opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2621 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-09
Subject: e-Visa Scheme
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Ramcharan Bohra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2621

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 09 th  JULY, 2019/ ASHADHA 18, 1941 (SAKA)

E-VISA SCHEME

2621.

SHRI RAMCHARAN BOHRA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has introduced the scheme of e-visa;

(b) the number of e-visa processed during each of the last four years;

(c) whether the foreigners have to face difficulties in getting e-visa as it takes a long time; and

(d) if so, the steps being taken to address the said problem?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a)  Yes, Sir.

(b)  Number of e-visas granted during the last four years are as under:

|   Year | e-Visa Issued   |
|--------|-----------------|
|   2015 | 5,16,510        |
|   2016 | 11,80,933       |
|   2017 | 19,01,419       |
|   2018 | 24,70,273       |

(c) & (d) e-Visa services are rendered completely online. ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) under the scheme is being delivered in a time bound manner. In nearly  90%  of  the  cases,  e-Visas  are  processed  within  24  hours  of the submission of application. A fully equipped 24x7 manned e-Visa support centre is operational to answer application related queries. Difficulties if any, faced by the applicant  are  attended  to  promptly.  24x7  Payment  Gateway  support  centre  of two  banks  is  also  operational  to  answer  relevant  queries.  A  revamped  e-Visa website with improved User Interface (UI) has also been launched on 16.05.2019.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2620 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-09
Subject: Free Coaching to SC and OBC Students
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Bidyut Baran Mahato

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. +2620 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.07.2019

## FREE COACHING TO SC AND OBC STUDENTS

+2620. SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

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

- (a) whether free coaching facility is being provided by the Government for students belonging to Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes;
- (b) if the details thereof and the numbers of such coaching institutes being run across the country at present; Statel UT-wise and course-wise; SO,
- (c) whether any fund has been allocated by the Government to the States for implementation of this scheme; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA)

- (a) & (b): Yes; Sir: Financial support for coaching is being provided by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to eligible students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) under the Scheme of Free Coaching for SC and OBC Students to enable them to appear in competitive examinations and succeed in obtaining an appropriate job in public/ private sector:
- Thirty one institutes with seven coaching centres have been empanelled across the country for providing coaching under the Scheme. State/UT-wise details of these institutes along with the courses approved are at Annexure: forty
- (c) & (d): The Scheme does not have provision for State-wise fund allocation. The coaching fee and stipend amount are released directly to the concerned institutes and students, respectively:

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2619 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-09
Subject: Food Processing Units in Odisha
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Ramesh Chandra Majhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. † 2619

ANSWERED ON 09 TH  JULY, 2019

## FOOD PROCESSING UNITS IN ODISHA

## † 2619. SHRI RAMESH CHANDRA MAJHI:

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of food processing units in Odisha as on date;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  set  up  food  processing  units  in Nabarangpur and Malkangiri districts of Odisha; and
- (c) if so, the time by which these units are likely to be set up?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

- (a): As per Annual Survey of Industries 2016-17, 1127 food processing units are registered in State of Odisha.  Also, as per 73 rd round Survey of NSSO, 2015-16, 77,781 Unincorporated Enterprises manufacturing Food and Beverages units are registered in State of Odisha.
- (b)  &  (c):  Ministry  of  Food  Processing  Industries  (MoFPI)  promotes  setting  up  of  food processing  units  and  does  not  set  up  food  processing  units  on  its  own.  The  projects  are selected through the proposals received against the Expression of Interest (EoI) invited by the Ministry from time to time for setting up of food processing units in the Country through eligible entrepreneurs/investors.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2618 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-09
Subject: Development of Fisheries
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Sajda Ahmed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2618 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH  JULY, 2019

## Development of Fisheries

## 2618.    SHRIMATI SAJDA AHMED :

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  formulated  a  plan  for  development  of  fisheries  with  the intention to create job opportunities across the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has formulated a plan for establishment of infrastructure like cold chain facility in the supply chain of seafood products; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  assessed  the  benefit  of  Blue  Revolution  Scheme  across  the country and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## (SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI)

(a)  to  (d)  :  For  to  holistic  development  and  management  of  fisheries  and  generation  of  job opportunity in fisheries  sector, the Department of Fisheries (DoF), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry  and  Dairying  since  the  fiscal  year  2015-16  has  been  implementing  the  Centrally Sponsored  Scheme  (CSS)  on  Blue  Revolution  :  Integrated  Development  and  Management  of Fisheries with a total central outlay of Rs. 3000 crore. Besides, in order to address the infrastructure requirements  for  fisheries  sector,  the  Department  during  2018-19  also  created  a  dedicated  fund namely Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) with a total funds size of Rs 7522.48 crore. The FIDF inter-alia aim towards of creation of employment opportunities in fisheries sector.

