opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1978 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Quality Seeds
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Prataprao  Jadhav

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1978

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  MARCH, 2020

## QUALITY SEEDS

1978.  SHRI  PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

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

- (a) whether farmers, especially those belonging to the backward regions in the country, are not able to access good quality seeds;
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) whether the said problem has resulted in stagnation in production and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

(a) & (b): The  sufficient  quantity  of  certified/quality  seeds  is  available  in  the  country, including backward regions. The requirement/demand and availability/production of certified/quality seeds in the country during the last two and current year is as under :

## (Quantity of Seeds in lakh Quintals)

|   S.No. | Year    |   Requirement/ Demand |   Availability/ Production |
|---------|---------|-----------------------|----------------------------|
|       1 | 2017-18 |                371.38 |                     419.41 |
|       2 | 2018-19 |                353.55 |                     398.87 |
|       3 | 2019-20 |                387.31 |                     431.01 |

(c):                  There  is  increase  in  food  grain  production  from  the  year    2017-18  to  2019-20  (2 nd advance estimate).

The detail of food grain production is as under.

|   S.No. | Year                             |   Foodgrains production (Million Tonnes) |
|---------|----------------------------------|------------------------------------------|
|       1 | 2017-18                          |                                   285.1  |
|       2 | 2018-19                          |                                   285.21 |
|       3 | 2019-20 (2 nd advance estimate ) |                                   291.95 |

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1976 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Subsidy on Kerosene
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: P.R. Natarajan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MtNtsTRy oF coNsuMER AFFAIRS, FOOD &  pUBLrc  DISTR|BUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTTON

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.{ 976 TO BE ANSTYERED ON 3.,t MARC!{,2O2O

## SUBSIDY ON KEROSENE

1976.

SHRI NATARAJAN P.R.:

Will the Minister of GONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLTC D t STR I B UT I O N s(rrir+dI  xr,ril, sr(q 3ik  Trffi6 fufr{or d* Ue p teased to state:

- (a)  whether there is  any proposal with the G6vernment to  stop providing subsidy on kerosene whach is being supplied  through PDS shops across the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether there is any proposal with the Goverrrment to franchise the PDS shops to the private agencies; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINTSTER  OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER  AFFAIRS,  FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (sHRr DANVE RAOSAHEB DADARAO)

(a) & (b): The prices of petroleum products  are linked to the price of  respective products in  the  international market. l{owever, the Government continues to  modulate the retai! selling price of  PDS kerosene and the consumens get the product at subsidized  rate.

(c) to (d): There is no such proposal under consideration  in the Department at present.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1974 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Personal Use of National Flag
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Gopal Chinayya Shetty

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1974

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  MARCH, 2020/PHALGUNA 13, 1941 (SAKA)

PERSONAL USE OF NATIONAL FLAG

1974. SHRI GOPAL CHINNAYA SHETTY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken any steps to restrict the personal use of National  Flag  by  any  political,  regional  or  national  parties  in  displaying  their election symbols in the middle or any other part of the National Flag;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the time by which the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 is likely to be amended in this regard; and

(d) if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

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

(a)  to (d):  The use/display/hoisting of the Indian National Flag is regulated by the Flag  Code of India, 2002  and the Prevention  of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. The act of disrespect of National Flag is punishable under Section 2 of the Prevention  of  Insults  to  National  Honour  Act,  1971.  Further,  no  proposal  for amendment in the  Prevention  of  Insults  to  National  Honour  Act,  1971  is  under consideration of the Ministry of Home Affairs as the existing provisions of the Act are considered adequate.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1970 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Fertilizer Industry in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: M. Selvaraj

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1970 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 03.03.2020

## Fertilizer Industry in Tamil Nadu

## 1970. SHRI M SELVARAJ

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

- (a) whether the Government has any plan to set up fertilizer Industry in the Delta of Tamil Nadu to cater to the huge need of this region; region
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CHEMICAL AND FERTILZERS

