opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 464 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Frequency of Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: OM BIRLA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 464

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2017

## FREQUENCY OF TRAINS

## 464.  SHRI OM BIRLA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether the Railways has conducted any surveys recently to determine the traffic at all the sub-urban stations and to upgrade the infrastructure to accommodate the augmented coaches and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  there  is  a  huge  demand  from  the  passengers,  particularly women passengers for increasing the frequency of sub-urban trains to avoid difficulty in boarding and deboarding;
- (c) if so, the details of the steps taken in this regard;
- (d) whether many a time timings of trains are not feasible to passengers; and
- (e) if  so,  whether  the  Railways  plan  to  conduct  periodic  surveys  and studies  so  as  to  ascertain  passengers'  convenience  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) :   Zonal  Railways  running  suburban  services  conduct  periodical  surveys to  assess  the  traffic  and  infrastructure  requirement.  As  per  information available  a  survey  was  conducted by Southern Railway from 01.08.2016 to 13.08.2016.
- (b)  &  (c):    In  general  there  is  a  demand  for  additional  services  and  for comfortable accommodation of commuters including  those for  ladies.  Some

of the steps taken by Zonal Railways to improve sub-urban services are as under:-

-  Central  Railway  -  In  the  year  2015-16,  42  additional  services  were introduced.      In  2016-17,  the  augmentation  of  590  suburban  services from 9car to 12 -car rakes, has eased  difficulties  of  women passengers.
-  Western Railway - (i) 273 seats are earmarked for ladies out of the total sitting  capacity  of  1174  seats  i.e  23.25%  in  each  Mumbai  Suburban trains, (ii) 08 Ladies Special trains are run in Mumbai Suburban Section on Western Railway to facilitate ladies passengers.
-  Southern Railway - (i) three pairs of ladies specials are run in Chennai in three different sectors.

(d)  &  (e):  Indian  Railways  introduces  train  services  keeping  in  view  the operational feasibility, competing demands, resource availability etc. as such timings of trains are decided  on  the basis of operational feasibility, availability of path, traffic demands etc. However, suburban services are of high frequency, especially during the peak commuter timings.

Time  tables  are  revised  annually  and  mid-term  as  well,  as  per requirement. At the time of finalization of time  table, demands of different passenger associations are taken into consideration.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 463 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Unrest in Kashmir
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: BALASUBRAMANIAM SENGUTTUVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.463 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2017

## UNREST IN KASHMIR

## 463.    SHRI B. SENGUTTUVAN:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  terrorist  organisation  Hizb-ul-Mujahideen  having nexus  with  Pakistani  ISI  is  responsible  for  the  unrest  in  the Kashmir valley, viz., stone-pelting and armed attack on Indian forces and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether during the visit  of  the  Prime  Minister  to  the  US,  US President  assured  India  of  his  pledge  to  eradicate  religionbased terrorism and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  joint  statement  by  India  and  the  US  called  on Islamabad not to use its soil for cross-border terrorism, which is a major credit to the diplomatic efforts of the Ministry and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether  the  US  has  declared  the  Hizb-ul-Mujahideen  Chief, Syed Salahuddin, a Global Terrorist on the suggestion of India, which  is  a  success  for  the  Indian  diplomacy  in  the  face  of Pakistani lobbying over the slain terrorist Burhan Wani and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a) Hizb-ul-Mujahideen,  a  proscribed  terrorist  organisation,  has been responsible for  perpetrating  violence  and  terrorist  attacks  in India, including in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
- (b) & (c) The  Joint  Statement  issued  following  Prime  Minister's meeting with the President of the United States of America on June 27, 2017 interalia stated that 'the leaders stressed that terrorism is

a  global  scourge  that  must  be  fought  and  terrorist  safe  havens rooted out in every part of the world. They resolved that India and the United States will fight together against this grave challenge to humanity. They committed to strengthen cooperation against terrorist  threats  from  groups  including  Al-Qa'ida,  ISIS,  Jaish-eMohammad, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, D-Company, and their affiliates.' The statement also stated that 'the leaders called on Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other  countries.  They  further  called  on  Pakistan  to  expeditiously bring  to  justice  the  perpetrators  of  the  26/11  Mumbai,  Pathankot, and  other  cross-border  terrorist  attacks  perpetrated  by  Pakistanbased groups.' (d) Yes. On June 26, 2017 the United States Department of State designated the    Hizb-ul-Mujahideen  leader,  Mohammad  Yusuf  Shah a.k.a. Syed Salahuddin, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 462 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Strength of IAS Officers
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: MEKAPATI RAJAMOHAN REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 462

