opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1584 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-11
Subject: Working of Farmer Welfare Schemes
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: K. Muraleedharan

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1584

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  11 TH  FEBRUARY, 2020

## WORKING OF FARMER WELFARE SCHEMES

1584.    SHRI K. MURALEEDHARAN:

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 most of the schemes meant for farmers' welfare, including the procurement of wheat and paddy at Minimum Support Price are effectively available only for land owners;
- (b) whether the Government is considering to convert the M.S. Swaminathan Commission's definition of farmer into a legal and actionable tool for identification and if so, the steps taken in this regard;
- (c) whether  it  is  also  true  that  linking  the  identity  of  a  farmer  to  land  ownership  has devastating consequences for women farmers and more over 60-70 per cent of farmers are actually women but their names are rarely in ownership documents; and
- (d) if so, the steps taken by the Government to rectify this situation?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a): There are various schemes for farmers' welfare, and whether benefits under them flow only to landowners or also to others, depends upon the contours of the scheme and the eligibility criteria fixed  there under.
- (b): No such proposal is under consideration with the Government.
- (c): No such information has come to the notice of Government indicating that linking the identity of a farmer to land ownership has adverse impact on  women farmers.
- (d): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1583 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-11
Subject: Misuse of Sections of CrPC and IPC
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Jayadev Galla

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1583

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  FEBRUARY, 2020/ MAGHA 22, 1941 (SAKA)

MISUSE OF SECTIONS OF CrPC AND IPC

1583. SHRI JAYADEV GALLA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  it  has  come  to  the  notice  of  the  Government  regarding  the gross  misuse  of  Section  144  of  Code  of  Criminal  Procedure  (CrPC)  by various  State  Governments  in  spite  of  Supreme  Court  directing  that  it should not be misused and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is also aware of misuse of Sections 332 and 353 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) by the States;
- (c)  the  number  of  times  Section  144  of  CrPC  is  used  by  various  States during the last three years, year-wise and State-wise;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  issued  any  direction/  advisory  not  to misuse Sections 144 of CrPC and 332 and 353 of IPC and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government has any proposal to make the offences under Sections 332 and 353 of IPC bailable?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. The responsibilities to maintain law and  order,  protection  of  life  and  property  of  the  citizens  are  with  the respective State Governments.   The State Governments are competent to

## L.S.US.Q.NO.1583 FOR 11.02.2020

deal  with  the  offences  under  the  extant  provisions  of  the  law  and  the judicial interpretations and directions thereof and thereunder.  It is stated that the data regarding the number of times Section 144 of CrPC is used by various States during the last three years, year-wise and State-wise is not centrally maintained.

(e): There  is  no  such  proposal  at  present  to  make  the  offences  under Sections 332 and 353 of IPC a bailable offence.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1581 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-11
Subject: Higher Education Loan to SC and OBC Students
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Vijay Kumar

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1581 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2020

## HIGHER EDUCATION LOAN TO SC AND OBC STUDENTS

## 1581. SHRI VIJAY KUMAR:

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

- (a) whether the Government is providing higher education loan at zero interest rate t0 the students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs);
- b if so. the details thereof the last five years State and year-wise; during
- the criteria to be fulfilled by the students for getting higher education loan; and
- d) the number of banks against which action has been taken for their reluctance in providing such   loans the said   period with the   number of' complaints   received by the Government in this regard? during along

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No Sir; The National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) and National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development  Corporation (NSFDC) of this Department does not provide educational loan at zero interest rate to the students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) to pursue higher education:
- (b): to (d): Not Applicable in view of (a): above.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1580 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-11
Subject: Price Hike of Medicines
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. † 1580 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 th  February, 2020

## Price Hike of Medicines

## †1580. SHRI BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA:

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

- (a) the details of the pharmaceutical companies which have increased the prices of various medicines including life saving drugs, company-wise;
- (b) the reasons for such an increase in the prices of medicines;
- (c) whether prior approval of the Government is required for the same; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS (SHRI D. V. SADANANDA GOWDA)

