opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 645 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-06
Subject: Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: SRINIVAS KESINENI

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.645

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  6 TH  FEBRUARY, 2018

## PRADHAN MANTRI FASAL BIMA YOJANA

645.   SHRI KESINENI NANI:

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

- (a) the coverage of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana in Andhra Pradesh classified by the nature of insuree into loanee, share-croppers and tenant farmers;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  survey  to  check  whether  all  the insurers under the schemes have adequate ground level infrastructure to investigate the losses and service the claims, if so, the details of the findings of the survey and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the details of the average time period between application and actual disbursal of a claim under the scheme?

## 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): Yes, Madam.  Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) envisages coverage of  all  farmers  including  sharecroppers,  tenant,  loanee  and  non-loanee  farmers  in  the country including Andhra Pradesh.  However, farmes should have to establish insurable interest for the notified/insured crops and areas.
- (b): No survey has been conducted by the Government in this regard.  However, at the  time  of  empanelment  of  insurance  companies  for  the  scheme,  proper  scrutiny  of financial strengths, expertise, operational capabilities and  infrastructure  available with insurance  companies  is  made  by  a  committee  constituted  in  the  Department  of Agriculture,  Cooperation  and  Farmers  Welfare.    The  scheme  envisages  detailed  role and responsibilities of insurance companies to settle the eligible claims to the farmers within  timeframe.    The  functions  of  empanelled  insurance  companies  are  being reviewed  regularly.    Based  on  the  assessment  of  overall  performance  of  empanelled insurance companies they are also liable to be de-empanelled by the Government.
- (c) : Average time taken to settle claims under PMFBY after receipt of yield data from the concerned States for calculation of shortfall in yield/ crop losses has been reduced to  about  two  months  from  6  months  to  one  year  under  erstwhile  crop  insurance schemes.    Under  PMFBY  during  2016-17,  which  was  also  the  first  year  of  scheme implementation,  claims were generally  settled  on  an  average  within  two  months  after receipt  of  yield  data,  barring  those  claims  that  are  outstanding  due  to  exceptional

reasons such as delay in receipt of State share of subsidy, discrepancy in yield data, unavailability of farmer account details etc.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 644 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-06
Subject: Tobacco Farmers’ Distress
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: HARI BABU KAMBHAMPATI

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.644

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  6 TH  FEBRUARY, 2018

## TOBACCO FARMERS' DISTRESS

## 644.   DR. KAMBHAMPATI HARIBABU:

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

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  in  the  recent  past  several  farmers  cultivating  tobacco have committed suicide due to low price, less demand and several other issues, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether any representation on tobacco farmers distress has come to the notice of the Government particularly from the tobacco growing areas of the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has devised any policy to address their problems, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  any  long  term  solution  in  place  to  address  their problems, 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 GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (d): Department  of  Commerce  has  not  received  any  representation/suicide information due to low price, less demand and several other issues. Rather, response of the traders in recently concluded auction for sale of 2016-17 Flue cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco in the state of Andhra Pradesh  has been encouraging.   The average price per kilo gram realized was higher by 15% over the last year.  Even, in the current ongoing auction  in  the  state  of  Karnataka  crop  season  2017,  as  on  31.01.2018,  the    average price are given to growers is higher by Rs.8.93/- per kilo gram over the last year for the corresponding volume.

Tobacco Board, in collaboration with other organizations viz. State Government, Central Tobacco Research Institute (CTRI), National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM), is implementing various extension and developmental schemes for  improvement  of  productivity  and  quality  of  Indian  FCV  Tobacco  to  make  it  more competitive in the international  market. Financial assistance  is extended  to  the registered FCV tobacco growers by the Tobacco Board under its various schemes/components  like  farm  mechanization,  improvement  of  yield  and  quality  of tobacco,  improvement  of  curing practices  of  post  harvest  product  management elimination of non tobacco related material.
Lok Sabha Question No. 642 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-06
Subject: Welfare of Transgenders
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: E. T. MOHAMMED BASHEER

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 642 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.02.2018

## WELFARE OF TRANSGENDERS

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

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

(a) whether the transgender community is deprived of employment, education and status in the society;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the  action  proposed to  be  taken  by the  Government to  ensure  social  justice  to transgender communities?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): An Expert Committee was constituted in the Ministry to make an in-depth study of the problems  being faced by  the  Tansgender  Community  and  suggest  suitable  measures  to ameliorate  their  conditions.  The  Committe  submitted  its  report  on  27 th January  2014.  The Committee in its report has observed that the transgender community is a highly marginalized and vulnerable one and is seriously lagging behind on human development indices mainly in the area of education and employment.

