opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 888 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Crop Insurance Claims
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.888

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  7 TH  FEBRUARY, 2017

## CROP INSURANCE CLAIMS

888.   PROF. RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD:

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

- (a) the  details  of  the  crop  insurance  claims  of  the  farmers  lying  pending  in Maharashtra;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  under  'Rashtriya  Fasal  Bima  Yojana' currently known as Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, farmers have not been paid the insurance amount claimed by them for the last three years; and
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons  therefor  along  with  the  time  in  which these claims are likely to be paid?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF  STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF  AGRICULTURE AND  FARMERS  WELFARE

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

- (a) to (c): In  respect    of  crop  insurance  claims  of  the  farmers  lying  pending  in Maharashtra, it is stated that most of the admissible and approved claims for previous seasons have been paid.  However, additional claims of Rs. 1.17 lakh for Kharif 2015 and  Rs.  893.82  crore    for  Rabi  2015-16    are  pending  under  erstwhile  National Agricultural  Insurance  Scheme  (NAIS)  for  want  of  State  Government  share  in  claims and premium subsidy.

As  far  as  Pradhan  Mantri  Fasal  Bima  Yojana  (PMFBY)  is  concerned  it  was launched in April, 2016 and as required under the scheme guidelines claims are to be processed, approved and settled by the concerned insurance companies on receipt of yield  data  from  concerned  State  Government  within  one  month  of  the  harvest,  which yield data however, is still awaited from most of the States for Kharif 2016 season, and hence the claims can only be settled thereafter.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 887 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Cultivation of Rice in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: MIDHUN REDDY

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.887

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  7 TH  FEBRUARY, 2017

## CULTIVATION OF RICE IN ANDHRA PRADESH

887. SHRI P.V. MIDHUN REDDY:

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

- (a) whether Andhra Pradesh which was once called the rice bowl of the country is facing problem in the cultivation of paddy due to shortage/scarcity of water;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF  STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF  AGRICULTURE AND  FARMERS  WELFARE

‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं  कसान  कयाण ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã ½ãñâ Àã·¾ã ½ãâ¨ããè (  SHRI  S.S. AHLUWALIA)

- (a) & (b): Indian  Agriculture  is  dependent  on  monsoon  and  a  good  monsoon  has benefitted  agriculture.  Rice  in  Andhra  Pradesh  is  mostly  irrigated  through  canals  and streams  which  receive  water  either  through  rains  or  release  of  water  from  the  dams which in turn depend on the rains in the catchment areas. Due to late and non release of  sufficient  water  from  Nagarjuna  Sagar  Project  the  area  under  Krishna  delta  is reduced.

The  Government  of  Andhra  Pradesh  has  informed  that  during  2016-17,  area covered under Kharif paddy is 14.55 lakh hectares as against the normal area of 15.68 lakh  hectares,  which  is  less  by  1.13  lakh  hectares.  The  Government  has  focused  on productivity enhancement of paddy.

- (c): To  overcome  the  shortage  of  water  through  Nagarjuna  Sagar,  the  water  is supplied to Krishna delta through Pattiseema project and Pulichintala project. Because of  late  release  of  water  in  Krishna  delta,  pre-kharif  pulse  crop  is  promoted  in  50,000 hectares. Wherever possible, irrigated dry crops are promoted to bring uncovered delta paddy area into cultivation.

To  enhance  the  production  and  productivity  of  paddy,  the  Department  of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, Government of India is also implementing National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in 5 districts of Andhra Pradesh. Under NFSMRice,  various  interventions  are  being  implemented  such  as  cluster  demonstrations  of latest crop production technologies, seed distribution of hybrids & high yielding varieties including  stress  tolerant  varieties,  soil  ameliorants,  plant  protection  measures,  water saving devices, farm machinery/implements and capacity building of farmers.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 884 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Use of Diesel
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: BHAGWANTH KHUBA

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.884

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2017

## Use of Diesel

## 884. SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to reduce the use of Diesel to check air pollution in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to promote alternative fuels other than diesel?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

