opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2966 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-13
Subject: Damage to Bridges and Roads due to Heavy Rains
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAVINDRA BABU  PANDULA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2966

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13 TH  MARCH, 2018/ PHALGUNA 22, 1939 (SAKA)

DAMAGE TO BRIDGES AND ROADS DUE TO HEAVY RAINS

2966. DR. RAVINDRA BABU:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware of the damage to bridges and roads including National Highway-5 due to heavy rains;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the steps taken by the Government for better disaster preparedness as every year Andhra Pradesh and particularly Godavari districts are affected by cyclone?

ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): Yes Madam.  As per information received from the Ministry of Road  Transport  &  Highways,  roads  are  generally  damaged  during  heavy rains,  which  are  repaired  to  make  the  National  Highways  traffic  worthy condition. Presently vehicular traffic is plying on all National Highways in Andhra Pradesh including NH-5 in the country.

The primary  responsibility  for  disaster  management  rests  with  the  State Government. There are institutional mechanisms at the National and State levels  in  the  country  to develop  appropriate  preparedness,  and  prompt

## L.S.US.Q.NO.2966 FOR 13.03.2018

response mechanism  for effective management  of  natural disasters including  taking  necessary  measures  to  restore  damaged  infrastructure related  to  roads  &  bridges  at  the  time  of  natural  calamities  and  reduce/ minimize  the  losses  during/  impending  natural  disasters  in  States  of  the country.

With regard to Godavari District, NHAI issued necessary instructions to all the concessionaire  / contractors for  preparedness  for  the  minimum restoration of NHs to take certain measures in particular and in addition to local requirements.

The  measures  as  taken  by  the  Government  of  India  and  the  State Governments are expected to improve the existing disaster management practices, preparedness, prevention, & enhance the response mechanism and minimizing the effects of natural calamities in the country. Further, the strengthening  of  the  disaster  management  is  a  continuing  and  evolving process of the governance.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2965 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-13
Subject: Allocation for OBCs
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: JYOTI DHURVE

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2965

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.03.2018

## ALLOCATION FOR OBCs

†2965. SHRIMATI JYOTI DHURVE

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

- (a) the  budgetary  allocation  for  Other  Backward Classes  (OBCs)  during  each  of the  last three years;
- (b) whether the ratio of Other Backward Classes with regard to the population of the country is kept in mind by the Government while making allocation of resources for their welfare;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI KRISHAN PAL GURJAR)

- (a):  The  budgetary  allocation  for  Other  Backward  Classes  (OBCs)  during  each  of  the  last three years is  as follows:

(Rs. in crores)

| Year    |      BE |      RE |
|---------|---------|---------|
| 2014-15 | 1129.5  | 1070.48 |
| 2015-16 | 1225.48 | 1213.12 |
| 2016-17 | 1215    | 1225.62 |

- (b) to (d): Since authenticated population data of OBC is not available, allocation of funds is made  for  the  Welfare  of  OBCs  keeping  in  view  the  overall  budgetary  allocations  of  the Ministry and optimal utilization of funds by the States/UTs based on total population of  the States.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2964 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-13
Subject: Rehabilitation of Prisoners
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: SANJAY JAISWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2964

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13 TH  MARCH, 2018/ PHALGUNA 22, 1939 (SAKA)

REHABILITATION OF PRISONERS

2964. DR. SANJAY JAISWAL:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the details of schemes available for the rehabilitation of prisoners and children of prisoners;

(b) the steps taken by the Government so far in this regard; and

(c)  the  total  funds  allocated for the rehabilitation of prisoners during the last three years, State-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): The  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  has  been  providing  wide-ranging guidance to States and Union Territories, including guidance on after-care and  rehabilitation  of  prisoners,  facilities  to  children  of  women  prisoners etc.  through  various  advisories  issued  from  time  to  time  in  which  it  has been  conveyed  that the process of after-care and rehabilitation of offenders  is  an  integral  part  of  institutional  care  and  the  administrative machinery  carrying  out  the  programmes  should  be  integrated  with  the Department of Prisons.  There is also a dedicated chapter on 'after-care and  rehabilitation'  in Model  Prison Manual 2016, which was shared by the

## L.S.US.Q.NO.2964 FOR 13.03.2018

Ministry of Home Affairs with all States and UTs and they were requested to adopt the best practices and guidance provided in the Manual.

