opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4878 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-23
Subject: Diversion of Food Items
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Vellalath Kochukrishnan Nair. Sreekandan

## 4474.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD &  pUBLtC  DISTRIBUT|ON DEPARTMENT OF FOOD Al{D PUBLIC DISTRIBUTTON

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED OUESTION NO. 4878 TO BE ANSWERED  ON 23^r JULY, 2Ol9

## DIVERSION OF FOOD ITEMS

## SHRI V.K. SREEKANDAN:

UYill the  Minister of  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLTC DISTRIBUTION  5qerlfir arfrd, uro :itt sr&sB-6  ldflur dfl be pteased  to state:

- (a) whether the Government  is aware of diversion of food items meant for Public Distribution  System (PDS) to the market in some of the States, if so, the details thereof; and
- (b)  the steps taken by the Government  to ensure that such diversions do not take place as far as PDS products  are concerned?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIG DISTRIBUTION

(sHRt DANVE RAOSAHEB DADARAO)

- (a) & (b): Public Distribution System (PDS) is operated under the  ioint responsibility  of the Gentral and the State/UT Governments, wherein the operationa! responsibilities within the State/UT rest with the respective State/UT Government,  As and when complaints are received in  this Department from individuals, organizations as well as through media reports regarding any irregularities  in the functioning  of the PDS, including  leakages & diversion of foodgrains thus not reaching to the intended beneficiaries, etc., they are forwarded to the concemed  State/UT Government for inquiry and appropriate action at their end. During the last year 2018 a total of 941 complaints  were received in  the Department and were forwarded to concerned State/UT  for necessary action at their end.

Further, to  address  challenges such as leakage and divercion  of cards/beneficiary  and other databases, online allocation, computerisation of foodgrains,  inclusion/exclusion errons,  fake and bogus ration card, Government is implementing a scheme on  "End-to-End  Gomputerisation of Targeted Public Distribution (TPDS) Operations'. The Scheme comprises  digitization of ration supply.chain  management, sefting up of transparency portals and grievance redressal mechanisms.  Digitization of all ration cards/beneficiaries  under NFSA have been completed  in all States/UTs and the electronic  Point of Sale(ePoS) devices have been installed in about 77o/o Fair Price Shops(FPSs) out of tota! 5.34 lakh FPSS across the country.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4874 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-23
Subject: PMGSY in Kerala
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Kumbakudi Sudhakaran

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4874 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2019

## PMGSY IN KERALA

## 4874.  SHRI KUMBAKUDI SUDHAKARAN:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of roads currently being constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in Kerala, particularly in the district of Kannur;
- (b) whether the Government has introduced or proposes to introduce any new road projects under PMGSY in the district of Kannur;
- (c) the number of houses being constructed under Pradhan Mantri AwaasYojana (Gramin) [PMAY (G)] in the district of Kannur; and
- (d) the  total  number  of  beneficiaries  belonging  to  Scheduled  Castes  and  Scheduled  Tribes under PMAY(G) in Kannur?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a): Under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), 131 roads including 2 bridges are being  constructed  in  Kerala,  out  of  which  10  roads  and  2  Bridges  are  being  constructed  in Kannur district of Kerala.
- (b): The  entire  allocation  under  PMGSY-I  and  PMGSY-II  have  been  sanctioned  to  Kerala State. Further, no proposal is pending with Ministry in respect of Kerala State including Kannur district.
- (c): The No. of houses constructed under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G) in the district of Kannur as reflected in AwaasSoft(MIS) as on 19.07.2019 are 669.
- (d): The total no. of beneficiaries finalized in Permanent Wait List (PWL) under PMAY-G belonging  to  Scheduled  Castes  and  Scheduled  Tribes  in  Kannur  District,  as  reflected  in AwaasSoft (MIS), as on 19.07.2019 is 240 (SCs: 106 + STs: 134).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4871 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-23
Subject: Development of Fishing Harbours in Karnataka
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: B. Y. Raghavendra

## MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4871 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 rd  JULY, 2019