(a) to (d): The  National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)  does  not maintain information in respect of number of drug Companies which have increased the prices of different drugs. As per provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013  (DPCO,  2013),  Pharmaceutical  Companies  may  increase  the  prices  of scheduled drugs as per provisions of Para 16 of DPCO, 2013 on the basis of annual wholesale price index (WPI) for preceding calendar year on 1 st April every year and as  per  provisions  of  Para  20  of  DPCO,  2013  manufacturers  of  Non-scheduled formulations may increase the MRP of their formulations maximum up to 10 % of the maximum  retail  price  during  preceding  twelve  months.  No  specific  approval  is required from the Government for increase in prices of the drugs.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1577 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-11
Subject: Road Blockade
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Keshari Devi Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †1577

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  FEBRUARY, 2020/ MAGHA 22, 1941 (SAKA)

## ROAD BLOCKADE

†1577. SHRIMATI KESHARI DEVI PATEL:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the roads are blocked in five regions of Delhi due to protests;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  is  taking  steps  to  remove protesters from the roads;
- (c) whether the Government has assessed the loss incurred due to blocking of road and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether the  Government proposes to take appropriate action to  recover the loss caused  to  the general public from  the protesters and if so, the time by which it is likely to be done; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  would  enact  a  legislation  to  check recurrence of  such incidents in the future and if so,  the time by which it is likely to be done?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) and (b):    Delhi Police has reported that one main road No. 13AKalindi Kunj at Shaheen Bagh in the South East Delhi region has been blocked by protesters since 15.12.2019; and one service road in the area of Chand Bagh near Bhajanpura in the North East Delhi region has been blocked by protesters since 18.01.2020. Appropriate  steps  are  taken  by  Delhi  Police  to  maintain  public order.

(c) to (e): No assessment has been done about the loss incurred to general public due to blocking of road.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1576 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-11
Subject: National Commission on Farmers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Mukesh Rajput

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a) & (b): There is no such proposal under consideration. However, the National Policy for  Farmers  (NPF),  2007  is  already  in  place,  which  aims  to  improve  economic  viability  of farming and increase net income of farmers.

Further, the Government constituted an Inter-ministerial Committee in April, 2016 to examine  issues  relating  to  'Doubling  of  Farmers  Income'  and  recommend  strategies  to achieve the same.  The Committee submitted its Report to the Government in September, 2018. To achieve this,  the  Committee  has  identified  seven  sources  of  income  growth  viz., improvement  in  crop  productivity;  improvement  in  livestock  productivity;  resource  use efficiency or savings in the cost of production; increase in the cropping intensity; diversification towards high value crops; improvement in real prices received by farmers; and shift  from  farm  to  non-farm  occupations.  Subsequently an  Empowered  Body  was  set  up on 23.01.2019 to monitor and review the progress against the recommendations.

- (c) & (d): There  is  no  proposal  under  consideration  to  constitute  a  National  Potato Council.

*******

O.I.H.

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1576

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  11 TH  FEBRUARY, 2020

## NATIONAL COMMISSION ON FARMERS

1576.    SHRI MUKESH RAJPUT:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to constitute a National Commission on Farmers;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to constitute National Potato Council on the lines of Tea Board and Central Silk Board; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?
Lok Sabha Question No. 1575 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-11
Subject: Specialised Agro Cold Storage Units
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Chirag Paswan

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1575

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  11 TH  FEBRUARY, 2020

## SPECIALISED AGRO COLD STORAGE UNITS

1575.   SHRI CHIRAG KUMAR PASWAN:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  for  setting  up  of  Specialised  Agro  Cold Storage units in the near future;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the  details  of  implementation  procedure  and  time  limit  for  any  such  proposal  in  the near future?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a) to (d): Department  of  Agriculture,  Cooperation  &  Farmers  Welfare  (DAC&FW)  is implementing Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) scheme for holistic development  of  horticulture in the country which  includes  creation  of  Post  Harvest Management  (PHM)  infrastructure  including  setting  up  of  various  types  of  cold  storages including single temperature, multiple temperature and Controlled Atmosphere cold storages with add on facilities.

