opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3570 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-08
Subject: Scheme for Higher Studies of SCs
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: UDIT RAJ

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3570 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2017

## SCHEME FOR HIGHER STUDIES OF SCs

3570. DR. UDIT RAJ:

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

- (a) whether the Government is implementing any scheme for encouragement of SC students to pursue research studies;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the number of applicants and beneficiaries and the funds allocated during the last three years and the current year, State-wise; and
- (c) whether the Government has ensured subsidized hostel and mess facilities for the students belonging to the said category and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

(SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA)

(a)  to  (c):  The  National  Fellowship  Scheme  for  Scheduled  Caste  (SC)  students  offer  research fellowships  to  eligible  SC  students  for  pursuing  M.Phil  and  Ph.D.  Studies.  University  Grants Commission (UGC) is the nodal Agency for implementing the schemes. State-wise fund is not allocated under this scheme. The details of applicants and awards and the funds allocated during the last three years and the current year are as under;

| Year     |   Funds allocated (Rs. crore) |   In No. of applicants |   No. of awards |
|----------|-------------------------------|------------------------|-----------------|
| 2014-15  |                        148.84 |                  11346 |            2000 |
| 2015-16* |                        200.55 |                   6742 |            2000 |
| 2016-17* |                        196    |                   6742 |            2000 |
| 2017-18  |                        100    |                   7302 |            2000 |

Under this scheme, those Students who are not provided with the Hostel accommodation, are paid admissible House Rent Allowance. Beside the above, Post-matric Scholarship Scheme and National Overseas Scholarship Scheme for  SC  students  respectively  also  provide  scholarship  for  M.Phil  and  Ph.D  studies.  However, State-wise data on number of students pursuing research studies and amount utilized thereon is not maintained separately.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3569 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-08
Subject: Production of Vegetables
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: RAMESH BIDHURI

O.I.H

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

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3569

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 TH   AUGUST, 2017

## PRODUCTION OF VEGETABLES

3569.      SHRI RAMESH BIDHURI:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  devised  any  long  term  policy  for  the  constant  resource management to provide long  term solution to enhance the production and productivity of green vegetables, onions, potatoes and tomatoes in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the scheme is likely to boost the per hectare yield of green vegetables, 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)  &  (b):      Mission  for  Integrated  Development  of  Horticulture  (MIDH)  is  being  implemented w.e.f.  2014-15  subsuming  six  existing  schemes  viz.  National  Horticulture  Mission  (NHM), Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States (HMNEHS), National Agro-forestry and Bamboo  Mission  (NABM),  National  Horticulture  Board  (NHB),  Coconut  Development  Board (CDB)  and  Central  Institute  of  Horticulture  (CIH)  for  the  holistic  development  of  horticulture sector  in  the  country  covering  fruits,  vegetables,  root  and  tuber  crops,  mushrooms,  spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa and bamboo through various interventions.

For Development of green vegetables like onion, potato and tomato in the country, focus is  being  given  through  the  interventions  of  Area  Expansion,  Polly  House/Hi-tech  Nurseries under  Protected  Cultivation,  Centre  of  Excellences  for  vegetables,  Promotion  of  Organic Farming and establishment of Nurseries for supply of quality planting material. It is also being taken care of from Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).

- (c):     Since inception of National Horticulture Mission (NHM) from 2005-2006, a growth of 15% has been recorded in the per hectare production of green vegetables after implementation of said plan as productivity has increased from 15.44 MT per hectare (2005-06) to 17.76 MT per hectare (2014-15).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3568 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-08
Subject: Survey on Drug Abuse
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: B.V. NAYAK

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3568 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2017

## SURVEY ON DRUG ABUSE

3568. SHRI B.V. NAIK:

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

- (a) whether the Government has conducted an advanced survey on the extent, pattern and trend of drug abuse among the citizens;
- (b) if so, the details and outcome thereof;
- (c) whether the said survey has been conducted after a gap of more than fifteen years;
- (d) whether the survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) was cosponsored by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and if so, the details thereof;
- (e)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  conduct  pilot  surveys  in  some  States  to  assess  the extent of drug abuse and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether tobacco and gutkha addicts had also been covered in this survey and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (f): The last National Survey on the extent, pattern and trend of drug abuse was sponsored by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in the year 2000-2001 and its report was published in 2004.  It was estimated that  about  732  lakh  persons  in  India  were  users  of  alcohol  and  drugs.  Of  these  87  lakh  used Cannabis, 20 lakh used opiates and 625 lakh were users of Alcohol. However, the sample size being small (40,697 males within the age group of 12-60 years both in rural and urban areas) visà-vis the country's population, the estimates can at best be taken as indicative only. Thereafter, no National Survey on drug abuse has been conducted.