In order to provide for protection of rights of transgender persons and their welfare, the Ministry has introduced a Bill titled 'The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016' in the Lok Sabha on 2.8.2016. The Bill provides for inclusive education for Transgender Persons without  discrimination  on  an  equal  basis  with  others  and  prohibits  the  establishments  for discrimination against them in any matter relating to employment.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 637 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-06
Subject: Protection of Vulnerable Groups during Disasters
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: KIRRON KHER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 637

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 06 TH  FEBRUARY, 2018/ MAGHA 17, 1939 (SAKA)

PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE GROUPS DURING DISASTERS

637. SHRIMATI KIRRON KHER:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the details of provisions for special protection to vulnerable groups of the society under the National Disaster Management Plan of 2016;

(b)  the  special  protection  proposed  for  women  in  relief  camps  to  ensure safety  against  sexual  violence  and  availability  of  menstrual  hygiene  to them; and

(c) the special protection proposed for members of the Scheduled Castes who may be denied societal help for members of economically backward classes who might lack personal resources for rehabilitation?

ANSWER

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

(a): The National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP), inter - alia, serves as a guide for preparation of plans by other stakeholders i.e. Central Govt. agencies  and  State  Govt.  agencies  for  Disaster  Risk  Management.  The NDMP has identified the measures that need to be taken care of for the rehabilitation  of  the  vulnerable  groups  of  the  society  such  as  elderly, women and children etc. In  order  to  build  capacity  of  vulnerable  groups against all types of disasters, a special component of Empowering Women,

## L.S.US.Q.NO.637 FOR 06.02.2018

Marginalized  communities  and   physically  challenged  communities  have been included to ensure equitable and gender sensitive approaches at the National, State and district level.

(b): NDMA issued Guidelines on Minimum Standards of Relief in February, 2016.  This  contains  the  following  special  provisions  for  women  in  relief camps :

(i)  Special  care  to  be  taken  for  safety  and  privacy of  inmates, especially women and widows.

(ii) Separate toilet and bath area for women.

(iii)  Providing  Dignity  kits  comprising  of  sanitary  napkins  and  disposable paper bags.

(c): NDMP  does  not  have  any  special  provision  on  caste  basis.  It  has provisions for physical, economic, social and psychological rehabilitation of all the affected people. The special needs of the Scheduled Castes and other  vulnerable  population  are  assessed  through  Post  -  Disaster  needs assessment  on  the  basis  of  which  Reconstruction  and  Rehabilitation should be undertaken, thus taking care of the Scheduled Castes.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 636 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-06
Subject: Effect of Depleting Ground Water on Foodgrain Production
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: PR. SENTHILNATHAN, V. SATHYABAMA, R.K. BHARATHI MOHAN

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

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.636 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  6 TH  FEBRUARY, 2018

## EFFECT OF DEPLETING GROUND WATER ON FOODGRAIN PRODUCTION

636.   SHRI PR. SENTHIL NATHAN: SHRIMATI V. SATHYA BAMA: SHRI BHARATHI MOHAN R.K.:

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

- (a) whether the depletion of ground water had adversely affected the production of foodgrains in the country and if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
- (b) the corrective measures 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 GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) & (b): Though there are instances of depletion of ground water in some regions of the country, yet it has had no significant adverse impact on food grain production. As per the available data, the production of food grains has increased from 257.13 million tonnes in 2012-13 to 275.68 million  tonnes during 2016-17 (4 th Advance Estimates).

