opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1303 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-18
Subject: Ease of Doing Agri-Business Index
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: JAGDAMBIKA PAL

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1303

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18 TH  DECEMBER, 2018

## EASE OF DOING AGRI-BUSINESS INDEX

1303.     SHRI  JAGDAMBIKA  PAL:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is proposing  to  introduce  a  new  'Ease  of Doing AgriBusiness  Index',  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) whether  States  will  be  ranked  in  the  index  on  the  basis  of  indicators  related  to    agribusiness,  if  so,  details  of  the indicators  that  will  be  the  basis of  such ranking and the weightage given to each indicator; and
- (c) whether any extra funding will be provided  to  high-ranking  States,  if  so, details of the schemes or other mechanisms through which such extra funding will be dispersed?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI  PARSHOTTAM  RUPALA)

(a) & (b): Agriculture being a State subject, the State Government undertakes development of perspective plans and ensures effective implementation of the programmes/schemes.  Also, Government  of  India  supplements  the  efforts  of  the  State  Governments  through  various Schemes/Programmes.

The Government has been reorienting the agriculture sector by focusing on an incomecenteredness  which  goes  beyond  achieving  merely  the  targeted  production.    The  income approach focuses on achieving high productivity, reduced cost of cultivation and remunerative price  on  the  produce,  with  a  view  to  earn  higher  profits  from  farming.    For  this  purpose,  the Government has set a target of doubling of farmers' income by the year 2022.  The Government has constituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee to examine issues relating to doubling of farmers' income and recommended a strategy to achieve doubling of farmers' income in real terms by the year 2022.

To ensure that the reform agenda of Government is implemented at a desired pace by all States/UTs, a need is felt to develop a competitive spirit between the States. Keeping this in mind  to  rank  the  States  through  an  Index  i.e.  ease  of  doing  agri-business,  a  concept  note alongwith  parameters  for  developing  an  Index  has  been  circulated  to  all  States/UTs.    The concept is to consider farming not solely as a production oriented activity carried out to achieve food security for the country, but as a business activity carried out by farmer as entrepreneur.

- (c): At present, there is no such proposal.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1302 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-18
Subject: Retention of Prisoners
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: PINAKI MISRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1302

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18 TH  DECEMBER, 2018/ AGRAHAYANA 27, 1940 (SAKA)

RETENTION OF PRISONERS

1302.     SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  many  prisoners  are  kept  in  jail  beyond  their term and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  the  number  of  prisoners  in  the  country  released  from  Jail  much  later than their date of release;

(c) the circumstances under which the prisoners were retained even after their release date; and

(d) whether such a practice is undertaken after proper judicial permission and if not, the authority responsible in this regard?

ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): 'Prisons' and 'persons detained therein' is a 'State' subject as per entry 4 of List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. the not

The administration and management of prisons is primarily responsibility of respective State Governments. This data is maintained centrally.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1300 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-18
Subject: Indian Agricultural Outlook Forum
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: PRALHAD VENKATESH JOSHI

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1300

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18 TH  DECEMBER, 2018

## INDIAN AGRICULTURAL  OUTLOOK FORUM

1300.     SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI:

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

- (a) whether the Government recently organized the 'India Agriculture Outlook Forum' in New Delhi;
- (b) if  so,  the issues of  national  and international  importance  which  were addressed in the forum; and
- (c) the details of the forum and the manner in which it will help in agricultural development and enable farmers' profit and prosperity?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI  PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a)  to  (c):        Yes,  Madam.  Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  Farmers  Welfare  organized  the  'India Agricultural Outlook Forum 2018' on 10-11 September, 2018 in New Delhi. The Forum serves as a platform for exchange of national and international agricultural outlook, policy insights and expertise  on  various  agricultural  development  issues  and  agricultural  economics  perspective which will make the agricultural sector robust.

The  Forum  deliberated  on  long-term  demand  and  supply  projections  of  agricultural commodities  for  India  prepared  by  NITI  Aayog  and  Global  Agriculture  Outlook  by  FAO.  The other  major  issues  addressed  in  the  Forum,  inter-alia,  include  need  for  innovative  farm technology and management, regulatory issues in agriculture, challenges in water management and  agricultural  insurance,  crop  residue  management,  agricultural  value  chain,  agricultural trade, food safety & standards, etc.