Further, the States have been advised to formulate suitable schemes for providing employment to released convicts.  States have been advised that on release from prisons, individual cases of released prisoners should be followed up by the concerned Probation/Welfare/Rehabilitation Officers for a period ranging from one year to five years according to the requirement of each case and the status of their rehabilitation and reintegration with the society should be monitored.

(c): 'Prisons'  is  a  State  subject  as  per  Entry  4  of  List  II  of  the  Seventh Schedule  to  the  Constitution  of  India  and  as  such  the  rehabilitation  of prisoners  and  their  children  is  primarily  the  responsibility  of  respective State Governments. No funds have been allocated to States for rehabilitation of prisoners in last three years.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2960 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-13
Subject: Duplicate Books
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2960

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13 TH  MARCH, 2018/ PHALGUNA 22, 1939 (SAKA)

DUPLICATE BOOKS

2960. SHRI NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  it  has  come  to  the  notice  of  the  Government  that  duplicate publishers are printing duplicate books in the name of original writers and such books are being sold in railway stations and trains;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER

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

(a): No, Madam. As reported by the Ministry of Railways (catering branch)

no  incident  regarding  sale  of  duplicate  books  in  the  name  of  original writers at railway station and trains has been reported.

(b) to (c): Do not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2958 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-13
Subject: Shortage of Police Personnel
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: KAUSHAL KISHORE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2958

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13 TH  MARCH, 2018/ PHALGUNA 22, 1939 (SAKA) SHORTAGE OF POLICE PERSONNEL

2958. SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is considering to take any steps to augment the  heavy  shortage  of  police  personnel  in  proportion  to  the  number  of people they are serving in the country and improve the ratio;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  any  arrangement  like  appointment  of  local  home  guards  or security  personnel  with  specific  powers  and  responsibilities  is  under consideration of the Government; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): 'Police' is a State subject falling in List-II of seventh schedule of the  Constitution  of  India.  It  is  primarily  the  responsibility  of  the  State Governments/UTs to augment police personnel in proportion to number of people  and  to  make  any  other  arrangements.  The  Central  Government advises the States/UTs from time to time, in this regard.

The  shortage  of  police  personnel  exists  due  to  the  vacancies  in  the service, which are caused due to factors such as retirement, resignation, death, etc. All these factors are recurring in nature and recruitment is a continuous process.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2957 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-13
Subject: Procurement of Tur Dal
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: MALLIKARJUN  KHARGE

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2957

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  13 TH  MARCH, 2018

## PROCUREMENT OF TUR DAL

2957.  SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE:

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

- (a) whether a  huge  quantum  of  tur  dal  remains  with  farmers  after  the  last  date  of procurement in Karnataka and other major States;
- (b) if so,the details thereof ;
- (c) whether the Government has any proposal to procure the remaining stocks of tur dal from farmers; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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 (d): Under  the  present  procurement  mechanism,  Government  has  approved the proposals received from Karnataka and other major States for procurement of Fair Average  Quality  (FAQ)  of  tur  at  Minimum  support  Price  (MSP)  under  Price  Support Scheme  (PSS)  during  Kharif  2017-18  season.  Accordingly,  procurement  of  tur  in Karnataka and other major States is still going on. However, if farmers gets better price in comparison to MSP, they are free to sell their produce in open market.

- ******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2956 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-13
Subject: Consumption of Medicines
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: RAJIV PRATAP RUDY

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2956 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13 th  March, 2018

## Consumption of Medicines

2956. SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY:

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

- (a) whether the Government  has  made  any  estimate regarding the per-capita consumption of Medicines in India and Bihar in particular and if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
- (b) the details regarding  the per-capita  expenditure  incurred  for  purchasing  the medicines, State-wise including Bihar; and
- (c) the measures taken/being taken by the Government to make medicines accessible and affordable, especially for people living in remote rural regions of the country?

## 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): The Department has not made any such estimate.
- (b) & (c): In view of reply to (a) above, does not arise.

xxxxx
Lok Sabha Question No. 2955 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-13
Subject: Cleaning of Sewers/Septic Tanks
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: MAUSAM NOOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2955 TO BE ANSWERED ON MARCH 13, 2018

## CLEANING OF SEWERS/ SEPTIC TANKS

No.2955      SHRIMATI MAUSAM NOOR:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  formulate  a  policy  for
- abolishing manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks in urban local bodies across the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government  is introducing  mechanized  sewage cleaning systems in the country in select Urban Local Bodies on pilot basis;
- (c) whether the Government has received proposals from various IITs
- offering to introduce advanced robotics for sewerage cleaning; and (d) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

(a):  As  per  the  Prohibition  of  Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 and rules framed there under, no person shall be allowed to clean a sewer manually, even with the protective gear and safety devices, barring some exceptions.