In 2007, the Ministry had requested National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) to conduct a nationwide survey on the extent, pattern and trend of drug abuse.  A pilot survey was conducted by NSSO during March-April, 2010 in three cities viz. Mumbai, Amritsar and Imphal.  UNODC was not involved in the pilot survey.

The Ministry has,  in  the  month  of  August,  2016,  assigned  the  work  of  conducting  the National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India to National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. The Drugs/Substance which are proposed to be surveyed includes Tobacco.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3564 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-08
Subject: Losses in BHEL
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
Asked by: HARISH DWIVEDI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3564 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2017

## Losses in BHEL

## 3564. SHRI HARISH CHANDRA  ALIAS HARISH DWIVEDI:

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

- (a) whether Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) is running in losses;
- (b) if so, the details thereof during the last three years and the current year along with the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has initiated any action to prevent further loss in BHEL; and (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): No, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) is not running in losses. The Company has been making profits continuously since early 1970's, except for the financial year 2015-16 where  BHEL reported Profit Before Tax of Rs. (-) 1164 Crore. However in the last financial year 2016-17 BHEL made Profit Before Tax of Rs. 628 Crore.

(c)  &  (d): The  Government  has  appointed  2  Government  Nominee  Directors  and  there  are presently 5 Independent Directors on the Board of BHEL who actively contribute in overseeing the  Company's  strategic  direction,  reviewing  and  monitoring  corporate  performance,  ensuring regulatory  compliance  and  Corporate  Governance,  and  safeguarding  the  interests  of  the shareholders.  Further,  the  working  &  performance  of  BHEL  is  reviewed  by  Department  of Heavy Industry (DHI) on a regular basis. DHI also assists the Company in the achievement of its plan  through  policy  initiatives,  suitable  inter-ministerial  interventions,  and  taking  up  specific issues from time to time.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3562 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-08
Subject: Closure of Private and Public Industries
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
Asked by: INNOCENT

## MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISES

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.3562 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2017

## Closure of Private and Public Industries

3562: SHRI INNOCENT:

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

- (a) the number of private and public sector industries closed down in the country along with the number of industries incurring losses during the last two years and the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government has received any proposals to restart these industries or to make them profitable, If so, the action taken on such proposals;
- (c) the number of people whose employment got directly or indirectly affected due to closing of such industries; and
- (d) the details of the efforts made by the Government to make such industries profitable and to restart the closed industries?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES

## (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a):  As  per  information  available  from  Ministries/Departments,  6  Central  Public  Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) have been closed during the last two years i.e. 2014-15 and 2015-16. During  2014-15 and 2015-16, 76 CPSEs and 78 CPSEs were incurring losses respectively. The information of Private Enterprises is not centrally maintained in Department of Public Enterprises.
- (b):  The  proposals  to  restart  closed  down  CPSEs  or  making  loss  incurring  CPSEs  into profitable  is  dealt  with  by  the  concerned  administrative  Ministries/Departments  and  the management of concerned CPSEs.
- (c): There were 378 employees working in these closed CPSEs.
- (d):  Steps  are  taken  by  Government to revive loss making CPSEs in terms of (a) financial restructuring  such  as,  conversion  of  loan  into  equity,  waiver  of  loan  and  interest  including penal interest, Government guarantee for raising loans, grant of moratorium on payment of interest/loan, (b) business restructuring, such as, formation of  joint ventures,  merger with another PSE, modernization and improved marketing strategies, human resources management and entering into technology joint ventures or strategic alliances etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3561 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-08
Subject: Krishi Bazar Yojana
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: BAHADUR SINGH KOLI

