opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 304 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: Web Portal
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: NARANBHAI KACHHADIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 304

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2017

## Web Portal

## 304. SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  his  Ministry  has  launched  a  web  portal  for  approval  of  projects  under  the Coastal   Regulation Zone and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the nature of functioning and objectives of the above portal;
- (c) whether  the  above  system  is  likely  to  help  bodies  of  concerned  States/Union Territories  like  the  project  proposers  as  well  as  State  Coastal  Zone  Management Authority (SCZMA) and Municipal Committee town planning Agencies to check the status of their proposals; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a) to (d) With a view to streamline procedure for grant of clearances, the Ministry of Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  has  rolled  out  a  'Web  Portal  for CRZ Clearances'. This portal is a web based system for obtaining clearances by the Project proponents, under the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) Rules. The system enables the project proponents and the concerned State/UT bodies like the State Coastal Zone Management Authorities (SCZMAs)  and Municipal/Town  Planning  Agencies  to  track  the  status  of  proposals.  The system allocates a unique identity for each proposal for all future references and information can be accessed on-line.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 302 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: Damage to Ozone Layer
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: GOPAL CHINAYYA SHETTY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 302

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2017

## Damage to Ozone Layer

## 302. SHRI GOPAL SHETTY:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether researches  have  established  that  the  Ozone  layer  is  being  damaged  as  200 billion tonnes of additional carbon-oxide is dissolving in the atmosphere every year due to indiscriminate cutting of forests;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps/measures being taken by the Government to protect the ozone layer?

## ANSWER

MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN )

(a) & (b): No Sir.

The Montreal Protocol under Vienna Convention is responsible for protection of Ozone Layer. The depletion of Ozone Layer is due to the manmade chemicals containing chlorine and bromine atoms under the extremely low temperature.  These chemicals are used as refrigerants in air  conditioning,  blowing  agents  in  foam  industry,  aerosol  in  fire  extinguishers,  solvents  in different  industries,  and  fumigants  in  agriculture  and  plant  protection.The  depletion  of  Ozone Layer is not caused by Carbon Dioxide (CO2) as CO2 is not Ozone Depleting Substance (ODS), but it is a Green House Gas responsible for global warming.

- (c) The  Ministry  has  notified  on  19.07.2000  in  the  Gazette  of  India  the  Ozone  Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The above ODS Rules have been amended in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2014 to align with the phase-out schedule of the various ODSs as per the Montreal Protocol. The country has successfully met all the targets of phase out of ozone depleting substances. The world has phased out 97 percent of the ozone depleting substances. The successful achievements of targets under Montreal  Protocol  by  all  the  signatory  countries,  the  scientists  have  recorded  and  reported  in June, 2016 an improvement in healing of ozone hole.
- ***
Lok Sabha Question No. 298 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: Cashless Transactions in Ration Shops
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: K. GOPAL, A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 298

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH  July, 2017

## CASHLESS TRANSACTIONS IN RATION SHOPS

298.  DR. K. GOPAL:

SHRI A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN:

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 it is true that the Government will equip ration shops across the  country for cashless transactions by March end, 2018;
- (b) whether it is also true that at present cashless payment can be made only in 38,000 outlets of the total 5.27 lakh ration shops; and
- (c) whether it is also true that the Government has a concrete plan to meet this target and the same has been prepared in consultation with State Governments, if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

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

- (a)  to  (c):  To  increase  transparency  and  to  modernize  &  automate  TPDS operations, Department in association with States/UTs is implementing the installation  of  electronic  Point  of  Sale  (e-PoS)  devices  for  the  biometric authentication  and  distribution  of  the  subsidized  foodgrains  to  eligible beneficiaries under Public Distribution System (PDS). Since these devices are able  to  perform  Aadhaar  based  biometric  authentication  of  beneficiaries, they can be leveraged to enable Aadhaar based digital/cashless transactions at FPSs with the help of additional software-application integration. As per information  given  by  States/UTs,  at  present  out  of  5.27  lakh  FPSs,  51,818 FPSs have implemented cashless/digital transactions facilities.

State/UT Governments have been advised to adopt a phase-wise approach, starting  with  Metropolitan  Cities,  Municipal  Corporations,  Municipalities, District Headquarters and other urban areas where the conditions allow for effective implementation, and then expand it to semi-urban and rural areas.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 296 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: Construction of Border Outposts at Indo- Bangladesh Border
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: OM BIRLA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 296.

