and thermal power 11.03.2026 1077 industries; (c) the establishment of additional fair price shops in remote coal mining areas of Peddapalli Lok Sabha Constituency where existing PDS infrastructure is inadequate to serve the growing industrial workforce population; (d) the specific provisions made for ensuring food quality testing and monitoring mechanisms in PDS outlets serving industrial areas prone to dust pollution and environmental contamination; and (e) the digital transformation progress of fair price shops in Peddapalli Lok Sabha Constituency through electronic Point of Sale devices and automation to prevent leakages and ensure transparent distribution? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA): (a): As informed by the State Government of Telangana, allocation of foodgrains for Peddapalli in last five year for Priority household (PHH) category are as follow: Year PHH Allocation in MTs 2021 1519.266 2022 1484.688 2023 1473.192 2024 1470.504 2025 1678.134 (b): The One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) system has been 11.03.2026 1078 implemented in the State of Telangana since 2019 covering all 33 districts, including Peddapalli, to enable portability of food security benefits for all beneficiaries. The facility is enabled in the State covering almost 100% beneficiaries under PMGKAY/NFSA, including migrant workers employed in various sectors such as coal mining and thermal power industries. (c): As per the Government of Telangana, 410 Fair Price Shops (FPSs) are presently functioning in Peddapalli district for distribution of foodgrains under the Public Distribution System (PDS). The establishment and rationalization of FPSs is the responsibility of the concerned State/UT Government. (d): The Department has formulated and issued a Quality Control Manual to uniformly maintain the quality standards of foodgrains from procurement to its distribution to the eligible beneficiaries. Further, National Food security Act 2013 provides that every State Governments shall put in place an internal grievance redressal mechanism which may include call centres, help lines, designation of nodal officers, other mechanism for effective redressal of grievances of the aggrieved persons in matters relating to distribution of entitled foodgrains. (e): As per the Government of Telangana, PDS transactions, including allocation and distribution of foodgrains in all districts, are carried out through electronic Point of Sale (e-PoS) devices at FPSs. These devices enable Aadhaar-based biometric authentication of beneficiaries and real-time recording of transactions, thereby helping to prevent leakages and ensuring transparency in distribution. 11.03.2026 1079 मÅय ÿदेश म¤ पीडीएस 3201. ®ीमती संÅया राय: ³या उपभोĉा मामले, खाī और सावªजिनक िवतरण मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक: (क) िवगत पांच वषŎ के दौरान मÅय ÿदेश के िभÁड-दितया संसदीय िनवाªचन ±ेý म¤ सावªजिनक िवतरण ÿणाली (पीडीएस) के अंतगªत पंजीकुत लाभािथªयŌ कì úाम/पंचायत और िवधान सभा िनवाªचन ±ेý-वार कुल सं´या िकतनी है; (ख) इन पांच वषŎ म¤ से ÿÂयेक वषª के दौरान इस िनवाªचन ±ेý म¤ खाīाÆन राजसहायता और िवतरण पर कुल िकतनी धनरािश खचª कì गई; (ग) इन लाभािथªयŌ को िकतनी माýा म¤ खाīाÆन (गेहóं/चावल) िवतåरत िकया गया; (घ) ³या सरकार के पास यह सुिनिIJत करने के िलए कोई तंý मौजूद है िक डुÈलीकेट/जाली राशन काडŎ को समाĮ करके केवल पाý लाभािथªयŌ को ही लाभ ÿाĮ हो; और (ड.) यिद हां, तो इसके पåरणाम और समय-सीमा का Êयौरा ³या है? उपभोĉा मामले, खाī और सावªजिनक िवतरण मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (®ीमती िनमुबेन जयंतीभाई बांभिणया): (क): मÅय ÿदेश के िभंड-दितया संसदीय िनवाªचन ±ेý म¤ सावªजिनक िवतरण ÿणाली (पीडीएस) के तहत पंजीकृत लाभािथªयŌ कì कुल सं´या दशाªने वाला Êयौरा िववरण-I म¤ िदया गया है। (ख) : खाī और सावªजिनक िवतरण िवभाग उन राºयŌ Ĭारा िकए गए Óयय कì ÿितपूितª करता है, िजÆहŌने भारत सरकार Ĭारा िकए गए आवंटन के अनुसार क¤þीय योजनाओं के लाभािथªयŌ को खाīाÆन िवतरण के िलए िवकेÆþीकृत खरीद (डीसीपी) पĦित (मÅय ÿदेश सिहत) का िवकÐप चुना है। राºय को सÌपूणª łप से िनिध जारी कì जाती है, िजलेवार नहé। आिथªक लागत और क¤þीय िनगªम मूÐय (सीआईपी) िजस पर राºयŌ को खाīाÆन जारी िकए जाते ह§, के बीच का अंतर, भारतीय खाī िनगम (एफसीआई) और डीसीपी राºयŌ को खाī सिÊसडी के łप म¤ ÿितपूितª िकया जाता है। डीसीपी राºयŌ और एफसीआई को जारी कì जाने वाली खाī सिÊसडी िव° 11.03.2026 1080 मंýालय Ĭारा िकए गए बजटीय आवंटन के अनुसार कì जाती है। िव° मंýालय Ĭारा राºयवार िनिध आबंिटत नहé कì जाती है। इसके अितåरĉ, भारतीय खाī िनगम (एफसीआई) Ĭारा क¤þीय पूल के िलए राºयŌ Ĭारा सुपुदª कì गई खाīाÆन कì माýा के संबंध म¤ भी राºयŌ को िनिध जारी कì जाती है। दो खाī सिÊसडी योजनाओं (एफसीआई को खाī सिÊसडी और डीसीपी राºयŌ को खाī सिÊसडी) को ÿधानमंýी गरीब कÐयाण अÆना योजना (पीएमजीकेएवाई) के łप म¤ शािमल िकया गया है। िव° वषª 2020-21 से आज तक खाī सिÊसडी के łप म¤ मÅय ÿदेश सरकार को जारी कì गई िनिध का Êयौरा िनÌनानुसार हैः ø. सं. िव°ीय वषª जारी कì गई रािश (करोड़ Łपए म¤) 1. 2020-21 11946.44 2. 2021-22 14420.62 3. 2022-23 9471.50 4. 2023-24 16939.27 5. 2024-25 10189.04 6. 2025-26 (िदनांक 05.03.2026 तक कì िÖथित के अनुसार) 9014.01 (ग): मÅय ÿदेश के िभंड-दितया संसदीय िनवाªचन ±ेý म¤ सावªजिनक िवतरण ÿणाली (पीडीएस) के तहत पंजीकृत लाभािथªयŌ को िवतåरत खाīाÆन (गेहóं/चावल) कì माýा दशाªने वाला Êयौरा िववरण- II म¤ है। (घ) और (ङ) : लि±त सावªजिनक िवतरण ÿणाली (टीपीडीएस) के ÿचालन म¤ ÿौīोिगकì के उपयोग अथाªत राशन काडª/लाभाथê डेटाबेस का िडिजटलीकरण, आधार सीिडंग, डी-डुÈलीकेशन ÿिøया, डुÈलीकेट काडŎ कì पहचान, अपाý åरकॉडª, मृÂयु, लाभािथªयŌ का Öथायी ÿवास आिद के पåरणामÖवłप, सभी राºय/संघ राºय ±ेý वषª 2021 से 2025 के बीच लगभग 2.25 करोड़ राशन काडŎ को रĥ करने म¤ स±म हòए ह§ तािक यथोिचत लàय ÿाĮ िकया जा सके। इस ÿिøया के तहत लगभग 8.51 करोड़ लाभािथªयŌ (वषª 2024 से 2025 तक) को िचिĹत िकया गया और इन िचिĹत लाभािथªयŌ कì सूची संबंिधत राºयŌ/संघ राºय ±ेýŌ के साथ साझा कì 11.03.2026 1081 गई तािक वे जमीनी Öतर पर सÂयापन कर सक¤ और इन मामलŌ म¤ आवÔयकतानुसार उिचत कारªवाई कर सक¤। अब तक, संबंिधत राºयŌ/संघ राºय ±ेýŌ ने उपरोĉ िचिĹत लाभािथªयŌ म¤ से 2.21 करोड़ लाभािथªयŌ को सूची से हटा िदया है, िजससे ÿती±ा सूची म¤ शािमल पाý लाभािथªयŌ के िलए जगह बन गई है। इसके अलावा, लगभग 99.8% अथाªत देश म¤ कुल 5.51 लाख उिचत दर दुकानŌ (एफपीएस) म¤ से 5.50 लाख म¤ सिÊसडीयुĉ खाīाÆन के पारदशê िवतरण के िलए इले³ůॉिनक Èवाइंट ऑफ सेल (ईपीओएस) उपकरण चालू ह§। िववरण-I मÅय ÿदेश के िभंड-दितया संसदीय िनवाªचन ±ेý म¤ सावªजिनक िवतरण ÿणाली (पीडीएस) के तहत पंजीकृत लाभािथªयŌ कì कुल सं´या दशाªने वाला Êयौरा वषª िजला लाभाथê सं´या 2023 िभंड 9,36,289 दितया 5,17,834 2024 िभंड 10,12,334 दितया 5,69,024 2025 िभंड 9,23,311 दितया 5,57,220 2026 िभंड 9,28,731 दितया 5,64,094 िववरण-II मÅय ÿदेश के िभंड-दितया संसदीय िनवाªचन ±ेý म¤ सावªजिनक िवतरण ÿणाली (पीडीएस) के तहत पंजीकृत लाभािथªयŌ को िवतåरत खाīाÆन (गेहóं/चावल) कì माýा दशाªने वाला Êयौरा वषª िजला िवतरण (टन) 2023 िभंड 56,601.65 दितया 31,055.73 2024 िभंड 55,408.32 दितया 31,497.24 2025 िभंड 52,452.16 दितया 31,164.83 2026 िभंड 8,446.65 दितया 5,224.65 11.03.2026 1082 Öपीड पोÖट क¤þ 3202. ®ी अजय कुमार मंडल: ³या संचार मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक : (क) देश भर म¤ िवशेषकर िबहार म¤ वतªमान म¤ राºय/संघ राºय±ेý-वार िकतने Öपीड पोÖट केÆþ चल रहे ह§; (ख) ³या सरकार ऐसे और नए केÆþ Öथािपत करने पर िवचार कर रही है; (ग) यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी राºय-वार Êयौरा ³या है; और (घ) यिद नहé, तो इसके ³या कारण ह§? úामीण िवकास मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी; तथा संचार मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (डॉ. चंþ शेखर पेÌमासानी): (क): वतªमान म¤, 50 राÕůीय छंटाई हब (एनएसएच) और 211 अंतरा सकªल हब (आईसीएच) ह§, जो देशभर म¤ Öपीड पोÖट वÖतुओं को ÿोसेस करते ह§। िबहार म¤ 1 एनएसएच और 10 आईसीएच Öथािपत ह§। राºय/संघ राºय ±ेý-वार Êयौरा िववरण म¤ ÿदान िकया गया है। (ख) : िफलहाल ऐसे और नए क¤þ Öथािपत िकए जाने का कोई ÿÖताव नहé है। (ग) : उपयुªĉ (ख) को Åयान म¤ रखते हòए ÿij नहé उठता। (घ) : देशभर म¤ एनएसएच और आईसीएच नेटवकª कì Öथापना ÿचालनगत आवÔयकताओं को Åयान म¤ रखते हòए कì गई है, िजनकì समी±ा समय-समय पर कì जाती है। िफलहाल ऐसी कोई आवÔयकता नहé है। िववरण राÕůीय छंटाई हब (एनएसएच) और अंतरा सकªल हब (आईसीएच) कì सं´या (राºय/संघ राºय ±ेý-वार) ø.सं. एनएसएच आईसीएच क राºय 1 आंň ÿदेश 3 10 11.03.2026 1083 2 अŁणाचल ÿदेश 0 1 3 असम 1 6 4 िबहार 1 10 5 छÂतीसगढ़ 1 5 6 गोवा 0 1 7 गुजरात 3 14 8 हåरयाणा 3 5 9 िहमाचल ÿदेश 1 3 10 झारखंड 1 5 11 कनाªटक 3 13 12 केरल 2 11 13 मÅय ÿदेश 2 12 14 महाराÕů 5 19 15 मिणपुर 0 1 16 मेघालय 0 1 17 िमजोरम 0 1 18 नागाल§ड 0 1 19 ओिडशा 1 12 20 पंजाब 2 5 21 राजÖथान 2 8 22 िसि³कम 0 0 23 तिमलनाडु 3 17 24 तेलंगाना 1 7 25 िýपुरा 0 1 26 उÂतर ÿदेश 6 22 27 उÂतराखंड 1 6 28 पिIJम बंगाल 3* 12 ख संघ राºय-±ेý 1 अंडमान एवं िनकोबार Ĭीपसमूह 0 1 2 चंडीगढ़ 1 0 3 िदÐली 2* 0 4 दादरा एवं नगर हवेली तथा दमन एवं दीव 0 0 5 जÌमू और कÔमीर 2 0 6 ल±Ĭीप 0 0 7 लĥाख 0 1 8 पुदु¸चेरी 0 0 कुल 50 211 11.03.2026 1084 * इसम¤ िदÐली और पिIJम बंगाल म¤ सेना डाक सेवा के िलए Öथािपत एक-एक राÕůीय छंटाई हब शािमल है। GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPANTS IN EXHIBITIONS 3203. SHRI SACHITHANANTHAM R.: Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state; (a) whether any guidelines were laid down for exhibitors for representation, product origin and claims about technology showcased at the event and if so, the details thereof; (b) the details of criteria laid down for participants; (c) whether the Ministry verified claims of innovation by participating institutions before their display at the summit and if so, the details of the verification process; (d) the details of basis on which some private university was selected for the AI Summit; and (e) the manner in which the Government attempt to popularise a fake claim by the University as India's achievement which undermines country's credibility in research and development and education sectors? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN): (a) to (e): In line with Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision, the 11.03.2026 1085 Government is democratising the development and usage of technology. The focus is using Artificial Intelligence (AI) for solving real-world problems and ultimately improving lives across various sectors. Recognising its importance, the Government of India is working closely with international partners, industry, academia and States to promote responsible and inclusive use of AI. India hosted the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 from 16–21 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. For the first time, the Global AI Summit took place in the Global South. The shift signals a broader move toward a more inclusive global AI dialogue. The Summit concluded as a historic global convergence, firmly establishing India as a global hub for artificial intelligence innovation, governance, partnership, and inclusive growth. The five-day mega-event, the largest of its kind hosted by any developing nation, brought together leaders from governments, industry, academia, civil society, and startups under the theme “SarvajanHitaya, SarvajanSukhaya” (Welfare for all, Happiness of all). The India AI Impact Expo was conducted as a side event of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, aligned with the theme of showcasing India’s power of AI for Global Good. Participation was invited through Expression of Interest (EOI) from various AI ecosystem partners, viz. Corporates, Startups, Country Representations, Central Govt. (Min and Depts), State Govt., Public Sector Undertakings, Academia / Research Institutions, and NGOs. The exhibition space was allotted on a First-Come-First-Serve basis, subject to availability of space and within the approved layout framework of the Expo. 11.03.2026 1086 The responsibility regarding the nature of exhibits, representations made, and compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements rested with the respective exhibitors in the India AI Impact Expo. The Government did not attempt to popularize a fake claim by the exhibitor. The Government took prompt action against the concerned exhibitor. EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS FOR FLOODS AND CYCLONES 3204. SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY: Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state: (a) whether the district-level early warning systems for floods and cyclones have been established in all vulnerable districts of the country; (b) if so, the details thereof and the number of districts currently equipped with automated siren and alert infrastructure; (c) whether any deficiencies were observed in recent events especially in the vulnerable Himalayan States and the States of Punjab, West Bengal and Bihar and if so, the details thereof; (d) whether it is a fact that India still lacks adequate end-to-end connectivity at the local levels to warn residents about upcoming floods and cyclones; and (e) if so, the measures proposed to strengthen local capacity for dissemination and public response to early warnings including budget allocation for the said purpose? 11.03.2026 1087 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) to (c): Yes. Currently, India Meteorological Department (IMD) prepares and updates district-wise early warnings for heavy rainfall and cyclone- related events four times a day, with forecasts valid for up to seven days. IMD generates real-time weather-related warnings and graphical products to support timely weather monitoring and dissemination of information. These warnings cover all vulnerable districts to ensure the timely dissemination of information for preparedness and mitigation. Further, these warnings are shared using multiple channels, e.g., Common Alerting Protocol (CAP), mobile Apps, websites, WhatsApp, Social media, etc. However, the warning communications with automated siren and alert infrastructure are the responsibilities of State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMA) and State Emergency Operation Centres (SEOCs). IMD supports the Central Water Commission by providing observed and forecasted rainfall data. Central Water Commission (CWC) is the nodal Organisation entrusted with the task of flood forecasting and early flood warnings in the country. Presently, CWC issues flood forecasts at 350 forecasting stations (150 Inflow 11.03.2026 1088 Forecast Stations on major dams/barrages and 200 Level Forecast Stations on major rivers. The network has been established in consultation with the State Governments and UTs. In order to provide more lead time to the local authorities to plan evacuation of people and take other remedial measures, CWC has developed a basin-wise flood forecasting model based on rainfall- runoff mathematical modelling for 7 days advance advisory at its forecasting stations in addition to short-range forecast having a response time up to 24 hours. CWC flood forecasting services are also integrated with an integrated alert dissemination platform, Common Alert Protocol (CAP), issued to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) of the respective States/UTs. In view of the severity of the flood situation in flood-prone regions, Government has launched/inaugurated a web-based C-Flood platform. It provides two days advance inundation forecasts up to village level in the form of inundation maps and water level predictions. The salient features of C-flood web-based platform are:  C-Flood integrates flood inundation output information derived from advanced 2D hydrodynamic modelling with extent and depth information.  It has been designed to serve as a unified inundation information system integrating flood modelling outputs from national and regional agencies for all river basins as per their respective action plans. It covers inundation forecasts for the Godavari, Tapi, and Mahanadi River Basins in the initial phase. 11.03.2026 1089  The web-portal supports three languages, namely, Hindi, English and Odia in the initial phase.  It includes an inundation forecast for the next two days. It shows inundation information up to the village level.  It indicates three categories of Flood Alerts based on the inundation depth: Yellow Alert indicates inundation below 0.5m, an Orange Alert corresponds to depths below 1.5m, and a RedAlert signifies inundation exceeding 1.5m.  To improve and access the forecast accuracy, satellite-based datasets and ground-based hydrological observations are utilized. A “Flood Watch India” Mobile App has been developed by the CWC, which was launched on 17th August 2023. It presently provides information about flood forecasting at 200 stations, flood monitoring for the present flood situation at an additional 500 stations, and the reservoir storage position of 150 major reservoirs in the country. The App is helpful to both the disaster management authorities at Central, State, District, and local levels as well as the general public by giving flood-related alerts in time for taking preventive measures. For the States of Punjab, West Bengal, and Bihar, there is no major deficiency as such with respect to generating and updating color-coded district-wise heavy rainfall warnings, and also for providing time-to-time 11.03.2026 1090 rainfall data and Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF) to CWC for updating flood warnings relevant to catchment areas. (d) and (e): No. There is no lack of end-to-end connectivity at the local levels to warn residents. For cyclone warnings dissemination, IMD utilises all available means of communication to reach out to disaster managers, media, and the general public. The warnings are issued through IMD National and State-level websites and a dedicated website for tropical cyclones, shared via CAP, SMS alerts to registered users, social media, including Facebook, X, WhatsApp groups, and mobile apps. It is also complemented by regular Press releases and media briefings, both at the National and State levels. Warnings for fishermen are regularly broadcast through All India Radio. In addition, warnings for fishermen are also sent by SMS through the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) network, and for fishermen in the deep Sea, warnings are sent through NAViC. IMD also conducts pre-cyclone meetings with disaster managers at the Central and State levels to ensure preparedness ahead of cyclone season. During adverse weather conditions, the disaster managers at the Central and State levels are briefed personally by the Director General, IMD. The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) and the State Emerg ency Operations Center (SEOC) share the warnings to the vulnerable population through their State-level disaster warning communication network. However, to make a robust and foolproof warning dissemination to the last mile to the vulnerable population, there is need for further improvement of 11.03.2026 1091 mobile and digital connectivity at the local levels, strengthening of the local level dissemination system through the installation of sirens, creating awareness among the common man, strengthening satellite communication for fishermen etc. To support activities necessary for the efficient and effective working of the early warning system at the state level such as strengthening of the local capacity for dissemination, awareness related to impact of various disasters, public response to early warnings system etc., resources are available to the State disaster management authorities through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF). If there is a request from the States for financial assistance, the Central Government considers it in accordance with the relevant guidelines for the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF). PM-VIKAS SCHEME 3205. SHRI RAJA RAM SINGH: Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) the details of funds allocated, released and utilised under PM-VIKAS since its launch along with the reasons for under-utilisation, if any, State/UT-wise; (b) whether it is a fact that budgetary allocation for PM-VIKAS has been modest in comparison to similar artisan and entrepreneurship schemes and if so, the details and the reasons therefor; and 11.03.2026 1092 (c) the details of the total number of beneficiaries during the last three years and the number of beneficiaries who secured job and started entrepreneurship, State/UT-wise? THE MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS; AND MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU): (a): The Ministry of Minority Affairs has implemented various skill development schemes like Seekho aur Kamao, USTTAD, Nai Roshni and Nai Manzil in the past, which have now been converged under an umbrella scheme ‘Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS)’. The PM VIKAS is a Central Sector Scheme focusing on the socio-economic empowerment of six notified minorities through skill development; entrepreneurship among minority women; and education support for school dropouts. The scheme guidelines were approved in January 2025, and implementation of the scheme had commenced thereafter. Details of the budget allocation and expenditure in FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26 is as below: (Rs. In Crores) Year BE RE AE 2024-25 255.43 30.00 0.00 2025-26 267.29 200.00 94.24* * upto 28.02.2026 (b): Under the PM VIKAS scheme, providing training support to artisans and training for women leadership and entrepreneurship are only two components of the scheme, whereas there exists other major components including skilling 11.03.2026 1093 in non-traditional job roles, and education support for school dropouts. (c): Under the scheme, implementation has begun only recently. Against an allocated target of over 1.50 lakh beneficiaries, over 19,400 candidates have been enrolled, out of which, over 790 candidates have been already trained so far as per the scheme dashboard. Ensuring placement of at least 75% of the beneficiaries is a key deliverable of the Project Implementation Agency (PIA) under the PM VIKAS scheme, and the same shall be initiated after commencement of training activities. However, a state/UT-wise breakup of enrolled and trained beneficiaries under the scheme are as follows: SN State Enrolled Trained 1 Andhra Pradesh 180 2 Assam 2315 3 Bihar 360 4 Delhi 1316 450 5 Haryana 283 30 6 Jammu and Kashmir 1440 7 Jharkhand 1290 8 Karnataka 442 9 Kerala 117 60 10 Madhya Pradesh 1312 76 11 Maharashtra 147 12 Meghalaya 150 13 Nagaland 98 14 Punjab 4798 150 15 Rajasthan 174 16 Tamil Nadu 60 17 Telangana 150 18 Tripura 264 19 Uttar Pradesh 3473 30 20 Uttarakhand 1080 Total 19449 796 11.03.2026 1094 PRIVATISATION OF MINES 3206. SHRI SHAFI PARAMBIL: Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state? (a) whether the Government is planning to disinvest the existing public sector companies in mining sector and if so, the details thereof; (b) the details of the current profit of the public sector companies in mining; and (c) the details of the steps taken by the Government to enhance efficiency of Public Sector Understanding (PSUs) in mining? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINES (SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY): (a): There are three Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) viz. (i) National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO); (ii) Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL); and (iii) Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL) under the administrative control of the Ministry. Presently, the Ministry has no plan to disinvest in these PSUs (b): Details of the profit after tax earned by these PSUs in last three Financial Years is as under: Sl. No. Financial Year Profit After Tax (In Rs. Crore) NALCO HCL MECL 1 2022-23 1,544 295 14 11.03.2026 1095 2 2023-24 2,060 295 70 3 2024-25 5,325 468 84 (c): The Government has introduced various transformative measures to increase mineral production and employment generation. Some of the key measures taken for enhancing efficiency of PSUs, includes the following :- (i) Adoption of modern technology, upgraded machinery, digital systems, and production processes, including remote operation and Paste Fill Technology for better ore recovery (ii) Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Collaboration with private firms for technology, management practices, and investment (iii) Engagement of Mine Developer and Operator (MDO) and outsourcing of non-core activities (iv) Data-driven decision-making, Artificial Intelligence, and robust communication system including 5G network (v) Regular review of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor efficiency (vi) Implementation of Star Rating of Mines to encourage modernisation with emphasis on sustainable mining CLOSURE OF SUB-POST OFFICES IN KASARGOD 3207. SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN: Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state: 11.03.2026 1096 (a) whether the Government proposes closure or merger of Talankara, Uppala Gate and Hosbettu post offices in Kasargod district citing operational or revenue considerations and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether it is a fact that these post offices provide essential services including pensions, savings schemes and postal banking to rural and coastal populations with limited alternatives and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether any social impact assessment has been conducted before initiating such closures and if so, the details thereof; and (d) the steps taken or proposed to protect continuity of postal services and financial inclusion in remote and economically weaker areas? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS (DR. CHANDRA SEKHAR PEMMASANI): (a): Post Offices not meeting the departmental norms i.e. distance/population/ income norms are merged or relocated. Since Uppala Gate and Hosbettu Branch Post Offices are not fulfilling these departmental norms, these are to be merged. However, Talankara (Talangara) Sub Post Office is not planned for merger. (b): These post offices provide various postal services to rural and coastal populations as provided by any other post office in the country, which include mail, banking, insurance, direct benefit transfer etc. services. However, above post offices have been merged due to not meeting the departmental norms. Nevertheless, public of these areas are being provided the postal and banking 11.03.2026 1097 services smoothly by other nearby post offices. (c): Yes, Sir. Social impact assessment has been conducted before initiating the merger of above post offices and details are attached as Statement. (d): Postal Melas and Special Drives are conducted for popularizing various products and services available through the post offices. The Department of Posts has been providing all essential postal services including mail delivery services as well as banking services encouraging financial inclusion through its extensive network of post offices and the same shall remain continue across the country including all remote and economically weaker areas. STATEMENT Social impact assessment 1. As far as Talangara (Talangara) Post Office is concerned there is no pension beneficiary under its jurisdiction. While taking the proposal of merging of Talangara Post Office to Kasargod Head Post Office there were only 1,886 accounts of which number of Savings Accounts are only 450. Though there are 1,211 Recurring Deposit accounts, major number of accounts were opened through Mahila Pradhan Kshetriya Bachat Yojana (MPKBY) Agents by the depositors of outside of Talangara area. There are 2 other Co-op Banks (Kerala Bank and Kasargod Town co- operative bank are functioning there. So the merger may not have a severe impact on financial inclusion. 2. In the case of Uppala Gate Branch Post Office, only 26 new accounts opened during this financial year and total number of accounts standing 11.03.2026 1098 in that office is 264. Similarly, Hosebettu Branch Post Office has just 236 accounts only and considering the nearby sub post office and public sector bank, there would not be any adverse impact on financial inclusion. Hosebettu Branch Post Office has opened only 40 new accounts upto 30.09.2025. The minimum number of accounts required to be opened by a BO in the current financial year is 400. सुÐतानगंज से कटोåरया (िबहार) तक नई ůेन सेवा 3208. ®ी िगåरधारी यादव: ³या रेल मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक: (क) ³या सरकार Ĭारा िबहार म¤ सुÐतानगंज-कटोåरया (बांका िजला) के बीच नई रेल लाइन पåरयोजना कì घोषणा पांच वषª पूवª कì गई थी; (ख) यिद हां, तो उĉ रेल लाइन पर अब तक िकतनी रािश खचª कì गई है और तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है; और (ग) उĉ पåरयोजना के कब तक पूरा होने कì संभावना है? रेल मंýी; सूचना और ÿसारण मंýी; तथा इले³ůॉिनकì और सूचना ÿौīोिगकì मंýी (®ी अिÔवनी वैÕणव): (क) से (ग) : असरगंज, तारापुर और बेलहार के राÖते सुलतानगंज से कटोåरया को सीधी संपकª ता के िलए नई लाइन पåरयोजना (77 िक.मी.) को मंजूरी दे दी गई है। भूिम अिधúहण के िलए इस पåरयोजना को िवशेष रेल पåरयोजना घोिषत िकया गया है। भूिम अिधúहण के िलए स±म ÿािधकारी (सीएएलए) को भी नामांिकत कर िदया गया है। इस पåरयोजना के िलए भूिम अिधúहण का कायª शुł कर िदया गया है। रेल पåरयोजना/ओं का पूरा होना कई कारकŌ पर िनभªर करता है, िजनम¤ िनÌनिलिखत शािमल ह§: 11.03.2026 1099  राºय सरकार Ĭारा भूिम अिधúहण  वािनकì Öवीकृित  अितलंघनकारी जनोपयोगी सेवाओं का Öथानांतरण  िविभÆन ÿािधकरणŌ से सांिविधक Öवीकृितयाँ  ±ेý कì भूवै²ािनक और Öथलाकृितक पåरिÖथितयाँ  पåरयोजना Öथल के ±ेý म¤ कानून और ÓयवÖथा कì िÖथित  पåरयोजना Öथल िवशेष के िलए वषª म¤ कायª करने के महीनŌ कì सं´या आिद। ये सभी कारक पåरयोजना/पåरयोजनाओं के समापन समय और लागत को ÿभािवत करते ह§। DOUBLE TRACKING PROJECT (SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAYS) 3209. CAPTAIN VIRIATO FERNANDES: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government/Railway authorities possess valid ownership documents or legally concluded land records for all properties on which railway tracks have already been laid in respect of the Double Tracking project on the South Western Railway particularly the section between Margao and Vasco da Gama in Goa and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether land acquisition process including transfer of title and payment of compensation has been completed in respect of each/every such property and if so, the details thereof; (c) if not, the details of properties where tracks have been laid without completion of acquisition or availability of ownership documents along with reasons therefor; 11.03.2026 1100 (d) whether laying of tracks prior to completion of acquisition is in conformity with the Railways Act, 1989 and applicable land acquisition laws and if so, the details thereof; and (e) the details of the corrective steps taken or proposed, including timelines to regularize ownership and address any legal or procedural violations? THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS; MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW): (a) to (e): To improve the rail connectivity of Goa region, doubling of Hosapete – Hubballi – Londa – Vasco-da-Gama (312 Km) has been taken up. Doubling of 261 Km out of 312 Km length of project has been completed. 72 Km of this project lies in State of Goa out of which 30 Km has been commissioned. The total scope of land acquisition for the length of project in Goa is 149 Ha. Out of this, 13 Ha is private land and 136 Ha is forest land. 11 Ha out of the total 13 Ha private land has been acquired. Diversion of forest land is not completed. Completion of this project will improve mobility and connectivity of goods and passengers from Goa to other parts of the country. Railway acquires land through concerned State/District Authorities. All the activities in connection with land acquisition like assessment of amount of compensation to land losers etc. are under purview of the State Government. Compensation for land acquisition is made to the land losers by the 11.03.2026 1101 Revenue Department of the State Government after demanding the same from Railways. The process is undertaken in coordination with state governments, following the provisions of the Railway Act, 1989. NEXT INCREMENT AFTER STEPPING UP OF PAY 3210. SHRI ANAND BHADAURIA: Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state: (a) whether as per the OM of Department of Personnel and Training dated 13.09.2022 regarding next increment after stepping up of pay, the senior officer shall be entitled to the next increment on completion of the required qualifying service w.e.f. the date of re-fixation of the pay; (b) if so, the details of required qualifying period for next increment from the date of stepping up under 7th Central Pay Commission in cases where stepping up has been allowed under Rule 7, Note 10 of CCS (RP) Rules, 2016; (c) whether Hon’ble Delhi High Court in W.P(C) 12452/2023 has ruled that stepping of pay is personal to senior employee only to remove the anomaly due to junior drawing higher pay than the senior and stepping up of pay does not affect the date of next increment of senior employee; and (d) if so, the details of orders issued in response to said order? 