O.I.H

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3561

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 TH   AUGUST, 2017

## KRISHI BAZAR YOJANA

3561.   SHRI BAHADUR SINGH KOLI:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of progress made in regard to Krishi Bazar Yojana in the country;
- (b) the details of the markets (mandis) integrated under the said scheme;
- (c) the details of the facilities provided to farmers under the said Yojana; and
- (d) the  amount  of  financial  assistance  provided  to  the  said  integrated  mandis  so  far,  the details thereof, State-wise including Rajasthan?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्राऱय में राज्य मंत्री (SHRI  PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a): National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) scheme was launched on 14.04.2016. So far, 455 mandis across 13 States have been integrated with e-NAM.
- (b): The details of the mandis integrated with e-NAM are at Annexure-I .
- (c): e-NAM  envisages  better  price  discovery  for  farmers  by  transparent  and  competitive bidding on the online portal. The facilities provided include:
- (i) Farmers may sell their produce in more than one market.
- (ii) The details of price of commodity sold along with quantity are received through SMS.
- (iii)  Online payment gateway is available for transfer of bid value directly to bank accounts of the farmers.
- (iv)  Direct selling of agriculture produce by farmers in the mandis.
- (v)  Availability of information on e-NAM mobile App about commodity prices.

(d): One time financial assistance upto  Rs. 30.00 lakh  is provided to each mandi integrated to  establish  computer  hardware  and  assaying  laboratory.    The  State-wise  details  of  fund released under the scheme are at Annexure-II .

*******

## Status of funds released  under e-NAM Scheme

(As on 4.8.2017)

(Rs. in lakh)

| Sr. No.   | State            |   Fund released to States |
|-----------|------------------|---------------------------|
| 1         | Andhra Pradesh   |                     340   |
| 2         | Chhattisgarh     |                     150   |
| 3         | Gujarat          |                    1950   |
| 4         | Haryana          |                     930   |
| 5         | Himachal Pradesh |                     570   |
| 6         | Jharkhand        |                     570   |
| 7         | Madhya Pradesh   |                    1050   |
| 8         | Maharashtra      |                     900   |
| 9         | Rajasthan        |                     750   |
| 10        | Telangana        |                    1216.5 |
| 11        | Uttar Pradesh    |                    3000   |
| 12        | Uttarakhand      |                     150   |
|           | Total            |                   11576.5 |

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## Annexure-II
Lok Sabha Question No. 3560 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-08
Subject: Status of Faiths/Sects
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: NALIN KUMAR KATEEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3560

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 th  AUGUST, 2017/ SHRAVANA 17, 1939 (SAKA) STATUS OF FAITHS/SECTS

3560. SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  people  of  various  sects/beliefs are demanding for independent status for the faith/sect of their group in the social order in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has received any representations from various quarters seeking independent status for their faith/sect;

(d) if so, the number of representations received till date, State wise;

(e)  whether  the  Government  has  any  mechanism/proposes  to  evolve  any mechanism  to  accord  independent  religion  status  to  a  faith/sect  in  the country; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

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

(a) to (f) The Constitution of India guarantees Fundamental Rights including Right to Freedom of Religion under its Articles 25 to 28.

Article 25(1) states that 'Subject to public order, morality and health and to the other provisions of this Part, all persons are equally entitled to freedom  of  conscience  and  the  right  freely  to  profess,  practice  and propagate religion'.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3558 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-08
Subject: Level of Pollution
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI

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

## LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION N0 3558

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2017

## Level of Pollution

## 3558. SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

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

- (a)   whether the level of pollution in the country is increasing more rapidly than that of other countries in the world;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof along with the report of the WHO in this regard;
- (c)   whether the ocimum tenuiflorum plants have the potential to improve the deteriorating air quality; and
- (d)   if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

MINISTER FOR  ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a) &  (b)  The  methodology  for  assessment  of  pollution  in  various  parts  of  world  is  not same.  Countries  can  be  ranked  on  the  basis  of  different  criteria  pollutants  with  different results. As such it is difficult to compare different countries since they differ in their various characteristics. An ambient air pollution database released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2016 indicates level of pollution in cities across the world in respect of PM10  / PM2.5 (particulate matter) which is based on extrapolation of data and based on conversion factors. Data of few years are required to show increasing or decreasing trend of pollution level. Therefore, care has to be exercised before drawing any inference.
- (c) & (d) This Ministry has not carried out any study of the potential of Ocimum Tenuiflorum plants to improve the deteriorating air quality.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3557 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-08
Subject: Zoo Safari
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: KIRIT SOMAIYA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3557

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2017

## Zoo Safari

## 3557.    DR. KIRIT SOMAIYA

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

- (a)  whether  any  proposal  for  diversion  of  564  hectares  of  forest  land  for  development  of international  standard  Zoo  Safari  and  Wildlife  Rescue  Centre  at  Gorewada,  Nagpur  is  under consideration of the ministry;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

- (c)  whether  compliance  report  in  this  regard  has  been  submitted  by  the  Nodal  Officer, Maharashtra to the Ministry; and
- (d) if so, the time by which Stage-I clearances is likely to be given?