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18 TH  JULY, 2017/ ASHADHA 27, 1939 (SAKA)

CONSTRUCTION OF BORDER OUTPOSTS AT INDO- BANGLADESH BORDER

296. SHRI OM BIRLA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government intends to implement the report of the Standing Committee on Home Affairs which has recommended to reconsider the original plan  of  constructing  509  Border  Outposts  (BoP)  to  reduce  the  inter-BoP distance to 3.5 kilometres in the interest of the security of the nation;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether only 97 BoPs, out of 326 BoPs have been completed by the end of 2016 along the Indo-Bangladesh border; and

(d) if so, the reasons behind the slow pace of development and the steps taken by the Government to expedite the process?

ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) The project for construction of 509 Composite Border Out Posts(BOPs) was reduced to 422 Composite BOPs as the construction of remaining BOPs was  not  feasible  either  due  to  pending  land  acquisition  or  due  to  site conditions.  However,  it  has  been  decided  that  the  construction  activities  of remaining  BOPs  will  be  taken  up  as  and  when  the  site  is  made  available  or construction becomes feasible at an alternative site.

(c)  &  (d)    The  construction  of  BOPs  has  been  delayed  due  to  pending  land acquisition,  delay  in  forest  wildlife  clearances,  etc.  However,  forest/wildlife clearance  has  been  obtained  and  to  resolve  the  issue  of  pending  land acquisition, it has been decided to construct the BOPs in the land of 'Right of Way' offence and road, wherever available.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 295 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: Deployment of Marine India Reserve Battalions
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: MOHANBHAI KALYANJIBHAI KUNDARIYA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 295.

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18 TH  JULY, 2017/ ASHADHA 27, 1939 (SAKA)

DEPLOYMENT OF MARINE INDIA RESERVE BATTALIONS

295. SHRI KUNDARIYA MOHAN BHAI KALYANJI BHAI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether a proposal of the State Government of Gujarat for deployment of  four  Marine  Indian  Reserve  Battalions  in  order  to  protect  1640  km.  of coastal  line  which  has  vulnerable  areas/installation  around  and  near  the land/creek  border  areas  of  the  State  bordering  the  hostile  neighbour country is pending approval of the Government; and

(b) if so, the present status and the time by which the proposal is likely to be finalized?

ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) :  Yes, Madam.  Government of Gujarat has submitted a proposal for  deployment  of  four  Marine  Indian  Reserve  Battalions  and  action  has been taken as per the Government policy.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 294 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: Suicide Cases
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: HARISH DWIVEDI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †294

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18TH JULY,  2017 / ASHADHA 27, 1939 (SAKA)

SUICIDE CASES

†294. SHRI HARISH CHANDRA ALIAS HARISH DWIVEDI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the number of cases of  suicides are increasing in the country;
- (b) if so, the number of such suicide cases reported during each of the last three years State and gender-wise;
- (c)  the  age-group  under  which  maximum  rate  of  suicides  have  been  recorded during the said period ;
- (d) whether the Government has identified the reasons behind such increase;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f)  the steps taken by the Government to bring down the rate of suicide in the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): State/UT-wise and Gender-wise number of persons who have committed suicides during 2014-2015 is at Annexure. The maximum number of suicides have been committed by persons belong to the age-group(i) 18-30years and (ii) 30 - 45 years.
- (d) to (f): The, major causes of suicide are related to illness, family problems,  issues  related  to  marriage,  bankruptcy,  drug  abuse  and  failure  in examination  etc.  Health  being  a  State  subject  under  List  -  II  of  the  Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, States are empowered to implement its own programmes. However, the Government of India attaches highest

## L.S.US.Q.NO.294 FOR 18.07.2017

importance  in  the  matter  and  has  approved  implementation  of  the  District Mental  Health  Programme  in  some  of  the  districts  of  the  country  with  added components of suicide prevention services, work place stress management, life skills training and counseling in schools and colleges.

