opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3464 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Chairmanship of BRICS
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: T. R. Paarivendhar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3464

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2021

## CHAIRMANSHIP OF BRICS

## 3464. DR. T.R. PAARIVENDHAR:

Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:

- (a) whether China has supported for India's Chairmanship in the five member BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) for the year 2021 and promised to work with India to strengthen the bloc;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether India will host the BRICS summit and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the agenda for the ensuing BRICS summit;
- (e) whether India-China border dispute will impact BRICS; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) to (f) India assumed the rotational Chair of BRICS on 1 January 2021, for the calendar year 2021, as per convention. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, during a regular Press Conference held on 22 February 2021, expressed support for India's Chairship of BRICS in 2021, and said China attached high importance to BRICS cooperation mechanisms and was ready to work with India and other members within BRICS.

India, as the Chair, will host the Annual BRICS Summit during the course of 2021. The schedule and format will be finalized in consultation with other members.

India presented her priorities for BRICS agenda, activities and Plan of Action for the year at the first BRICS Sherpas meeting in February 2021, which was supported widely by all BRICS countries. India has chosen the theme 'BRICS@15: Intra-BRICS cooperation for continuity, consolidation and consensus' for her Chairship. Traditionally, BRICS discusses issues of common interest to all five countries.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3463 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: New Trains in Gujarat
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Hasmukhbhai Somabhai Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3463 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2021

## NEW TRAINS IN GUJARAT

3463. SHRI PATEL HASMUKHBHAI SOMABHAI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  announced  the  operation  of  new trains during the last three years in the country including Gujarat; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof, Zone-wise?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMERCE & INDUSTRY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) and (b) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  AND  (b)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  3463  BY  SHRI  PATEL  HASMUKHBHAI SOMABHAI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 17.03.2021 REGARDING NEW TRAINS IN GUJARAT

(a)  and  (b)  Indian  Railways do not operate train services on State-wise basis  as  railway  network  straddles  across  State  boundaries.  However, Western  Railway  primarily  serves  stations  located  in  the  State  of Gujarat.  Zone-wise details of number of trains introduced in the country during the period between 2017-18 to 2019-20 by Indian Railways is as under:-

|   Sl. | Zonal Railway              |   Number of trains (in single) |
|-------|----------------------------|--------------------------------|
|     1 | Central Railway            |                             40 |
|     2 | East Coast Railway         |                             18 |
|     3 | East Central Railway       |                             34 |
|     4 | Eastern Railway            |                             16 |
|     5 | North Central Railway      |                              6 |
|     6 | North Eastern Railway      |                             30 |
|     7 | Northeast Frontier Railway |                             45 |
|     8 | Northern Railway           |                             29 |
|     9 | North Western Railway      |                             46 |
|    10 | South Central Railway      |                             12 |
|    11 | South East Central Railway |                             24 |
|    12 | South Eastern Railway      |                             33 |
|    13 | Southern Railway           |                             36 |
|    14 | South Western Railway      |                             32 |
|    15 | West Central Railway       |                             18 |
|    16 | Western Railway            |                             62 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3461 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Look East and Act East Policy
Ministry: DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
Asked by: Saikia Dilip, Ramesh Chander Kaushik

## Government of India

Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. †3461

To be answered on Wednesday, March 17, 2021/Phalguna 26, 1942 (Saka)

## QUESTION

## Look East and Act East Policy

## †3461. SHRI DILIP SAIKIA:

SHRI RAMESH CHANDER KAUSHIK:

Will  the  Minister  of  DEVELOPMENT  OF  NORTH  EASTERN  REGION  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the targets fixed by the Government for Hon. Prime Minister's ambitious look East   and Act East Policy have been achieved;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, whether any time frame has been fixed in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region [Dr. Jitendra Singh]

(a) to (d)   The 'Act East Policy' announced in November, 2014 is the upgrade of the 'Look  East  Policy'  which  was  promulgated  in  1992.    It  aims  at  promoting  economic cooperation,  cultural  ties  and  develop  a  strategic  relationship  with  countries  in    Indopacific  region  with  a  proactive  and  pragmatic  approach  and  thereby  improving  the economic development of North Eastern Region (NER)  which  is  a  gateway  to  South

East Asia Region.    The policy has been continuously evolving since early 1990s and involves intensive and continuous engagement with South East Asian countries in the field  of  connectivity,  trade,  culture,  defence  and  people-to-people-contact  at  bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.

