opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2167 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-23
Subject: Blue Flag Certification
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Pinaki Misra

## 4e GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2167

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.9.2020

## Blue Flag Certification

## 2167. SHRI PINAKI MISRA.

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

- (a) the details of beaches that have been recommended for 'Blue Flag' Certification, State/UTs;
- (b) the status of recommendations, including the estimated timeline;
- (c) the criteria adopted by the Government for making such recommendations;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to provide increased financial assistance to beaches thus recommended, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the government is taking measures to develop more beaches according to 'Blue Flag' standards, and if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a)  to  (c)    'Blue  Flag'  certification  is  accorded  by  an  international  agency  'Foundation  for Environment Education' (FEE) Denmark, based on 33 stringent criteria under four major heads i.e.  (i)  Environmental Education and Information, (ii) bathing water Quality, (iii) Environment Management and Conservation and (iv) safety and services in the beaches. The National Jury has recommended the following eight beaches for Blue Flag Certification:

|   Sr. No. | Beach name   | State/UT          |
|-----------|--------------|-------------------|
|         1 | Shivrajpur   | Gujarat           |
|         2 | Ghoghla      | Diu, (Daman &Diu) |
|         3 | Kasarkod     | Karnataka         |
|         4 | Padubidri    | Karnataka         |
|         5 | Kappad       | Kerala            |
|         6 | Rushikonda   | Andhra Pradesh    |
|         7 | Golden       | Odisha            |
|         8 | Radhanagar   | Andaman &Nicobar  |

The  appraisal  for  the  Blue  Flag  Certification  by  FEE  Denmark  is  scheduled  in  October, 2020.

(d) to (e) The Ministry has allocated funds for sustainable development of these beaches, infrastructure  facilities  and  fulfillment  of  gaps  for  the  compliance  to  the  33  criteria  of  FEE, Denmark, including  operation  and  maintenance  of  the  beach  facilities  and  services  till  March 2021. It is further envisaged to develop about 100 such beaches in the next 5 years, under the Beach Environment and Aesthetics Management Services (BEAMS) programme of the Ministry.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2164 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-23
Subject: Women and Child Development Committees
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Sunil Kumar Pintu

## LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION NO.2164 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.09.2020

## WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES

## 2164.  SHRI SUNIL KUMAR PINTU:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to constitute Women and Child Development Committees in rural and urban areas at Gram Panchayat and Nagar Panchayat levels respectively to identify various women victims affected by hunger, poverty & domestic violence and to secure social and economic security to them ;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along with the names and rights of the Members of the proposed committee;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the measures likely to be devised/ adopted to ensure social and economic security to aforementioned women and children expeditiously?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (c) : There is no such proposal under consideration of Ministry of Women and Child Development.

(d)  :      Government  has  taken  several  initiatives  through  schematic  and  legislative interventions  for  economic  security  of  women.   Employment  generation  coupled  with improving employability including that of women is priority for the Government. Government  has  taken  various  steps  for  generating  employment  in  the  country  like encouraging private sector and through schemes such as Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Mahatma  Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee  Scheme  (MGNREGS),  Pt.  Deen  Dayal  Upadhyaya  Grameen  Kaushalya Yojana  (DDU-GKY),  Deendayal  Antodaya  Yojana-  National  Urban  Livelihoods  Mission (DAY-NULM), Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAYNRLM),  Start-up  Village  Entrepreneurship  Programme  (SVEP),  Aajeevika  Grameen Express  Yojana  (AGEY)  sub-schemes  under  DAY-NRLM, Mahila  Kisan  Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP), Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana (PMRPY), Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), National Career Service (NCS) Project, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) etc.

The  Ministry  of  Women  and  Child  Development also  implements  a  number  of Schemes for social and economic empowerment of women. These inter-alia include Pradhan  Mantri  Matru  Vandana  Yojana  (PMMVY),  National  Crèche  Scheme, Working  Women  Hostel  (WWH),  Beti  Bachao  Beti  Padhao  (BBBP),  One  Stop  Centre (OSC),  Universalisation  of  Women  Helpline  (WHL),  Mahila  Police  Volunteers  (MPV), Swadhar Greh, Ujjawala, etc.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2163 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-23
Subject: Draft Environment Impact Assessment, 2020
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Hibi Eden

