opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 503 (STARRED), answered on 2018-04-03
Subject: Production of Small Grains
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: GEETHA KOTHAPALLI, J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY

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

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 503

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  APRIL, 2018

## PRODUCTION OF SMALL GRAINS

- *503.      SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA: SHRI J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND  FARMERS  WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããè be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Andhra Pradesh has huge scope for production of small grains but due to lack of incentives and encouragement from the Government, the farmers are not coming forward  for  the  production  of  small  grains,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons therefor; and
- (b) the  corrective  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  encourage  production  of  small grains in Andhra Pradesh?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण

- (a) & (b):

½ãâ¨ããè (SHRI RADHA MOHAN SINGH) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  &  (b)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.  503    DUE FOR REPLY ON 3 RD  APRIL, 2018.

(a)  &  (b):    In  order  to  promote  small  grains  (millets)  in  the  country  including  Andhra Pradesh, Government of India has been implementing crop development programmes/schemes like National Food Security Mission (NFSM) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas  Yojana  (RKVY).  Under  NFSM,  assistance  is  provided  to  the  farmers  through State Governments for organizing demonstrations on improved production technologies and seed distribution. Besides,  Government  of  India  declares  Minimum  Support Price (MSP) of jowar, bajra and ragi   every year to protect the interests of the farmers. Under the programme, three National Centre of Excellences (CoEs) have been established i.e one  at  CCS  Haryana  Agricultural  University,  Hisar  for  pearl  millet  and  one  each  at Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad  for sorghum  and  University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru for small millets.

In  addition,  State  Government  of  Andhra  Pradesh  is  also  implementing  a programme of 'Comprehensive  Revival of Millets' in the state to improve productivity of millets,  increase  household  consumption,  popularizing  millet  products  in  urban  areas and linking to market, special focus on primary processing and make millets available at record.

As per the  provisions  under  National  Food  Security  Act  enacted  in  2013,  food grains  including  millets  are  provided  for  preparation  of  meals  under  Supplementary Nutrition  Programme  of  Aaganwadi  services  under  the  Umbrella  of  Integrated  Child Development  Services  (ICDS)  at  subsidized  rates  through  Public  Distribution  System

(PDS).

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5980 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-03
Subject: State-of-the-Art Technology in FPI
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: DUSHYANT CHAUTALA

## GOVERNMENTOF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5980

ANSWERED ON 03 RD  APRIL,2018

## STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY IN FPI

## 5980.   SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  invited  100%  FDI  in  food  processing  industries  and  initiated  to introduce  state-of-the-art  technology  of  international  standards  for  the  development  of  Food Processing Industries;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the value of foreign investment received for the purpose during the last three years; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  also  fixed  target  to  reduce  the  wastage  of  agricultural  products through such a move and by inviting more FDI in this field and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Government  has  already  approved  100%  Foreign  Direct  Investment  (FDI)  in  the  food processing  sector  through  automatic  route  subject  to  applicable  laws/sectoral  rules/regulations/security conditions.  Also,  100%  FDI  with  Government  approval  for  retail  marketing,  including  through  ecommerce, is allowed for food products manufactured or produced in India. The year-wise FDI equity inflow into the food processing sector is as follows:

FDI Equity Inflows in Food Processing Sector

| Year    |   FDI Inflow (In US$ Million) |
|---------|-------------------------------|
| 2014-15 |                        515.86 |
| 2015-16 |                        505.88 |
| 2016-17 |                        727.22 |