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2017)

## STRENGTH OF IAS OFFICERS

## 462. SHRI M. RAJA MOHAN REDDY:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the sanctioned strength of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers for the State of Andhra Pradesh as on date;
- (b) the vacancies of such officers at present; and
- (c) the time by which these vacancies are likely to be filled up?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office. (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a)to (c)     The total sanctioned Strength of IAS officers in Andhra Pradesh is 211 as on date. As per Civil List 2017, Andhra Pradesh has 170 IAS officers in position as on 01.01.2017 and there is a gap of 41 posts. The occurrence of vacancies and its filling up is an ongoing process. The Government has increased annual intake of IAS officers to 180 during last five years. While distributing the vacancies among various cadres/joint cadres of IAS, deficit in various cadres is also considered. Further, vacancies under promotion quota are filled up on the recommendation of the Selection Committee Meeting for appointment of State Service Officers in  All India Services.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 461 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Effect on Train Movement
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.461 TO BE ANSWERED ON  19.07.2017

## EFFECT ON TRAIN MOVEMENT

†461. SHRIMATI  DARSHANA  VIKRAM  JARDOSH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state the number of places where movement of trains was affected due to over flow of major dams in the country during the last five years?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS ( SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN )

Train  movement  was  affected  due  to  overflow  of  Ranipur  dam  on West Central Railway on 04/05.08.2015, as  track washout occurred between  Khirkiya-Bhiringi  stations  leading  to  cancellation  of  515 trains  services, diversion of 214 services and short termination of 05  services.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 39 (STARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: Cross Border Smuggling
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: LAXMAN GILUWA, MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. †*39

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

CROSS BORDER SMUGGLING

†*39. SHRI LAXMAN GILUWA: SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has made any efforts to trace/check the negligence of  the  personnel  of  Indian  Security  Forces  deployed  to  check  cross-border smuggling;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  such  efforts  made  and  the  number of smuggling cases reported on the Indian borders during the last three years;
- (c) the number of cases in which the personnel of Indian Security Forces were involved in cross border smuggling; and
- (d) the details of the action taken by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *39 FOR 18.07.2017

- (a) and (b): Yes, Madam.  The following number of smuggling cases has been reported on the Indian borders during the last three years:

| Year                      | 2014   | 2015   | 2016   | 2017 date)   | (till   |
|---------------------------|--------|--------|--------|--------------|---------|
| Number of Smuggling Cases | 16,987 | 23,469 | 27,389 | 13,675       |         |

The Government has made the following efforts to trace/check the negligence of the personnel  of Indian Security  Forces  deployed  to  check  cross-border smuggling:

- (i) Anti-corruption helpline mobile number, toll-free number and e-mail ID has  been  launched  by  the  Border  Guarding  Forces,  which  are prominently displayed in front of the Border Out Posts (BOPs);
- (ii) CCTV cameras have also been installed at all important routes;
- (iii) Intelligence and vigilance set up and buddy system of security forces keep vigil over their troops deployed on the border.
- (iv) Security personnel perform their duties as per directions of Standing Operating Procedure (SOP);
- (v) Strict action is taken against those security personnel who are found involved in smuggling activities;

## L.S.S.Q.No. *39 FOR 18.07.2017

- (vi) Proper counseling and education is provided to the security personnel by Senior officials;
- (vii) Regular turnover of troops of security forces and surprise checks are carried out.

(c) & (d):  57 number of cases of involvement of Indian Security Forces in cross border smuggling have come to the notice of Government during the last three years and the current year. Punishments have been awarded to 54 personnel.   Appropriate action has been taken in all these cases.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 34 (STARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: Espionage through Illegal Telephone Exchanges
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *34

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

ESPIONAGE THROUGH ILLEGAL TELEPHONE EXCHANGES

*34. SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has taken note of illegal telephone exchanges routing  calls via  a  computer  network  and  allegedly  used  by  Pakistani intelligence agencies to access sensitive military information in some parts of the country;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the modus  operandi  used  by  the offenders;
- (c) the number of persons arrested in this regard along with the equipment seized by the officials; and
- (d) the corrective measures taken/being taken by the Government to address the issue?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d):  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  THE  LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION NO. *34   FOR 18.07.2017.