Ministry  of  Housing  and  Urban  Affairs  has  adopted  National  Urban Sanitation Policy (NUSP) in 2008 with the specific goals of awareness generation  and  behavioral  change,  Open  defecation  free  cities  and integrated  city-wide  sanitation.  This  Ministry  has  also  published  a Manual  on  Sewerage  and  Sewage  Treatment  Systems  in  November 2013 which explains the mechanisms for safe collection, transportation,  treatment  and  disposal  of  septage.    It  also  indicates that  'Mechanization  for  cleaning  of  sewers,  septic  tanks  and  safety devices for sanitation workers' may be adopted by Urban Local Bodies.

(b): The  Atal  Mission  for  Rejuvenation  and  Urban  Transformation (AMRUT) has been launched by Government of India on June 25, 2015 for  basic  infrastructure  development  in  500  selected  Mission  cities across the country.  Mechanical and biological cleaning of sewers and septic  tanks  is  an  admissible  component  under  AMRUT.  Under  the Mission,  individual  projects  are  selected,  appraised,  approved  and implemented by the States/UTs and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs only approves State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) and releases central assistance as per Mission guidelines.

(c) & (d): Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has not received any proposal from IIT offering to introduce advanced robotics for sewerage cleaning.

- ****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2954 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-13
Subject: Donation received for Calamity Relief
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: E. T. MOHAMMED BASHEER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2954

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13 TH  MARCH, 2018/ PHALGUNA 22, 1939 (SAKA)

DONATION RECEIVED FOR CALAMITY RELIEF

2954. SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  the  total  donation  received  by  the  Government  towards  the  relief activities  for  the  Natural  Calamities  that  occurred  in  Chennai,  Kashmir, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand from different agencies, institutions and individuals; and

(b)  the  procedure  adopted  by  the  Government  to  ensure  that  the  said donation reach the calamity hit areas and the affected families?

ANSWER

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

(a)  to (b):      With  regard  to  donation,  it  is  stated  that  this  Ministry  does not  centrally  maintain  the  details  of  donation  received  from  different agencies,  institutions  and  individuals  for  calamity  relief,  since  it  comes under  the  purview  of  State  concerned.    Further  it  is  stated  that  such donation is contributed entirely with voluntary public contribution and not from any allocation out of the Consolidated Fund of India.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2953 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-13
Subject: Pradhan Mantri Chhatravriti Yojana
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: JUGAL KISHORE SHARMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2953

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13 TH  MARCH, 2018/ PHALGUNA 22, 1939 (SAKA)

PRADHAN MANTRI CHHATRAVRITI YOJANA

†2953. SHRI JUGAL KISHORE:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  launched  Pradhan  Mantri  Chhatravriti Yojana for the children of Jammu and Kashmir State;

(b)  the  reasons  for  not  giving  the  said  scholarship  to  the  children  of refugees from West Pakistan Refugees (WPRs);

(c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  implement  this  scheme  for  the children of West Pakistan Refugees; and

(d) if so, the time by which the said scheme is likely to be implemented by the Government?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Yes Madam. The Pradhan Mantri Chhatravriti Yojana i.e. Prime Minister's  Special  Scholarship  Scheme  (PMSSS)  is  being  implemented by Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt of India.

The eligibility conditions of the Scheme as per information from Ministry of Human Resource Development are :

## L.S.US.Q.NO.2953 FOR 13.03.2018

-  Student must have a domicile of J&K.
-  Student must have either passed Class XII from schools of Jammu & Kashmir or Polytechnic Diploma from the recognized Polytechnic Institutes of State.
-  Must  have secured admission outside the State as per the requirements
-  Having family income less than Rs. 6 Lac per annum.

