opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 379 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-15
Subject: Instances of corruption under PM Kisan Scheme
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. T. Sumathy (a) Thamizhachi Thangapandian

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.379

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 15 TH  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## INSTANCES OF CORRUPTION UNDER PM KISAN SCHEME

379.   DR. T. SUMATHY (a) THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  recent  corruption  of  Fake  PM  Kisan accounts siphoning funds provided to poor farmers under Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana in Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  stringent  action  taken  against  the  corrupt  and  the perpetrators of such crime in Tamil Nadu as well as other places in the country;
- (c) whether  the  Union  Government  will  conduct  a  thorough  State-wide  enquiry  to ascertain if such corrupt practices happened on a large scale throughout Tamil Nadu; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the Government's stand on this corrupt practice?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a) & (b): Yes  Sir.  It  was  informed  by  the  State  Government  of  Tamil  Nadu  that ineligible beneficiaries were registered in PM-KISAN portal in few districts by stealing the user name credentials. The following action has been taken by the State Government in connection with the above mentioned irregularity:-

A sum of Rs.47 crore has been recovered by the State till date. Crime Branch CID (CB-CID) of Tamil Nadu has registered 10 cases and apprehended 16 accused in the case. The  District  Level  and  Block  level  PM-KISAN  login  IDs  have  been  deactivated.    The services  of  19  contractual  staff  who  have  been  reported  to  be  involved  in  these  illegal activities in the districts of Villupuram, Kallakurichi and Cuddalore districts were terminated. Further, three Block Level Assistant Directors of Agriculture who were considered primarily responsible  for  lack  of  supervision  and  not  informing  the  fraudulent  activities  to  the superiors were suspended.

- (c) & (d): According  to  the  PM-KISAN  Scheme,  the  entire  responsibility  of  identifying the eligible landholder farmer family is of the State/UT Governments.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 378 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-15
Subject: Benefits of Aatmanirbhar Bharat Scheme to Agriculture in Kerala
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shashi Tharoor

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.378

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 15 TH  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## BENEFITS OF AATMANIRBHAR BHARAT SCHEME TO AGRICULTURE IN KERALA

378.   DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

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

- (a) whether  the  Ministry  is  aware  that  the  Aatmanirbhar  Bhart  Scheme  will  prove beneficial to the agricultural sector in Kerala, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Ministry  is  able  to  specify  the  potential  benefits  Kerala;s  agricultural sector may receive from the scheme;
- (c) whether the Ministry is able to offer a timeline for the implementation of the scheme, including in Kerala; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a): Government  of  India  has  launched  the  Aatmanirbhar  Bharat  Abhiyan  (ABA)  to strengthen  Infrastructure,  Logistics,  Capacity  Building,  Governance  and  Administrative Reforms for Agriculture. The components of the ABA for DAC&FW are as follows -
-  Central  Sector  Scheme  of  financing  facility  under  Agri  Infrastructure  Fund.This scheme  is  operational  from  the  year  2020--21  to  2029-30.The  aim  is  creation  of infrastructure for reducing post harvest loses.
-  The  National  Bee  and  Honey  Mission(NBHM)  -  Rs.500  crore  from  2020-2021  to 2022-2023 is allocated for the sector.
-  'The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce  (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance 2020 This will allow liberal trade, provide more options to farmer for sale of their farming produce, promote barrier free inter-state and intra State trade.

-  The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm  Services  Ordinance,  2020.The  main  objectives  of  the  Farming  Agreement Ordinance are -risk mitigation for farmers, equity or inclusiveness, public accountability and innovation.
-  Concessional credit boost to 2.5 crore farmers through Kisan Credit Card.

These  steps  would  lead  to  betterment  of  the  farming  community  in  the  country including Kerala.