The component is demand/ entrepreneur driven from entrepreneurs, private companies, cooperatives, farmers groups etc. for which credit linked back ended subsidy at the rate 35% of admissible project cost in general areas and 50% in hilly and schedule areas up to 5000 MT capacity is available through respective State Horticulture Missions.

Further,  National  Horticulture  Board  (NHB)  also  provides  credit  linked  back-ended subsidy at the rate 35% of admissible project cost in general areas and 50% in North East (NE),  Hilly  &  Scheduled  areas  for  construction/expansion/modernization  of  above  types  of cold storages for capacity exceeding 5000 MT up to 10000 MT. In case of NE region, the units with capacity above 1000 MT are also eligible.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1574 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-11
Subject: Entry Permit for NER
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Talari Rangaiah

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1574

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  FEBRUARY, 2020/ MAGHA 22, 1941 (SAKA)

ENTRY PERMIT FOR NER

1574. SHRI TALARI RANGAIAH:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is true that an Indian Citizen also needs to get a permit to enter a few States in the north eastern part of the country; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

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

(a) to (b): As  per  Bengal  Eastern  Frontier  Regulation  1873,  Inner  Line

Permit (ILP) is a travel document which is required by non-natives to visit any of the four states, namely, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland and

Manipur.  An ILP is issued by the State Government concerned by following the prescribed procedure to keep records of people from other parts of the

country visiting that State.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1573 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-11
Subject: Kartarpur Pilgrimage
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Manish Tewari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1573

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  FEBRUARY, 2020/ MAGHA 22, 1941 (SAKA)

## KARTARPUR PILGRIMAGE

1573. SHRI MANISH TEWARI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of pilgrims who have travelled every day from 09 November 2019 to 31 January 2020 via the Kartarpur Corridor to pay obeisance at Sri Kartarpur Sahib;
- (b)  whether  the  pilgrims  faced  any  difficulty  in  their  journey  to  Sri Kartarpur  Sahib  on  the  Indian  or  Pakistani  side  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Passport  of  the  pilgrims  is  being  stamped  by  the immigration authorities on arrival in Pakistan;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to defray the cost to the Government of Pakistan in its entirety as the total levy for 5000 pilgrims would  come  to  Rs.  70,00,000  per  day  and  for  365  days  would  come  to approximately Rs. 256 crore; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): A total number of 44,951 pilgrims travelled from 09 November

2019  to  31  January  2020 via  Kartarpur  Corridor  to  pay  obeisance  at  Sri

Kartarpur Sahib.

## L.S.US.Q.NO.1573 FOR 11.02.2020

A  state-of-the-art  integrated  Passenger  Terminal  Building  at  Dera Baba Nanak and a four-lane National highway (NH-354B) from Dera Baba Nanak to the International boundary have been built to provide smooth and easy passage to pilgrims throughout the year.  Further, the passport of the pilgrims is not being stamped by the immigration authorities.

Government  of  India  has  repeatedly  urged  Government  of  Pakistan that it should not levy any fee or charge on the pilgrims.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1572 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-11
Subject: Scheme for Niradhar People
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Francisco Cosme Sardinha

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1572 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2020

## SCHEME FOR NIRADHAR PEOPLE

## 1572. SHRI COSME FRANCISCO CAITANO SARDINHA:

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

- @) whether any scheme for the 'Niradhar' people has been implemented by the Government and if the details thereof: SO.
- (b) whether the income ceiling for such people to be eligible for receiving the grants under the Niradhar Anudan Yojana is limited to Rs. 21.000/- in Goa:
- (c) if whether  demands are few organisations and concerned people: people  s representative to increase the present to Rs. 50,000/ as thousands of beneficiaries are deprived of the benefits of the scheme: being ceiling
- (d) if so. the details thereof: and
- likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (e): Sir: The Ministry does not implement any such scheme: No.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1571 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-11
Subject: MGNREGS Funds for Panchayats
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Geetha Viswanath Vanga