(a) to (b) : Some  instances  of  VoIP  Exchanges  being  operated illegally in various parts of the country have been noticed. However, it has come to notice that foreign Intelligence Operatives use spoofed / manipulated calling line identity (CLI) to access sensitive information. The modus operandi involves the use of software by offenders from foreign  countries  to  ensure  that  the  mobile  phone  of  the  target displays the incoming call to be  originating from a 'spoofed' Indian number.

- (c):  Arrests are made by the States police, therefore such details are not maintained at the central level.
- (d):  Establishing, maintaining or working illegal telephone exchanges is an illegal offence under Section 20 of Indian Telegraph Act 1885 and may  invoke  three  year  of  punishment  or  fine  or  both.  Furthermore, using unauthorized telegraph is also an illegal offence under Section 21 of IT Act 1885.Field units of DoT and Police regularly perform the vigilance functions for curbing illegal activities in telecom services. A toll  free  number  1800110420  has  also  been  set  up  to  seek  public participation in receiving information about illegal international calls/telephone exchanges. Further, Telecom Enforcement Resource & Monitoring (TERM) Cells, (Field units of Department of Telecom) have been sensitized and instructed to create awareness among customers for  toll  free  number1800110420  in  coordination  with  the  Telecom Service Providers of their jurisdiction.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 30 (STARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: Conservation of Lakes
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: ARJUNLAL MEENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 30

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2017

## Conservation of Lakes

*30. SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA:

- Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government proposes to sanction Rs. 56.72 crore and Rs. 10.04  crore respectively for conservation and sustainable management of Uday Sagar  and  Goverdhan  Sagar  Lakes  under  the  National  Plan  for  Conservation  of Aquatic Eco-System (NPCA); (b) if so, the time by  which the said allocations are likely to be sanctioned; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND  CLIMATE  CHANGE  (DR.HARSH

VARDHAN)

- (a) to (c)   A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

****

O.I.H.

Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (c) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 30 to be answered on Tuesday, the 18 th July, 2017 on 'Conservation of Lakes' raised by Shri Arjun Lal Meena

(a) to (c) The project proposals for conservation and sustainable management of Udai Sagar lake as well as Goverdhan Sagar lake in Udaipur costing Rs.56.72 crore and Rs.  10.04  crore  respectively  were  received  from  Government  of  Rajasthan  during 2013-14 for financial assistance under the scheme of National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA).

The  proposals  received  under  NPCA  are  considered  for  financial  assistance subject to their conformity with the scheme guidelines, pollution status, prioritization, appraisal  by  independent  institutions  and  availability  of  Plan  funds.  As  the  project proposals of conservation and sustainable management of Udai Sagar and Goverdhan Sagar lakes were not found in conformity with the guidelines of the scheme, they have been returned to the Government of Rajasthan for prioritization and re-visit in the light of admissibility criteria contained in the guidelines. Taking into account the increased devolution  of  funds  to  the  States  as  per  the  recommendations  of  14 th Finance Commission, the State Government has also been advised to take up conservation of these lakes from their own budgetary resources.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 460 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: Production of Apple
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.460

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  18 TH  JULY, 2017

## PRODUCTION OF APPLE

460.   SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA:

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

- (a) whether  the  production  of  apple  has  dropped  ten  to  fifteen  per  cent  in  the country;
- (b) if  so, the details thereof along with the details of the production of apple during each  of  the  last  three  years  and  the  estimated  production  during  the  current  year  in major apple producing States, State-wise; and
- (c) whether the Government proposes to provide financial assistance to the affected farmers, 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): Yes, Madam. According to the information received from the states so far, there is  likely  to  be  a  decrease  of  about  12%  in  apple  production in  the  country  during  the year, 2016-17 (Provisional) as compared to the previous year, 2015-16.
- (b): The  details  of  the  production  of  apple  during  each  of  last  three  years  and  the estimated  production  during  the  current  year  in  major  apple  producing  States,  Statewise is placed at Annexure.
- (c): No, Madam.