- (a) & (b) There is no such specific proposal under consideration. However, Government has decided  to  advance  the  Bharat  Stage  IV  norms  to  Bharat  Stage  VI  by  1 st April,  2020  to mitigate pollution from vehicular emission including diesel.
- (c)  The  Government  has  taken  several  steps  to  promote  alternative  fuels  other  than  diesel which, inter  alia, include  development of National Bio-fuel policy for blending of 20% of ethanol in gasoline and 20% of bio-diesel in the diesel; National Electric Mobility Plan for environmentally  friendly  electric  vehicles;  introduction  of  cleaner  /  alternate  fuels  like gaseous fuel (CNG, LPG etc.); establishment of Auto LPG dispensing stations; setting up of Hydrogen Corpus Fund for supporting various Research and Development in various aspect of hydrogen etc.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 883 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Encounter of SIMI Undertrials
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: MD. BADARIDDOZA KHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 883

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 7 TH   FEBRUARY, 2017/ MAGHA 18, 1938 (SAKA) ENCOUNTER OF SIMI UNDERTRIALS

883. SHRI MD. BADARUDDOZA KHAN:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  some  alleged  members/undertrials  belonging  to  the  banned SIMI  were  shot  dead  few  days  back  by  Madhya  Pradesh  police  under mysterious circumstances in Bhopal;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether a judicial enquiry has been ordered and if so, the preliminary findings thereof; and
- (d)  whether  the  National  Human  Rights  Commission  has  asked  for  a report on the incident and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): As  reported  by  the  Government  of  Madhya  Pradesh,  eight activists of the banned Organizations namely, Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and Indian Mujahideen (IM), who were allegedly involved in a  number  of  criminal  and  terrorist  incidents  in  different  parts  of  the country, escaped from the Bhopal Central Jail on the intervening  night  of

30 th   -  31 st   October,    2016    after    killing  a    Head    Warder    with    sharp weapons,  who was deployed for jail security.  The Madhya Pradesh Police had  immediately  carried  out  operation  to  nab  these  fugitives.  These fugitives  were  killed  in  an  encounter  with  MP  police  near  Acharpura Village, PS Gunga, district Bhopal on 31-10-2016.

Madhya Pradesh Government has ordered a Judicial Enquiry into the incident under the Commission of Enquiry Act, 1952, to be carried out by a  Retired  High  Court  Judge,  vide  notification  dated  07-11-2016.    As  per the  Terms  of  Reference,  the  Commission  will,  inter-alia,  look  into  the circumstances of Jail break and officers responsible for it, the circumstances in which the encounter took place and whether the action taken  by  the  police  in  the  encounter  was  justified  under  the  prevailing circumstances.

In  compliance  of  Human  Rights  Commission's  directions  regarding enquiry  of  police  encounters,  the  Government  of  Madhya  Pradesh  has ordered CID investigation by Special Investigation Team into the incident of killing of the fugitives of Bhopal Central Jail in Police Encounter.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 881 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Religious Sites Established at Nepal Border
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: HARISH DWIVEDI

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 881

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 7 TH   FEBRUARY, 2017/ MAGHA 18, 1938 (SAKA)

RELIGIOUS SITES ESTABLISHED AT NEPAL BORDER

881. SHRI HARISH CHANDRA ALIAS HARISH DWIVEDI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  a  large  number  of  religious  centres  have  come  up  at  IndoNepal border in the State of Uttar Pradesh without any permission;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether these centres are posing any threat to the national security; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): There are no inputs suggesting establishment of large number of religious centres at Indo-Nepal border in the State of Uttar Pradesh or any threat to the national security.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 880 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Vertical Farming
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: HARI BABU KAMBHAMPATI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 880

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 07/02/2017

## VERTICAL FARMING

880. DR. KAMBHAMPATI HARIBABU:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f"k ,oa fdlku dY;k.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has conducted any study on the feasibility of vertical farming in urban areas of the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has proposed to promote vertical farming in cities/urban areas through various schemes and incentives to increase the production of horticultural produce;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## A N S W E R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f'k ,oa fdlku dY;k.k ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h

## (SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)

- (a) Yes,  Madam.  An  exploratory  study  by  ICAR-IIHR,  Bengaluru  was  carried  out using strawberry as a candidate crop.
- (b) The exploratory study using strawberry was found to be feasible to go upto 4 tiers using  vanilla  pots  without  affecting  the  yield  and  quality  of  the  strawberry.  A  yield  of 250g may be harvested per plant in a cropping cycle. The vertical farming method can accommodate 4 x more plants per unit area. However, vertical farming in India is yet to take off. To add to this, terrace gardening and roof top gardening are being carried out by some agencies on contract basis in metropolitan cities.