Source:  Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion

(c): Though no specific target has been fixed to reduce the wastage of agricultural produces, the Ministry of  Food  Processing  Industries  (MoFPI)  has  been  implementing  various  Central  Sector  Schemes  under PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN SAMPADA YOJANA (PMKSY) for overall promotion and development of food processing sector in the country to, inter alia, reduce wastages of agricultural produces along the entire value/supply chain through creation of robust modern infrastructure. In addition to allowing FDI into food processing sector, Government has taken a number of policy initiatives like creation of a special fund of Rs.2000 crore in National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to provide affordable credit to food processing sector; classification of food & agro-based processing units and cold chain as agriculture activity for Priority Sector Lending (PSL); lower Goods & Service Tax (GST) rates for majority of food products, 100% exemption of Income Tax on profit for new food processing units, concessional import duty for import of plant and machinery under project import benefit scheme etc.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5977 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-03
Subject: Revamping of Consumer Protection Act
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: E. T. MOHAMMED BASHEER

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5977

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.04.2018

## REVAMPING OF CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT

## 5977.  SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

## 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 Government proposes to revamp the Consumer Protection Act in the light of new challenges; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h ¼Jh lh- vkj- pkS/kjh½

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

(a) & (b) : Keeping in view the  changes that have taken place in the market since the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act  1986, the Government decided to modernise the 31 year old consumer protection legislation to meet the new challenges and introduced the Consumer Protection Bill, 2018  in the Lok Sabha on 5.1.2018.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5976 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-03
Subject: Online Visa System
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: CH. MALLA REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5976

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  APRIL, 2018/ CHAITRA 13, 1940 (SAKA)

## ONLINE VISA SYSTEM

5976. SHRI CH. MALLA REDDY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  Integrated  Online  Visa  System  under  the  Immigration,  Visa, Foreigners Registration and Tracking (IVFRT) project has been operationalised;
- (b) if so, the details and status thereof;
- (c)  whether  e-Visa  scheme,  introduced  in  the  year  2014  for  Tourism category,  has  been  extended  to  cover  Business  and  Medical  categories and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has revamped FCRA website to make it more user  friendly,  transparent  and  to  ensure  a  hassle-free  interaction  of  the user with the Government; and
- (e)  whether  the  banks  have  been  integrated  with  the  FCRA  System  for better  coordination  of  the  incoming  foreign  contributions  and  if  so,  the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): The integrated online visa application under Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration and Tracking (IVFRT) has been operationalized in 167 Indian missions abroad.  Besides this, offices of 12 FRROs & 608 FROs also     provide     visa     related     services     to    foreigners     in     India.

## L.S.US.Q.NO.5976 FOR 03.04.2018

(c): e-Visa scheme introduced in 2014 for Tourism has been extended to cover Business and Medical purposes  also from  01.04.2017.

(d): FCRA web-portal of Ministry of Home Affairs has been revamped to make it more user-friendly, transparent & richer in data.  It ensures hassle free interface between the user and government.

(e): A total of 53 banks have been integrated with FCRA system for better monitoring of the incoming foreign contribution.  A list of these Banks is available on web-portal www.fcraonline.nic.in of the MHA

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5975 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-03
Subject: Payment of Insurance Claims
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE, ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5975

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  3 RD  APRIL, 2018

## PAYMENT OF INSURANCE CLAIMS

5975.  SHRI KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE: SHRI ARVIND SAWANT:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND  FARMERS  WELFARE      ‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं  कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããè be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  paid  the  insurance  claim  as  compensation  for damage of crops due to flood and drought during the current year;
- (b) if so, the details of the amount paid by the Government as compensation, Statewise;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor and the time by which the insurance amount is likely to be paid by the Government;
- (d) whether the amount being provided as compensation is not adequate; and
- (e) if so, the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF  STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF  AGRICULTURE AND  FARMERS  WELFARE

‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं  कसान  कयाण ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã  ½ãñâ  Àã·¾ã  ½ãâ¨ããè (  SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a) to (e): Under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) claims are to be settled  by  insurance  companies  within  three  weeks  of  receipt  of  yield  data  from  the State Government provided premium subsidy has also been received from Government, both  Centre and State.    As far as claims  of  current  year  are  concerned  following  the harvest  of  Kharif  crop  from  October-December,  the  States  are  being  followed  up  to provide yield data and their share in premium subsidy at the earliest.  In respect of Rabi 2017-18, the harvest season is currently on.  Further, this year the crop insurance portal was also launched to promote better administration of the scheme.  While it has helped to  integrate  all  stakeholders,  there  are  ground  level  challenges  especially  with  banks and cooperatives in inputting farmer data.   Regarding adequacy of compensation, it is stated that the sum insured under PMFBY has been increased and made equal to the scale of finance of the crop to ensure maximum risk coverage.