*******

State/UT-wise, Gender-wise and Age Group-wise number of persons who have committed suicide during the year 2014-2015

| Sl. No.   |
|-----------|

Source: 'Accidental Deaths and Suicides in

India'

# Newly created State from erstwhile Andhra Pradesh

## State/UT-wise, Gender-wise and Age Group-wise number of persons who have committed suicide during the year 2014-2015

| Sl. No.   |
|-----------|

Source: 'Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India'

# Newly created State from erstwhile Andhra

Pradesh
Lok Sabha Question No. 293 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: Automotive Mission Plan
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
Asked by: GOWDAR MALLIKARJUNAPPA SIDDESHWARA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES DEPARTMENT OF HEAVY INDUSTRY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.293 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2017

## Automotive Mission Plan

## 293. SHRI G.M. SIDDESHWARA:

Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has launched Automotive Mission Plan, 2016- 26 which envisaged creation of an additional 50 million jobs and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Automotive Mission Plan, 2016-26 aimed to put India's automobile industry in the  league  of  top  three  nations  in  engineering,  manufacturing  and  export  of  vehicles  and  auto components and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is extending the national Automotive Mission Plan; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof alongwith the achievements make so far under the plan?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF  HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (SHRI  BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a): Yes, Madam. The Automotive Mission Plan [AMP 2026] envisages creation of 65 million jobs.

- (b): Yes, Madam.
- (c) & (d): Yes,  Madam.  The  salient  features  of  the  Automotive  Mission  Plan  2016-26 [AMP   2026] are:
- i.    The Indian Automotive industry to be a top job creator - 65 million additional jobs.
- ii   The  Indian  Automotive  industry  to  be  the  prime  mover  of  Manufacturing  sector  and 'Make in India' Programme .
- iii   The Indian Automotive industry to aim at increasing exports of vehicles by 5 times and Components by 7.5 times.
- iv   For success of AMP2026, there is a need of coordinated and stable policy regime for the automotive sector.
- v.  Specific interventions are envisaged to sustain and improve manufacturing competitiveness and to address challenges of environment and safety.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 291 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: Funds for Cultivation of Pulses
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: RAJESHBHAI NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 291 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18 TH  JULY, 2017

## FUNDS FOR CULTIVATION OF PULSES

291.   SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA:

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

- (a) whether the Government is committed to increase the production of pulses in the country under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM);
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the funds earmarked and released to the States; and
- (c) the  measures  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  increase  awareness  among  the farming community with regard to cultivation of pulses?

## ANSWER

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

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI S.S. AHLUWALIA)

- (a) & (b): Yes, Madam.    For the year 2017-18, an amount of Rs.1720.00 crores (Government of India Share) has been earmarked for National Food Security Mission (NFSM), out of which an amount of Rs.834.71 crores has  been allocated, so far, for NFSM-Pulses to States for increasing the production of pulses in the country.  An amount of Rs.169.28 crores has been released so far to States for implementation of the pulses programme.
- (c): In order to create awareness among the farming community with regard to cultivation of pulses, Government of India has been taking steps like organization of cluster/cropping system based demonstrations on latest  crop  production  technology,  cropping system  based  training, etc. through State Governments and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).  Besides, seed production of pulses through seed-hubs has also been taken up by ICAR Institutes/Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)/State Agricultural Universities (SAUs).
- ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 290 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: Drought Relief to Rajasthan
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: SONA RAM CHOUDHARY

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

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 290 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18 TH  JULY, 2017

## DROUGHT RELIEF TO RAJASTHAN

290.   COL. SONARAM CHOUDHARY:

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

- (a) whether  an  amount  of  Rs.  1193  crore  was  sanctioned  by  the  Government  for  relief activities due to drought in Kharif Samvat 2072 as against demand of Rs. 10,537 crore by the State Government of Rajasthan and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether no funds were sanctioned by the Government for cattle conservation out of the total  demand  of  Rs.  1043.69  crore  by  the  State  Government  of  Rajasthan  for  cattle conservation activities as 1.69 crore out of total 5.77 crore livestock was severely affected;
- (c) if so, whether the Government is considering to release a sum of Rs. 1043.69 crore from NDRF as assistance for cattle conservation; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI S.S. AHLUWALIA)