(b)  to (d): It is difficult to quantify the potential benefits of the scheme for Kerala at this stage.  Agriculture  is  a  state  subject  and  reforms  are  to  be  implemented  by  the  State Governments. For Kerala under AIF, 70 projects for a project cost of rupees 160.76 crore with  a  loan  element of  Rs. 143.45 crore have been sanctioned till date. KCC saturation drive has also been launched in the State.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 375 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-15
Subject: Damage to Agricultural Land due to Flood
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Aparajita Sarangi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.375

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  15 TH  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## DAMAGE TO AGRICULTURAL LAND DUE TO FLOOD

375.   SHRIMATI APARAJITA SARANGI:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken stock of the damage caused to agricultural land and produce due to floods in various parts of Odisha, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  planning  on  introducing  any  special  packages  to  help rehabilitate and compensate the farmers in Odisha for their losses; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a) to (c): In the eventuality of natural calamities, the State Governments are empowered  to  initiate  necessary  relief  measures  from  State  Disaster  Response  Fund (SDRF),  which  is  readily  available  with  them.  Additional  financial  assistance,  over  and above SDRF, is considered from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), on receipt of Memorandum  from  State  Governments  and  in  accordance  with  extant  norms  and procedures.

As  per  the  information  from  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs,  the  State  Government  of Odisha  has  reported  crop  loss  of  454250  ha  in  27  districts  in  the  wake  of  flood  during current  monsoon  season.  However,  the  State  Government  has  not  submitted  any memorandum seeking financial assistance from NDRF in the wake of flood, so far.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 374 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-15
Subject: Investigation into Gold Smuggling
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Adoor Prakash, N.K. Premachandran, Kumbakudi Sudhakaran, Behanan Benny

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 374

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 15 TH  SEPTEMBER, 2020/ BHADRAPADA 24, 1942 (SAKA)

## INVESTIGATION INTO GOLD SMUGGLING

374. ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH: SHRI KUMBAKUDI SUDHAKARAN: SHRI BENNY BEHANAN: SHRII N.K. PREMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details regarding the case registered by the National Investigation Agency into the smuggling of Gold by some miscreants using  the  diplomatic  baggage  through  Thiruvananthapuram  airport along with the status of the investigation thereof; and
- (b) the level of involvement of State Government  officers and particularly  the  office  of  the  Chief  Minister  in  the  said  case  and  the action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): A case relating to seizure of 30 Kg of 24 karat gold  worth Rupees 14.82 crores at  Trivandrum International Airport on 05 th  July, 2020 by the Custom officers was entrusted to National Investigation Agency  on  09.07.2020.    First  Information  Report  (FIR)  has  been registered by National Investigation Agency on 10.07.2020.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 372 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-15
Subject: Constitution of GoM on Sexual Harassment
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Vellalath Kochukrishnan Nair. Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 372

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 15 TH  SEPTEMBER, 2020/ BHADRAPADA 24, 1942 (SAKA)

CONSTITUTION OF GoM ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT

372. SHRI V.K. SREEKANDAN:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government had constituted a GoM in October, 2018, after MeToo movement to address the issues of sexual harassment at the workplace;

(b) if so, whether the said GoM was required to submit a report in three months time on strengthening a legal framework;

(c) whether the said GoM had been reconstituted in 2019;

(d) whether it is a fact that even the reconstituted GoM has also failed to submit the report as required, as on date; and

(e) if so, the reasons thereon?

ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): The Government had set up a Group of Ministers (GoM) to examine  and  give  recommendations  for  strengthening  the  legal  and institutional framework to deal with and prevent sexual harassment at workplace vide order dated 24.10.2018. The GoM was reconstituted on 18.07.2019.  The  GoM  has submitted its  report to  the  Government  on 10.02.2020.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 369 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-15
Subject: Stimulus Package for Covid-19
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Pritam Gopinath Munde

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 369

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 15 TH  SEPTEMBER, 2020/ BHADRAPADA 24, 1942 (SAKA)

STIMULUS PACKAGE FOR COVID-19

369. SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR SAHU: DR.PRITAM GOPINATHRAO MUNDE:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  given  any  stimulus  package  to  the States to meet the Covid-19 challenges;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  assistance  under  such  packages  given  to various states so far; and
- (c) the details of the criteria under which assistance has been given to the States?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The Central Government, on 26 th  March, 2020 announced a relief  package  under  the  'Pradhan  Mantri  Garib  Kalyan  Yojana', totaling Rs.1.70 lakh crore  for  the poor to  help  them  fight the  battle against  Corona  Virus.  Around  42  crore  poor  people  have  received financial assistance of Rs. 68, 820  crore under this scheme.