## ANSWER

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

(a) , (b) ,(c) & (d) Proposal for diversion of 564 hectares of forest land for development of international standard Zoo Safari and Wildlife Rescue Centre at Gorewada,  Nagpur  was  submitted  to  the  ministry  by  Maharashtra  on date  29.07.2016.  In  principle  approval/  Stage  -I  Clearance  has  been given  to  the  proposal  on  date  08.06.2017.  Compliance  report  was furnished by Government of Maharashtra vide their letter dated 14.06.2017. Final/ Stage- II approval on the submission of compliance report by Government of Maharashtra has been given to the proposal by the Ministry on date 27.06.2017.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3556 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-08
Subject: Dues to NDMC
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: SAUGATA ROY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3556

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 th  AUGUST, 2017/ SHRAVANA 17, 1939 (SAKA) DUES TO NDMC

3556.

PROF. SAUGATA ROY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  New  Delhi  Municipal  Council  (NDMC)  is  in  the  process  of evicting the management of the Le-Meridian hotel in New Delhi;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

- (c) the details of the dues to be paid by the hotel management to NDMC; and
- (d)  the  reasons  for  the  delay  in  taking  legal  action  against  the  hotel management for unauthorized occupation?

## ANSWER

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

(a) : Yes, Madam.

(b):  The New Delhi Municipal Council has informed that the eviction petition was filed  before  the  Court  of  Estate  Officer,  New  Delhi  Municipal  Council under  Sections  5  and  7  of  the  Public  Premises  (Eviction  of  Unauthorised Occupants)  Act,  1971  against  M/s.  C.J.  International  (Le-Meridian)  after termination  of  licence  deed  due  to  non  payment  of  licence  fee  and outstanding dues by the licensee.

(c):  The  NDMC  has  informed  that  as  on  31.07.2017, C.J.  International  (LeMeridian)  has  to  pay  approximately  Rs.605  crores  as  dues  that  includes Service Tax liability to the tune of Rs.94 crores.

(d):  The NDMC has informed that the  licence deed has been terminated  on 02.03.2017  and  the    petition  has  been  filed  before  the  Court  of  Estate Officer on 17.07.2017 under section 5 and 7 of the Public Premises (Eviction

## LS.US.Q.No.3556 FOR 08.08.2017

of  Unauthorised Occupation) Act, 1971 against M/s. C.J. International (LeMeridian).  The  eviction  petition filed  by the NDMC  was  challenged  by CJ International  (IA  No  8454/2017).  The  Contempt  petition  (IA  No  8455/2017) was filed by NDMC against CJ International for non payment of outstanding arrears as per the principles decided by the High Court vide its order dated 18 th  May 2001.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3555 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-08
Subject: Bt. Cotton Affected by Pink Bollworms
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: C. N. JAYADEVAN

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3555

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 TH   AUGUST, 2017

## BT. COTTON AFFECTED BY PINK BOLLWORMS

3555.    SHRI C.N. JAYADEVAN:

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

- (a) whether the genetically modified Bt. Cotton has become non-resistant to pink bollworms in Maharashtra and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether farmers are seeking compensation from the Government for their losses; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the Government's reaction thereto?

## 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): As  per  report  from  the  Central  Institute  for  Cotton  Research  (CICR),  Nagpur  there  is sporadic  incidence  of  pink  bollworm  damage  in  parts  of  Maharashtra,  Andhra  Pradesh  and Gujarat.  No incidence is reported from Northern States of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan as well  as  Southern  State  of  Tamilnadu.      The  Central  Institute  for  Cotton  Research,  Nagpur  is providing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices to the farmers to  protect the crop from pests.
- (b) & (c): Government of Maharashtra directed the seed companies to pay the compensation of Rs.36.83 lakh to the farmers.  The Department of Agriculture,  Cooperation and Farmers Welfare has notified the gene purity of the transgenes Cry1Ac and Cry 2Ab and minimum level of Bt. Toxin for Separate Pack (SP) and Refugia in Bag (RIB)  in cotton seed lots for labeling of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt.)  genes in cotton  seed.  Further, the Department has also recommended commercial cultivation of Bt. Cotton hybrids for Kharif 2017 with stringent criteria.

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