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; 11.03.2026 1102 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): Department of Personnel and Training (DoP&T) has issued information document on pay fixation of Government Servant on 13.09.2022 for the facility of reference and guidance. As per para 2(ii) of DoP&T OM No. 4/3/2017-Estt.(Pay-I) dated 26.10.2018 as also contained in abovesaid document dated 13.09.2022, the senior officer shall be entitled to the next increment after stepping up of pay on completion of the required qualifying service w.e.f. the date of re-fixation of the pay. (b): The date of next increment in 7th Central Pay Commission pay structure is governed under Rule 10 of Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016, the extract of which has been enclosed as Statement. (c): The Judgement of the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi dated 05.10.2023 in W.P.(C) No.12452/2023 is a matter of public record and is available on the official website of Hon’ble Delhi High Court (https://www.delhihighcourt.nic.in/web/>Case Status). (d): The Judgement of the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi dated 05.10.2023 in W.P.(C) No. 12452/2023 has been implemented in respect of applicant of the case. 11.03.2026 1103 STATEMENT Date of next increment 10. Date of next increment in revised pay structure:- "(1) There shall be two dates for grant of increment namely, 1st January and 1st July of every year, instead of existing date of 1st July: Provided that an employee shall be entitled to only one annual increment either on 1st January or 1st July depending on the date of his appointment, promotion or grant of financial upgradation. (2) The increment in respect of an employee appointed or promoted or granted financial upgradation including upgradation under Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) during the period between the 2nd day of January and 1st day of July (both inclusive) shall be granted on 1st day of January and the increment in respect of an employee appointed or promoted or granted financial upgradation including upgradation under MACPS during the period between the 2nd day of July and 1st day of January (both inclusive) shall be granted on 1st day of July. Illustration: (a) In case of an employee appointed or promoted in the normal hierarchy or under MACPS during the period between the 2nd day of July, 2016 and the 1st day of January, 2017, the first increment shall accrue on the 1st day of July, 2017 and thereafter it shall accrue after one year on annual basis. 11.03.2026 1104 (b) In case of an employee appointed or promoted in the normal hierarchy or under MACPS during the period between 2nd day of January, 2016 and 1st day of July, 2016, who did not draw any increment on 1st day of July, 2016, the next increment shall accrue on 1st day of January, 2017 and thereafter it shall accrue after one year on annual basis: Provided that in the case of employees whose pay in the revised pay structure has been fixed as on 1st day of January, the next increment in the Level in which the pay was so fixed as on 1st day of January, 2016 shall accrue on 1st day of July, 2016: Provided further that the next increment after drawal of increment on 1st day of July, 2016 shall accrue on 1st day of July, 2017. (3) Where two existing Grades in hierarchy are merged and the junior Government servant in the lower Grade happens to draw more pay in the corresponding Level in the revised pay structure than the pay of the senior Government servant, the pay of the senior government servant shall be stepped up to that of his junior from the same date and he shall draw next increment in accordance with this rule.” बÖतर म¤ ऑल इंिडया रेिडयो और दूरदशªन का ÿसारण एवं कवरेज 3211. ®ी महेश कÔयपः ³या सूचना और ÿसारण मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक: (क) ³या सरकार को छ°ीसगढ़ के बÖतर लोक सभा िनवाªचन ±ेý म¤ ऑल इंिडया रेिडयो 11.03.2026 1105 (आकाशवाणी) और दूरदशªन के Öथायी क¤þŌ/åरले क¤þŌ कì अपयाªĮ सं´या के बारे म¤ जानकारी है; (ख) यिद हाँ, तो छ°ीसगढ़ के बÖतर लोक सभा िनवाªचन ±ेý के अंतगªत जगदलपुर, दंतेवाड़ा, सुकमा, बीजापुर, नारायणपुर और कŌडागांव िजलŌ सिहत वतªमान म¤ संचािलत ऑल इंिडया रेिडयो (एआईआर) और दूरदशªन (डीडी) क¤þŌ/ åरले ÖटेशनŌ कì Öथानवार ÿसारण ±मता और कवरेज ±ेý का Êयौरा ³या है; (ग) ³या यह सच है िक बÖतर के कई दूरÖथ, जनजातीय और न³सल ÿभािवत ±ेýŌ म¤ ऑल इंिडया रेिडयो और दूरदशªन के कायªøमŌ का ÖपĶ ÿसारण उपलÊध नहé है या िसμनल अÂयंत कमजोर ह§; (घ) ³या सरकार Ĭारा बÖतर ±ेý म¤ नए ऑल इंिडया रेिडयो और दूरदशªन क¤þ, एफएम/लो पावर ůांसमीटर (एलपीटी) या िडिजटल ůांसिमशन इकाइयां Öथािपत करने का कोई ÿÖताव िवचाराधीन है; (ङ) यिद हाँ, तो इस हेतु आवंिटत बजट और ÿÖतािवत समय-सीमा सिहत तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है; और (च) बÖतर ±ेý म¤ Öथानीय जनजातीय बोिलयŌ (गŌडी, हÐबी, भतरी आिद) म¤ कायªøमŌ के ÿभावी ÿसार और िश±ा, ÖवाÖÃय, आपदा ÿबंधन एवं सुर±ा से संबंिधत संदेशŌ के ÿसारण के िलए सरकार Ĭारा ³या िवशेष उपाय िकए जा रहे ह§? सूचना और ÿसारण मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी; तथा संसदीय कायª मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (डॉ. एल. मुłगन): (क) से (च) : आकाशवाणी बÖतर, छ°ीसगढ़ म¤ 4 Öटेशन संचािलत करता है। इनम¤ जगदलपुर म¤ एक पूणª िवकिसत Öटेशन शािमल है, िजसम¤ एक 100 िकलोवाट मीिडयम वेव (एमडÊÐयू) ůांसमीटर तथा एक 100 वाट एफएम ůांसमीटर है, साथ ही नारायणपुर, बैलाडीला और कŌटा म¤ तीन 100 वाट एफएम åरले Öटेशन िÖथत ह§। आकाशवाणी जगदलपुर से एमडÊÐयू ÿसारण पूरे 11.03.2026 1106 बÖतर संसदीय िनवाªचन ±ेý को कवर करता है, जबिक जगदलपुर, नारायणपुर, कŌटा और बैलाडीला म¤ िÖथत एफएम ůांसमीटर लगभग 10–20 िकलोमीटर के दायरे म¤ कवरेज ÿदान करते ह§। बÖतर ±ेý म¤ एफएम ÿसारण के कवरेज को और बढ़ाने के िलए, 2021–26 कì ÿसारण अवसंरचना एवं नेटवकª िवकास (बीआईएनडी) Öकìम के अंतगªत कुल 39.70 करोड़ Łपये कì लागत से 4 नए एफएम ůांसमीटरŌ कì Öथापना को अनुमोदन िदया गया है। इनम¤ जगदलपुर म¤ 10 िकलोवाट का एफएम ůांसमीटर, नारायणपुर और बैलाडीला, ÿÂयेक म¤ 5 िकलोवाट के एफएम ůांसमीटर तथा कŌडागांव म¤ 1 िकलोवाट का एफएम ůांसमीटर शािमल है। इसके अितåरĉ, डीडी छ°ीसगढ़, छ°ीसगढ़ राºय के िलए समिपªत एक 24×7 दूरदशªन चैनल है, िजसका ÿसारण दूरदशªन क¤þ, रायपुर से िकया जाता है। यह चैनल बÖतर ±ेý सिहत पूरे राºय कì कला, संÖकृित, िवरासत, सािहÂय, परंपराओं, लोगŌ, िविशĶ ÓयिĉÂव, समाचार और समसामियक िवषयŌ से संबंिधत कायªøमŌ का ÿसारण करता है। डीडी छ°ीसगढ़ िविभÆन सरकारी ÖकìमŌ और उनके कायाªÆवयन से संबंिधत कायªøमŌ तथा समाचारŌ का भी िनयिमत ÿसारण करता है। इसके अितåरĉ, जगदलपुर िÖथत ÿोúाम जेनरेिटंग फैिसिलटी (पीजीएफ) Ĭारा िनिमªत कायªøम िवशेष łप से Öथानीय आिदवासी समुदायŌ कì आवÔयकताओं के अनुłप तैयार िकए जाते ह§ और उनका िनयिमत ÿसारण डीडी छ°ीसगढ़ पर िकया जाता है। दूरदशªन कì Āì-टू-एयर डायरे³ट-टू-होम (डीटीएच) सेवा “डीडी Āì िडश” पूरे देश म¤ उपलÊध है, िजसम¤ बÖतर के दूरÖथ, आिदवासी तथा न³सल-ÿभािवत ±ेý भी शािमल ह§। दूरदशªन के सभी चैनलŌ (डीडी छ°ीसगढ़ सिहत) के अितåरĉ, अनेक आकाशवाणी चैनल, ÿाइवेट टीवी चैनल तथा शैि±क चैनल भी डीडी Āì िडश पर उपलÊध ह§। इसके अलावा, “Æयूज़ऑनएयर” मोबाइल ऐप के माÅयम से मोबाइल फोन पर 260 से अिधक आकाशवाणी चैनल उपलÊध ह§। ÿसार भारती ने वषª 2024 म¤ अपना ओटीटी Èलेटफॉमª “वेÓस” भी शुł िकया है, जो बहò-िवधा िडिजटल Öůीिमंग एúीगेटर है और सूचना-मनोरंजन सामúी 11.03.2026 1107 ÿदान करता है। दूरदशªन और आकाशवाणी नेटवकª के िविभÆन चैनलŌ को भी वेÓस Èलेटफॉमª म¤ एकìकृत िकया गया है, िजससे देशभर के लोगŌ के िलए सूचना, िश±ा और सांÖकृितक सामúी तक आसानी से उपलÊध हो गई है। AVADI-SRIPERUMPUDUR-GUDUVANCHERY NEW RAILWAY LINE 3212. SHRI T. R. BAALU: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that the 60 kms Avadi-Sriperumpudur-Guduvanchery new railway line project work has not commenced yet even after its approval in the year 2013 and if so, the details thereof; (b) the timeline by which this Rs. 600 crores vital project linking major industrial clusters around Chennai city is likely to be completed; (c) the details of the reasons for not taking up project construction after a lapse of 12 years; and (d) whether budget allocation of Rs. 58 crores has been made and if so, the details and the reasons for not utilising the fund? THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS; MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW): (a) to (d): Avadi and Guduvancheri are already connected via Chennai. To provide an additional connectivity, the Final Location Survey (FLS) of Avadi-Sriperumbudur- Irungattukottai - Guduvancheri has been sanctioned. The physical survey and the traffic study has been completed. Based on the 11.03.2026 1108 traffic projections, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Guduvancheri - Irungattukottai-Sriperumbudur New Line (34 km) has been prepared. After preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR), sanctioning of project requires consultation with various stake – holders including State Governments and necessary approvals viz. appraisal of NITI Aayog, Ministry of Finance etc. Tamil Nadu:- Budget allocation in the recent years has increased significantly. Budget allocation for infrastructure projects and safety works, falling fully/partly in the State of Tamil Nadu is as under: Period Outlay 2009-14 ₹879 crore/year 2025-26 ₹ 6,626 crore (more than 7.5 times) As on 01.04.2025, 15 projects (09 new line, 03 gauge conversion and 03 doubling) of 1,700 km length, costing ₹22,808 Crore, falling fully/partly in the State of Tamil Nadu, are sanctioned. The summary is as under:- Category No. of sanctioned projects Total Length (in km) Length Commissioned upto Mar’25 (in km) Expenditure upto Mar’ 25 (₹ in Cr.) New Line 9 812 24 1,337 Gauge Conversion 3 748 604 3,471 Doubling /Multitracking 3 140 37 2,783 Total 15 1,700 665 7,591 Zonal Railway wise details of Railway projects are made available in public domain on Indian Railway’s website. 