Moreover, technology for mushroom production has been standardized by ICARDMR, Solan which is also a part of vertical farming. Such technology is being tried by entrepreneurs  in  Haryana  and  Punjab  and  also  in  Manipur.  Besides  this,  preliminary research on production of commercial flowers through vertical approach is in progress by ICAR-DFR, Pune.

(c) Vertical  farming  has  the  potential  to  increase  the  production  of  horticultural produce. Some studies carried out have shown prospects of vertical farming in the country by utilizing the city waste and recycled water for the purpose.

(d) Reply is given in part (c) and (e).

(e) In  2015,  under  the  aegis  of  the  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research,  New Delhi,  an  International  conference  on  vertical  farming  was  organized  by  the  Vertical Farming  Association (India), Mumbai;  Association  for Vertical Farming,  Munich, Germany and Society for Promotion of Horticulture, ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru on 2 nd  and 3 rd November, 2015. Several national  and  international  experts  participated  in  the  seminar. This event has served as a curtain raiser for introduction of vertical farming with suitable modifications to suit the Indian context.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 878 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Welfare of Transgenders
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 878 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2017

## WELFARE OF TRANSGENDERS

## 878. SHRI KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to enact any law for ensuring the welfa development of the transgender community in the country;

(b) if so, the details and salie nt fe tures thereof;

- (c)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  speedy  implementation  of  Supreme judgement on transgender rights;
- (d) the amount sanctioned and spent so far under various schemes; and
- (e) the details of States that have imp lemented schemes for ensuring the rights of transgenders the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) &(b): The Government has introduced a Bill titled "The Transgender Persons (Protec Rights)  Bill,  2016"  in  the  Lok  Sabha  on  02.08.2016.  The  Bill  has  been  referred Department related Parliamentary Standing Committee for examination and report.
- (c) The Hon'ble Supreme Court in its judgment dated 15.04.2014 in W.P. No. 400/2012 filed by National Legal Services Authority Vs Union of India and others has, inter - alia, directed Centre and the State Governments to take various steps for the welfare of the tr nsgender community and  also  to  examine  the  recommendations  of  the  Expert  Committee  based  on  the  l declaration  made  in  the  above  said  judgment.  An  Inter  Ministerial  Committee  has constituted to pursue implementation of the Expert Committee's recommendation.In addition, the  Government  has  introduced  a  Bill  'The  Transgender  Persons  (Protection  of  Rights)  Bill 2016' in the Lok Sabha on 02.08.2016.
- (d) & (e): An Expert Committee was constituted in the Ministry to make an in - depth study of the  problems  being  faced  by  the  Transgender  Community  and  suggest  suitable  measure ameliorate  their  conditions.  The  Committee  submitted  its  report  on  27th  January  201 he recommendations of the Expert Committee have been forwarded to all the St Governments/UT Administrations for taking appropriate action. Presently, t he Ministry is not running any scheme for the transgender community.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 877 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Definition of Forest
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: YERRAM VENKATA SUBBAREDDY

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 877

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2017

## Definition of Forest

## 877.  SHRI Y. V. SUBBA REDDY

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

- (a) whether it is true that Government has given a new definition for 'forest' and if so, details thereof;
- (b) the  details  regarding  the  two  broad  categories  of  forests  that  the  Ministry  has submitted to the Supreme Court;
- (c) whether the Government is allocating forest land for various activities without having a proper definition of what constitutes forest;
- (d) whether it is true that the Government is deforesting some forest land for amaravati city in Andhra Pradesh; and
- (e) if so, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

- (a)  to  (c):      No,  Sir.  The  Ministry  is  following  the  definition  of  forest  as  per  the  Hon'ble Supreme Court's  Order  dated  12.12.1996  in  the  matter  of  T.  N.  Godavarman Thirumulkpad Vs Union of  India  and  Others  in  W.P.  (Civil)  No.202  of  1995 with W.P (Civil) No.171/96