This multi-stakeholder consultative process of sharing of experiences and best practices is  envisaged  to  play  an  important  role  in  making  effective  and  informed  policy  decisions  and thereby creating an enabling environment for the farmers to profit and prosper.

Important resources related to the Forum are available on the website:

https://farmer.gov.in/iaof/IAOF\_Home.aspx#

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1298 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-18
Subject: Sludge Management
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: RATTAN LAL KATARIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1298 TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 18, 2018

## SLUDGE MANAGEMENT

No. 1298      SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBANAFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  declared  any  policy  for  sludge management in the country;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  for  creation  of  right infrastructure for sludge management that works in those communities;
- (d)
- if so, the details in this regard; and
- (e) the goal/achievement achieved under Open Defecation Free in urban areas in the country?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

(SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

(a)&(b) Yes,  Sir.  Government  of  India  has  issued  a  National Policy  on  Faecal  Sludge  and  Septage  Management  (FSSM)  in February 2017 for urban areas.  The key objective of the Policy is to set  the  context,  priorities,  and  direction  for,  and  to  facilitate, nationwide  implementation  of  FSSM  services  in  all  Urban  Local Bodies (ULBs) such that safe and sustainable sanitation becomes a reality for every household, street, town and city. Among others, the key objectives of the National FSSM Policy are to:

- (i) Mainstream FSSM in urban areas by end of 2019, and ensure that all benefits of wide access to safe sanitation accrue to all citizens across the sanitation value chain with containment,  extraction,    transportation,  treatment,  and disposal/re-use of all faecal sludge, septage and other liquid waste and their by-products and end-products.
- (ii) Suggest and identify ways and means, including the methods  and  resources,  towards  creation  of  an  enabling environment  for  realizing  safe  and  sustainable  FSSM  in India.

So far, 19 States/Union Territories (UTs) have formulated their policies either for wastewater reuse or FSSM or both. Out of these 19 States/UTs, 11 States/UTs namely Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Telangana,  Daman  &  Diu,  Gujarat,  Karnataka  have  notified  their

Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, FSSM policies.

- (c)&(d) Sewerage and septage management is one of the thrust areas under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).Out  of  the  approved  State  Annual  Action  Plans  (SAAPs) worth Rs.77,640 crore for 500 Mission cities under  AMRUT, Rs.32,456 crore (42%) has been allocated for creation of infrastructure for sewerage and septage (faecal sludge) management.
- (e) The Government has targeted to make all urban areas of the country  Open  Defecation  Free  (ODF).    Out  of  4,378  cities  in  the country, 4,124 cities have been declared ODF till10 December, 2018.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1297 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-18
Subject: Soil Health Cards
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.1297

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18 TH  DECEMBER, 2018

## SOIL  HEALTH  CARDS

## 1297.     SHRI RAJU SHETTY:

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

- (a) the number of soil samples taken for soil health cards;
- (b) the  number  of  soil  health  cards handed over to farmers;
- (c) the expenditure incurred thereon during the last four years;
- (d) whether  any  survey  was  done  after  issuing  these  soil  health  cards  to  ascertain  the number  of  farmers  who  actually benefited  from  these  statistical informatioin; and
- (e) whether    any    extension    activity  campaign  was  started  to  help  farmers  after  issuing these  cards  and if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI  PARSHOTTAM  RUPALA)

- (a) & (b): During the 1 st Cycle (2015-16 & 2016-17) 253.49 lakh soil samples were collected and 1073.89 lakh soil health cards were distributed to farmers.  During the 2 nd Cycle (2017-18 & 2018-19) as on 11.12.2018, 255.48 lakh soil samples have been collected and 643.25 lakh soil health cards have been distributed to farmers.
- (c): From  2014-15  to  2017-18,  a  sum  of  Rs.40677.00  lakh  has  been  released  to  State Governments for implementation of the soil health card scheme.
- (d) & (e): National Productivity Council (NPC) has done a study on 'Soil Testing Infrastructure  for  Faster  Delivery  of  Soil  Health  Cards  in  India'  and  found  that  as  a  result  of application of fertilizers as per recommendations of soil health card, there is a decrease in use of chemical fertilizers in the range of 8-10% and increase in yield of crops to the tune of 5-6%.