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

## LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION NO. 2163

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.09.2020

## Draft Environmental Impact Assessment, 2020

## 2163. SHRI HIBI EDEN:

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

- (a) whether the Hon'ble Supreme Court has observed that Post-facto Environment Clearance is  violative  of  the  fundamental  principles  of  environmental  jurisprudence,  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has given any undertaking before the Madras High Court that no more extension of time will be granted for post facto Environment Clearances, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether there is any provision for post facto clearance in the EIA 2020 draft notification; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a)  to  (d):  The  draft  EIA  Notification  2020  does  not  provide  for ex  post  facto clearance  to violation cases. The Environment Clearance shall be granted only prospectively as also held by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Common Cause Vs. Union of India. Clause 22 (14) of the draft EIA Notification 2020 clearly specifies that the project proponent is liable for action under Section 19 of the Environment Protection Act 1986 for the violations committed by it.  In addition,  the  draft  notification  also  lays  down  additional  liability  on  the  project  proponent  for causing damage to the environment through assessment of environment damage caused, remedial plans and community augmentation plan (reference clause 22(5) of the draft notification). The Hon'ble  High  Court  of  Madras,  in  W.M.P.No.3361  and  3362  of  2018  in  the  matter  of Appaswamy Real Estates Ltd. and ors vs. Puducherry Environment Protection Association  vide order  dated  14.03.2018  extended  the  time  window  of  the  notification  dated  14.03.2017  up  to 13.04.2018.  Since  then,  the  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  has  enunciated  the  Principles  of  'Polluter Pays'  and  'Proportionality'  in  various  decisions  viz.  Indian  Council  for  Enviro-Legal  Action Versus Union of India (the Bichhri village industrial pollution case) (1996 [3] SCC 212); and Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Versus Rohit Prajapati & Ors. (2020 SCC Online SC 347), which forms the basis of the provisions regarding treatment of cases involving Violation in the Draft Environment Impact Assessment Notification 2020.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2162 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-23
Subject: PPP Model in Afforestation Programmes
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Achyutananda Samanta

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 2162

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.09.2020

## PPP Model in Afforestation Programmes

## 2162. SHRI ACHYUTANANDA SAMANTA:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  introduce  a  latest  version  of  National  Forest Policy,  if so, the timeframe within which such a policy is likely to be introduced;
- (b) whether the  Government is considering public-private  partnerships  for  afforestation programmes in degraded forest areas, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to ensure that the PPP model does not negatively impact the tribal community and forest dwellers?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a) to (c) The National  Forest  Policy,  1988  is  the  main  policy  document  containing  guiding principles for conservation, protection and management of forests in the country.

After wide  consultations with all major  stakeholders and incorporating their feedbacks, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has prepared a draft  to  update  the  existing  National  Forest  Policy,  1988,  and  amongst  other objectives,  to  give  added  focus  on  improving  livelihoods  of  people  based  on sustainable management of forests for ecosystem services, increasing productivity of plantations, forest management for water and ecological security, addressing Climate Change issues, etc. The Government has not set any time limit to update the National Forest Policy, 1988.

The  draft  National  Forest  Policy  provides  for  promotion  of  tree  plantation  in degraded areas which will help in reducing the dependency on import of timber and other  forest  products  by  the  country. Afforestation/reforestation  may  be  taken  up through Multi Stakeholder Public Participation only in (i) areas outside forests, (ii) revenue land recorded as forests but not notified as Forest, (iii) scrub/ degraded forest areas which are not wildlife habitats or of substantial ecological importance and (iv) areas managed by various local community organisations, after taking their explicit consent and also ensuring their participation. It will be ensured that no community rights of the communities are undermined and no provision of 'the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006' and 'the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Area) Act, 1996', etc is infringed.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2161 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-23
Subject: Purchase of Cotton from Farmers
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Raksha Nikhil Khadse

## PURCHASE OF COTTON FROM FARMERS

## 2161.  SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state :

(a)   whether the Government proposes to open centres through Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to purchase cotton from the farmers as it has done for the Tur, Harbhara and other pulses  through  NAFED  &  SFAC  as  the  Private  Ginning  &  Pressing  units  are  harassing farmers for payment, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(b)  whether  the  Government has any proposal for the Farmers Producers Organisation to open  centres  to  act  as  a  intermediaries  for  NAFED  &  SFAC  and  ultimately  for  CCI  to ensure Minimum Support Price and earlier realisation of cotton payment, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र मंत्री ( श्रीमती स्मृतत ज़ूबिन इरानी )

## MINISTER OF TEXTILES

(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a): To safeguard the interest of cotton farmers and to give them remunerative price of their produce, Government has nominated Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), as a Central Nodal  Agency  to  undertake  Minimum  Support  Price  (MSP)  operations  of  seed  cotton (kapas) in all cotton growing States India whenever the prices touch the MSP rate. Every year,  CCI  opens  adequate  procurement  centres  in  all  the  cotton  growing  States  to  cover maximum cotton arrivals. For the current cotton season 2019-20 (1st October 2019 to 30th September 2020), CCI has opened 439 procurement centres and is active in the market from day one of the cotton season to ensure remunerative prices to the cotton farmers.