## State wise  Production of Apple

Production in '000 Tonnes

| STATES/UTs       |   2013-14 |   2014-15 |   2015-16 |   2016-17 (Provisional) |
|------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-------------------------|
| JAMMU &KASHMIR   |   1647.69 |   1368.63 |   1672.72 |                 1655.99 |
| HIMACHAL PRADESH |    738.72 |    625.2  |    777.13 |                  492.1  |
| UTTARAKHAND      |     77.45 |    106.1  |     61.94 |                   67.48 |
| OTHERS           |     33.82 |     33.91 |      9.3  |                    9.41 |
| TOTAL            |   2497.68 |   2133.84 |   2521.09 |                 2224.98 |

Source: Horticulture Statistics Division, Department of Agriculture, Coopn. & FW

******

## Annexure
Lok Sabha Question No. 458 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: Blue Print for Old Age Homes
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: HEMANT TUKARAM GODSE

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 458 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2017

## BLUE PRINT FOR OLD AGE HOMES

## 458. SHRI GODSE HEMANT TUKARAM:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to prepare a blue for Old Homes for senior citizens; Age print
- (6) if so, the details thereof and if not; the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government so far in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a): to (c): Section 19 of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act; 2007 provides that the State Government may establish and maintain such number of Old Homes at accessible places, as it may deem Lecessary, in a phased manner beginning with at least one in each district to accommodate in such homes a minimum of one hundred and fifty Senior Citizens who are indigent. Age

This Ministry is implementing a Central Sector Scheme of Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP); under which grants-in-aid are given for running and maintenance of interalia,  Old Age Homes  for the destitute   elderly. The main objective of the Scheme is to improve the quality of life of Older Persons by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care and entertainment opportunities etc During the year 2016-17, Grant-in-Aid was released to 428 Old Homes under the Scheme. Age

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 457 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: Soil Testing Centre in Jharkhand
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: LAXMAN GILUWA

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.457

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  18 TH  JULY, 2017

## SOIL TESTING CENTRE IN JHARKHAND

457.   SHRI LAXMAN GILUWA:

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

- (a) whether  the  soil  testing  centres  are  working  in  East  Singhbhum  and  West Singhbhum districts of Jharkhand;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  number  of  farmers  benefitted  from  the  soil  testing  centres  in  Jharkhand during the last three years?

## 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) & (b): Yes,  Madam.  2  Static  soil  testing  laboratories  and  91  Mini  Soil  Testing laboratories are available in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand.
- 1  Static  Soil  Testing  Laboratory  and  56  Mini  Soil  Testing  Laboratories  are available in East Singhbhum District.
- (c): 5,58,568  farmers  have  been  benefitted  from the Soil Testing Centres  in Jharkhand during the last three years.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 456 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: Nutrient Based Subsidy
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL

## ANNEXURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.456 FOR 18.7.2017 REGARDING NUTRIENT BASED SUBSIDY

1. Any variant of the subsidised P&K fertilizers covered under NBS Policy and are fortified/coated with Boron and Zinc, as provided for under FCO, will be eligible for additional subsidy over and above the normal NBS.

2. In order to monitor the MRPs of P&K fertilizers, the companies shall continue to  submit  the  certified  cost  data  as  per  the  requirement  and  directions  of  Dept.  of Fertilizers  (DOF)  from  time  to  time.  The  companies  shall  also  report  MRPs  of  P&K fertilizers regularly to DOF.

3. The fertilizer companies are required to print Maximum Retail Price (MRP) along  with  applicable  subsidy  on  the  fertilizer  bags  clearly.  Any  sale  above  the printed MRP will be punishable under the EC Act.

4. The distribution  and  movement  of  fertilizers  along  with  import  of  finished fertilizers, fertilizer inputs and production by indigenous units is monitored through the online web based "Fertilizer Monitoring System (FMS)/mobile FMS".

5. 20% of the price decontrolled fertilizers produced/imported in India has been kept  under  the  Movement  Control  under  the  Essential  Commodities  Act 1955 (ECA) so as to bridge the supplies in underserved areas.

********