Connectivity is an important element of Act East Policy.  Efforts in this direction include Agartala-Akhaura Rail Link between India and Bangladesh, Intermodal transport linkages  and  inland  waterways  through  Bangladesh,  Kaladan  Multimodal  Transit Transport  Project  and  the  Trilateral  Highway  Project  connecting  the  North  East  with Myanmar and Thailand.    Under India-Japan Act East Forum, projects such as Road and Bridges and modernization of Hydro-electric power project have been undertaken. Among other initiatives assistance has been extended in the form of medicines/medical supplies  to  ASEAN  countries  during  the  pandemic.      Scholarships  with  offer  of  1000 PhD fellowships have been offered at IITs for ASEAN countries participants.  India is also implementing Quick Impact Projects in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam to provide  development  assistance  to  grass-root  level  communities  in  the  fields  of education, water resources, health etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3460 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Increase in Market Share
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Manne Srinivas Reddy, Kotha Prabhakar  Reddy, Geetha Viswanath Vanga

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3460 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2021

## INCREASE IN MARKET SHARE

3460.   SHRI MANNE SRINIVAS REDDY: SHRI KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY: SHRIMATI VANGA GEETHA VISWANATH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether Railways proposes to increase market share and has advised its  12.54  lakh  workforce  to  convert  their  Debit/ATM cards  to  RuPay  powered  cards,  to  give  boost  under  'Aatma Nirbhar Bharat' and Digital India initiatives; and
- (b)  if so, the details thereof and the present status thereof, zonewise?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMERCE & INDUSTRY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) & (b): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  AND  (b)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  3460  BY  SHRI  MANNE  SRINIVAS  REDDY, SHRI KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY AND SHRIMATI VANGA GEETHA VISWANATH    TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  17.03.2021 REGARDING INCREASE IN  MARKET SHARE

- (a) Yes,  Sir.  The  Zonal  Railways  and  Production  Units  have  been asked to facilitate conversion of existing Debit/ ATM cards issued to railway employees by banks to the RuPay based cards in order to  give  boost  under  'Atma  Nirbhar  Bharat'  and  'Digital  India initiative'.
- (b) All Railways  are  facilitating the  banks  in their  promotional activities  and  setting  up  camps  to  give  wide  publicity  in  this regard to encourage the employees to opt for RuPay cards. Apart from this, State Bank of India has also been advised to replace all existing  imprest  cards  issued  to  Railway  Imprest  holders  to RuPay based imprest cards.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3459 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Setting up a Bench of High Court
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Malook Nagar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3459

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 17.03.2021

## Setting up a Bench of High Court

## †3459. SHRI MALOOK NAGAR:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to set up a High Court bench in Western Uttar Pradesh;
- (b) if so, the time by which the said bench is likely to be set up; and
- (c)  if  not,  whether  any  such  proposal  is  under  consideration  of  the Government for future?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE, COMMUNICATIONS AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a)  to  (c):  In  accordance  with  the  recommendations  made  by  the  Jaswant Singh Commission and judgment pronounced by the Apex Court in W.P. (C) No. 379 of 2000, Bench(es) of the High Court are established after due consideration of a complete proposal from the State Government incorporating readiness to provide infrastructure and meet the expenditure, along with the consent of the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court who is authorized to look after day to day administration of the High Court and its Bench. The proposal should also have the consent of the Governor of the concerned State.

At  present  no  complete  proposal  has  been  received  from  the  State Government of Uttar Pradesh to establish a Bench of Allahabad High Court in Western Uttar Pradesh.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3456 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Cultural Exchange
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Prathap Simha, L.S. Tejasvi Surya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3456 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2021

## CULTURAL EXCHANGE

## 3456. SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA:

## SHRI L.S. TEJASVI SURYA

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state whether the Government has plans to promote cultural exchanges between the Indian students and students of East Asian countries like China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

Yes.   India has an ongoing cultural exchange programme with East Asian Countries which includes students also. Around 50 students have availed scholarships to study in India.

