opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5205 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-27
Subject: Drought Prone Areas
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: JANAK RAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5205

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  MARCH, 2018

## DROUGHT PRONE AREAS

## 5205.     SHRI JANAK RAM:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) the areas/locations identified as drought prone areas in the country;
- (b) whether the Government is considering to approve any proposal to identify the reasons for  drought  in  these  areas  to  carry  out  scientific  analysis  to  check  the  drought  in  the  drought prone areas; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI  GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (c): Government  of  India  has  decided  that  District  Action  Plans  be  prepared  for districts which face frequent drought and acute water stress.  In the first instance, 24 districts in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Rajasthan, with the highest frequency of droughts during the 2000-2015 period have been identified.   The District Action Plans would be devised making use of basic information on soil types, rainfall characteristics, hydrological and irrigation profiles, watershed development, existing cropping patterns, socio-economic vulnerabilities etc. and  suggest  appropriate  measures,  which  may,  inter-alia,  include  alterations  in  the  cropping patterns, efficient and sustainable exploitation of ground  water/irrigation resources etc. over the short,  medium  and  long  term.      The  plans  would  also  identify  targets  for  various  actionable recommendations to facilitate a robust monitoring of component/scheme-wise progress.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 5203 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-27
Subject: Production of Saffron
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: PINAKI MISRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5203

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  MARCH, 2018

## PRODUCTION OF SAFFRON

## 5203.      SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  production  of  saffron  is  on  the  decline  in  the  country  due  to  improper cultivable conditions and lack of proper facilities;
- (b) if  so, the annual production of saffron for the past five years and the demand of Indian saffron in the international market; and
- (c) whether the Government is considering to provide better facilities and financial help to the saffron growers in order to increase the production and thereby increase its export?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI  PARSHOTTAM  RUPALA)

- (a): The  production  of  Saffron  is  not  on  decline  as  corrective  and  innovative  practices  are being implemented under National Saffron Mission through Department of Agriculture Govt. of Jammu  and  Kashmir,  Srinagar,  Sher-e-Kashmir  University  of Agricultural  Sciences  and Technology of Jammu and ICAR- Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, Srinagar .
- (b): Annual production of saffron for the last five years is given as below:

| Year      | Total Production of Saffron (MTs)   |
|-----------|-------------------------------------|
| 2013-14   | 22.654                              |
| 2014-15   | 8.51*                               |
| 2015-16   | 27.908                              |
| 2016-17   | 28.64                               |
| 2017-18** | 9.12**                              |

The demand of Indian Saffron has increased in the international market due to presence of high quality active components like Crocine, Picrocrocine, Safranal.

- (c): Government of India is financially supporting     saffron growers through National Saffron Mission  for  improving  the  productivity,  production  and  thereby  increase  export  of  Saffron. Government of India has also sanctioned a State of Art Spice/Saffron Park at Dusoo, Pulwama in  Jammu  &  Kashmir,  for  providing  improved  facilities  of  grading,  packaging,  e-auctioning  & certification of Saffron which would give a boost to the export of Indian Saffron.
Lok Sabha Question No. 5202 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-27
Subject: MSP for Agricultural Produce
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: RAMACHANDRAN MULLAPPALLY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5202

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  MARCH, 2018

## MSP FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE

5202.      SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal for fixation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for every agriculture produce;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the necessary steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI  PARSHOTTAM  RUPALA)