All  Crop  development  Directorates  of  department  of  Agriculture,  Cooperation  and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) and Project Management Cell of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) Division undertake field visits regularly to monitor the progress at field level.

The  extension  activities  to  help  farmers  after  issue  of  soil  health  cards  are  farmers training, demonstration on farmer's field, farmer's mela/camps, promotion of micronutrients and workshops to be organized by State Governments.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1295 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-18
Subject: World Disability Day
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, P.R. SUNDARAM

## DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (DIVYANGJAN)

LOK SABHA

World Disability Day

## 1295. SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

SRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

DR: J. JAYAVARDHAN:

DR: HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

SHRI P R SUNDARAM:

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

- (0) whether the Government has observed World Disability recently; Day
2. (c) the programmes organized on the occasion of World Disability Day;
- (6) if the details thereof with the theme and focus of the event; along SO,
4. (d) the amount earmarked and utilized for this purpose;
5. whether the Government has any plan to implement awareness programmes to focus o the prevention of disabilities apart from rehabilitation of such persons, if the details thereof and the action taken so far by the Government thereon? SO,
6. (e) the extent to which the objectives of observing the said has been/is likely to be achieved; and day

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Yes, Madam; on the occasion of the International of Persons with Disabilities i.e. December; 2018, at a function organized at Vigyan Bhawan by the Department of Empowerment of India conferred National Awards. Awards were conferred on 72   awardees,  including  individuals, 3rd Day

For this purpose a provision of Rs. 54,00,000/was made as award money for recipients of National

Persons with Disabilities; Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the Hon'ble Vice President of institutions, states and districts   under 14 different categories.

Awards and the same has been utilized:

- (e) These awards have been instituted with the objective to focus public attention 0 issues concerning empowerment of persons with disabilities and to promote their mainstreaming in society:
- The Department has & comprehensive scheme for Awareness Generation and Publicity which covers various aspects  relating to sensitisation of society on issues concerning prevention, rehabilitation and empowerment of persons with disabilities: It is also the responsibility of the State Governments t0 take Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is also administering a number of central schemes which aim at preventing disability.

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1295 FOR ANSWER ON 18.12.2018
Lok Sabha Question No. 1292 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-18
Subject: Illegal Immigrants
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: P. C. MOHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1292

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18 TH  DECEMBER, 2018/ AGRAHAYANA 27, 1940 (SAKA)

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

1292.     SHRI P.C. MOHAN:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of illegal immigrants in the country, especially in Karnataka and Bengaluru;
- (b) whether the Union Government has directed a course of action to the State Governments regarding crime and other illegal activities committed by these illegal immigrants;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether there is any stringent law to deport the illegal immigrants and if so, the details thereof;
- (e)  whether  the  Government  has  directed  the  State  Government  of Karnataka to open an illegal immigrants deportation centre in the State; and
- (f) if so, the details and the status thereof?

ANSWER

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

(a): Since  illegal  immigrants  enter  into  the  country  without  valid  travel documents in clandestine and surreptitious manner, there is no accurate data regarding number of such migrants living in the country.

## L.S.US.Q.NO.1292 FOR 18.12.2018

(b)  and  (c):    Advisories  have  been  issued  to  the  State  Governments  and Union Territory (UT) Administrations from time to time to take appropriate steps  for  identification  of  illegal  migrants,  their  restriction  to  specified locations  as  per  provisions  of  law  and  initiation  of  legal  proceedings including deportation proceedings as per provisions of law.

(d): Deportation  of  illegal  immigrants  is  a  continuous  process.  Central Government is vested with powers under Section 3(2)(c) of the Foreigners Act, 1946, to deport foreign nationals staying illegally in the country. These powers  to  identify,  detain  and  deport  illegally  staying  foreign  nationals have also been delegated to the State Governments/ UT Administrations and the Bureau of Immigration.