(b): There  is  no  such  proposal.  Government  has  taken  following  initiatives  for  earlier realization of cotton payment to the farmers:-

- i) Initiated  electronic  generation  of  purchase  bill/  takpatti  against  the  cotton procured from farmers in APMCs to avoid delay in releasing the payments to the cotton farmers.
2. ii) Implemented  100%  payment  of  kapas  purchased  under  MSP  to  the  cotton farmers directly in their bank account through online.
3. iii) Developed a farmer friendly mobile app, 'Cott-Ally' to have direct interaction  and  outreach  with  the  cotton  farmers  and  to  keep  the  cotton farmers  informed  about  various  information  related  to  Minimum  Support Price operations, tracking of payments status etc.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2157 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-23
Subject: Co-operation in Homeopathy and Traditional Medicine
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: Anil Firojiya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2157 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD SEPTEMBER, 2020

## CO - OPERATION IN HOMEOPA THY AND TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

## 2157. SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA:

Will  the  Minister  of AYURVEDA,  YOGA  AND NATUROPATHY,  UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has set up any forum to facilitate Global co - operation in the field ofHomoeopathy;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has approved any agreement to promote co - operation in the field oftraditional system of medicines and Homoeopathy; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a)& (b) : Ministry of AYUSH under  Central  Sector Scheme  for  promotion  of International Cooperation, (IC Scheme), facilitates proposals for global co - operation in the field of AYUSH systems of medicine including Homoeopathy.
- (c)& (d) : As  of  now,  Ministry  of  AYUSH  has  signed  23  Country  to  Country Memoranda  of  Understanding  (MoUs)  for  cooperation  in  field  of  Traditional  systems medicine and Homoeopathy. 23 MoUs have been signed with foreign institutes / universitie for  undertaking  collaborative  research.    To  promote  global  cooperation  in  the  fi AYUSH education, 13 MoUs for setting up AYUSH Academic Chairs have been signed with foreign  institutes  /  univers it es  where  AYUSH  experts  are  deputed  to  undertake  teaching/ training / research activities.

'Delhi Declaration on Traditional Medicine for The South -East Asian Countries' was signed by the members of South - East  Asian  countries  during  International  Conf erence on Traditional Medicine for South - East Asian Countries organized by the Ministry of AYUSH during 12 - 14  February 2013, New Delhi for cooperation, collaboration and mutual suppor amongst the South - East Asian Countries in Traditional Medicine.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2154 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-23
Subject: WHO Guidelines on COVID Tests
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: V. Kalanidhi, Faizal P.P. Mohammed, Suresh Kodikunnil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2154 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD SEPTEMBER, 2020

## WHO GUIDELINES ON CO VID TESTS

## 2154. DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY: SHRI MOHAMMED FAIZAL P.P.: SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised that the country needs 140 tests per day per million population;
- (b) if so, the details of the tests being done within Tamil Nadu per day;
- (c) whether it is not at par with the WHO rate, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the remedial steps being taken by the Government in this re gard;
- (d) whether the Government has allowed on - dema d COVID - 19 testing without a prescription;
- (e) if so, the details thereof and objectives intended to be achieved by this decision; and
- (f) whether the Government has decided to train another 2000 healthc are assistants by the end of this year, if so, the details thereof along with the number of healthcare assistants working during the COVID-19 pandemic?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) to (c)  Yes. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended 0.14 samples per day per  1000  or  140  tests  per  day  per  million  population.  As  on  19 th September,  2020  India  is conducting COVID- 19 tests at a rate of 875 tests/million population per day . This is more than 6 times  the  WHO  recommendations.  For  Tamil  Nadu  this  stands  at  1145  tests  per  milli population per day.
- (d) and (e) Indian Council of Medical Research in its advisory (issued on 4 th September 2020) has  allowed  for  'on -demand' testing. This has been done with the intent to make COVID - 19 testing available and easily accessible to all.