- (a) to (c): Government  presently  fixes  Minimum  Support  Prices  (MSPs)  for  22  mandated agricultural crops which include 14 crops of kharif season viz. paddy, jowar, bajra, maize, ragi, arhar, moong, urad, groundnut-in-shell, soyabean, sunflower, sesamum, nigerseed and cotton; 6  rabi  crops  viz.  wheat,  barley,  gram,  masur(lentil),  rapeseed/mustard,  and  safflower  &  two other commercial crops viz. jute and copra and fair and remunerative price (FRP)  for sugarcane on the basis of the recommendations of Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP), after considering the views of State Governments  and Central Ministries/Departments concerned and other relevant  factors.  In  addition,  MSPs  of  toria  and  de-husked  coconut  are also  fixed  by  the  Government  on  the  basis  of  MSPs  of  rapeseed/mustard  and  copra respectively. There is no proposal of the Government for fixation of MSP for every agriculture produce for this year. The agricultural/horticultural crops for which MSP are not fixed, Government implements Market  Intervention  Scheme  (MIS)  for  the  procurement  of  these  crops  on  the  request  of State/UT  Governments  in  order  to  protect  the  growers  of  these  commodities  from  making distress  sale  in  the  event  of  bumper  crop  when  the  prices  tend  to  fall  below  the  economic level/cost of production. Losses, if any, incurred by the procuring agencies are shared by the Central  Government  and  the  concerned  State  Government  on  50:50  basis  (75:25  in  case  of

North-Eastern States).

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 5200 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-27
Subject: Crime Problem
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: ANSHUL VERMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5200

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  MARCH, 2018/ CHAITRA 6, 1940 (SAKA) CRIME PROBLEM

5200.

DR. ANSHUL VERMA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether according to a survey titled 'Safety Trends And Reporting of Crime  (SATARC)'s  about  51  per  cent  of  people  in  the  National  Capital Territory of Delhi feel that crime is a serious problem in their neighbourhood and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  install  CCTV  cameras  in  all cities and towns of the country to ensure safety of people and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether  the Government  is considering e-surveillance or video surveillance in securing the cities in the country, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

- (a): The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) informed that the survey titled 'Safety Trends and Reporting of Crime' (SATARC) was conducted by a  private  organization,  namely,  IDFC  Institute  in  four  cities  viz.  Delhi, Mumbai,  Chennai  and  Bengaluru  during  2015-16  and  the  findings  of  the survey inter-alia suggested that 51% of people in Delhi feel that crime is a serious problem in their area.
- (b) and  (c): Ministry of Home  Affairs  releases funds to the State Governments  for  modernization  of  police  infrastructure,  including  CCTV surveillance system/cameras, under the  Scheme 'Assistance to States for

## LS.US.Q.NO.5200 FOR 27.03.2018

Modernisation of Police'. Under this scheme, State Action Plans (SAPs) for utilization of their allocated funds are formulated by the State Governments as per their strategic priorities and requirements and they may include CCTV surveillance system/cameras also.  Under the scheme, central  assistance  is  also  being  given  for  Mega  City  Policing  plans  of Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Bengaluru under which Command Control Centre (CCC) and CCTV surveillance are among the technological components.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5196 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-27
Subject: Non-Payment of Sugarcane Dues
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: SANJAY(KAKA) RAMCHANDRA PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5196

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 TH  MARCH, 2018

## NON-PAYMENT OF SUGARCANE DUES

## 5196.   SHRI SANJAY KAKA PATIL:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  sugarcane  farmers  in  Maharashtra  have  decided  to protest  on  the  issue  of  non-payment  of  their  dues  as  the  Mill  owners  are unable to pay them owing to decrease in sugar prices and extra stocks of sugar in the market and if so, whether the State Government of Maharashtra has issued notices to some sugar mills for payment of dues to the farmers along with the response of the Union Government thereto;
- (b) whether the Union Government has issued certain directions to the State Governments to determine the Minimum Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane for mill owners who make payment to sugrcane farmers at pre-determined prices; and
- (c) whether  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  in  regard  to  control import duty on sugar have succeeded to resolve the issues?

## A N S W E R

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a): As per information received from Government of Maharashtra there is no  protest  from  farmers  till  date  for  non-payment  of  their  dues  by  the  mill owners. The mill owners are finding it difficult to pay the cane prices to the farmers on time due to decrease in sugar price. The State Government has issued notices to 228 sugar mill for the recovery of cane payment dues to farmers.

