Durga Das Uikey Minister of State · Tribal Affairs
Member of Parliament, Betul (ST) · 18th Lok Sabha Get in touch

Report · 17th & 18th Lok Sabha

Parliamentary Work

A research record of what Durga Das Uikey has raised in the Lok Sabha as Member for Betul, the committees he has served on, and the answers he has given as Minister of State.

Durga Das Uikey in a white kurta and saffron stole standing beside a fellow Member of Parliament inside Parliament House
At Parliament House during the 17th Lok Sabha, with a fellow Member of Parliament.

§ 1 · Summary

The 17th Lok Sabha in figures

Figures compiled by PRS Legislative Research for 1 June 2019 – 10 February 2024. National and state averages are shown for context, as published by PRS1.

96% Attendance
20 Debates participated in

15 Special Mentions, 4 matters under Rule 377 and 1 short-duration discussion under Rule 193. National average 46.7; state average 34.3.

57 Questions asked

8 starred and 49 unstarred, addressed to 33 ministries. National average 210; state average 168.

100% Attendance in six sessions

Winter 2019, Monsoon 2020, Budget 2022, Monsoon 2023, the Special Session of 2023 and Budget 2024. Lowest: 88% (Monsoon 2021 and Budget 2023).

§ 2 · Committees & roles

Institutional responsibilities

  1. May 2019 Elected to the 17th Lok Sabha, Betul (ST)
  2. 13 Sept 2019 → Member, Standing Committee on Defence
  3. Undated Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Tribal Affairs
  4. June 2024 Elected to the 18th Lok Sabha, Betul (ST)
  5. 9 June 2024 → Union Minister of State, Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Positions as listed on Digital Sansad2. As a Minister, he does not ask questions or raise Special Mentions; ministers answer on behalf of their Ministry, which is why the 18th Lok Sabha record shows no questions asked.

§ 3 · Thematic analysis

What he raised, by theme

All 77 records (20 debates and 57 questions) grouped into eight themes. Some records fall under two themes, so the totals below add up to more than 77.

  1. 12Railways, roads & infrastructure
  2. 8Forests & environment
  3. 9Farmers & rural livelihoods
  4. 10Tribal development
  5. 6Heritage, culture & tourism
  6. 18Health, education & welfare
  7. 17Industry, energy & employment
  8. 6Law & governance

Railways and connectivity for Betul

The most constituency-specific thread. He asked for train stoppages at Betul (Feb 2021) and at Multai for trains 12159/12160 and 19713/19714 (Feb 2022); sought a railway overbridge in Harda and a stoppage of the Andaman Express at Barbatpur (July 2019); proposed a new line from Betul to Chicholi via Bhimpur, Nanda, Kunkhedi and Damjipura towards Burhanpur–Khandwa (Mar 2022); and asked about the Betul–Amravati rail project (Mar 2022, see case file). Questions also covered NH-47 and road projects in Madhya Pradesh.

Forests, water and the Satpura

His first recorded Special Mention, on 27 June 2019, asked for a stop to the cutting of forests in Betul. He returned to deforestation in March 2022 and twice asked for the Satpura (Satpuda) reservoir to be cleared of aquatic weed (March and December 2021). Questions covered forest conservation in Madhya Pradesh, the Green India Mission and the conservation of medicinal plants.

Farmers in forest areas

In December 2019 he raised the need to extend PM Kisan Samman Nidhi benefits to farmers living in forest areas of Betul district, and in March 2020 the crop damage caused by unseasonal rain and hailstorms. In December 2023 he sought a ban on converting agricultural land into commercial land.

Heritage of the district

In December 2019 he asked that the forts of Kherla, Shergarh, Asirgarh and Chicholi be conserved and declared tourist places, and in February 2024 that religious places in Betul be promoted as tourist destinations.

Tribal areas

Before joining the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, he asked about the economic and socio-economic development of tribal communities, industries and food-processing units in tribal areas, AIIMS in tribal areas, telecommunication in tribal areas, tourism in tribal-dominated areas and a defence academy in tribal areas.