(D.V: SADANANDA GOWDA)

- (a): No Sir. Government of India has no such proposal at present:
- (b): In view of (a) above, question does not arise.
- (c): The requirement of fertilizers in Tamil Nadu is met through existing sources being

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1967 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Ban on Highly Poisonous Pesticides
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1967

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  MARCH, 2020

## BAN ON HIGHLY POISONOUS PESTICIDES

1967.   SHRI  SHRINIWAS PATIL:

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

- (a) whether the Government has received any proposal to ban highly poisonous pesticides;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to ban highly poisonous pesticides?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a) & (b): Government of India has received a proposal from State Government of Kerala to ban Glyphosate and all its derivatives throughout the State of Kerala.

State Government of Maharashtra has also submitted a D.O. letter to Secretary Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee regarding ban of five pesticides i.e. Profenophos 40%  +  Cypermethrin  4%  EC,  Fipronil  40%  +  Imidacloprid  40%  WG,  Acephate  75%  SP, Difenthiuron 50% WP, Monocrotophos 36% SL.

The proposal of Government of Kerala is under active consideration and on the letter of Maharashtra Government, the State Government was informed to submit the proposal under Section 27 as required under the Insecticides Act, 1968 along with the relevant investigation / study report.

- (c): The technical reviews are carried out from time to time by expert committees to assess the safety and efficacy of registered pesticides for their continued use or otherwise. Till now 44 pesticides have been banned for import, manufacture and use in the Country; 2 pesticides are banned for use but continued to manufacture for export; 8 pesticides have been withdrawn; 9 pesticides  are  restricted  for  use  in  the  country  and  6  pesticides  will  be  phased  out  by  31st December, 2020.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1965 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Consumer Protection Rules
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Gautam Gambhir

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1965

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.03.2020

## CONSUMER PROTECTION RULES

## 1965.  SHRI GAUTAM GAMBHIR:

## Will  the  Minister  of  CONSUMER  AFFAIRS,  FOOD  AND  PUBLIC  DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has drafted the Consumer Protection (e-commerce) Rules, 2019;
- (b) if so, the main features thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has held any offline consultations also; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h ¼Jh nkuos jkolkgsc nknkjko½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI DANVE RAOSAHEB DADARAO)

- (a) & (b)  : Yes Sir, the draft rules on Consumer Protection (e-commerce) Rules, 2019 were uploaded on the department's website for inviting comments/suggestions from the stakeholders. The draft rules provide for provisions for preventing unfair trade practices and to protect the interests of consumers in e-commerce before, during and after e-commerce transactions.
- (c)  &  (d)  :  Consultations  have  been  held  for  drafting  e-commerce  rules  to  prevent  unfair  trade practices in e-commerce and to protect the interests of consumers.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1962 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Maintenance of Roads under PMGSY
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Kaushalendra Kumar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1962

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.03.2020

## MAINTENANCE OF ROADS UNDER PMGSY

## 1962.   SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the names of agencies to which contract has been awarded for maintenance of roads constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in Bihar;
- (b) the name of districts to be covered by the said agencies for maintenance of roads;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  reconstruct  the  dilapidated  roads  constructed under PMGSY; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (b): Maintenance of roads constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) is the responsibility of the State Governments and all road works are covered by an  initial  five-year  maintenance  contract  to  be  entered  into  along  with  the  construction contract,  with  the  same  contractor,  as  per  the  Standard  Bidding  Document.  Maintenance funds are provided by the State Government. Maintenance of roads beyond 5 years is also done by the State Government.

The names of agencies awarded the construction as well as 5-year routine maintenance work in the State of Bihar are available on the website -  omms.nic.in -> proposal-> State-wise list of roads-> road-wise.