11.03.2026 1109 Details of some of the recently completed projects falling fully/partly in Tamil Nadu are as under: S.N. Project Cost (₹in Crores) 1 Dindigul – Palani - Pollachi gauge conversion (121 km) 610 2 Pollachi - Palghat gauge conversion (56 km) 350 3 Pollachi-Podhanur gauge conversion (40 km) 400 4 Quilon - Tirunelveli - Tiruchendur gauge conversion (357 km) 1,122 5 Mayiladuturai - Thiruvarur - Karaikkudi gauge conversion (187 km) 1,338 6 Madurai-Bodiyakannur gauge conversion (90 km) 593 7 Chengalpattu-Villupuram doubling (102 km) 670 8 Tiruvallur-Arakkonam 4th line (27 km) 83 9 Chennai Central-Basin Bridge doubling (2 km) 31 10 Thanjavur-Ponmalai doubling (48 km) 370 11 Villupuram-Dindigul doubling (273 km) 2,000 12 Chennai Beach-Korukkupet 3rd line (5 km) 168 13 Chennai Beach-Attipattu 4th line (22 km) 293 14 Omalur-Metturdam Patch doubling (29 km) 327 15 Chengalpattu - Villupuram and Tambaram –Chengalpattu - 3rd line (133 km) 1,122 16 Salem-Magnesite Junction-Omalur doubling (11 km) 115 17 Madurai- Maniyachi-Tuticorin doubling (160 km) 1,891 18 Maniyachi-Nagercoil doubling (102 km) 1,752 19 Chennai Beach-Chennai Egmore doubling (4 km) 272 20 Karaikal-Peralam new line (23 km) 373 21 Northern End Port connectivity to Karaikal Port (1 km) 18 Some of the projects falling fully/partly in the State of Tamil Nadu which have been taken up are as under : 11.03.2026 1110 S.N Project Cost (₹ in Crores) 1 Tindivanam-Nagari new line (184 km) 3,631 2 Morappur-Dharmapuri new line (36 km) 359 3 Nagapattinam - Tiruturaipundi new line (43 km) 742 4 Trivandrum-Kanyakumari doubling (87 km) 3,785 5 Arakkonam yard 3rd and 4th line (6 km) 98 6 Perambur - Ambattur 5th and 6th lines (6 Km) 178 7 Irugur-Podanur doubling (11 Km) 277 8 Tambaram-Chengalpattu 4th Line (30 km) 757 9 Attipattu-Gummidipundi 3rd and 4th line (23 km) 375 10 Tirupati-Pakala-Katpadi doubling (105 km) 1332 11 Tindivanam-Gingee-Tiruvannamalai New Line (71 Km) 1400 12 Atipattu – Puttur New Line (88 Km) 1700 13 Chennai – Cuddulore via Mahabalipuram New Line (179 Km) 2670 In last three years i.e. 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25 and current financial year 2025-26, 29 surveys (06 new line and 23 doubling) covering a total length of 2,478 km has been sanctioned falling fully/partly in the State of Tamil Nadu. Execution of important infrastructure projects falling fully/partly in the State of Tamil Nadu are held up due to delay in land acquisition. Status of land acquisition in Tamil Nadu is as under: Total Land required for Projects in Tamil Nadu 4,326 ha Land Acquired 1,052 ha (24%) Balance Land to be acquired 3,274 ha (76%) Support of the Government of Tamil Nadu is needed to expedite the land acquisition. 11.03.2026 1111 Details of some major projects which are delayed due to land acquisition are as under:- SN Name of the project Total land required (in ha) Land acquired (in ha) Balance Land to be acquired (in ha) 1. Tindivanam - Tiruvannamalai new line (71 km) 276 33 243 2. Attiputtu-Puttur new line (88 km) 189 0 189 3. Morappur-Dharmapuri new line (36 km) 92 45 47 4. Mannargudi-Pattukkottai new line (41 km) 196 0 196 5. Thanjavur-Pattukottai new line (52 km) 152 0 152 Further, Rameshwaram – Dhanushkodi new line (18 km) was sanctioned at a cost of ₹734 Cr. The Foundation Stone of the project was laid on 01.03.2019. However, the project could not be started because the land acquisition has not been undertaken by the State Govt. of Tamil Nadu. Government of India is geared up to execute projects, however success depends upon the support of Government of Tamil Nadu. Sanction of any railway project depends 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 11.03.2026 1112  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  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. RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS OF THE SIKHS 3213. SHRIMATI HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL: Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken note of recent newspaper reports 11.03.2026 1113 regarding the President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) expressing concern about alleged Governmental interference in the religious affairs of the Sikh community; (b) if so, whether any steps have been taken or proposed to be taken to ensure that such interference in Sikh religious affairs does not recur including any consultations or meetings held with the SGPC in this regard; and (c) the details of institutional mechanism through which the Government addresses issues relating to the Sikh community along with the details of the meetings held, decisions taken and representations received from Sikh religious bodies during the last three years? THE MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS; AND MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU): (a) to (c): No Sir. No such matter has been received in the National Commission of Minorities or taken up by the Commission. As per section 9(d) of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Act, 1992, the Commission took up all the grievances received from minority individuals / institutions / bodies / organizations with appropriate authorities in Central Government and State Governments. As regards meeting held with the Sikh community, a total of 13 meetings were conducted with representatives of the Sikh community on various issues during the period 2023-24 to 2025-26 (till 05.03.2026). The number of representations received from Sikh community during the 11.03.2026 1114 year 2023-24 to 2025-26 (till 05.03.2026) is annexed as Statement. STATEMENT The number of representations received from Sikh community during the year 2023-24 to 2025-26 (till 05.03.2026) in NCM are given below: Year No. of representations 2023-24 307 2024-25 221 2025-26 (till 05.03.2026) 140 परमाणु ऊजाª संयंýŌ के िलए रेल और सड़क पहòंच मागª 3214. ®ी चÆþ ÿकाश जोशी ³या ÿधान मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक :- (क) ³या रावतभाटा सिहत देश म¤ िविभÆन परमाणु िवīुत संयंýŌ (एनपीपी) के िलए सड़क और रेल पहòंच मागŎ कì िÖथित अपयाªĮ है या कई ÖथानŌ पर पयाªĮ łप से मजबूत नहé है; (ख) यिद हां, तो सभी परमाणु िवīुत संयंýŌ के आस-पास उपलÊध सड़क और रेल संपकª कì वतªमान िÖथित का राºय-वार Êयौरा ³या है; (ग) ³या सरकार ने आपात िÖथित के दौरान इन परमाणु संयंýŌ तक शीŅ पहòंच सुिनिIJत करने के िलए कोई अवसंरचना उÆनयन योजना तैयार कì है और यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है; (घ) िकसी अिÿय घटना या आपदा कì िÖथित म¤ तÂकाल राहत और बचाव कायŎ को ÿभावी ढंग से िनÕपािदत करने के िलए वतªमान म¤ मौजूद ऑन-साइट और ऑफ-साइट आपातकालीन योजनाओं का Êयौरा ³या है; और (ङ) ³या सरकार ने िनयिमत łप से मॉक िűल आयोिजत करने के िलए राºय सरकार के साथ 11.03.2026 1115 समÆवय के िलए कोई तंý Öथािपत िकया है और यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी 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 (ग) : नािभकìय िवīुत संयंýŌ के िलए ÖथलŌ का चयन िवÖतृत अÅययन के बाद िकया जाता है िजसम¤ पåरवहन अवसंरचना, भारी उपकरणŌ कì आवाजाही हेतु पहòंच कì सुिवधा और आपातकालीन ÿितिøया आवÔयकताओं का आकलन शािमल होते ह§। इन संयंýŌ तक सड़क या रेल मागª से पहòंच कì िकसी अपयाªĮ ÓयवÖथा कì सूचना नहé िमली है। यिद उनके सुŀढ़ीकरण कì कोई आवÔयकता होती है तो संबंिधत राÕůीय / राºय ÿािधकरणŌ के साथ समÆवय कर पूरा िकया जाता है। (घ) : संयंýŌ के ÿचालन कì शुŁआत से पहले ही सभी नािभकìय िवīुत संयंý ÖथलŌ पर िनयामक ÿािधकरण Ĭारा अनुमोिदत एक िवÖतृत आपातकालीन तैयारी योजना मौजूद है। योजना, आपातकाल कì घोषणा कì अÿÂयािशत घटना म¤ िकए जाने वाले कायŎ और उÆह¤ कायाªिÆवत करने के िलए राºय सरकार के अिधकाåरयŌ सिहत िविभÆन अिधकाåरयŌ कì िजÌमेदाåरयŌ का िनधाªरण करती है। (ङ) : एनपीपी ÿचालक और िजला ÿािधकाåरयŌ Ĭारा Öथल िवशेष पर Öथािपत ÓयवÖथाओं का परी±ण करने के िलए िनयिमत आपातकालीन अËयास आयोिजत िकए जाते ह§। फुकुिशमा घटना के बाद, Öथल-बाĻ आपातकालीन अËयास कì संपूणª ÓयवÖथा कì समी±ा कì गई और परामशª ÿिøया के माÅयम से, एक नई अËयास ÓयवÖथा िवकिसत कर लागू कì गई। यह एनआरई ÿबंधन के िविभÆन पहलुओं को शािमल करने के िलए नािभकìय सुिवधाओं Ĭारा िकए जाने वाले तीन ÿकार के Öथल-बाĻ आपातकालीन अËयासŌ कì पåरकÐपना करता है। ये टेबल टॉप अËयास (TTEx), मॉक अËयास – नािभकìय एवं िविकरण आपात िÖथित (एमई-एनआरई) और एकìकृत 11.03.2026 1116 कमांड िनयंýण एवं ÿितिøया (आईसीसीआर) अËयास ह§। ÿÂयेक अËयास का अलग-अलग उĥेÔय और आवृि° िनधाªåरत है। ÿचालक कì िनणªय लेने कì ±मताओं का परी±ण करने के िलए, एईआरबी कì िनगरानी म¤ ÿचालक Ĭारा ÿÂयेक 2 वषª म¤ एक बार TTEx िकया जाता है। एईआरबी और एनडीएमए के पयªवे±ण म¤ ÿचालक और िजला ÿािधकरणŌ Ĭारा ÿÂयेक 3 वषª म¤ एक बार आईसीसीआर अËयास िकया जाता है, तािक िविभÆन िहतधारकŌ के बीच समú तैयारी और समÆवय का परी±ण िकया जा सके। BIOE3 POLICY 3215. SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL: Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state: (a) the details of the overall value and impact of Government-backed initiatives such as the BioE3 policy and BIRAC on the growth and global competitiveness of lndia's biotech sector, especially in the context of R&D, local manufacturing, startup creation and scale-up to international standards, (b) the details of the mechanisms for ensuring equitable access to public R&D funds including transparency in selection and monitoring of grants FDI recipients and the status of any public disclosure requirements and independent audit of these funds; (c) the details of the strategies put in place to address major challenges for biotech startups such as access to late-stage capital regulatory approval delays and the geographic diversity of clinical trials; and (d) whether the Government is tracking and publishing longitudinal data on 11.03.2026 1117 job creation and startup survival rates in this 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 BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Environment, Economy and Employment), approved by the Cabinet, is being implemented jointly by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and its Public Sector Enterprise, the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) for fostering high-performance Biomanufacturing and enabling start-ups, SMEs, industries and academia with access to shared infrastructure/facilities and resources for pilot and pre-commercial scale biomanufacturing of viable commercial bio- based products. Bio-enablers (Biofoundries and Biomanufacturing Hubs and Bio-AI Hubs) augment discovery and translational research across the sectorial verticals: i. Bio-based chemicals, Bioplastics, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), and Enzymes ii. Functional Foods and Smart Proteins 11.03.2026 1118 iii. Precision Biotherapeutics (monoclonal antibodies, mRNA therapeutics, cell and gene therapy) iv. Climate resilient agriculture (agribiologicals) v. Biofuels and Carbon capture vi. Futuristic marine and space research DBT-BIRAC has launched India’s first Biofoundry Network at 8 academic institutions, marking a landmark initiative aimed at transforming the country’s biotechnology landscape and achieving a $300 billion bioeconomy by 2030. The network serves as a national platform to support bioproduction scale-up at academia. Further, 11 cutting-edge Biomanufacturing Platforms have been set up at industry across India, offering shared infrastructure to start-ups, SMEs, industries, and academic institutions. These centers are supporting pilot and pre-commercial scale up of technologies across diverse sectors, including microbial biomanufacturing, sustainable agriculture, smart proteins, functional foods, precision biotherapeutics, marine biotechnology, carbon capture, and next-generation cell and gene therapies. The Biofoundry Network and Biomanufacturing platforms are expected to play a pivotal role in India’s transition to clean and green technologies, reduce import dependence, and establish the country as a frontrunner in the global Bioeconomy impacting health, agriculture, food, energy, and environment. The details of the projects are at Statement. 