§ 4 · Case file

Betul–Amravati Railway Project

Question
Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2323
Answered
16 March 2022
Ministry
Railways
Asked by
Shri Durga Das (D.D.) Uikey
Answered by
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways

What was asked

Whether the Betul–Amravati railway project was pending approval and when its survey would be completed; whether a special rail project was proposed for tribal people; and whether a survey had been carried out earlier3.

What the Government answered

“Survey for new line from Betul – Amrawati (75 km) has been sanctioned. Field survey has been completed and preparation of survey report has been taken up. Further consideration of the project is possible once the survey report is received and examined based on merit including financial viability.”

— Written answer, Ministry of Railways, 16 March 2022

Quoted verbatim from the official answer. This page does not report any later status of the project, as none was found in the official record.

§ 5 · 18th Lok Sabha

Answers given as Minister of State

Selected written answers on the Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ programmes, as released by the Press Information Bureau. The figures are the Government’s, as of the dates stated in each answer.

  1. 13 Aug 2026 Lok Sabha

    Mobile medical units in tribal areas

    831 mobile medical units operational under PM-JANMAN as on 30 June 2026; 474 under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan as of July 2026; and 15 Centres of Competence for sickle cell disease approved under the Abhiyan.

    PIB · PRID 2298814

  2. 2 Apr 2026 Lok Sabha

    Implementation of the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan

    Details of the Abhiyan: ₹79,156 crore outlay, 63,843 villages, 25 interventions through 17 ministries, 2024-25 to 2028-29.

    PIB · PRID 2248341

  3. 2 Apr 2026 Lok Sabha

    Implementation of PM-JANMAN

    Coverage of 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups in 18 States and one Union Territory through 11 interventions by 9 ministries.

    PIB · PRID 2248369

  4. 5 Feb 2026 Lok Sabha

    Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museums

    11 museums sanctioned in 10 States, of which 4 had been set up — at Ranchi, Chhindwara, Jabalpur and Nava Raipur.

    PIB · PRID 2223714

  5. 4 Feb 2026 Rajya Sabha

    Eklavya Model Residential Schools

    As of December 2025, 723 EMRSs sanctioned and 499 functional.

    PIB · PRID 2223008

  6. 7 Aug 2025 Lok Sabha

    Eklavya Model Residential Schools

    As of 14 July 2025, 479 of the 728 approved EMRSs functional.

    PIB · PRID 2153511

Reading these figures: the EMRS answers use two different measures — 728 is the number of schools approved under the scheme’s target, while 723 is the number actually sanctioned by December 2025. Both are quoted as given.

§ 6 · Register

Complete register, 17th Lok Sabha

Every debate and question recorded by PRS Legislative Research, newest first. Titles follow the official record, lightly standardised for spelling. Filter by theme below.