Under  the  CSS,  central  financial  assistance  is  provided  to  the  State  Governments/Union Territories for strengthening of Cold-chain Infrastructure facilities fisheries such as (i) Ice plants, Cold storages, Ice plants-cum-cold storages, (ii) Renovation/modernization of existing Ice plants, Cold storages and Ice plants-cum-cold storages, (iii) Development of retail fish markets and allied infrastructure  and  (iv)  setting  up  of  mobile/retail  fish  outlets.  The  CSS  also  provides  financial assistance  for  fish  transport  infrastructure  such  as  Refrigerated  Trucks/Containers,  Insulated Trucks, Auto Rickshaw with ice box, Motorcycle with ice box and Bicycle with ice box. Besides, Under the FIDF concessional finance is also provided for development of cold storage, ice-plants, fish transport and cold chain infrastructures for fisheries.

The CSS on Blue Revolution primarily aims enhancing the fish production in the country. The  fish  production  has  increased  from  10.26  million  metric  tonne  in  2014-15  to  12.62  million metric tonne in 2017-18.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2617 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-09
Subject: Rural Development Schemes
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Manoj Rajoria

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2617

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.07.2019

## RURAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES

## 2617.  DR. MANOJ RAJORIA:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the schemes being undertaken by the Government for ensuring the holistic development of the rural areas;
- (b) whether  the  targets/milestones  fixed  under  various  schemes  for  rural  areas  have  been achieved by the Government; and
- (c) if not, the reasons for missing the timelines and the measures taken by the Government for meeting the revised timelines?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) to (c): For development of rural areas through employment generation, strengthening of livelihood opportunities, promoting self-employment, skilling of rural youths, provision of social assistance,  infrastructure  development  etc.,  the  Ministry  of  Rural  Development,  inter  alia,  is implementing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Deendayal  Antyodaya  Yojana  -  National  Rural  Livelihoods  Mission  (DAY-NRLM),  Deen Dayal Upadhyay - Gramin Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY),  Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana Gramin (PMAY-G), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Shyama Prasad Mukherjee National  RuRBAN  Mission, Saansad  Adarsh  Gram  Yojana  (SAGY)  and  National  Social Assistance Programme (NSAP).

In  order  to  ensure  the  programme  benefits  reach  the  rural  poor,  the  Ministry  has evolved a comprehensive multi-level and multi-tool system of monitoring and evaluation of the implementation  of  rural  development  programmes,  including  Performance  Review  Committee Meetings, District Development Co-ordination and Monitoring Committee ('DISHA') meetings, National  Level  Monitors,  Area  Officers  Schemes,  Common  Review  Mission,  Concurrent Evaluation  and  Impact  Assessment  Studies.  As  per  the  reports/returns  received  from  the  state governments/UT Administrations, the implementation of these programmes have been found to be satisfactory. Third-Party evaluation of Ministry of Rural Development's Schemes are also carried out regularly and actions, as appropriate, are taken on the findings.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2614 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-09
Subject: Revival of HMT, Ranibagh
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
Asked by: Ajay Bhatt

## HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES DEPARMENT OF HEAVY INDUSTRY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2614 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.07.2019

## Revival of HMT, Ranibagh

## 2614. SHRI AJAY BHATT:

Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  date  when  Hindustan  Machine  Tools  (HMT)  factory  Ranibagh,  Haldwani, Uttarakhand was established and the number of employees appointed in the factory at the time of opening;
- (b) whether the Government is aware that the above HMT factory has been shut down and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to take any action to secure the future of those workers and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  appropriate  compensation  to  the people affected by such decision and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  make efforts  to  revive  the  unit  by  way  of establishing any other undertaking on the said land which covers a large area and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES & PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (SHRI ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT)

(a) to  (e):The  Ranibagh  factory  of  HMT  Watches  Limited  was  established  on 12.11.1982 with total employee strength of 986. This company  is incurring continuous losses since 1993 and even being unable to meet the fund requirement for salary of its employees. Therefore, the proposal for closure of HMT Watches Limited was approved by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 06.01.2016.