- ***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3455 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Shortage of BSNLs Mobile Towers
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Sunil Baburao Mendhe

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3455 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 TH  MARCH, 2021

## Shortage of BSNL's Mobile Towers

## 3455.   SHRI SUNIL BABURAO MENDHE:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware about the lack of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) towers and network in remote areas of the country especially in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the measures taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (c) whether BSNL has erected or plans to erect mobile towers in eastern region of Vidarbha; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, EDUCATION AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

(a) & (b) Bharat  Sanchar  Nigam  Limited  (BSNL)  has  informed  that  out  of  79,018Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) installed in rural areas under all the Licensed Service Areas (LSAs),3,496 BTSs are working in Vidharbha region. BTSs are being added in rural as well as urban areas  under  its  various  network  expansion  phases.  In  the  current  network  expansion  phase,  total 69,083 BTSs have been installed across all the LSAs including 1,423 in Vidharbha region.

Further, as per data collected from the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) in 2020, it is estimated that out of 5,97,681 inhabited villages (as per Census 2011) in the country, 5,72,551 villages have mobile coverage.  In  Maharashtra,  38,631  out  of  40,959  inhabited  villages  have  mobile  coverage.  Mobile coverage in the uncovered villages is being provided in phases both by TSPs and the Government.

(c) & (d) BSNL has informed that under its current network expansion phase, 1174 number of BTSs have been added in Eastern region of Vidharbha. Based on future network expansion plans and techno-commercial viability, more BTSs can be added.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3454 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: 4G Services of BSNL
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3454 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 TH  MARCH, 2021

## 4G SERVICES OF BSNL

## 3454.   DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  allowed  Bharat  Sanchar  Nigam  Limited  (BSNL)  to  go  ahead with the rollout of 4G services and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government will allow BSNL to upgrade equipment from China which is already being used for 2G and 3G services and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for the same;
- (c) whether the Government has prepared a timeline in which BSNL will be able to undertake a full-fledged rollout of 4G services and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether  the  outsourcing  of  maintenance  work  by  BSNL  has  led  to  many  delays  in  the repairing of faults and procurement of new equipment in Kerala?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, EDUCATION AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

(a) to (c) The  Government  approved  the  revival  plan  for  Bharat  Sanchar  Nigam  Limited (BSNL)  on  23.10.2019,  which  inter-alia  includes  administrative  allotment  of  spectrum  for  4G services through budgetary allocation to BSNL. BSNL has invited an Expression of Interest (EoI) on 01.01.2021  for  prior  registration/Proof  of  Concept  (PoC)  from  Indian  companies  interested  in participating in BSNL's upcoming 4G tender.

BSNL  will  follow  the  applicable  Rules/guidelines/Public  Procurement  orders  of  the  Government including Rule 144(xi) of the General Financial Rules, 2017 in this regard.

BSNL expects the roll out of 4G services to be completed in 18- 24 months.

- (d) BSNL  has  informed  that  the  faults  booked  have  shown  a  reduction  after  outsourcing. Procurement of new equipment is not done through outsourcing agencies for maintenance work.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3453 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Regulation of Internet Shutdowns
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Rajmohan Unnithan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3453 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 TH  MARCH, 2021

## REGULATION OF INTERNET SHUTDOWNS

## 3453.   SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

whether the Government has any plan to frame a legislation to regulate internet shutdown in the country and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, EDUCATION AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

At present, Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has no such plan to frame a legislation to regulate internet shutdown in the country.

However, it is intimated that in order to streamline the process of internet shutdowns in the Country,  DoT  notified  'Temporary  Suspension  of  Telecom  Services  (Public  Emergency  or  Public Safety)  Rules,  2017'  on  07.08.2017  under  section  7  of  Indian  Telegraph  Act,  1885.  Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency & Public Safety) Rules, 2017 has been amended vide Gazette Notification dated 10.11.2020

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3452 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Bailing out Telecom Companies
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Rajan Baburao  Vichare

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3452 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 TH  MARCH, 2021

## BAILING OUT TELECOM COMPANIES

## †3452. SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  bail  out  telecom  companies  which  are  under financial loss and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the number of days for which the companies have been exempted by the Government from paying Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR);
- (c) whether the Government will ensure compliance with the decision of the Supreme Court on AGR and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the number of BSNL officials who have availed Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) during the last year; and
- (e) whether the Government will allocate 5G spectrum to BSNL and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, EDUCATION AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