During the current season, in order to stabilize domestic sugar price and improve  liquidity  of  sugar  mills    enabling  them  to  clear  cane  dues  of  the farmers, import duty on sugar has been enhanced from 50% to 100%; stock limit  on  sugar mills has been imposed  for two months and export duty on sugar has been withdrawn.

(b): The Central Government fixes Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane for every Sugar Season (October-September) on the recommendation of Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices(CACP) and in consultation with State Governments and industry bodies. FRP so fixed by Central Government is the minimum bench mark statutory price of sugarcane below which no sugar mill can purchase sugarcane from sugarcane farmers. The Government has raised import duty on sugar from 50% to 100% w.e.f. 06.02.2018. It has prevented import of cheap sugar in the country and arrested the down-ward trend of sugar prices in the domestic market thereby improving the liquidity position of sugar mills to clear sugarcane price dues

****

(c): to farmers.
Lok Sabha Question No. 5195 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-27
Subject: Fertilizer Distribution Points
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS

## LOK SABHA

## . 5195 TO BE ANSWERED ON . 27.03.2018

## Fertilizer Distribution Points

## 5195   SHRI NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  has  come  to  the  notice  of  the  Government  that  due  to  nonavailability  of  required  infrastructure  at  existing  take  off  points,  supply  of fertilizers  and  its  distribution  is  affected  as  a  result  of  which  Odisha  is incurring expenditure of Rs. 5 crore annually;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  address  the  said  problems  in Odisha and other States of the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  THE  MINISTRY  OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

## ( RAO INDERJIT SINGH )

(a) to (c): No  Madam.  There  is  no  report  from  any  State  including  Odisha regarding non-availability of fertilizers due to infrastructural issue.  It is mentioned that  Department  of  Agriculture  Cooperation  &  Farmers  Welfare  (DAC&FW),  in consultation with States/ UTs, assesses the requirement of all subsidized fertilizers before the start of each Season.  Department of Fertilizers ensures availability of fertilizers  at  the  State  level.  Further,  fertilizers  are  transported  across  the  country from  ports/plants through  rail/  roads  and  the  freight  charges  are  borne  by Government of India. With the existing arrangements, availability of fertilizers has been adequate in the country including Odisha.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 5193 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-27
Subject: Merger of Bayer and Monsanto
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: R. PARTHIPAN, (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5193

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  MARCH, 2018

## MERGER OF BAYER AND MONSANTO

5193.      SHRI R. PARTHIPAN:

ADV. JOICE GEORGE:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has noticed that two pesticides and seed giants -Bayer and Monsanto are in process of merger, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Competition Commission of India (CCI) is examining India's stand on the merger between Bayer and Monsanto and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether Bayer has 60-65 per cent market share and Monsanto enjoys 15-20 per cent market  share  in  corn  insecticides  in  both  the  upstream  market  for  seed  treatments  and downstream market for sale of seeds in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether it is a fact that post-merger 'Baysanto' will have a dominant platform in cotton seeds,  vegetable  seeds  as  well  as  in  insecticides  for  rice,  cotton  and  corn  and  will  face insignificant competition and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether  the  Government  is  planning  any  remedy  to  deal  with  the  possible  adverse effects and save Indian agrarian sector especially in relation to innovation of germ plasm, traits, breeding technologies, crop protection, big data and digital farming and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether the Government is aware of the peculiar vulnerability of poor and illiterate Indian farmers and their lack of bargaining power which will make the situation more complex, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI  PARSHOTTAM  RUPALA)

- (a) to (d): Yes, Madam.  The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has received notice on 07.08.2017  from  Bayer  in  relation  to  the  proposed  acquisition  of  entire  shareholding  of Monsanto Company by Bayer.  The matter is under examination with CCI.
- (e) & (f): ICAR  Institutes/State  Agriculture  Universities  and  other  related  Institutes  are developing  innovative  technologies  to  meet  the  requirements  of  poor  and  illiterate  farmers  in particular and all the farmers of our country in general.
Lok Sabha Question No. 5192 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-27
Subject: Production of Foodgrains
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: P. KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5192

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 TH  MARCH, 2018

## PRODUCTION OF FOODGRAINS

5192.   SHRI P. KUMAR:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) the total production of foodgrains in the country during the last three years and the current year;
- (b) the  quantum  of  foodgrains  distributed  through  PDS  during  the  said period; and
- (c) the details of increase in prices of food articles under PDS during the said period?