In  pursuance  of  the  CCEA  decision,  HMT  Watches  including  the  Watch Factory at  Ranibagh  has  been  closed  by  offering attractive  VRS/VSS  to  the employees of the Company, as per 2007 pay scales, to the employee who have opted for the same. Remaining employees have been discharged after paying retrenchment compensation.

Since company is already closed, question of establishing any other undertaking does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2613 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-09
Subject: Use of Glyphosate
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Pratima Mondal

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2613

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH   JULY, 2019

## USE OF GLYPHOSATE

2613.   SHRIMATI  PRATIMA MONDAL:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that Glyphosate not only kills weeds, but causes cancer too along with other harmful effects and if so, the steps being taken by the Government to regulate its use;
- (b) whether  several  countries  have banned the carcinogenic herbicide;
- (c) if  so,  whether  the  Government intends to ban glyphosate in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  any  alternatives  of glyphosate are available in the country;
- (e) if so, whether the Government is considering to  promote  the  use of  these alternatives; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the  details  of  future  strategy  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a): Glyphosate is a  herbicide,  which  kills  weeds  and  is  registered  for  use  in  our  country. Glyphosate  has  been  reviewed  by  the  WHO  (Joint  Meeting  on  Pesticide  Residues),    In  the report submitted by JMPR in May, 2016 the JMPR concluded that glyphosate is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic risk to humans from exposure through the diet.

The  Central  Government  has  enacted  the  Insecticide  Act  1968  to  regulate  the  use  of pesticides (including Glyphosate). The Registration Committee after evaluating  Glyphosate on parameters, such as, chemistry, bio-efficacy, toxicity, packaging and processing has registered it for tea plantation and non-cropped area only.

- (b): As per the information available on the Rotterdam and Stockholm Convention website, Glyphosate is not banned in any country.
- (c): Presently, there is no such proposal.
- (d): Yes Sir, Alternatives for Glyphosate are available in the country.

(e) & (f): The  Department  is  propagating  judicious  use  of  chemical  pesticides.    This Department has established 35 Central Integrated Pest Management Centres (CIPMCs) across the country. These CIPMCs propagate the use of Integrated Pest Management and recommend judicious  use of  chemical  pesticide. The  CIPMCs, inter-alia,  release bio-control  agents  in the fields, conduct Farmers Field Schools and organize IPM orientation programs. In the last three years,  5957.25  million  bio-control  agents  have  been  released,  2142  nos.  of  Farmers  Field Schools and 391 nos. of IPM orientation programs have been organized by the CIPMCs.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2612 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-09
Subject: Action Plan for FPI
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Sunil Kumar Mondal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2612

ANSWERED ON 9 TH  JULY, 2019

## ACTION PLAN FOR FPI

## 2612.  SHRI SUNIL KUMAR MONDAL:

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has prepared any draft future action plan pertaining to the food processing sector;
- (b) if so, the details and the salient features thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

(a) to  (c):  The  Government  is  already  implementing  the  Central  Sector  umbrella  Scheme  PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN SAMPADA YOJANA (PMKSY) with a total outlay of Rs.6000 crore  for  the  period  2016-20  coterminous  with  the  14th  Finance  Commission  cycle  for promotion  and  development  of  Food  Processing  Sector  in  the  Country.  The  Scheme components of PMKSY are (i) Mega Food Parks, (ii) Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure, (iii) Infrastructure for Agroprocessing Clusters, (iv) Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages (v) Creation / Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities, (vi) Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure and (vii) Human Resources and Institutions. The Ministry is also implementing the scheme "Operation Greens" as a vertical of PMKSY since November, 2018 for integrated development of value/supply chain of tomato, onion and potato (TOP) crops in selected States on pilot basis.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2611 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-09
Subject: Report of NCRB
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: D. Ravikumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2611

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 09 th  JULY, 2019/ ASHADHA 18, 1941 (SAKA) REPORT OF NCRB

2611. SHRI RAVIKUMAR D.:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has submitted its report for 2017;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d) the details of the action taken on the report of 2016?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a)  National  Bureau  of  Crime  Records  (NCRB)  publishes  crime  statistics  in  its report 'Crime in India'. 'Crime in India' for the year 2017 has not been finalised by NCRB.