(a)  to  (c)    At  present  there  is  no  plan  under  consideration  to  bail  out  private  Telecom  Service Providers (TSPs) which are under financial loss. The Government has not granted any exemption to the Telecom Service Providers from paying Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) related dues. However, pursuant  to  the  Judgment  of  the  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  in  Adjusted  Gross  Revenue  case  (Civil Appeal 6328-6399 of 2015) dated 24.10.2019; Department of Telecom (DoT) with the approval of Union  Cabinet  filed  a  Miscellaneous  Application  seeking  the  permission  of  the  Hon'ble  Supreme Court to allow Telecom Service Providers to make the payment of the AGR related dues in 20 years' time (or less if they so opt) duly protecting the Net Present Value. The Hon'ble Supreme Court has partially  allowed the Miscellaneous Application permitting Telecom Service Providers to make the payment in 10 annual equal installments. The Hon'ble Supreme Court vide its order dated 01.09.2020 has also given several directions towards the implementation of the judgment. DoT as well as TSPs are bound by the orders and direction of the Hon'ble Supreme Court.

- (d) Total 78,569 employees have opted for VRS in BSNL.
- (e)        No such proposal is under consideration at present.

.*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3451 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Leakage of Official Secrets
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Kumbakudi Sudhakaran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3451

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 17.03.2021

## LEAKAGE OF OFFICIAL SECRETS

## 3451.    SHRI KUMBAKUDI SUDHAKARAN:

Will the Minister of Electronics & Information Technology be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government considers the WhatsApp chat between Republic TV Editor-in-Chief and former BARC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), which was leaked in public domain, a violation of official secrets and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b)   whether the Government has conducted/ propose to conduct any inquiry into the said leakage of top secrets pertaining to national interest/security; and
- (c)   if so, the details and the outcome thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

(a)  to  (c):  Ministry  of  Electronics  and  Information  Technology  (MeitY)  does  not  administer Indian Official Secret Act, hence no inquiry has been conducted in the matter by MeitY. Further, 'Police'  and  'Public  Order'  are  State  subjects  as  per  the  Constitution  of  India  and  States  are primarily responsible for prevention, detection and investigation through their law enforcement machinery. The Law Enforcement Agencies take legal action against the cyber-crime offenders as per the provisions of applicable laws.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 297 (STARRED), answered on 2021-03-16
Subject: Promotion and Development of Aquaculture
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Ramesh Chandra Majhi

## MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRYAND DAIRYING

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. *297 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 TH  MARCH, 2021

## PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF AQUACULTURE

## *297. SHRI RAMESH CHANDRA MAJHI :

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

- (a) whether the Government is planning to promote aquaculture in the country ;
- (b) if so, the details thereof ;
- (c) whether  there  are  any  plans  to  develop  clusters  for  better  development  of aquaculture in the  country;  and
- (d) if so, the details thereof ;?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

(SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

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

*****

Statement referred to in reply to the Lok Sabha Starred Question No * 297 put in by Shri  Ramesh Chandra Majhi, Honourable Member of Parliament for answer on 16 th March, 2021 regarding Promotion and Development of Aquaculture.

(a) to (d):   Yes sir. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and  Dairying  is  implementing  a  new  flagship  scheme  namely  'Pradhan  Mantri  Matsya Sampada  Yojana  (PMMSY)'  with  highest  ever  investment  of  Rs.20050  crores  in  fisheries sector for a period of 5 years with effect from the financial year 2020-21. The PMMSY interalia supports various activities aimed at development of aquaculture in the country in fresh water,  brackish  water,  cold  water  and  saline  water  through  area  expansion,  intensification, diversification,  technology  infusion  and  productive  utilization  of  land  and  water.  Activities like  ornamental  fisheries,  mariculture  including  seaweed  cultivation  are  also  accorded priority. Besides, focus is also given for increasing production and productivity in aquaculture through  establishment  of  brood  banks  and  hatcheries,  construction  of  ponds  and  raceways, species diversification, genetic improvement, robust disease management, technologies such as  re-circulatory  aquaculture  system,  biofloc  and  cage  culture.  The  key  implementation strategies  of  the  PMMSY  are  cluster/area-based  approaches  with  requisite  forward  and backward  linkages  wherever  feasible,  gap  filling,  convergence,  creation  of  fish  farmers' producer  organizations,  promotion  of  good  aquaculture  practices,  traceability,  innovations, entrepreneur models etc.

*****