:

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5974 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-03
Subject: Housing Sector
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: T.G. VENKATESH BABU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5974

TO BE ANSWERED ON APRIL 03, 2018

## HOUSING SECTOR

No. 5974 SHRI VENKATESH BABU T. G. :

Will  the  Minister  of  HOUSING  AND  URBAN  AFFAIRS  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  reports  that  more  than half of the newly constructed houses in the country are lying vacant and the housing sector is hit due to falling demand;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that vacant houses leads to inflated prices and results in shortage of housing and denial of the same to the needy;
- (d) if so, whether the Government has taken any steps to remove this anomaly and boost the housing sector; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

(SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

- (a) to (e):   As  per  Census  2011,  there  are  11  million  houses  lying vacant. However, no specific assessment has been made on  impact  of  vacant  houses  on  prices,  since  price  of houses is market driven and depends upon demand and supply factors.

The Central Government  has launched the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) (Urban) on 25 June, 2015 to facilitate the efforts of States / Union Territories (UTs) to address  the  housing  shortage  among  the  urban  poor. PMAY (U) has four verticals viz. In Situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR), Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP), Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) and Beneficiary-Led Individual House Construction (BLC). States/  UTs  approve  projects  for  sanction  of  houses under  any  of  the  available  verticals  to  address  the housing shortage.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5973 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-03
Subject: Study on Problem due to Ceasefire Violation
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: G. HARI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5973

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  APRIL, 2018/ CHAITRA 13, 1940 (SAKA)

STUDY ON PROBLEM DUE TO CEASEFIRE VIOLATION

5973. SHRI G. HARI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  set  up  a  study  group  to  examine  the problems faced by people residing near the International Border and the line  of  control  in  Jammu  &  Kashmir  in  the  wake  of  regular  ceasefire violations by Pakistan;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

- (c) whether the said study group has submitted any report in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the action contemplated by the Government on the recommendations of the said study group?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): A  'Study  Group'  was  constituted  under  the  Chairmanship  of Special  Secretary  (Internal  Security)  to  examine  the  problems  faced  by people  residing  near  the  International  Border  and  the  Line  of  Control  in Jammu & Kashmir in the wake of regular ceasefire violations by Pakistan.

(c) & (d): As per the assigned tasks, the Study Group visited the bordering areas / villages  in  the  districts  of  Jammu,  Samba,  Kathua,  Rajouri  and

-2L.S.US.Q.NO.5973 FOR 03.04.2018

Poonch. Based on the recommendations of the Study Group, multiple steps have been initiated which are as under:

- (i) Approval for construction of 14460 Bunkers i.e. 13029 Individual and 1431 Community bunkers in the border areas.
- (ii) Compensation  for  damage  to  crops,  livestock  etc.  by  cross  border firing at par with NDRF norms.
- (iii) Approval has also been given to raise two New Border Battalions for J&K Police.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5972 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-03
Subject: Strengthening of PDS
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: DEVENDRA (ALIAS) BHOLE SINGH SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5972 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 rd  APRIL 2018

## STRENGTHENING OF PDS

## 5972. SHRI DEVENDRA SINGH BHOLE:

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  Government  has  formulated  any  action  plan  to  further strengthen the Public Distribution System  (PDS) with the purpose of providing cheaper food products to the poor people in the country;
- (b) if so, the extent to which the poor are likely to be benefited through this scheme; and
- (c)
- if not, the reasons therefor?