(e)  and  (f):    Instructions  have  been  issued  to  all  State  Governments/  UT Administrations  including  State  Government  of  Karnataka  from  time  to time for setting up detention centres to restrict the movements of illegally staying foreign nationals to ensure their physical availability at all times for expeditious repatriation / deportation.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1290 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-18
Subject: Modern Weapons to Naxal Affected States
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: BALABHADRA MAJHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1290

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18 TH  DECEMBER, 2018/AGRAHAYANA 27, 1940 (SAKA)

MODERN WEAPONS TO NAXAL AFFECTED STATES

1290.

SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the Government  has  any  proposal  to provide  adequate personnel  strength  and  modern  weapons  to  the  police  force  of  naxal affected States to control naxal activities;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the funds provided to Odisha for the purpose during the last three years?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) Public order and Police are state subjects; however, the Central Government supplements the efforts of the States through various measures.  A  large  number  of  Central  Armed  Police  Forces  (CAPFs) battalions have been provided to the States for curbing LWE. In addition, these states have also been sanctioned India Reserve (IR) and Specialised India Reserve Battalions to strengthen the security apparatus.

Under  the  centrally  sponsored  scheme  of  'Modernisation  of  Police Forces'  (now  renamed  as  'Assistance  to  States  for  Modernisation  of Police'), the Central Government provides assistance for strengthening the Police forces with modern weaponry, communication, forensic, training and intelligence equipment.

## LS.US.Q.NO.1290 FOR 18.12.2018

## (c) Funds  released  to  Odisha  under  'Modernisation  of  Police  Force' scheme in last three years and current year are as under;-

| Year           |   2015-16 |   2016-17 |   2017-18 |   2018-19 (As on |
|----------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|------------------|
| Amount (in Cr) |     19.46 |     26.22 |     19.87 |            16.46 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1289 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-18
Subject: Price of Fertilizers
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: REKHA ARUN VERMA

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1289+TO BE ANSWERED ON: 18.12.2018

## Price of Fertilizers

## 1289+ SHRIMATI REKHA VERMA:

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

- whether the Government has any proposal to inspect the quality ad prica of
- (b)
- (c) whether instances of unauthorized gale cf fertilizers have come t0 the notice of the Govemmant;
- (e) the details regarding the quantity a net price of fertilizers accumulated for sale without prior permisaion?
- (d) if 90, the details thereof and the action taken taken thereon; and ibeing

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

Fertilizers have been declared as Essential Commodity under Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and in order fo ensure supply of adequate quantity of gocd quality oi fertilizer to the farmers, the Government of India promulgated tne Fertilizer (Control) (organic, Inorganic and Mixed) Order; 1985 (FCO) and Fertilizer (Movement strictly   prchibits the sale'manufactura fertilizer which are not of   prescribed standards. No person shall sell ay product as fartilizer unless it is specified under the FCO.

It is the  prime  resporsibility of the State Governmerts to ensure quality 05 per FCO specifications an are adequately empowered to both administrative and Fenal Fenalties;

Under FCO, it is mandatory to indicate the MRP on bags of iertilizer and no person shall sell or ofier for sale any fertilizer at a price exceeding the maximum price

Further; of MRP cf P&k fertilizers by tne companies is examinad by the Department of Fertilizers under the NBS Scheme; It has been stipulated in the provisions that in Cases, where aftor acrutiny, unreasonableness of MRP is establisherl or where there is ro correlation belween the cost of production or acquisition and the MRF printed on the bags; the subsidy would be restricted or denied even if the product is otherwise eligible for subsidy under NBS Scheme, In proven Gase cf abuse cf   subsidy mechanism; the Deparment on the recommendation of Inter-Ministerial Committze may exclude any gradelgrades of fertilizers of & particular company or tha fertilizer ccmpany itself from the NBS Scheme

(c) to {e} There is no report of instances of unauthorized gale of fertilizer from any Stale Govemment; However; Stata Governments have been adequately empowered t0 take acticns   against persons who  indulge in illegitimate provisions of FCO, 1985, Fertilizer (Mcvement Control) Order, 1973 an Essential