## Development of Fishing Harbours in Karnataka

## 4871.    SHRI B.Y. RAGHAVENDRA:

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

- (a) whether  the  State  Government  of  Karnataka  has  submitted  any  proposal  for  the development of fishing harbours in the Bydoor Taluk of Udupi district  in the last  five years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  proposals  approved  by  the  Union  Government  for  the  development  of  fishing harbours in the Bydoor Taluk of Udupi district during the said period; and
- (d) the central assistance sanctioned therefor?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI)

(a) to (d) :   The Central Institute of Coastal Engineering for Fishery (CICEF), Bangalore, under the  Ministry  of  Fisheries,  Animal  Husbandry  and  Dairying at  the  request  of  Government  of Karnataka,  rendered  necessary  assistance  to  the  State  Government  in  preparation  of  Techno Economic Feasibility Report(TEFR) for development of fishery harbour at Uppunda, Madikel in Byndoor  Taluk  of  Udupi  District.  The  Government  of  Karnataka  has  not  submitted  proposal together with confirmation on availability of land and environmental clearance for development of fishing harbours in Byndoor Taluk of Udupi District.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4870 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-23
Subject: MSP for Coffee Cultivators
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: L.S. Tejasvi Surya

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4870

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 23 RD  JULY, 2019

## MSP FOR COFFEE CULTIVATORS

4870.  SHRI L.S. TEJASVI SURYA:

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

- (a) whether the Government intends to extend Minimum Support Price to coffee growers across the country; and
- (b) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

(a) & (b): There  is  no  proposal  under  consideration  of  the  Government  to  extend  Minimum Support  Price  (MSP)  to  coffee  growers . Coffee  being  an  export  oriented  commodity,  the  domestic procurement prices of coffee are dependent and aligned to the international prices. As nearly, 75% of Indian  Coffee  is  exported,  the  Indian  coffee  exporters  announce  their  purchase  price  based  on international market price only.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4868 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-23
Subject: Use of Formalin in Fish Preservation
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Francisco Cosme Sardinha

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4868

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD  JULY, 2019

## ' Use of Formalin in Fish Preservation '

## 4868. SHRI COSME FRAANCISCO CAITANO SARDINHA:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that formalin is being applied to fish and supplied to States like Goa, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of other chemicals/ preservatives that are illegally being used to preserve fish;
- (c) the amount of formalin in Parts Per Million (PPM) that naturally occurs in fish; and
- (d) the steps being taken by the Government to stop the sale of fish that has been preserved using illegal substances?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI)

- (a)  As per the information received from the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), instances of sale of formalin laced fish have come to notice of FSSAI. Some of the State Governments /UTs including Goa, had issued prohibition orders banning sale and import of formalin laced fish.
- (b) There is no report on use of other chemicals/preservative for preserving fish.
- (c)  As  per  the  report  of  WHO  (WHO  Regional  Office  for  Europe,  Copenhagen, Denmark, 2001), the range of formaldehyde occurs in fish is about 6-20 mg/kg. Besides, the Scientific Panel for Fish and Fisheries Products of FSSAI has fixed an Adhoc limit of naturally occurring formaldehyde in fresh and brackish/marine water fishes as 4.0 PPM and 100 PPM respectively.

(d)   The  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Act,  2006,  the  Rules  and  Regulations  made thereunder, do not permit the use of formaldehyde or formalin in any form including as preservative  and/or  additive  in  fish.  The  enforcement  of  this  Act  and  its  Rules  and Regulations primarily lies with State Governments and UTs. To ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food to the consumers, regular surveillance, monitoring, inspection and  random  sampling  of  food  products  including  fish  and  fishery  products  are  being carried out by the Officers of Food Safety Departments of the respective States/UTs to ensure compliance of the standards laid down under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Rules and Regulations made thereunder. In cases where the food samples including  fish  and  fishery  products  are  found  to  be  non-conforming  to  the  notified standards, penal action has been initiated against the defaulting Food Business Operators under the provisions of specified under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4867 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-23
Subject: Private Investment in Agriculture
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Bhagwanth Khuba