The world 'forest' must be understood according to its dictionary meaning. This description  cover  all  statutorily  recognised  forests,  whether  designated  as reserved,  protected  or  otherwise  for  the  purpose  of  Section  2  (i)  of  the  Forest Conservation Act. The term 'forest land',  occurring in Section 2, will not only include 'forest' as understood in the dictionary sense, but also any area recorded as forest in the Government record irrespective of the ownership. This is how it has  to  be  understood  for  the  purpose  of  Section  2  of  the  Act.  The  provisions enacted in the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 for the Conservation of forests and the matters connected therewith must apply clearly to all forests so understood irrespective of the ownership of classification thereof'.

This definition is used for all purposes including the proposals received under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 875 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Security Clearance for GSTN
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: SURESH KODIKUNNIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 875

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 7 TH   FEBRUARY, 2017/ MAGHA 18, 1938 (SAKA) SECURITY CLEARANCE FOR GSTN

875. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Home  Ministry  has  sought  a  response  and  clarification from competent authorities of the Government about the requirement of security  clearance  for  Goods  and  Services  Tax  Network  (GSTN),  the special purpose vehicle set up to provide IT infrastructure and services for implementation of GST;
- (b) if so, the details of the private entities holding a stake in the GSTN;
- (c)  whether  there has been a delay from the part of the  Government in ascertaining the need for clearance;
- (d) if so, whether this has affected the roll out of GSTN, which is crucial to integrating GST in the country; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the follow up action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Comments of Ministry of Finance were sought on a reference, from an Hon'ble Member of Parliament, containing issues pertaining to security clearance of GSTN-SPV.

## L.S.US.Q.NO 875 FOR 07.02.2017

## (b): Details of entities holding stakes in the GSTN-SPV are as under:

| Central Government                        | 24.5%   |
|-------------------------------------------|---------|
| State Governments, 2UTs & EC collectively | 24.5%   |
| HDFC Ltd                                  | 10%     |
| HDFC Bank Ltd                             | 10%     |
| ICICI Bank Ltd                            | 10%     |
| NSE Strategic Investment Corporation Ltd  | 10%     |
| LIC Housing Finance Ltd                   | 11%     |

(c) to (e): The Government had constituted an Empowered Group (EG) on IT  infrastructure  for  GST  in  consultation  with  Empowered Committee of State  Finance  Ministers  (EC)  to  suggest,  inter-alia,  the  modalities  for setting-up of a National Information Utilities (NIU/SPV) for implementation of  a  Common Portal to be called GST Network (GSTN). The decision to set-up  the  GSTN  was  approved  by  the  Government  on  12.04.2012. Accordingly,  GSTN-SPV  was  incorporated  in  March  2013  as  a  nonGovernment, not for profit (Section 25), private limited company registered  under  the  Companies  Act,  1956  with  24.5%  equity  held  by Central Government, 24.5% equity held by State Governments, UTs and EC collectively and 51% held by institutions as shown in part (b) of the answer. No security clearance was obtained by the Ministry of Finance from the Ministry of Home Affairs at the time of incorporation of GSTNSPV.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 874 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Assistance for Post Harvest Management
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: PINAKI MISRA

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.874

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  7 TH  FEBRUARY, 2017

## ASSISTANCE FOR POST HARVEST MANAGEMENT

874.   SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

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

- (a) whether  there  is  any  proposal  with  the  Government  to  enhance  the  rate  of assistance for the post harvest management for the small and marginal farmers and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is a fact that the micro irrigation assistance is to be increased to 70% under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY); and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF  STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF  AGRICULTURE AND  FARMERS  WELFARE ‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं किसान िल्याण ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã ½ãñâ Àã·¾ã ½ãâ¨ããè ( SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a): No, Madam. At  present, there is no proposal to enhance the rate of assistance for post harvest management for the small and marginal farmers.
- (b) & (c): Under the Micro irrigation component of Per Drop More Crop of Pradhan Mantri  Krishi  Sinchayee  Yojana  (PMKSY),  financial  assistance  is  provided  to  the farmers  for  adoption  of  Micro  Irrigation  system.  At  present  there  is  no  proposal  for increasing micro irrigation assistance under PMKSY to 70%.

****