Rain water harvesting and artificial recharge as enunciated in the National Water Policy  2012  is  being  promoted  through  implementation  of  pilot  projects,  advisories  to States,   mass awareness and training programmes etc.  Activities including ridge area treatment,  rain  water  harvesting  are  being  undertaken  under  PMKSY-Watershed Development  for  containing the ground water levels.  Efficient irrigation through Drip and Sprinkler systems are being assisted under PMKSY-Per Drop More Crop which will in turn reduce amount of ground water withdrawal.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 634 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-06
Subject: Remunerative Prices and Storage Facilities to Farmers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: MANSHANKAR NINAMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.634

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  6 TH  FEBRUARY, 2018

## REMUNERATIVE PRICES AND STORAGE FACILITIES TO FARMERS

634.   SHRI MANSHANKAR NINAMA:

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

- (a) the  various  measures  taken  by  the  Government  during  the  last  three  years  to provide remunerative prices and storage facilities to the farmers for their crops in the country;
- (b) the critical  information  regarding  purchasing  price,  consumer price and storage facility for onion crop in the country; and
- (c) the measures taken by the Government to ensure confirmed management and providing  compensatory  price,  safe  storage  facility  to  farmers  in  case  of  bumper production of farm produce?

## 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) to (c): Government has taken several measures to provide remunerative prices and  storage  facilities  for  managing  the  agricultural  and  horticultural  produce  of  the farmers.  Government  fixes  Minimum  Support  Prices  (MSPs)  for  24  major  agricultural crops, undertaking procurement of major agricultural crops through designated procurement  agencies.  Besides,  Government  is  implementing  Market  Intervention Scheme  (MIS)  for  procurement  of  agricultural  and  horticultural  crops  including  onion which are not covered under the MSPs. The other initiatives in this regard includes eNational  Agriculture  Market  (e-NAM),  a  Model  Agricultural  Produce  and  Livestock Marketing (Promotion & Facilitation) Act, 2017, promoting Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), implementing Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme for  augmenting  the  storage  capacity  in  Public  Private  Partnership  (PPP)  mode, constructing modern silos in PPP mode, creating post harvest management infrastructure including establishment of cold storage etc.

As on 31 st January, 2018, the all India average wholesale price of onion was Rs.  32.19  per  Kg.  and  retail  price  was  Rs.  40.04  per  Kg.  for  January,  2018.  Under Mission  for  Integrated  Development  of  Horticulture  (MIDH),  844  cold  storages  with capacity of 3.54 million tonnes have been created during the last three years for storage of  perishable  commodities  including  onion.  Under  MIS,  Government  has  sanctioned procurement  of  onion  of  651  thousand  tonnes  from  Madhya  Pradesh  and  of  20 thousand tonnes from Rajasthan during 2017-18.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 633 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-06
Subject: Facilities to CAPF
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: BHARATI DHIRUBHAI SHIYAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †633

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 06 TH  FEBRUARY, 2018/ MAGHA 17, 1939 (SAKA)

FACILITIES TO CAPF

†633. DR. BHARATIBEN D. SHYAL:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  complaints  of  gross  negligence  in  providing  facilities  to  the Central  Armed  Police  Forces  (CAPF)  particularly  those  posted  at  border areas have been received;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  fixed  any  accountability  in  this  regard; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): The  Border  Security  Force  (BSF),  Sashastra  Seema  Bal  (SSB) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP), the border guarding forces, have  not  reported  any  such  complaints  of  gross  negligence  in  providing facilities to their personnel.

However, in the year 2017 BSF and CRPF had reported complaints regarding  poor  quality  of  food  and  other  grievances.  Those  complaints were  got  enquired  into  by  the  Forces  at  their  end  and  were  found unsubstantiated.

## L.S.US.Q.NO.633 FOR 06.02.2018

As  per  the  guidelines  issued by the Ministry, all  the Forces have been directed to ensure that the senior officers during their visit to posts, may  check  on  the  aspects  of  living conditions, clothing, food  and equipment and they may also take initiative to get free and frank advice of the  personnel.  It  has  been  advised  that  senior  officers  may  also  partake the  food  prepared  for  Jawans  and  endorse  a  note  on  quality/quantity  of food  in  the  inspection  register.  The  forces  have  also  been  advised  to review  their  internal  grievances  redressal  system  and  take  proactive measure to redress the grievances.