(c) to (d): The Government has on 10 th July, 2019 approved phase-III of PMGSY with an aim to consolidate 1,25,000 Km Through Routes and Major Rural Links connecting habitations, inter-alia to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary School and Hospitals at an estimated cost of Rs 80,250 crore.  Roads constructed under PMGSY as also other State roads which have completed the design life of 10 years and fulfill the other criteria laid down under  PMGSY-III  programme  guidelines  would  be  eligible  for  consolidation/upgradation under PMGSY-III.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1960 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Destruction of Government Properties
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Pushpendra Singh Chandel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1960

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  MARCH, 2020/PHALGUNA 13, 1941 (SAKA)

DESTRUCTION OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES

†1960. SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  incidents  of  destruction  of  Government  property  and  disruption  of normal life  of  the  people  in  various  areas  of  the  country  including  educational institutions in the name of agitations has come to light in various States and if so, the details thereof; and

(b) the steps being taken by the Government against such anti-social elements?

ANSWER

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

(a)  &  (b):     'Public  Order'  and  'Police'  are  State  subjects  as  per  the  Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. The responsibilities of maintaining law and order,  including  investigation,  registration/  prosecution  of  crimes,  conviction  of accused,  protection  of  life  and  property  etc.  rest  primarily  with  the  respective State Governments. Central Government keeps a constant watch on the internal security  scenario  of  the  country  through  its  security  agencies  and  responds appropriately  to  the  emergent  situation.  Among  other  measures,  alerts  and advisories are issued to the law enforcement agencies whenever any threat to internal  security  is  perceived.  The  Central  Government  also  provides  Central Armed Police Forces to the States/ Union Territories upon request.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1959 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: PMGSY in West Bengal
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Dilip Ghosh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1959

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.03.2020

## PMGSY IN WEST BENGAL

## 1959.   SHRI DILIP GHOSH:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  roads  constructed  under  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Gram  Sadak  Yojana (PMGSY) in West Bengal so far, since 2015;
- (b) the  number  of  roads  proposed  to  be  constructed  under  PMGSY  during  2019-20  in West Bengal; and
- (c) the details of funds provided to West Bengal under PMGSY since 2015 along with the pattern of fund sharing and the utilisation of these funds thereof?

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

(a):The details of roads constructed under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)  in West Bengal since 2015 is as under:-

| Year (s)                  |   No. of roads constructed |   Length constructed (km) |
|---------------------------|----------------------------|---------------------------|
| 2015-16                   |                        517 |                   2466.15 |
| 2016-17                   |                        482 |                   2825.53 |
| 2017-18                   |                        298 |                   3213.1  |
| 2018-19                   |                        649 |                   5111.22 |
| 2019-20 (as on 26.2.2020) |                        746 |                   1704.21 |

(b):The State of West Bengal has been given a construction target of  2,600 km of road length under PMGSY during the financial year 2019-20.

(c):The  PMGSY  was  launched  as  100%  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  in  the  year  2000. However,  since  the  year  2015-16,  the  fund  sharing  pattern  of  PMGSY  has  been  60:40 between  the  Centre  and  the  States  for  all  States  except  North  Eastern  and  3  Himalayan States/UTs (Jammu & Kashmir,Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand) for which it is 90:10.The details of Central funds provided to West Bengal under PMGSY since 2015  and utilisation thereof is as under:-

| Year (s)                   |   Fund Released (Rs. in crore) |   Fund Utilized (Rs. in crore) @ |
|----------------------------|--------------------------------|----------------------------------|
| 2015-16                    |                        1427.58 |                          1243.33 |
| 2016-17                    |                         819.18 |                          1055.28 |
| 2017-18                    |                        1000    |                          1253.13 |
| 2018-19                    |                        1386.44 |                          2058.28 |
| 2019-20 (as on 26.02.2020) |                         237.83 |                          1323.15 |

@

Including Central Share, State Share and unspent balance of the previous years
Lok Sabha Question No. 1958 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Affordable Credit to Food Processing Projects
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: P. Ravindhranath