Showing all 77 records

DateSubjectFormMinistry / categoryTheme
08.02.2024Request to conserve, promote and declare the religious places at Betul as tourist destinationsSpecial MentionLok Sabha — Special MentionHeritage
21.12.2023Public Procurement Policy for MSMEsStarred questionMicro, Small and Medium EnterprisesIndustry
20.12.2023Production of Solid FuelsUnstarred questionCoalIndustry
19.12.2023Setting up of Charging StationsUnstarred questionHeavy IndustriesIndustry
18.12.2023To Promote the Value of Indian CultureUnstarred questionEducationHeritage
18.12.2023LLP FirmsUnstarred questionCorporate AffairsIndustry
18.12.2023Conservation of Marine SpeciesUnstarred questionEnvironment, Forest and Climate ChangeForests
15.12.2023Promotion of International Cooperation in AYUSH SystemUnstarred questionAYUSHHealth
15.12.2023Fight against TuberculosisUnstarred questionHealth and Family WelfareHealth
14.12.2023Installed Capacity of Renewable EnergyStarred questionNew and Renewable EnergyIndustry
11.12.2023Regarding ban on conversion of agricultural land into commercial landRule 377Lok Sabha — Matter under Rule 377Farmers
11.12.2023Beneficiaries under Atmanirbhar Rozgar YojanaUnstarred questionLabour and EmploymentIndustry
11.12.2023Scheme of Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and CultureUnstarred questionCultureHeritage
11.12.2023Economic Development of Tribal CommunitiesUnstarred questionTribal AffairsTribal
08.12.2023Gender RepresentationUnstarred questionWomen and Child DevelopmentHealth
08.12.2023Alternative Dispute Resolution SystemUnstarred questionLaw and JusticeLaw
08.08.2023Rearing of Domestic LivestockStarred questionFisheries, Animal Husbandry and DairyingFarmers
07.08.2023Minimum Wages to Workers in Private SectorUnstarred questionLabour and EmploymentIndustry
04.08.2023Juvenile Observation HomesUnstarred questionWomen and Child DevelopmentHealth
03.08.2023Lane ViolationsUnstarred questionRoad Transport and HighwaysRailways
03.08.2023Remote Pilot Training CentresUnstarred questionCivil AviationIndustry
03.08.2023New Housing Scheme for Small TownsUnstarred questionHousing and Urban AffairsRailways
01.08.2023Construction of Quality Infrastructure in PanchayatsStarred questionPanchayati RajRailways · Law
28.07.2023Setting up of new All India Institute of AyurvedaUnstarred questionAYUSHHealth
25.07.2023Schemes Implemented by DAHDUnstarred questionFisheries, Animal Husbandry and DairyingFarmers
20.07.2023Nal Se Jal YojanaUnstarred questionJal ShaktiRailways
05.04.2023Schemes for Development of Aspirational DistrictsUnstarred questionPlanningLaw
31.03.2023Defence Academy in Tribal AreasUnstarred questionDefenceTribal · Health
27.03.2023Schemes for Socio-Economic Development of TribalsUnstarred questionTribal AffairsTribal
27.03.2023Promotion of Tourism in Tribal Dominated AreasUnstarred questionTourismTribal · Heritage
22.03.2023e-CommerceUnstarred questionCommerce and IndustryIndustry
02.02.2023Work on NH-47Starred questionRoad Transport and HighwaysRailways
23.12.2022Sickle Cell DiseaseUnstarred questionHealth and Family WelfareHealth
23.12.2022Appointment of JudgesUnstarred questionLaw and JusticeLaw
22.12.2022Setting up of Solar ParksStarred questionNew and Renewable EnergyIndustry
21.12.2022Revenue loss due to Covid-19 PandemicUnstarred questionTextilesIndustry
20.12.2022Cooperative Societies in Madhya PradeshUnstarred questionCooperationFarmers
20.12.2022Implementation of BJRCYUnstarred questionSocial Justice and EmpowermentHealth
16.12.2022Army Schools in Madhya PradeshStarred questionDefenceHealth
14.12.2022Regarding need to observe ‘Sahayata Diwas’Rule 377Lok Sabha — Matter under Rule 377Health
13.12.2022Rehabilitation of Manual ScavengersUnstarred questionSocial Justice and EmpowermentHealth
08.08.2022Conservation of Forest in Madhya PradeshUnstarred questionEnvironment, Forest and Climate ChangeForests
05.08.2022Implementation of PMMVYUnstarred questionWomen and Child DevelopmentHealth
04.08.2022Setting up of Industries in Rural AreasStarred questionMicro, Small and Medium EnterprisesIndustry
29.07.2022Conservation of Medicinal PlantsUnstarred questionAYUSHForests
27.07.2022National Industrial Corridor Development ProgrammeUnstarred questionCommerce and IndustryIndustry