(f)  To  build  the  capacities  of  human  resources  including  the  medical  manpower  who  h managing patients in hospitals; as well as non -medical personnel an d field workers involved in surveillance,  logistics  etc . ,  modules  have  been  made  available  on  iGOT - Diksha  (online platform)  by  DOPT  ( https://igot.gov.in/igot/ ).  The  training  modules  have  been  translated  to region al languages .Close to 29.24 lakh registrations has taken place for various courses. includes  5,699  doctors,  86,089  Ayush  Professionals,  4,102  Nurses,  963  Allied  Hea Professionals,  5,881  frontline  workers,  2,70,835  volunteers  and  25,77,522  other  pa rticipants. About 18.96 lakh course completions have taken place on iGOT -Diksha platform. Training Resources for medical and non -medical personnel have also been made available on the website of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2153 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-23
Subject: Measures to promote Yoga Education
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: Ramcharan Bohra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2153 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD SEPTEMBER, 2020

## MEASURES TO PROMOTE YOGA EDUCATION

## 2153. SHRI RAMCHARAN BOHRA:

Will  the  Minister  of AYURVEDA,  YOGA  AND NATUROPATHY,  UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  impart Yog   education  in  army  and  any  other Government institutions across the country and if so, the de tails ther of; and
- (b) the details of the competitions organised at district/State level to promote Yoga among the youth of the country, State/UT - wise?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a): There is no proposal to impart Yoga education in army and any other Governmen institutions currently with this Ministry. However, The Morarji Desai National Insti Yoga (MDNIY), an autonomous body under the Ministry of AYUSH provides short term trai ning courses (500 hours) in Yoga for Para -Military and Delhi Police personnel and on request basis to Military Personnel. The Institute has so far trained 2062 personnel details are as under:
- iii. Delhi Police Personnel:  122
- (b) : Since Public Health is a State subject, organizing various competitions at district/State level to promote Yoga among the youth in their respective domains fall under the purview of the respective State/ UT governments.

- i. Armed Force personnel: 158

- ii. Para - Military Personnel: 178 2

Further to this, at the Central level, Ministry of AYUSH also strives to promo system and to create awareness for the benefit of the people includin g rural areas. For this purpose an Information Education and Communication (IEC) Scheme, has been devised by the  Ministry,  activities  under  which  include  steps  to  reach  out  to  people  and  to awareness about Yoga. IEC activities include programs on TV , Radio, Print - media etc.

In  view  of  the  restrictions  on  mass  gatherings  arising  from  the  contagious  nat COVID -19,  the  Ministry  of  AYUSH organized the 'My  Life, My Yoga (MLMY)' i.e. the JeevanYoga global video blogging contest with attractive prizes for the winners and run -up.

In  addition,  MDNIY  also  organizes  competitions  viz.  Quiz,  Elocution,  Best  Pap presentation and Poster presentation during Yoga Mahotsav every Year.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2152 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-23
Subject: National Creche Scheme
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Ramya  Haridas, Poonam (Mahajan) Vajendla Rao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2152

## TO BE ANSWER ON 23.09.2020

## NATIONAL CRECHE SCHEME

## 2152.  MS. RAMYA HARIDAS: SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  proportion  of  women  engaged  primarily  in  domestic  duties  has increased during the last three years and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  any  child-care  subsidies  are  being  provided  to  mothers  by  the Government, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has implemented the National Creches Scheme; and
- (d) whether delayed and non-existent payment from the State have prompted many creches to shut down across the country and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (d) National Crèche Scheme is implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme through the  States/UTs  with  effect  from  01.01.2017  to  provide  day  care  facilities  to children (age group of 6 months- 6 years) of working mothers.  The Scheme provides supplementary nutrition, health care inputs like immunization, polio drops, basic health monitoring, sleeping facilities, early stimulation (below 3 yrs),  pre-school education for 3-6 yrs. As on 21.09.2020, 6004 crèches are functional across the country.

As per, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)  Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) report, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, women attending domestic duties in rural areas decreased from  45.1  per  cent  in  2017-18  to  44.1  per  cent  in  2018-19  and  women  attending domestic duties in urban areas increased from 47.3 per cent in 2017-18 to 47.4 per cent in 2018-19.

The Government of India provides direct/ indirect support in cash or kind to the mothers for nutrition support &child-care through various schemes such as Anganwadi services, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, etc.

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