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1958

ANSWERED ON 03 RD  MARCH, 2020

## AFFORDABLE CREDIT TO FOOD PROCESSING PROJECTS

## 1958.  SHRI P. RAVEENDRANATH KUMAR:

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there  is  a  special  fund  of  Rs.2000  crore  created  by  the  Government with  the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural  Development  (NABARD)  to  provide affordable credit  to  food  processing  projects/units  during  the  last  financial  year  20192020;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  total  number  of  food  processing  units  provided affordable credit across the country including the State of Tamil Nadu;
- (c) whether the Government has also initiated action plan to invite FDI for the development of food processing sector; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the follow up action taken by the Government in  this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir, there is a special fund of Rs.2000 crore created by the Government with the National  Bank  for  Agriculture  and  Rural  Development  (NABARD)  to  provide  credit  at affordable rates to food processing projects such as Mega Food Parks (MFPs), Agro-processing Clusters  (APCs),  Designated  Food  Parks  (DFPs)  and  units  set  up  in  these  MFPs,  APCs,  and DFPs. Out of this special fund, NABARD has sanctioned term loan of Rs.490.69 crore to 12 Mega Food Park projects, Rs. 44.71 crore to 4 individual processing units in Designated Food Parks, and Rs 64.39 crore to 5 Agro Processing Clusters so far. However, no project/unit in the State of Tamil Nadu has availed loan out of this fund so far.

(c)  &  (d):  Government  has  allowed  100%  Foreign  Direct  Investment  (FDI)  in  the  food processing sector through automatic route subject to applicable laws/sectoral rules/regulations/security conditions. Also, Government has permitted 100%  FDI with Government  approval  for  retail  trading,  including  through  e-commerce,  for  food  products manufactured and/or produced in India. A total of US$3745.54 million of FDI equity has been received in the sector during the last five years and current year (up to September 2019).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1954 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Wage Rate under MGNREGA
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Jayadev Galla

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1954

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.03.2020

## WAGE RATE UNDER MGNREGA

## 1954.   SHRI JAYADEV GALLA:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the market wages for men are 74 per cent higher while it is 25 per cent higher for  women  as  compared  to  the  wages  under  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and if so,the details thereof;
- (b) if so, the constraints that the Ministry is facing to bring both market and MGNREGA wages equally and then link it to inflation, etc.;
- (c) whether  more  than  75  per  cent  of  the  budget  under  MGNREGA  has  already  been spent even before the half year period and if so, the total budget so far spent by the Ministry; and
- (d) whether  any  proposal  for  additional  allocation  has  been  submitted  to  the  Finance Ministry and if so, the details thereof?

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

(a)&(b): Wages  under  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Act (Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGA),  2005  are  notified  and  revised  annually  based  on  Consumer Price Index-Agricultural Labour (CPI-AL) by the Central Government in accordance with the provisions  of  Section  6(1)  of  the  Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGA.  The  revised  wages  are  made applicable  from 1 st April  of  the  year.  Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGS  is  a  demand  driven  wage employment programme. It provides livelihood security i.e., fall back option for livelihood for the rural households when no better employment opportunity is available. The demand for work  is  influenced  by  various  factors  such  as  rain-fall,  availability  of  alternative  and remunerative  employment  opportunities  outside  Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGS  etc. The  data regarding  prevalent  wages  of  men  and  women  in  the market  in  respect  of  States are  not maintained centrally in this Ministry.

(c)&(d):        Fund  release  to  States/UTs  under  Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGS  is  a  continuous process  and  Central  Government  is  committed  in  making  funds  available  to  the  States keeping in view the demand for work and adherence by the States to the Scheme Guidelines. The Ministry seeks additional fund for Mahatma Gandhi NREGS as and when required for meeting  the  demand  for  work  on  the  ground.  In  the  Financial  Year  2019-20,  the  budget provision at Budget Estimate (BE) stage was Rs.60,000 crore.  Due to increase in demand, the Ministry has requested for additional budget allocation.  The budget allocation  has been enhanced to Rs.71001.81 crore at the Revised Estimate (RE) stage.

******