11.03.2026 1119 The BIRAC was set up by the DBT in 2012 and is playing a key role in strengthening RandD, startup creation, indigenous manufacturing, and providing global competitiveness to India’s biotechnology sector. BIRAC provides a structured continuum of support from idea to commercialization. Details of various programs of BIRAC and their impact are as follows: i. Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG): The Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) is BIRAC’s flagship early-stage funding programme which provides grant-in-aid support of up to ₹50 lakh for a period of 18 months to startups and innovators for establishing proof-of-concept of innovative ideas. The scheme is implemented through 8 partner incubators that provide end-to-end support including technical mentoring, IP facilitation, regulatory support, and market linkages, enabling translation of innovative ideas into scalable technologies.  Over the past 13 years, the BIG scheme has grown into one of India’s most credible early-stage biotech funding mechanisms, providing not only financial support but also critical ecosystem access for innovators. Since inception, the programme has supported more than 1,000 high-potential projects, facilitated the development of 200+ products, enabled 800+ intellectual property assets, and supported startups in attracting over ₹3,500 crore in follow-on funding. Through these interventions, BIG has played a catalytic role in seeding science-led entrepreneurship and strengthening the early- stage biotech innovation ecosystem in the country. 11.03.2026 1120 ii. Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development (SEED) Fund: The SEED Fund provides first-equity-based financial support of up to ₹30 lakh per startup to facilitate transition from proof-of-concept to early-stage commercialization. This support enables startups to reach a stage where they can attract investments from angel investors or venture capitalists or access institutional financing.  The programme is implemented through 16 BioNEST incubators acting as SEED Fund partners, which identify and invest in promising startups through a structured selection process. To date, 153 biotech startups have been supported under the scheme, strengthening product validation, early market access, and domestic manufacturing capabilities. The portfolio has generated 300+ intellectual property assets, and 105 supported startups have collectively raised over ₹1,162 crore in follow-on funding, reflecting strong investor confidence and commercialization potential. iii. Launching Entrepreneurial Driven Affordable Products (LEAP) Fund: The LEAP Fund is an equity-based programme aimed at accelerating commercialization and market entry of startups with validated technologies (above TRL-5). The scheme provides equity support of up to ₹100 lakh per startup to enable scale-up, regulatory advancement, manufacturing readiness, and product deployment.  The programme is implemented through 6 designated BioNEST incubators serving as LEAP Fund partners, which invest in eligible 11.03.2026 1121 startups through equity or equity-linked instruments. So far, 62 startups have been supported under this programme. These startups have generated 150+ intellectual property assets and collectively raised over ₹893 crore in follow-on funding, demonstrating successful scale-up and growing market traction. Collectively, these initiatives strengthen India’s biotechnology innovation ecosystem by promoting indigenous R & D, facilitating technology translation, enabling manufacturing scale-up to international standards, attracting private investment, and supporting the growth of globally competitive biotech startups. iv. Pre-incubation and Incubation Schemes: BIRAC supports innovation, research translation, and startup creation through a network of incubation and pre-incubation programmes. A total of 94 biotechnology incubation and pre-incubation centres have been set up by BIRAC across 25 states and UTs of the country under the following 2 schemes: I. BioNEST (Bioincubators Nurturing Entrepreneurship for Scaling Technologies): The scheme supports the establishment of bio-incubators across India to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in biotechnology. II. E-YUVA (Empowering Youth for Undertaking Value Added Innovative Translational Research): This initiative fosters a culture of applied research and innovation among students and 11.03.2026 1122 young researchers by providing pre-incubation support. These Bioincubators are located within Universities, Research Institutes, Research Hospitals, or as stand-alone centres and provide comprehensive support to entrepreneurs and startups across various life sciences domains, including healthcare, agriculture, and environmental solutions. Through the BioNEST and E-YUVA schemes, BIRAC has supported around 3000 + startups, entrepreneurs and students. v. Public-private partnership (PPP) schemes: BIRAC through its PPP schemes promote development of biotechnological interventions across the country by providing financial support for R & D, infrastructure and output of academic and institutional laboratories. The Schemes are as below: i. Early Stage Validation funding scheme: The Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI) scheme provides financial support to Startups, LLPs and companies for advancing their established proof of concept (PoCs) towards early-stage validation, thereby addressing a critical gap in the product development cycle. Since the inception of the scheme, a total of 350+ projects have been supported benefiting 450+ beneficiaries. Overall, 316.75 Cr has been committed to drive innovation and development efforts. The supported projects have generated 800+ employment opportunities, demonstrating 11.03.2026 1123 a strong impact on job creation. In addition, the support has enabled the filing of 53 patents and the development or commercialization of 90 products and technologies, highlighting significant progress in research, innovation, and market-ready solutions. ii. Late Stage Validation and Pre-commercialization funding scheme: The Biotechnology Industry Partnership Program (BIPP) is BIRAC’s Flagship Scheme that provides financial support for scaling and commercializing high risk innovations through cost sharing between BIRAC and the industry. BIPP scheme has played a significant role in shaping the current landscape of Indian Biotech industry. To its credit, BIPP scheme has provided support to 300+ beneficiaries, employing 2000+ skilled force resulting in filing of 40+ IPs and development/commercialization of 100+ products. iii. Academia-Industry Research promoting funding scheme: Promoting Academic Research Conversion to Enterprise (PACE) scheme, through its two components-Academia Innovation Research (AIR) and Contract Research Scheme (CRS), supports academic institutions in translating innovative biotechnological ideas into validated proof-of-concept (PoC) and beyond, eventually enabling industry-led validation and commercialization. Since inception, 191 projects have been 11.03.2026 1124 supported under the scheme involving 313 beneficiaries including 76 companies and 237 academic organizations. The support has resulted in filing of 26 patents and 10 products/technologies reaching TRL7-9. vi. Biotechnology Innovation Fund - AcE (Accelerating Entrepreneurs) is a Fund of funds being promoted by DBT under the aegis of Make in India initiative, implemented by BIRAC. It aims to foster R&D and innovation in Biotechnology domains by plugging the gap of the “Valley of Death”. The fund was launched in the FY 2017-18 with a total corpus of INR 150 Cr. BIRAC implements this fund through investment and partnership with SEBI-registered AIFs (i.e. Venture Funds and Angel Funds called daughter funds), that are professionally managed and desirous of investing in Biotech start-ups and SMEs. From the respective total fund corpus, each daughter fund commits to invest 2x of BIRAC’s committed investment in the Biotech start-ups and SMEs.  After ploughing back INR 25 Cr returns from AcE fund, BIRAC has so far made investment commitment of INR 174.50 Cr in 16 Daughter Funds. Through these 16 Daughter funds, 106 biotech startups/SMEs have been supported so far with a combined investment of more than INR 1500 Cr and follow on investment raised by the startups/SMEs are more than INR 6000 Cr. (b) :  Grant applications in DBT and BIRAC are invited through detailed Calls 11.03.2026 1125 advertised widely and are submitted through online portal.  All applications are reviewed through transparent, multi-tier grant evaluation mechanisms approved by the Department.  Grant Review Committees comprise majorly external members and subject experts.  The review committee also monitors the progress, if the project is sanctioned.  The technically selected applications are submitted to Internal Financial Scrutiny in DBT and BIRAC. Additionally, BIRAC also conducts on-site visits for major industry programs for a thorough assessment of the industry’s infrastructure.  Following these processes, the grants are sanctioned through execution of MOU/GLA.  All grantees are open to audit at institutional level and CAG Audits. (c): To address funding gaps and commercialization challenges:  Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) de-risks early-stage innovation.  Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development (SEED) FUND provides early equity support for validation and commercialization.  Launching Entrepreneurial Driven Affordable Products (LEAP) FUND supports scale-up, regulatory preparedness, manufacturing readiness, and market deployment. 