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1571

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2020

## MGNREGS FUNDS FOR PANCHAYATS

## 1571.   SHRIMATI VANGA GEETHA VISWANATH:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  give  funds  under  Mahatma  Gandhi  National Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Scheme  (MGNREGS)  for  taking  up  developmental works  of  Panchayats  and  its  construction  of  buildings  and  also  for  construction  of additional buildings in Andhra Pradesh;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken in this regard for the future needs of the State; and
- (c) the funds sanctioned/spent for each project during the last five years and the current year as on date, post bifurcation of the State?

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

(a) to (c): As per Schedule-I of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005  (Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGA)  rural  infrastructure,  construction  of  buildings  for  Gram Panchayat, women self-help groups' federation, cyclone shelters, Anganwadi centers, village haats and crematoria at the village or block level are permissible activities.

Mahatma  Gandhi  National Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Scheme  (Mahatma  Gandhi NREGS) is a demand driven wage employment programme having bottom up approach and priorities  of  work are  set  at Gram Sabha level. Hence, no work-wise allocation of funds is made. As per the information shared by the State Government of Andhra Pradesh, the status of  Gram  Panchayat  buildings  constructed  and expenditure  incurred  on  them  is  given  at Annexure.

## Annexure-I referred in reply to parts (a) to (c) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.1571 dated 11.02.2020

Status  of  Construction  of  GP  Building  in  Andhra  Pradesh  under  Mahatma  Gandhi NREGS

| Sl No   | Year    | Number of GP Buildings Constructed   | Expenditure Rs. In Lakhs   |
|---------|---------|--------------------------------------|----------------------------|
| 1       | 2014-15 | 119                                  | 1,459.95                   |
| 2       | 2015-16 | 1,473                                | 3,789.57                   |
| 3       | 2016-17 | 1,472                                | 4,569.87                   |
| 4       | 2017-18 | 464                                  | 6,056.03                   |
| 5       | 2018-19 | 408                                  | 5,402.14                   |
| 6       | 2019-20 | 697 ongoing                          | 1028.91                    |
| 6       | 2019-20 | 30 completed                         | 276.79                     |
|         | Total   | 3,966                                | 22,583.26                  |
Lok Sabha Question No. 1570 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-11
Subject: Funding under BADP to West Bengal
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Khagen Murmu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1570

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  FEBRUARY, 2020/ MAGHA 22, 1941 (SAKA)

FUNDING UNDER BADP TO WEST BENGAL

1570. SHRI KHAGEN MURMU:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the funds allocated to West  Bengal under Border Area Development Programme (BADP) during the last five years;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  received  utilisation  certificate from the State Government; and
- (c) the projects initiated in various border districts of West Bengal under the said programme?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (b): The details of the amount released to the Government of  West  Bengal  under  BADP  during  the  last  five  years    and  the pending utilisation certificates (UCs) are as given below:

Rs.in crore

| Year    |   Amount |   Pending utilisation certificates |
|---------|----------|------------------------------------|
| 2014-15 |    97.39 |                               0    |
| 2015-16 |   161.79 |                               0    |
| 2016-17 |   108.32 |                               0.13 |
| 2017-18 |   122    |                              42.21 |
| 2018-19 |    85.4  |                               0    |
| Total   |   574.9  |                              42.34 |

(c): The Government of West Bengal has utilized the funds under BADP  towards  construction  of  (i)  Roads/link  roads,  (ii)  bridges/ culverts, (iii) education facilities, (iv) health facilities, (v) strengthening  of  power  infrastructure,  (vi)  drinking  water  supply facilities, (vii) community centres etc.

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