## A N S W E R

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

(a) & (b): The  total production of foodgrains (rice, wheat and coarsegrain) in the  country;  and  distribution  of  foodgrains  (rice  wheat  and  coarsegrain) under Public Distribution System during last three years and current year are as under:

## (Figure in Million tons)

| Year    | Production   | Distribution   |
|---------|--------------|----------------|
| 2014-15 | 234.87       | 46.74          |
| 2015-16 | 235.22       | 51.47          |
| 2016-17 | 251.98       | 52.29          |
| 2017-18 | 253.54*      | 49.44#         |

#Up to January, 2018

(c): There is  no  change  in  central  issue  price  (CIP)  of  foodgrains  under PDS during last three years and current year. Rice, wheat and coarsegrain continue to be distributed at Rs. 3/-, 2/- and 1/- per kilogram respectively.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5188 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-27
Subject: Fencing on Border
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: THANGSO BAITE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5188

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  MARCH, 2018/

FENCING ON BORDER

5188. SHRI BAITE THANGSO:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has any long term plan to construct border fencing between India and Myanmar in Manipur State section;

(b) if so, the details of the target and progress till date;

(c) whether there is any problem or hurdles from the local people in the construction work of the border fencing; and

(d) if so, the steps taken to solve the problem?

ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (d): The strengthening of border guarding arrangements including infrastructure is an ongoing process, keeping in view security requirements  and  availability  of  resources.  As  of  now,  there  is  no proposal  to  construct  border  fencing  between  India  and  Myanmar  in Manipur State section.

*****

CHAITRA 6, 1940 (SAKA)
Lok Sabha Question No. 5187 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-27
Subject: Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI, RAMDAS CHANDRABHANJI TADAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

## RASHTRIYA VAYOSHRI YOJANA

## +5187. SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the names of the States in the country where Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana is implemented at; present; being
- (b) the names of the districts of Rajasthan and Maharashtra included under the said scheme at present;
- (c) whether Chittorgarh district and Wardha have been included under the said Yojana;
- (d) if the details of the work carried out so far under the said scheme; and SO,
- (e) the number of persons benefited in Rajasthan and Maharashtra under the said scheme?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA)

- (a): The Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana is implemented in all the 29 States and 7 Union Territories. being
- (6): Following are the districts of Rajasthan and Maharashtra which are included in the said scheme:
- (c): Madam. Chittorgarh district has not been included under the said Yojana, at present No,

|     | Districts of Rajasthan   | District of Maharashtra   |
|-----|--------------------------|---------------------------|
|     | Jhalawar                 | Nagpur                    |
| 2   | Bikaner                  | Dhule                     |
| 3   | Jaipur                   | Pune                      |
| 4.  | Jodhpur                  | Mumbai (NE)               |
| 5.  | Pali                     | Kurla & Bandra            |
| 6.  | Bhilwara                 | Jalna                     |
| 7.  | Sawai Madhopur           | Wardha                    |
| 8   | Baran                    | Nandurbar                 |
| 9   | Jaisalmer                | Washim                    |
| 10_ | Dholpur                  | Osmanabad                 |
| 11. | Karauli                  | Gadchiroli                |
| 12. | Sirohi                   |                           |

Madam. Wardha District has been included under the said Yojana. Yes;

- (d): The assessment dates have not been finalised in Wardha:
- (e): The total number of persons in Rajasthan and Maharashtra under the Scheme is as under:-

|   Rajasthan |   Maharashtra |
|-------------|---------------|
|        4210 |          3126 |

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. +5187 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2018