11.03.2026 1126 In addition, BIRAC facilitates investor connect platforms, industry linkages, regulatory guidance support, and incubation through BioNEST centres to improve access to capital, streamline regulatory pathways, and enhance market readiness.  Product Commercialization Program Fund (PCP Fund) is to accelerate market launch, pilot-market validation, and largescale commercialization of biotechnology products/technologies developed by Indian startups.  Regulatory Affairs and Policy Advocacy Division of BIRAC intends to drive innovation through navigation of regulatory complexities, harmonization of regulations and policies at both national and global levels, and fervently advocate for policies that catalyse the growth of start-ups, SMEs, and entrepreneurs in the dynamic landscape of regulatory and policy affairs.  Clinical trial networks established through National Biopharma Mission (NBM), a PMU under BIRAC which accelerates Discovery Research to Early Development for Biopharmaceuticals address geographic diversity of clinical trials across the country To strengthen India's regulatory and policy milieu, BIRAC has created a dedicated Regulatory Affairs and Policy Advocacy (RAPA) unit which drives innovation through navigation of regulatory complexities, harmonisation of global regulations, and advocates for policies that catalyse the growth of start-ups, SMEs, and entrepreneurs. Key initiatives undertaken by RAPA to 11.03.2026 1127 address major challenges faced by biotech startups are as follows:  The First Hub is a single window facilitation unit of BIRAC designed to address the regulatory queries of innovators. Representatives from key organisations, including CDSCO, ICMR, FSSAI, NIB, BIS, GeM, DBT, and BIRAC, assist innovators on the first Friday of every month. To date, 1000+ queries have been addressed through the FIRST Hub portal.  Regulatory Facilitation for Innovators and Entrepreneurs (REFINE) program was launched on 22 November 2024 for advanced regulatory facilitation by product-or technology-specific mentoring on regulatory documentation, application support, risk assessment, success metricsand licensing requirements.  Global Regulatory Knowledge Exchange Forum for Emerging Technologies was conceptualised on 12 September 2024 for fostering policy dialogue and developing key strategies in the biomanufacturing sector. As part of this initiative, stakeholders’ consultation meetings have been organised in emerging fields such as smart protein, cell and gene therapy products, Biosimilars, Quantum Computing, Complex in-vitro models, etc.  A strategic consultation titled “Strengthening India’s Clinical Trial Regulation: Lessons from Other Countries” was convened on strengthening India’s clinical trial regulatory ecosystem. Which brought together global regulatory leaders, subject experts, clinicians, CROs, 11.03.2026 1128 CDMOs, industry representatives, and policymakers to exchange best practices on the governance of clinical trials, including early-phase and first-in-human studies, as well as regulatory sandboxes for innovative and emerging therapies. The white paper was developed to capture the necessary regulatory reforms.  Capacity building: Regulatory workshops and webinars were organised with IIT Delhi, RCB, USP to enhance innovators’ understanding of approval pathways, clinical trial requirements, documentation standards, and international regulatory expectations, thereby improving compliance readiness and reducing avoidable delays. In addition, the National Regulatory Professionals Development program is being organised to build the capacity of regulatory mentors in the biopharma and medical devices sectors. (d): The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) tracks programme-level outcomes to assess longitudinal impact, including employment generation, follow-on funding mobilization, intellectual property creation, valuation growth, and startup progression across funding stages. I. The Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) scheme provides grant-in-aid support of up to ₹50 lakh for 18 months to early-stage innovators to establish proof-of-concept and develop prototypes. This funding enables startups to hire scientific, and technical personnel during the formative phase, build core RandD teams, and de-risk technology development. As a result, over 1000 BIG-supported startups have generated 11.03.2026 1129 approximately 3,000 jobs while strengthening their survival prospects through structured milestone-based monitoring and incubation support. II. The Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development (SEED) Fund provides first-equity support of up to ₹30 lakh to post- proof-of-concept startups to facilitate product refinement, validation, and early commercialization. By enabling pilot deployment, regulatory preparedness, and market entry, the scheme improves revenue potential and investor confidence. The 153 supported startups have collectively attracted over ₹1,162 crore in follow-on funding and generated around 3,000 employment opportunities, reflecting sustained growth and improved business viability. III. Similarly, the Launching Entrepreneurial Driven Affordable Products (LEAP) Fund extends equity support of up to ₹100 lakh to startups with validated technologies for scale-up, regulatory advancement, manufacturing readiness, and commercialization. This late-stage support helps enterprises expand production capacity, enter new markets, and attract private capital. The 62 supported startups have raised over ₹893 crore in follow-on funding and generated nearly 1,300 employment opportunities, demonstrating strengthened market traction and long-term sustainability. IV. The Make in India (MII) Programme Management Unit (PMU) at Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) publishes a comprehensive landscaping report of India’s biotechnology sector 11.03.2026 1130 titled the India BioEconomy Report (IBER). As per the India BioEconomy Report 2025 (IBER 2025), the biotechnology sector in India has generated approximately 3.5 million jobs and has over 10,000 cumulative biotechnology startups in the country. The report also tracks the growth trajectory of the sector over time, thereby providing longitudinal insights into the expansion of the biotech startup ecosystem. STATEMENT DBT-BIRAC Biofoundries Programs 1. Microbial Biofoundry for yeast and bacterial engineering at International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi. 2. Precision Biotherapeutics for scale up of Monoclonal Antibodies (mAb) and Live Biotherapeutics at Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad 3. Agri-food product at BRIC- National Agri-Food and Biomanufacturing Institute, Mohali 4. Pilot Scale Production of Biopesticides at Institute of Pesticide Formulation Technology (IPFT), Gurgaon 5. Bioengineering Research Center for development of Indigenous microbial chassis for Bioproduction at BRIC- NCCS, Pune 6. Cancer Cell Therapy Biomanufacturing Hub at ACTREC, Tata Memorial Center, Mumbai. 7. National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB) with HiMedia 11.03.2026 1131 Laboratories Pvt. Ltd, Hyderabad-Nation’s First Animal Stem cell repository 8. IIT-Madras with TICEL Bio Park Ltd, Chennai-Development and scale- up of products used in cosmetics, food, pharma and Bioplastic Industry. DBT-BIRAC Biomanufacturing Platforms 1. Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID), Bangalore with Tata Chemicals Limited- Pilot Scale Facility (100 L) to Scale up Specialty Chemicals and Enzymes. 2. Immunoadoptive Cell Therapy Private Limited, Mumbai-GMP grade facility for Gene Delivery vector. 3. Hi Tech Biosciences India Ltd, Pune- Fermentation facility (at a scale of 10 KL) to Produce drug Intermediates and Bio-energy Starter Cultures at Commercial Scale. 4. Embio Ltd, Mumbai- Pilot scale and large scale fermenters for Pre- commercial production of APIs. 5. Laurus Bio, Visakhapatnam- Fermentation Facility for Functional Foods, Smart Proteins, Bio-based Chemicals, Enzymes and Precision Biotherapeutics. 6. Virchow Biotech Private Limited, Hyderabad– Commercial Production of Monoclonal Antibodies and Biosimilars. 7. Agilent Bioplus LLP- scale up the production of gluconates. 8. Revelations Biotech Pvt. Ltd- commercial production of Fructo-oligo saccharides (FOS). 11.03.2026 1132 9. HiMedia Laboratories, Mumbai-1 KL scale for food based products, food additives, probiotics and cell growth stimulators. 10. Sundyota Numandis Probioceuticals Private Limited, Ahmedabad- QMS compliant facility for commercial production of probiotics and smart proteins. 11. Jindal Steel, Angul- Facility for sequestration of CO2 and its utilization for growing engineered microalgal strains. úामीण भारत के िलए इंटरनेट कनेि³टिवटी 3216. ®ी राहòल कÖवांः ³या संचार मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िकः (क) देश के úामीण ±ेýŌ को इंटरनेट से जोड़ने कì सरकार कì योजना कì वतªमान िÖथित ³या है; (ख) ³या सरकार ने इस संबंध म¤ िनधाªåरत लàयŌ को ÿाĮ कर िलया है और यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है; (ग) राजÖथान म¤, िवशेष łप से चूł लोक सभा िनवाªचन ±ेý म¤ अब तक इंटरनेट से जुड़े गांवŌ कì सं´या का Êयौरा ³या है; और (घ) ³या कई ±ेýŌ म¤ उĉ योजना के कायª को पूरा करने म¤ िकसी िवलंब कì सूचना िमली है और यिद हां, तो इसके ³या कारण ह§? úामीण िवकास मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी; तथा संचार मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (डॉ. चंþ शेखर पेÌमासानी): (क) और (ख) : सभी úाम पंचायतŌ (जीपी) को āॉडब§ड कनेि³टिवटी उपलÊध कराने के िलए भारतनेट पåरयोजना को चरणबĦ तरीके से लागू िकया जा रहा है। भारतनेट चरण-I और चरण-II 11.03.2026 1133 के अंतगªत कुल 2,22,341 úाम पंचायतŌ को शािमल िकया गया है, िजनम¤ से 2,14,921 úाम पंचायत¤ सेवा के िलए तैयार ह§। इसके अितåरĉ, सरकार ने 04.08.2023 को संशोिधत भारतनेट कायªøम (एबीपी) को अनुमोिदत िकया है, िजसके अंतगªत लगभग 2.64 लाख úाम पंचायतŌ तथा करीब 3.8 लाख गैर-úाम पंचायत गाँवŌ को मांग के आधार पर ऑिÈटकल फाइबर कनेि³टिवटी ÿदान कì जानी है। (ग): राजÖथान म¤ चूł लोकसभा ±ेý कì 349 úाम पंचायतŌ सिहत कुल 8,776 úाम पंचायत¤ भारतनेट के अंतगªत सेवा के िलए तैयार ह§। (घ) : संशोिधत भारतनेट कायªøम (एबीपी) लागू िकया जा रहा है और राजÖथान सिहत चौबीस राºयŌ एवं संघ राºय ±ेýŌ के िलए पåरयोजना कायाªÆवयन एज¤िसयŌ (पीआईए) को कायª सŏप िदया गया है। कायाªÆवयन के दौरान मागाªिधकार (आरओडÊÐयू) कì Öवीकृित तथा úाम पंचायतŌ म¤ एबीपी उपकरणŌ के िलए अलग िबजली कने³शन कì ÓयवÖथा जैसी समÖयाएँ सामने आई ह§। इन समÖयाओं के समाधान के िलए दूरसंचार िवभाग (डीओटी) तथा बीएसएनएल (एबीपी के िलए ÿोजे³ट मैनेजम¤ट एज¤सी) संबंिधत अिधकाåरयŌ के साथ समÆवय कर रहे ह§। NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY ACT 3217. SHRI KHALILUR RAHAMAN: Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state: (a) the details and the number of families covered under the National Food Security Act in the country, State-wise; and (b) whether there is an increase in the number of beneficiaries compared to the last three years and if so, the details thereof along with the cost to the exchequer during the last three financial years? 