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4867

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 23 RD  JULY, 2019

## PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN AGRICULTURE

## 4867.  SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  formulating  any  long  term  action  plan  for  Public  Private Partnership (PPP) mode to revitalize the agriculture sector;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of the amount invested or released by the Government for the purpose and the achievement made so far;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to formulate/evolve policies to channelize to greater private  investments  through  Government  schemes  in  farm  inputs,  irrigation,  marketing,  postharvest management, land development etc.; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a) to (e): The  Government  has  been  working  proactively  through  various  policy  and programmatic  interventions  to  create  the  environment  to  facilitate  Public  Private  investments. The  5 th Governing  Council  Meeting  of  NITI  Aayog  was  held  on  15 th June  2019  in  which 'Transforming Agriculture: Need for Structural Reforms' formed part of the agenda. The need for understanding structural reforms in agriculture including encouraging corporate investment was emphasized.

Public Private Partnership in agriculture is also promoted through schemes for Agriculture marketing, Soil Health Card,  Micro Irrigation etc.  The Government of India has also formed and circulated Model Act Agriculture Produce and Livestock Marketing (Promotion & Facilitation) Act, 2017 and Model Act Agriculture Produce & Livestock Contract Farming and Services (Promotion & Facilitation) Act, 2018, with aim to bring more investment in the agriculture.

This  Department  has  also  incorporated  a  'Framework  for    supporting  Public  Private Partnership  for  Integrated  Agricultural  Development  (PPPIAD)'  under  Rashtriya  Krishi  Vikas Yojana  -  Remunerative  Approaches  for  Agriculture  and  Allied  Sector  Rejuvenation  (RKVYRAFTAAR) in the  scheme guidelines to facilitate large scale integrated projects  led by  private sector players in the agriculture  and allied sectors, with a view to aggregating farmers, providing additional income and integrating the agriculture supply chain.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4861 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-23
Subject: Techniques and Plans for Promotion of Agricultural Production
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak

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

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4861

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 23 RD  JULY, 2019

## TECHNIQUES AND PLANS FOR PROMOTION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

4861. SHRI  MANOJ KOTAK:

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 the Government is providing different techniques and plans for agricultural production to double the income of farmers;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also true that the Government is also promoting Aquaponics farming in the dry places of the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a) & (b): To increase the agricultural production and productivity of various crops and thereby enhancing  the  income  of  the  farmers,  the  Government  of  India  is  promoting  technologies  through implementation of various schemes/ plans viz., National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Mission for Integrated  Development  of  Horticulture  (MIDH),  National  Mission  for  Sustainable  Agriculture (NMSA),  Sub-Mission  on  Seeds  and  Planting  Material  (SMSP),  Sub-Mission  on  Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY),  etc. under the Umbrella scheme, 'Green  Revolution-  Krishonnati  Yojana'.  Besides,  Pradhan  Mantri  Fasal  Bima  Yojana  (PMFBY), Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchai  Yojana  (PMKSY),  Paramparagat  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (PMKVY), Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan  Samman  Nidhi  (PM-KISAN)  etc.  are  being  implemented  to  enhance  the farmers income and their livelihood. Government is aware of the potential of aquaponics as future technology to mitigate the effects  of  climate  change.  Department  of  Agricultural  Research  and  Education  (DARE)/  Indian Council  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  have  been  developing  and  promoting  technologies  for
- (c) & (d): integrating fish and plant cultivation using aquaponics.
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Lok Sabha Question No. 4860 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-23
Subject: Survey on Drug Abuse
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Poonam (Mahajan) Vajendla Rao

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4860 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2019

SURVEY ON DRUG ABUSE

4860. SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN:

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

(a) whether the Government has conducted a National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India' through the National Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS); New Delhi, during 2018 presenting data on estimates of current use (use within past 12 months), harmful use and dependence; Drug

- (b) if the details thereof; SO,
- (c) whether the Government has taken steps to help people, about 5.2 percent of Indians (more than 5.7 crore people) who are estimated to be affected by harmful substance or dependent on alcohol use; and
- (d) if the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has conducted a National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in 2018. The National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, AIL India Institutes   of  Medical  Sciences, New Delhi was   entrusted with the  responsibility to lead the technical and scientific aspects of the National Survey.