21.07.2022Conservation of Natural Gas ReservesUnstarred questionPetroleum and Natural GasIndustry
05.04.2022Innovative Scheme for Cooperative SocietiesUnstarred questionCooperationFarmers
31.03.2022Road Projects in Madhya PradeshUnstarred questionRoad Transport and HighwaysRailways
30.03.2022Telecommunication System in Tribal AreasUnstarred questionCommunicationsTribal · Railways
29.03.2022Sports Colleges and UniversitiesUnstarred questionYouth Affairs and SportsHealth
28.03.2022Request to set up industrial units in BetulSpecial MentionLok Sabha — Special MentionIndustry
28.03.2022Green India MissionUnstarred questionEnvironment, Forest and Climate ChangeForests
25.03.2022Request to construct a new railway line from Betul to Chicholi, via Bhimpur, Nanda, Kunkhedi, Damjipura and Burhanpur–KhandwaSpecial MentionLok Sabha — Special MentionRailways
25.03.2022Setting up of Sainik SchoolsUnstarred questionDefenceHealth
25.03.2022Vacancy of Ayurveda DoctorsUnstarred questionAYUSHHealth
16.03.2022Request to ban deforestationSpecial MentionLok Sabha — Special MentionForests
16.03.2022Betul–Amravati Railway ProjectUnstarred questionRailwaysRailways · Tribal
15.03.2022Subsidised Foodgrains for AnimalsUnstarred questionFisheries, Animal Husbandry and DairyingFarmers
10.02.2022Request for stoppage of train numbers 12159/12160 and 19713/19714 at Multai (Mutlai) railway stationSpecial MentionLok Sabha — Special MentionRailways
21.12.2021FPIs in Tribal AreasUnstarred questionFood Processing IndustriesTribal · Industry
21.12.2021Information to Citizens at Village LevelUnstarred questionInformation and BroadcastingLaw
17.12.2021AIIMS in Tribal AreasUnstarred questionHealth and Family WelfareTribal · Health
16.12.2021Industries in Tribal AreaUnstarred questionMicro, Small and Medium EnterprisesTribal · Industry
13.12.2021Request to help clean the Satpura (Satpuda) reservoir of aquatic weedSpecial MentionLok Sabha — Special MentionForests
02.12.2021Discussion on the COVID-19 pandemic and various aspects related to itShort Duration DiscussionLok Sabha — Rule 193Health
24.03.2021Urging that the Satpura (Satpuda) pond be freed of aquatic weedsSpecial MentionLok Sabha — Special MentionForests
12.02.2021Request for stoppage of specified trains at BetulSpecial MentionLok Sabha — Special MentionRailways
20.09.2020Request to improve educational services and establish a Medical UniversitySpecial MentionLok Sabha — Special MentionHealth
20.03.2020Damage to crops due to unseasonal rain and hailstorm in Betul, Madhya PradeshSpecial MentionLok Sabha — Special MentionFarmers
12.12.2019Request to help farmers under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi schemeSpecial MentionLok Sabha — Special MentionFarmers
12.12.2019Need to extend the benefit of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme to farmers living in forest areas of Betul districtRule 377Lok Sabha — Matter under Rule 377Farmers · Tribal
11.12.2019Request to declare the forts of Kherla, Shergarh, Asirgarh and Chicholi as tourist placesSpecial MentionLok Sabha — Special MentionHeritage
03.12.2019Need to conserve and develop historical forts in Betul parliamentary constituency as tourist placesRule 377Lok Sabha — Matter under Rule 377Heritage
29.11.2019Issues related to the problems of Bengali migrants or refugeesSpecial MentionLok Sabha — Special MentionLaw
18.07.2019Demand for a railway overbridge in Harda and a stoppage of the Andaman Express at BarbatpurSpecial MentionLok Sabha — Special MentionRailways
27.06.2019Request to stop the cutting of forests in Betul, Madhya PradeshSpecial MentionLok Sabha — Special MentionForests

Sources

  1. PRS Legislative Research — MP Track, 17th Lok Sabha: Durga Das (D.D.) Uikey (attendance, debates and questions, 1 June 2019 – 10 February 2024). prsindia.org
  2. Lok Sabha, Digital Sansad — Member profile: positions held. sansad.in/ls/members/biography/5057
  3. Lok Sabha — Unstarred Question No. 2323, “Betul-Amrawati-Railway Project”, answered 16.03.2022. sansad.in (PDF)
  4. Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Tribal Affairs — written answers cited in § 5 (PRIDs 2298814, 2248341, 2248369, 2223714, 2223008, 2153511). pib.gov.in
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