All  the  forces  have a robust grievance redressal mechanism at their end and complaints, if received, are duly enquired into and necessary action is taken. Multiple channels like personal hearing, letters, e-mails, SMS have been  provided  to  force  personnel  for  lodging  their  grievances.  These grievances  are  redressed  at  different  levels  i.e.  Zone,  Sector,  Range  & Units levels depending on the nature of grievance.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 631 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-06
Subject: Access to Ration Shops
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: M. K. RAGHAVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 631 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06 TH  FEBRUARY, 2018

## ACCESS TO RATION SHOPS

## 631. SHRI M.K. RAGHAVAN:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of citizens who have access to ration shops within(a) 2 kms.  (b)  5  kms.  and  (c)  beyond  5  kms.  of  their  dwelling  State/UT-wise including Jammu and Kashmir;
- (b) the  number  of  States  which  followed  the  reservation  policy  in allotting ration shops and ensuring priority accorded to members of SC and ST categories as notified by the Government; and
- (c) the details of total number of ration shops allotted to individuals from the SC/ ST communities per year for the past five years, State/ UT-wise?

## A N S W E R

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

(a) to (c): Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and the State/Union Territory (UT) Governments. Central Government is responsible for procurement, allocation and  transportation  of  foodgrains  upto  the  designated  depots  of  the  Food Corporation  of  India.  The  operational  responsibilities  for  allocation  and distribution  of  foodgrains  within  the  States/UTs,  identification  of  eligible beneficiaries/households,  issuance  of  ration  cards  to  them  and    issuing licences  for running Fair  Price Shops and supervision over and monitoring of functioning  of  Fair  Price  Shops  (FPSs)  rest  with  the  concerned  State/UT Governments.

As  per  TPDS[Control]  Order,2015,  the  State  Government    is  required  to ensure that FPS is so located that the consumer or ration card holder does not  have  to  face  difficulty  to  reach  the  FPS  and  the  proper  coverage  is ensured  in  hilly,  desert,  tribal  and  such  other  areas  difficult  to  access. Besides,  the  State  Government  is  required  to  accord  preference  to  public institutions or public bodies such as panchayats, self help groups cooperative societies in licensing of FPS and  management of FPS by women or their collectives.

A letter  dated  22/6/2017    was  issued  to  all  State/UT  Governments requesting  them  to  kindly  consider  issuing  FPS  licences  to  citizens/groups belonging to SC/ST Community as per the reservation policy of their state to enable them to utilise this opportunity for their employment.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 630 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-06
Subject: Ghost Workers in FCI
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: AJAY NISHAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 630 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06 TH  FEBRUARY, 2018

## GHOST WORKERS IN FCI

## 630. SHRI AJAY NISHAD:

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 ghost workers have been found to be engaged in loading and unloading work at different depots of Food Corporation of India (FCI) during the last three years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and losses incurred to FCI as a result thereof during the said period, depot-wise;
- (c) whether any probe has been initiated in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details and findings thereof and the remedial steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## A N S W E R

MINISTER OF STATE FOR  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (d): No instances of engagement of ghost labours in Food Corporation  of  India  (FCI)  has  been  formally  reported  for  loading  and unloading work during the last three years. However, some instances of high handling of bags by labourers were noticed in Haryana Region depots of FCI during Rabi 2014-15. Accordingly, the matter was investigated and disciplinary action has been taken against erring officials.

Some instances of payment of high incentives was noticed in some depots, which was due to incentive norms of the Corporation taking place especially  during  loading  and  unloading  of  rakes  when  the  volume  of operation increases multifold and labourers have to handle more bags than the norm prevalent at that time.  The rationalization of labour in pursuant to exemption notification dated 06.07.2016 and revision of incentive norms has considerably reduced incidence of high incentives.

Further,  preventive  measures  like  installation  of  CCTV  cameras, biometric attendance system, payment of wages in bank account of labours through RTGS/NEFT, introducing Depot Online System (DOS) which maintains record of attendance, work  done, wages of labour and Integrated Security Surveillance System (ISSS) has been put in place to avoid possible use of any proxy labour.

****