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## A N S W E R (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a)  to  (c):  For  effective  implementation  of  the  Public  Distribution  System (PDS), Government is implementing a scheme on 'End-to-end Computerization of TPDS Operations. The scheme comprises digitization of ration cards/beneficiary and other databases, online allocation, computerization of supply chain management, setting up of transparency portal and grievance redressal  mechanisms.  Rice/Wheat/Coarsegrains  are  being  provided  to  the beneficiaries at the rate of Rs. 3/2/1 per Kg respectively as prescribed under the  National  Food  Security  Act  (NFSA).    The  scheme  facilitates  rightful targeting of the beneficiaries. A new Central scheme ' 'Integrated Management of   Public Distribution System (IM-PDS)' has been approved for implementation  during  2018-2019  and  2019-2020  with  the  objective  of integrate  PDS  system/portals  of  States/UTs  with  Central  System/portals, introduction  of  National  Portability,  and  National  level  de-duplication  of ration cards/beneficiary, etc.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5971 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-03
Subject: Procurement of Pulses and Oilseeds
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: KAVITHA KALVAKUNTLA

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5971

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  3 RD  APRIL, 2018

## PROCUREMENT OF PULSES AND OILSEEDS

5971.  SHRIMATI KAVITHA KALVAKUNTLA:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND  FARMERS  WELFARE      ‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं  कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããè be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has approved the doubling of Government Guarantee from Rs. 9,500 crore to Rs. 19,000 crore for procurement of pulses and oilseeds at MSP under the price support scheme by NAFED, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  this  move  will  be  helpful  for  farmers  to  bring  more  area  of  cultivation under pulses; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF  STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF  AGRICULTURE AND  FARMERS  WELFARE

‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं  कसान  कयाण ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã  ½ãñâ  Àã·¾ã  ½ãâ¨ããè (  SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a) to (c): Yes, Madam. Government has approved the enhancement of Government Guarantee  from  Rs.9,500  crore  to  Rs.19,000  crore  for  procurement  of  pulses  and oilseeds at MSP under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) by NAFED. This will ensure smooth procurement under PSS and to protect the growers of these commodities from making distress sale during the peak arrival period and provide remunerative prices with a view to encourage higher investment and production.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5970 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-03
Subject: Women Police Officers
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: PINAKI MISRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5970

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  APRIL, 2018/ CHAITRA 13, 1940 (SAKA)

WOMEN POLICE OFFICERS

5970. SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that in police stations where women police officers/ personnel are not deployed/posted, women victims are hesitant to report crime against them to male police personnel and hence, such crime goes unreported;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  measures  proposed to be taken by the Government to post more women police personnel in police stations particularly in the semi-urban, rural and tribal areas to encourage women victims to report crime against them;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  appoint  special  police officers/wardens from among the natives in such areas where there are no women  police  personnel  so  that  they  can  help  the  women  victims  to register their complaints; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): As  'Public  Order'  and  'Police'  fall  in    list-II  (State  List)  of  the seventh schedule of the Constitution of India, it is primarily the responsibility  of  the  State  Governments/UT  Administrations  to  make adequate  representation  of  women  police  personnel  in  the  State  Police Forces    and    to    ensure    their     posting     in     all     police     stations.

However, Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an advisory dated 22.4.2013 to all the State Governments/UT Administrations to increase the strength of women police upto 33% of the total strength.  All the State Governments have also been requested to create additional posts of women constables/SIs  by  converting  the  vacant  posts  of  male  staff.  It  has  also been aimed that each police station should have at  least 3 women subinspectors and 10 women police constables.

(d) & (e): Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs has envisaged engagement of  Mahila  Police  Volunteers  (MPV)  in  States/UTs  who  will  act  as  a  link between police and community and help women in distress. All the Chief Secretaries of States/UTs were requested to adopt this initiative in their respective  State.  The  MPV  will  encourage  women  to  come  forward  with complaints  of  violence  and  discrimination,  provide  remedial  information and assist them in taking their cases to the police. MPV will serve as an example to the village and encourage a woman friendly environment both within and outside the police station.

*******