Central Government allowed the State Governments to use the State Disaster Response  Fund  (SDRF)  on  14 th March,  2020  for taking measures for quarantine facilities,  sample,  collection and  screening,

procurement of essential equipments/labs for COVID-19. Thereafter, on 28 th  March, 2020, Central Government also allowed State Governments to use SDRF for making provisions of temporary accommodation, food, clothing,  medical  care,  etc.,  to  homeless  people  including  migrant labourers. To augment the funds with the States, Central Government released in advance Rs.11, 092 crores from the SDRF to the States on 3 rd April, 2020.

Ministry  of  Health  &  Family  Welfare  approved  the  India  COVID-19 Emergency  Response  and  Health  Systems  Preparedness  Package  of Rs.  15,000  crores.  The  said  Package  seeks  to  support  States/UTs  in establishment of COVID dedicated facilities for treatment of COVID-19 cases  including  for  critical  care,  enhancement  in  testing  capacities, engagement and training of necessary human resources and procurement of essential equipment and protective gear for the health care personnel engaged in COVID-19 duties, etc.

Additionally, State Governments have been allowed additional borrowing  limit  of  up  to  2  percent  of  Gross  State  Domestic  Product (GSPD) for the year 2020-21. As against the additional borrowing limit of  2%  of  GSDP,  consent  for  borrowing  of  0.50  percent  of  GSDP amounting to Rs. 1,06,830 crore has already been issued to the States to raise Open Market Borrowing (OMB) during the year 2020-21.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 367 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-15
Subject: PMAY in Assam
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Pradyut Bordoloi

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 367

ANSWERED ON 15/09/2020

## PMAY IN ASSAM

## 367. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) has been meeting its stated construction targets in the State of Assam and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the number of houses constructed in Assam, particularly in the districts falling under Nagaon Parliamentary Constituency, since the launch of the programme; and
- (d) the quantum of funds utilized in the said State, particularly in the districts falling under Nagaon Parliamentary Constituency, during the last three years, year-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  &  (b)     To  achieve  the  objective  of  'Housing  for  All'  by  2022,  the  Government  is implementing Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G) w.e.f. 1 st April, 2016 in rural areas and Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) since 25 th June, 2015 in urban areas of  the  country.  Under  PMAY-G,  the  State  of  Assam  has  a  target  of  5,15,857  houses  for constructions,  out  of  which  4,43,644  have  been  sanctioned  and  3,17,076  houses  have  been completed as on 11.09.2020.

Under  PMAY-U,  a  demand  survey  was  conducted  by  the  State  of  Assam.  As  per  the survey,  the total housing demand under four verticals of PMAY-U Mission is 2.19 lakh, out of which, 1,22,293 have been sanctioned and 20,895 have been completed.

(c)      The details of status of houses constructed in State of Assam, particularly in the districts falling under Nagaon Parliamentary Constituency, since launch of PMAY-G and PMAY-U are given below:-

(unit in Nos.)

| PMAY-G    | PMAY-G   | PMAY-G   | PMAY-U    | PMAY-U   | PMAY-U   |
|-----------|----------|----------|-----------|----------|----------|
| Indicator | Assam    | Nagaon   | Indicator | Assam    | Nagaon   |
| Completed | 3,17,076 | 37,292   | Completed | 20,895   | 1,722    |

(d)   Utilization of funds under PMAY-G and PMAY-U in the State of Assam and particularly in the districts falling under the Nagaon Parliamentary Constituency, during the last three years is given below:-

(Rs.in crore)

| Year    | PMAY-G   | PMAY-G   | PMAY-U   | PMAY-U   |
|---------|----------|----------|----------|----------|
|         | Assam    | Nagaon   | Assam    | Nagaon   |
| 2017-18 | 1458.47  | 164.34   | 326.43   | 24.49    |
| 2018-19 | 1149.68  | 121.44   | 15.08    | 0.33     |
| 2019-20 | 2046.71  | 286.16   | 494.45   | 30.76    |

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 366 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-15
Subject: Illegal Activities at Indo Nepal Border
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Pankaj Chowdhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 366

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 15 TH  SEPTEMBER, 2020/ BHADRAPADA 24, 1942 (SAKA)

ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES AT INDO NEPAL BORDER

†366. SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware of incidents related to destruction  of  pillars,  smuggling,  infiltration  etc.  at  the  Indo-Nepal Border;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c)  whether  the  Government  is  formulating  any  firm  plan  to  stop smuggling, infiltration etc. to make Indian Border safe and secure; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d):    Sashastra  Seema  Bal  (SSB)  is  deployed  along  Indo  Nepal border  as  Border  Guarding  Force.  Damage  of  border  pillars  and smuggling activities along Indo-Nepal border are reported from time to time. Prompt action is taken to repair the damaged border pillars. SSB carries  out  various  operational  activities  like  patrolling,  nakabandi, checking of persons  crossing  the border  both randomly and  on the

## LSUSQ No.366 for 15.09.2020

basis of inputs received from own sources/ sister agencies to check illegal activities and prevent cross border infiltration. Regular coordination  is  maintained  by  SSB  with  civil  administration  and security agencies engaged in this regard.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 362 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-15
Subject: Cash Benefit Transfers under MGNREGS
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Hibi Eden

- (a)    No, Sir.
- (b)   Does not arise.

(c)&(d) Yes Sir. In this direction, recently on 2.7.2020, the permissible works under the Scheme have been enhanced by adding unskilled wage component of 230 persondays for construction of Community Sanitary Complexes in convergence with Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) and Dragon fruit plantation.

The Ministry also issues convergence guidelines with other Ministries / Departments from time to  time  for  creating  more  employment opportunities in rural areas. Recently such convergence guidelines  have  been  issued,  in  the  area  of  water  conservation  and  water  management,  for promoting Nutri- Garden for individual beneficiaries and community in convergence with State Schemes and National Rural Livelihood Mission, for construction of Gram Panchayat Bhawan in convergence with Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Finance Commission Funds for FY 2020-21, to  promote  fodder  farms  with  Department  of  Animal  Husbandry  and    to  promote  medicinal plants with Ministry of Ayush.

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 362

ANSWERED ON 15/09/2020

## CASH BENEFIT TRANSFERS UNDER MGNREGS

## 362. SHRI HIBI EDEN:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  any  measures  are  being  taken  to  launch  new  cash  benefit  transfers  after  the success of enrolment and dependency of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS);
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  any  measures  are  being  taken  to  expand  the  absorbing  capacity  of  the MGNREGS programme; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

Also for effective planning through technical expertise, involvement of people at grass root level and execution of works, Cluster Facilitation Project (CFP) has been launched in 250 blocks in 117 Aspirational districts  and  50  blocks  in  other  backward areas  of  the  country  for  enhancing absorbing capacity of the Scheme through improvised implementation planning.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 361 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-15
Subject: Promotion of Organic Farming
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Krishna Pal Singh Yadav

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.361

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 15 TH  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## PROMOTION OF ORGANIC FARMING

361. DR. KRISHNA PAL SINGH YADAV:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any plan to promote organic farming in the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether there is any special plan for sale of organic products;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the follow up action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a): Government of  India  has  been  encouraging  organic  farming  in  the  country      through  the dedicated  schemes  namely  Paramparagat  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (PKVY-  Centrally  Sponsored scheme, in all states & UTs) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development of North East Region (MOVCDNER  -Central  Sector  scheme  for  North  Eastern  Region).  Both  the  schemes  aim  at promotion of cluster Framers Producer Organization (FPO) based on chemical free, low input cost, sustainable organic farming and support farmers from input procurement to market linkages.

Organic Farming has also been supported under other schemes viz. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Network Project on Organic Farming under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Third party certification of organic  farming  is  promoted  by  Agriculture  Processed  Food  and  Export  Development  Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce.

(b) to (d): Promotion of Value addition including packaging, marketing of organic products is inbuilt  in  the  schemes.  Organic  melas,  buyers-sellers  meets,  setting  up  of  organic  stores  etc.  are also supported under the schemes. Market linkage of FPOs/ producer clusters with some major exporters/ agri-business, photochemical and online grocery stores have been established.

Jaivik Kheti e-commerce portal, https://www.jaivikkheti.in ,  has been created. The portal links various stakeholders like regional councils, local groups, individual farmers, buyers, government  agencies  and  input  suppliers  involved  in  organic  farming.  Various  price  discovery mechanisms  like  forward  auction,  price-quantity  bidding,  book  building  and  reverse  auction mechanisms are also provided for encouraging marketing of organic produce. Already 3.47 lakhs farmers are registered on to the portal.

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