11.03.2026 1134 THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA): (a) and (b): The National Food Security Act, 2013, 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. Details indicating the State/UT wise number of beneficiaries presently covered under the Act is at Statement. States are undertaking cleaning up of their beneficiary database so that ineligible ration cards get deleted and better targeting of rightful beneficiaries is ensured. Thus, deletion of ineligible beneficiaries and addition of eligible beneficiaries under the Act is a continuous process and beneficiaries database is dynamic in nature. The Central Government reimburses the expenditure incurred by States, that have opted for Decentralized Procurement (DCP) mode for distribution of food-grains to the beneficiaries of Central Schemes as per allocation made by Government of India. Further, funds are also released by Food Corporation of India (FCI) to the States for the quantum of food-grains handed over to them by States for Central Pool. The difference between Economic Cost and Central Issue Price (CIP), at which foodgrains are issued to States, is reimbursed to Food Corporation of India (FCI) and DCP States as food subsidy. The food subsidy released to DCP States and FCI is made as per budgetary allocation made by Ministry of Finance (MoF). State wise funds are not allocated by MoF. The details of food subsidy released to FCI and DCP States during the 11.03.2026 1135 last 3 years is as follows: - Financial Year FCI* DCP States (in Rs. Crores) Subsidy released Subsidy released Total Subsidy released 2022-23 200219.20 72282.49 272501.69 2023-24 139661.03 71733.36 211394.39 2024-25 129089.40 70410.27 199499.67 2025-26* 129080.90 63454.23 192535.13 *-as on 05.03.2026 In addition, funds are also released to States/UTs under the centrally sponsored scheme “Assistance to state agencies for intra state movement of foodgrains and FPS Dealers margin under NFSA” for meeting the expenditure incurred by States/UTs for meeting expenditure on intra-state movement and handling of foodgrains and Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers’ margin for foodgrains distributed to beneficiaries under the Act. The details of funds released to States/UTs during the last 3 years is as follows: - Financial Year Fund released (in crore) 2022-23 8572.03 2023-24 8704.46 2024-25 6945.39 2025-26* 4595.68 *-as on 05.03.2026 STATEMENT State/UT wise number of beneficiaries under NFSA S.No. State Name Number of Beneficiaries identified under NFSA as on 01.03.2026 1 ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS 61,334 2 ANDHRA PRADESH 2,68,20,046 11.03.2026 1136 3 ARUNACHAL PRADESH 8,71,000 4 ASSAM 2,48,94,794 5 BIHAR 8,48,63,631 6 CHANDIGARH 3,42,954 7 CHHATTISGARH 1,99,73,683 8 DADAR and NAGAR HAVELI and DAMAN and DIU 2,63,375 9 DELHI 72,20,350 10 GOA 4,76,303 11 GUJARAT 3,36,90,403 12 HARYANA 1,26,49,000 13 HIMACHAL PRADESH 28,54,661 14 JAMMU AND KASHMIR 67,47,172 15 JHARKHAND 2,62,91,129 16 KARNATAKA 4,01,93,243 17 KERALA 1,50,65,170 18 LADAKH 1,13,803 19 LAKSHADWEEP 20,095 20 MADHYA PRADESH 5,38,07,137 21 MAHARASHTRA 6,81,42,337 22 MANIPUR 21,10,378 23 MEGHALAYA 21,36,855 24 MIZORAM 7,06,000 25 NAGALAND 11,35,570 11.03.2026 1137 26 ODISHA 3,23,78,964 27 PUDUCHERRY 6,34,000 28 PUNJAB 1,41,51,000 29 RAJASTHAN 4,39,80,284 30 SIKKIM 3,76,580 31 TAMIL NADU 3,64,70,000 32 TELANGANA 1,90,80,021 33 TRIPURA 23,34,864 34 UTTARAKHAND 60,23,384 35 UTTAR PRADESH 14,71,47,428 36 WEST BENGAL 5,99,75,666 Total 79,40,02,614 राºय सहायता िमशन 3218. ®ी िदनेश चंþ यादव: ®ी रामÿीत मंडल: ³या योजना मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक: (क) ³या नीित आयोग िबहार म¤ अपना राºय सहायता िमशन कायªøम आयोिजत कर रहा है; (ख) यिद हां, तो उĉ िमशन के मु´य उĥेÔय ³या ह§; और (ग) उĉ िमशन को शुł िकए जाने कì तारीख ³या है और इसके अंतगªत अब तक खचª कì गई कुल रािश का राºय-वार Êयौरा ³या है? सांि´यकì और कायªøम कायाªÆवयन मंýालय के राºय मंýी; योजना मंýालय के राºय मंýी; तथा संÖकृित मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (राव इÆþजीत िसंह): 11.03.2026 1138 (क) : जी, हां। नीित आयोग िबहार म¤ राºय सहायता िमशन (एसएसएम) का संचालन कर रहा है। (ख) : एसएसएम का उĥेÔय राºयŌ और संघ राºय ±ेýŌ (यूटी) के साथ नीित आयोग के साथ जारी सहभािगता को मजबूत और संÖथागत बनाना है। िमशन के तहत, राºयŌ/संघ राºय ±ेýŌ को राºय पåरवतªन संÖथानŌ (एसआईटी) कì Öथापना करने या मौजूदा राºय योजना िवभागŌ/बोडŎ, जो राºयŌ/संघ राºय ±ेýŌ म¤ िवकास कायªनीित का पåरचालन करने के िलए बहò-िवषयक संसाधन क¤þ के तौर पर कायª कर सकते ह§ को मजबूत करने हेतु िव°ीय और तकनीकì सहायता ÿदान कì जाती है। (ग) : उĉ िमशन को िव°ीय वषª 2022-23 म¤ लांच िकया गया था। अब तक इसके तहत खचª कì गई कुल रािश का राºय-वार Êयौरा िववरण म¤ िदया गया है। िववरण अब तक सभी राºयŌ/संघ राºय ±ेýŌ Ĭारा उपयोग कì गई िनिध का Êयौरा िनÌनानुसार है: सभी रािश- करोड़ Łपये म¤ ø.सं. राºय/संघ राºय ±ेý राºयŌ/संघ राºय ±ेýŌ को जारी कुल रािश राºयŌ/संघ राºय ±ेýŌ Ĭारा उपयोग कì गई कुल रािश 1 अंडमान और िनकोबार 2.30 0.00 2 आंň ÿदेश 3.25 2.87 3 असम 1.37 0.13 4 िबहार 3.32 2.32 5 चंडीगढ़ 1.96 0.27 6 छ°ीसगढ़ 1.72 0.28 7 दादरा और नगर हवेली 1.68 0.00 8 िदÐली 1.43 0.00 9 गोवा 2.08 0.01 10 गुजरात 3.41 2.02 11 हåरयाणा 0.78 0.60 12 िहमाचल ÿदेश 2.59 1.23 13 जÌमू और कÔमीर 2.17 0.00 14 कनाªटक 0.62 0.00 15 लĥाख 2.15 0.00 16 ल±Ĭीप 1.61 0.54 17 मÅय ÿदेश 0.62 0.12 18 महाराÕů 2.80 1.41 11.03.2026 1139 19 मेघालय 3.78 3.78 20 िमजोरम 4.15 3.47 21 नागाल§ड 1.83 1.18 22 पुदु¸चेरी 1.42 0.94 23 पंजाब 1.05 0.29 24 राजÖथान 2.59 1.15 25 िसि³कम 1.62 0.61 26 तिमलनाडु 1.49 0.90 27 तेलंगाना 2.80 0.00 28 िýपुरा 4.59 1.85 29 उ°र ÿदेश 1.73 1.63 30 उ°राखंड 4.04 2.91 INVESTMENT IN NORTH EASTERN REGION 3219. SHRI JOYANTA BASUMATARY: Will the Minister of DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken any actions to attract the MNCs or organizations to invest in North Eastern Region of the country to create employment opportunities and development in the region and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government is seeking some investments before signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with different companies; (c) if so, the details of proposals received and if not, the reasons therefor; and (d) the details of steps taken by the Government to attract more investors? 11.03.2026 1140 THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR): (a) to (d): Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) organized Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025 to catalyze trade and investment in the North Eastern Region. The focus sectors of the summit identified for attracting investment in the North Eastern Region were Tourism and Hospitality; Agro-Food Processing and allied sectors; Textiles, Handloom and Handicrafts; Healthcare; Education and Skill Development; IT/ITeS; Entertainment and Sports; Infrastructure and Logistics; and Energy. Collectively, the Summit and its pre-event roadshows garnered investment interests of ₹ 4.48 lakh crore through Memoranda of Understanding (MoU), letters of intent, and qualified leads from private investors, public sector undertakings, and major industrial conglomerates. The investment will enhance industrial capacity of North Eastern Region as well as provide employment opportunities. State Governments are actively engaged with all the investors for grounding of the investment interests. Further, various steps have been taken by North Eastern State Governments to facilitate investment, which inter alia, include single window clearance, establishment of investment promotion agency, creation of land banks, incentives for investments etc. For strengthening the industrial eco-system and attracting private investment in North Eastern Region, Government of India is implementing Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialization (UNNATI) Scheme. The 11.03.2026 1141 incentives provided under UNNATI scheme are (i) Capital Investment Incentive; (ii) Central Capital Interest Subvention Incentive; and (iii) Manufacturing and Services Linked Incentive. LOW SC/ST REPRESENTATION IN SENIOR AND POLICY POSITIONS 3220. DR. MALLU RAVI: Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state: (a) whether the representation of SC/ST is disproportionately low at Joint Secretary level and above and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the promotion-linked stagnation is disproportionately affecting SC/ST officers and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government tracks the time taken for promotion by social category and if so, the details thereof; (d) whether lack of representation affects policy sensitivity towards constituencies like Nagarkurnool and if so, the details thereof; and (e) whether cadre review mechanisms are likely to address this imbalance and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? 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): Data in this regard is not maintained. 11.03.2026 1142 (b) to (d): As per the policy of the Government, reservation is provided to SCs and STs in promotion upto the lowest rung of Group A @ 15% and 7.5% respectively. ln order to ensure implementation of reservation policies in the Ministries/Departments, instructions have been issued by DoPT requesting all the Ministries/Departments including organisations under them to designate an officer, at least of the rank of Deputy Secretary, as a Liaison Officer in respect of matters relating to SC/ST. Ministries/ Departments are also required to create a Reservation Cell under the direct control of Liaison Officer to assist him in discharging of his duties effectively. Instructions have also been issued to the Ministries/ Departments to convene DPCs well in advance so that the vacancies are filled up in a time bound manner. As per the data available with Ministries/Departments, the overall representation of SCs and STs as on 01.01.2025 is more than 15% and 7.5% respectively. (e): Cadre review is a periodic administrative mechanism conducted to realign a service to the ever-changing organizational needs and maintain congruence amongst functional, structural and personnel needs in accordance with pre- defined principles.

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

In debate Ruling regarding Notices of Adjournment Motion