Oral evidence of the representatives of the Ministry of Communications (Department of Posts) on Demands for Grants (2025-26)

1.Oral evidence of the representatives of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, National Highways Authority of India and others concerned on the subject "Levy and Regulation of fees, tariffs, user charges etc. on public infrastructure and other public utilities". 2.Consideration and adoption of draft Reports on the following subjects:- a. Action Taken by the Government on the Observations/Recommendations of the Committee contained in their 85th Report (17th LS) on ‘Irregular Pension Payments by Post Offices’; b. Action Taken by the Government on the Observations/Recommendations of the Committee contained in their 92nd Report (17th LS) on ‘Functioning of Railway Mail Service and Road Transport Network in Department of Posts’; c. Action Taken by the Government on the Observations/Recommendations of the Committee contained in their 106th Report (17th LS) on ‘Avoidable Payment of Compensation Charges for Low Power Factor - V.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust.’; d. Action Taken by the Government on the Observations/Recommendations of the Committee contained in their 115th Report (17th LS) on ‘Catering Services in Indian Railways’; e. Action Taken by the Government on the Observations/Recommendations of the Committee contained in their 118th Report (17th LS) on ‘Inordinate delay in setting up of Indian National Defence University (INDU)’; f. Action Taken by the Government on the Observations/Recommendations of the Committee contained in their 122nd Report (17th LS) on ‘Audit of Pay and Allowances in Police Department, UT, Chandigarh’; g. Action Taken by the Government on the Observations/Recommendations of the Committee contained in their 133rd Report (17th LS) on ‘Short Closure of Electrification Works due to Incomplete Pre-Requisite Works: South East Central Railway’; h. Action Taken by the Government on the Observations/Recommendations of the Committee contained in their 134th Report (17th LS) on ‘Infructuous Expenditure on Creation of Mid-Life Rehabilitation Facilities at Parel Workshop: Central Railways’; and i. Action Taken by the Government on the Observations/Recommendations of the Committee contained in their 139th Report (17th LS) on ‘Loss of Revenue due to Running of Suvidha Express Trains: South Western Railway’.

Briefing by the representatives of the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) on the Subject ‘Increasing freight related earnings of Indian Railways and development of Dedicated Freight Corridors’.

Evidence by the representatives of Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in connection with comprehensive examination of Sagarmala Development Company Limited (SDCL).

Evidence by the representatives of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy and State Government Departments / Discoms / Stakeholders on the subject " Implementation of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) & PM Surya Ghar : Muft Bijli Yojana”

Evidence by the representatives of Sagarmala Development Company Limited (SDCL) in connection with its comprehensive examination.

Evidence of the representatives of the Ministry of External Affairs on the subject ‘Indian Diaspora Overseas including NRIs, PIOs, OCIs and Migrant Workers: All Aspects of their Conditions and Welfare, including the Status of the Emigration Bill’.

Oral Evidence of the representatives of the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) on the Subjects “State of Finances” and “Financial Performance of Railway Commercial Undertakings” based on Chapter-1 and Chapter-3 respectively of C&AG Report No. 13 of 2023.

Briefing by the representatives of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on PM-eBus Sewa Scheme.

Evidence by the representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (Department of Agricultural Research and Education) on the subject "Promotion of Climate Resilient Agriculture, Natural and Organic Farming through KVKs”

Briefing by representatives of the Ministry of Power and Central Electricity Authority on the subject ‘Emerging Scenario in the Power Sector and Need for a New Electricity Policy – An Appraisal’.

To discuss the procedure and modalities for examination of the Amendment Bills.

Examination of the Subject ‘Review of implementation of Laws related to all forms of Media’ - to have briefing by the representatives of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and to hear the views of Press Council of India.

Briefing by representatives of the Ministry of Power and Central Electricity Authority on the subject ‘Emerging Scenario in the Power Sector and Need for a New Electricity Policy – An Appraisal’.

Examination of the Subject ‘Review of Implementation of Laws related to all forms of Media’ - to have briefing by the representatives of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and to hear the views of Press Council of India.

Clause-by-Clause consideration of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024

To discharge the following agenda:- (1) To consider and adopt the following draft Reports:- (i) 325th Report on Action taken by the Government on the recommendations/observations contained in the 324th Report of the Committee on ‘Promotion of Electric Vehicles in the Country’ pertaining to the Ministry of Heavy Industries; and (ii) 326th Report on ‘Review of Performance of Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)’ pertaining to the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). (2) Hear the Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries on the subject ‘Measures to Revive Sick Industrial Units - A case study of Heavy Engineering Corporation, Ranchi’.

To hear the Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on the subject “Development of Ports: Challenges and Solutions with special emphasis on Port Capacity Expansion and Addressing Port Congestion”.

Oral evidence of the representatives of Ministry of Civil Aviation, Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) and Airport Authority of India (AAI) on the subject “Levy and regulation of fees, tariffs, user charges etc. on public infrastructure and other public utilities".

Briefing by the representatives of Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation) on the subject (i) Water Resource Management in North Eastern States with particular reference to the problem of flood and soil erosion; and (ii) An overview of the functioning of the Brahmaputra Board.