(b) Does not arise in view of reply at (a) above.

(c) With a view to ensure that published data suits the requirements of various stakeholders,  NCRB  has  comprehensively  revised  the  proforma  for  collecting crime  statistics.  NCRB  has  trained  States/  Union  Territories  personnel  on  the new formats. The data in the revised proforma from all States/ Union Territories has not been received.

(d) The  statistics  in  the  'Crime  in  India'  reports,  including  the  report  for  the year  2016,  are  used  by  Central  and  State  Governments  for  framing  various policies  and  initiatives  and  also  by  various  other  stakeholders  for  research purposes etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2609 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-09
Subject: Honour Killings
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Thirumaa Valavan Thol

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2609

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 09 th  JULY, 2019/ ASHADHA 18, 1941 (SAKA)

HONOUR KILLINGS

2609. SHRI THOL THIRUMAAVALAVAN:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  bring  a  Bill  to  curb  honour killings;

(b)  if  so,  the  details  of  action  taken  on  the  draft  Bill  to  curb  honour  killings submitted by the Law Commission of India; and

(c) the details of honour killings reported in the country during 2018?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) & (b)  Cases of 'murder' and 'culpable homicide not amounting to murder' with motive of honour killing are covered under sections 302 and 304 of the Indian  Penal  Code  respectively.  Further,  in  pursuance  of  Supreme  Court's judgement  dated  27-03-2018,  in  W.P.  (C)  No.231  of  2010,  Ministry  of  Home Affairs  has  issued  a  comprehensive  advisory  on  31 st   May,  2018  to  all  State Governments and UT Administrations to take / implement preventive, remedial and  punitive  measures  to  address  the  issues  relating  to  'honour  crimes'. Preventive steps inter-alia include identification of districts, sub-districts and villages having reported instances of honour killing etc.  in the last five years, sensitization  of  police  officers  to  be  vigilant  in  this  regard,  timely  and  prior reporting of such gatherings to senior officers etc.  Remedial measures interalia include immediate registration of FIRs, effective investigation of the crime

## LS.US.Q.NO.2609 FOR 09.07.2019

and provision of security to the couple / family.  Punitive measures inter-alia include  initiation  of  departmental  /  disciplinary  action  against  erring  police officials, creation of special cells in every district alongwith a 24 hour helpline and  trial of the cases  before the designated  Court/ Fast Track  Court earmarked for the purpose.

(c) National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles and publishes information on crimes in its publication 'Crime in India'. The published reports are available only till the year 2016.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2608 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-09
Subject: FPI in Singur
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Locket Chatterjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2608

ANSWERED ON 09 TH  JULY, 2019

FPI in Singur

## 2608.   MS. LOCKET CHATTERJEE:

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is planning to set up a food industry in the barren land of the Singur Tata Nano plant; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

(a) &(b):  No, Sir. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) does not set up any food processing industries/ units/projects/plants on its own. It provides financial assistance as capital  subsidy  in  the  form  of  grant-in-aid  to  the  individuals,  farmers,  Farmer  Producer Organisations  (FPOs),  Entrepreneurs,  Cooperatives,  Societies,  Self  Help  Groups  (SHGs), Private Companies and Central/ State PSUs etc. under its umbrella scheme of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) for setting up of food processing industries/ units/ projects.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2606 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-09
Subject: Social Security Schemes
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Sunil Kumar Pintu

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. +2606 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.07.2019

## SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES

+2606. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR PINTU:

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

(a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that there are several cases where eligible beneficiaries are not getting the benefits of various social security schemes like old age pension; widow pension etc. due to wrong entries in their names, addresses etc. in the Aadhaar Cards due to the mistake committed by the agencies making these cards;

(b) if whether any SuO-moto action is being taken by the Government against such agencies so aS to ensure the benefits of various ambitious social security schemes of the Government to such beneficiaries as they lack proper education; literary and awareness; SO,

(c) if the details thereof and SO,

(d) ifnot; the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA)

(a) to (d): Old age pension, widow pension and disability pension are given to the persons belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) households under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), being implemented through Ministry of Rural Development: Aadhaar has not been made mandatory criteria. Further, the Ministry of Rural Development has not received any  complaints   regarding  discontinuation of pensions  under National Old Age Pension Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme and Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme under NSAP due to any wrong entries in Aadhaar.