As per the report, Alcohol is the most common psychoactive substance used by Indians followed by Cannabis and Opioids. About 16 Crore persons in the country consume alcohol, 3.1 Crore use cannabis products, 2.26 Crore use opioids and  approximately 1.18 Crore use sedatives. The   report   further stipulates that 2.9 Crore individuals suffer from alcohol dependence, 25 lakh from cannabis dependence, 28 lakh from opioid dependence and 11.8 lakh are using sedatives in dependent pattern:

(c) & (d): This Ministry has been implementing a Scheme for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse since 1985-86. Under this   scheme, financial assistance up expenditure is given Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCAs) In the case of North-Eastern State, Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir; the quantum of assistance is 95% of the total admissible expenditure.

The Ministry has also begun implementation of a National Action Plan for Demand Reduction for 2018-2025. The Plan aims at reduction of adverse consequences of abuse through a multi-pronged strategy involving education, de-addiction and rehabilitation of affected individuals and their families It focuses on preventives  education, awareness   generation,  identification,  counselling; treatment and rehabilitation of drug ' dependent persons and training and capacity building of the service providers through collaborative efforts of the Central and State Governments and Non-Governmental Organizations Drug drug

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4859 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-23
Subject: Attacks on Students and Journalists
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Su Thirunavukkarasar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4859

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 23 RD  JULY, 2019/ SHRAVANA 1, 1941 (SAKA ) ATTACKS ON STUDENTS AND JOURNALISTS

4859. SHRI SU. THIRUNAVUKKARASAR:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government is aware of the ongoing attacks on students and journalists by the Ultra right forces in the country;

(b) if so, the details of such incidents/ attacks during each year of the last three years and the current year, year-wise, category-wise and State-wise;

(c) the steps taken or proposed to be taken against those culprits and to identify the organisations to which they belonged; and

(d) the details of the steps taken to curb such attacks across the country?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d):    'Police'  and  'Public  Order'  are  State  subjects  under  the  Seventh Schedule  to  the  Constitution  and  State  Governments  are  responsible  for prevention,  detection  and  investigation  of  crimes  and  for  prosecuting  the criminals through their law enforcement agencies. The National Crime Records Bureau  (NCRB)  does  not  maintain  specific  data  with  respect  to  attacks  on students  and  journalists.  However,  the  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  have  issued advisories to States and UTs, from time to time, to maintain law and order and ensure  that  any  person  who  takes  law  into  his/her  own  hand  is  punished promptly as per law. An advisory specifically on safety of journalists was issued to States/UTs on 20th October 2017 requesting them to strictly enforce the law to  ensure  the  safety  and  security  of  media  persons.  These  advisories  are available on the Ministry's website: www.mha.gov.in.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4857 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-23
Subject: Eradication of Superstitions and Social Evils
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Ashok Mahadeorao Nete

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. t4857 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2019

## ERADICATION OF SUPERSTITIONS AND SOCIAL EVILS

+4857. SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

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

(a) whether the Government has taken any steps for the eradication of superstitions and other social evils prevailing in the country; and

(6) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)

(a) (b): As the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is concerned with a few of the social evils the answer is limited to these. Untouchability' construed as a social evil in the historical perspective, emanating generally from caste based prejudices, was abolished by Article 17 of the Constitution of India and any disability arising out of its practice was made an offence in accordance with the law. Accordingly, an Act of Parliament namely the Protection of Civil Rights Act; was enacted which prescribed punishment for   specified offences of untouchability Subsequently, another Act of Parliament namely the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes(Prevention of Atrocities) {PoA} Act,1989 was enacted to prevent commission of offences against members of Scheduled Castes(SCs) and Scheduled Tribes(STs) The PoA Act as amended in the year 2015, made superstitious practice of   dedicating a SC or a ST woman to a religious institution etc. as a Devadasi" a punishable offence. Likewise, causing physical harm or mental agony to a member of a SC or a ST, on the allegation of practicing witchcraft or a witch; a superstitious practice; was also made a punishable offence under the PoA Act, as amended. Further; to promote social integration and harmony, the Ministry   has a Centrally Sponsored Scheme which" provides Central assistance to State Governments/UT Administrations, inter-alia, towards incentive for inter-caste marriages where one of the spouses is a member of a Scheduled Caste. deity, being

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