Ministry of Human Resource Development has informed that under the Scheme one of the eligibility is that the student should have domicile of J&K.  Since  the  children  of  refugees  from  West  Pakistan  (WPRs)  do  not have  domicile  of  the  State,  they  are  not  eligible  for  seeking  scholarship under the Scheme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2952 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-13
Subject: BSF Personnel involved in Smuggling
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: ELUMALAI VELLAIGOUNDER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2952

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13 TH  MARCH, 2018/ PHALGUNA 22, 1939 (SAKA)

BSF PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN SMUGGLING

2952.

SHRI V. ELUMALAI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were involved in cattle smuggling along the Bangladesh Border;
- (b)  whether  it  is  true  that  BSF  personnel  were  involved  in  many  other crimes as well along the border; and
- (c) if so, the total number of such cases reported so far during the last two years and the action taken against such personnel?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): Since January, 2016, 68 cases have been initiated against BSF personnel for alleged connivance with smugglers including cattle smugglers.  Year wise details of the alleged connivance and action taken by BSF in such cases are as below:-

| Year       | No of Cases Reported   | No of cases Finalized   | No of cases awaiting for Disposal   | Action taken by BSF   | Action taken by BSF   |
|------------|------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------------------|-----------------------|-----------------------|
|            |                        |                         |                                     | Punished              | Acquitted             |
| 2016       | 35                     | 33                      | 02                                  | 21                    | 12                    |
| 2017       | 31                     | 17                      | 14                                  | 17                    | -                     |
| 2018 (Feb) | 02                     | -                       | 02                                  | -                     | -                     |

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2949 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-13
Subject: Committee for Loan Waiver of Farmers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: TARIQ ANWAR

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF  STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF  AGRICULTURE AND  FARMERS  WELFARE

‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã ½ãñâ Àã·¾ã ½ãâ¨ããè ( SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a): No, Madam. The Government has not set up any committee for waiver of loans of farmers. The Government is not in favour of loan waiver, as it negatively impacts credit and recovery climate and has severe systemic consequences.
- (b): Does not arise.
- ******

O.I.H.

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2949

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  13 TH  MARCH, 2018

## COMMITTEE FOR LOAN WAIVER OF FARMERS

2949.  SHRI TARIQ ANWAR:

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

- (a) whether the Government has set up or plans to set up a committee for waiver of loans of farmers; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?
Lok Sabha Question No. 2948 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-13
Subject: Maize Production
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: RAJU ALIAS DEVAPPA ANNA SHETTI

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2948

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  13 TH  MARCH, 2018

## MAIZE PRODUCTION

2948.  SHRI RAJU SHETTY:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  surveyed  the  potential  of  maize  production  for replacement  of  the  cultivable  area  of  paddy  and  wheat  in  the  country  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is aware that maize is utilised for production of ethanol for industrial and medicinal uses and animal feed and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to promote maize production to produce its by products like ethanol; and
- (d) if so, the way of action proposed to promote the production of ethanol from maize as sole crop?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF  STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF  AGRICULTURE AND  FARMERS  WELFARE ‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã ½ãñâ Àã·¾ã ½ãâ¨ããè SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

## ( SHRI GAJENDRA

- (a): The  Government  has  not  conducted  any  survey  as  such  for  the  potential  of maize  production  for  replacement  of  the  cultivable  area  of  paddy  and  wheat  in  the country.  However, in order to tackle the problem of declining soil fertility and depleting water table in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh, it was felt to launch a programme that could tackle the above problem.  Accordingly, Government has been implementing the Crop Diversification Programme (CDP) since 2013-14 as a sub  scheme  of  Rashtriya  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (RKVY)  to  divert  the  area  of  water guzzling    paddy  to  alternate  crops  like  pulses,  oil  seeds,  coarse  cereals  including maize,  cotton  and  agro-forestry.  In  addition,  the    production  of  maize  is  also  being promoted  through  implementation  of  the  programme  of  National  Food  Security Mission-Coarse Cereals.
- (b): According  to  estimates  made  by  India  Maize  Summit,  2015,  17-20%  maize  is used  for  food  industry  and  consumption;  60-62%  feed  industry;  6-7%  seed  &  other uses and 12-14% for industrial applications.  Around 1% is being used only for ethanol production.
- (c) & (d): The Government is  promoting maize production especially for feed and fodder. However, in December, 2014, the Government allowed procurement of ethanol produced from  cellulosic  and  lignocellulosic  material  for  blending  in  petrol,  subject  to meeting the relevant BIS standards.
- ********