- (a): The State Government of Rajasthan submitted a Memorandum for drought during Kharif 2015 seeking financial assistance of Rs.10,537.02 crore from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).  Central assistance of Rs.1193.41 crore was approved by the High Level Committee (HLC) as per the extant SDRF/NDRF norms.
- (b) to (d): The HLC discussed the claim of the State Government regarding projected cost of  fodder,  transportation  etc.  for  milch  animals  and  felt  that  this  may  be  considered  as  per norms  and  guidelines  on  actual  basis,  separately.    Accordingly,  Government  of  Rajasthan submitted  a  proposal  on  31.01.2017  for  reimbursement  of  Rs.211.34  crore  from  NDRF  for Animal Husbandry Sector.  This was considered by the HLC in its meeting held on 29.06.2017 and  the  HLC  decided  that  further  clarification/information  may  be  sought  from  the  State Government and the proposal submitted for consideration of the HLC.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 287 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: Mini Food Parks
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: DUSHYANT CHAUTALA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 287

ANSWERED ON-18 TH  JULY, 2017

## MINI FOOD PARKS

## 287. SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA :

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a)      whether  the  Government  has  implemented  any  scheme  to  provide  incentives  for setting  up  of  mini  food  parks  and  to  boost  manufacturing  activities  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b)      whether  the  Government  has  also  received    proposals    from    private  entrepreneurs seeking subsidy and incentives for setting up of mini food parks; and
- (c)    if  so, the details thereof and the total funds sanctioned by the Government till now, State-wise?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a): Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has no scheme to provide incentives for  setting  up  of  Mini  Food  Parks  in  the  country.  However,  Government  of  India  has approved a new Scheme for Creation of Infrastructure for Agro Processing Clusters under Central Sector Scheme - KISAN SAMPADA YOJANA for the period upto 2019-20. The objective  of  the  scheme  is  to  create  modern  infrastructure  for  food  processing  closer  to production areas. The scheme envisages grants-in-aid of 35% of eligible project cost in general areas, 50% grants-in-aid of eligible project cost in the North East States including Sikkim  and  difficult  areas  namely  Himalayan  States  (i.e.  Himachal  Pradesh,  Jammu  & Kashmir and Uttarakhand), State notified ITDP areas & Islands subject to maximum of Rs. 10.00 crore per project.

(b): No, Madam.

- (c): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 285 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: e-Portal System
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 285

## TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18 th  July, 2017

## e-Portal System

285. SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY KOTHA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has introduced e-portal system for sale of medicines online and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is true that All India Medical Association has resorted to agitation across the country in protest of the e-portal system of sale of medicines and if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the remedial measures taken/being taken by the Government to redress the problems of the All India Medical Association?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS; MINISTRY OF SHIPPING AND MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a): No, Madam.
- (b):   The   Government   has   issued   a   notice   seeking   public   comments   on regulation of sale of drugs including introduction of an electronic platform for regulation of sale of drugs in the country before finalizing the policy in this regards. In response to the notice, comments have been received from various stakeholders including associations of chemists and druggists. In protest, All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists had called for a one day bandh on 30.05.2017.
- (c): All final decisions of the Government are taken keeping in mind the interest of all the stakeholders.

xxxxxx
Lok Sabha Question No. 284 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: Cultivation of Pokkali Rice
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: ANTO  ANTONY

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

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 284

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18 TH  JULY, 2017

## CULTIVATION OF POKKALI RICE

## 284. SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any record regarding the area under cultivation of Pokkali, an organic farming system of paddy in saline and waterlogged fields, in the coastal States of the country including Kerala and if so, the details thereof, Statewise;
- (b) whether it is a fact that the Pokkali rice cultivation has drastically declined by one fourth in the country during the last 20 years; and
- (c) if  so, the details thereof and the steps being taken by the Government to promote the Pokkali cultivation?

## ANSWER

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

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI S.S. AHLUWALIA)

- (a): Pokkali is an alternating organic farming system of paddy and shrimp cultivation in saline and waterlogged coastal fields of Kerala.  The area under Pokkali is limited to less than 8000 ha of which only 4000-5000 ha is being used for coastal saline paddy cultivation.
- (b) & (c): According to Pokkali land development agency, there used to 20000-25000 ha of Pokkali fields in Kerala few decades ago, but now the extent has decreased to around 8000 ha. Government  of  India  is  providing  support  to  the  State  for  cultivation  of  'Pokkali'  rice  under Rashtriya  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (RKVY)  on  the  basis  of  project  submitted  by  State.    Besides, assistance for paddy cultivation in Pokkali area is given @ Rs.10,000/ha from the State Plan provision.
- ********