opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2059 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Promotion of Organic Farming
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Nishikant  Dubey

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2059

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  3 RD  MARCH, 2020

## PROMOTION OF ORGANIC FARMING

2059.    DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY:

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

- (a) whether the organic food market in the country is growing annually;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether organic farming helps in maintaining a clean environment; 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): As per a study conducted by the Yes Bank in association with Agricultural and Processed  Food  Products  Export  Development  Authority (APEDA)  and  Association  For Indian Organic Industry the domestic market was  approx. Rs. 500-1000 crore during  the year  2014-15.  In  another  study  conducted  by  ASSOCHAM  during  the  year  2016-17  the Indian domestic market was estimated at Rs. 4000 crore and it was projected to increase by Rs.10,000-12,000 crore by  the year 2020. According to ASSOCHAM India has witnessed the market growth to Rs 4,000 crore in 2016-17 from Rs. 675 crore in 2009-2010 with an annual growth rate of 25%.
- (c) & (d): Organic  farming  largely  excludes  the  synthetic  inputs  for  farming  and  relies mostly on agronomic practices such as cropping systems, green manuring, on-farm inputs such as crop residues, Farm yard manure, enriched composts, vermicompost, oil cakes etc. and  bio-fertilizers  for  nutrient  management  of  crops.  Similarly,  pests  and  diseases  are managed  by  eco-friendly  farming  practices  of  crop  rotation,  trap  crops,  bio-pesticides  like neem based formulations, bio-control agents, mechanical traps, etc. there by contributes for reducing the environmental pollution and maintaining clean environment.

The Organic Farming Policy, 2005 seeks to promote technically sound, economically viable,  environmentally  non-degrading, and socially acceptable use of natural resources in favour of organic agriculture. Based on the policy directives, Government of India has been promoting  Organic  farming  in  the  states  through  dedicated  schemes  of  Mission  Organic Value  Chain  Development  North  Eastern  Region  (MOVCDNER)  and  Paramparagat  Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) since 2015-16 as well as other schemes like Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) etc.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2057 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Review of Detained Persons
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Mohammad Akbar Lone

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2057

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 03 RD  MARCH, 2020/ PHALGUNA 13, 1941 (SAKA)

REVIEW OF DETAINED PERSONS

2057. SHRI MOHAMMAD AKBAR LONE:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  detention  of  people  other  than  political  detenees  should  be reviewed and released on priority; and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Appropriate Governments issue orders for detention of a person under relevant provisions of law, inter alia keeping in view factors related to  safety,  security  and  maintenance  of  public  order.    Such  cases  of detention  are  required  to  be  reviewed  on  case  to  case  basis  as  per  the statutory  obligations  by  the  appropriate  authorities  from  time  to  time considering the prevailing circumstances and the relevant factors.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2055 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Missing Data from NRC Website
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Suresh Kodikunnil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2055

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 03 RD  MARCH, 2020/ PHALGUNA 13, 1941 (SAKA)

MISSING DATA FROM NRC WEBSITE

2055. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is seized of the fact that the Data on National Register  of  Citizens  of  Assam,  including  information  on  individuals  who made it  to  the  final  list  as  well  as  those  who  were  excluded,  has  been missing from NRC website since December 15, 2019;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon;

(c)  whether  there  has  been  gross  violations  and  failure  of  compliance regarding  renewing  the  contract  regarding  its  cloud  services,  which expired on October 19, 2019 and resulting in the data going offline, posing a privacy risk and possible breach;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the action sought in this matter; and

(e)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  constitute  an  inquiry  on  the matter  and  take  action  owing  to  the  serious  consequences  concerning security of sensitive data and lapses committed by the authority concerned?

ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Services provided  on National Register of Citizens (NRC), Assam website got deactivated on the expiry of the contract of the System Integrator  with  the  State  Co-ordinator,  NRC.    The  NRC  Co-ordination Committee,  under  the  Chairmanship  of  Chief  Secretary,  Assam,  has approved  the  renewal  of  the  contract  and  these  services  have  been restored.

(e): NRC  data  is  fully  secured  and  no  lapses  pertaining  to  security  of sensitive data has been found.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2048 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Pension under NSAP in Odisha
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Achyutananda Samanta

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2048

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.03.2020

## Pension under NSAP in Odisha

## 2048. SHRI ACHYUTANANDA SAMANTA:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that a large percentage of the population in Odisha consists of the elderly, which is considerably higher than the national average;
- (b) if so, the details of the percentage of the elderly in Odisha benefiting from pension scheme under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP);
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  steps  to  ensure  that  maximum  number  of  the  elderly  come under the benefits of this scheme, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether the Government has any plans to increase the amount of pension under the said scheme, particularly for those above 80 years of age and if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a) As per the Census-2011 data, the percentage of elderly population in Odisha is 9.49%, which is higher than the national average of. 8.58%.
- (b) The total number of beneficiaries under old age pension scheme under NSAP is 14.19 lakh in the  State  of  Odisha  and  the  percentage  of  elderly  persons  in  Odisha  benefiting  from  old  age pension scheme  under NSAP is 35.60%.
- (c) For  effective  implementation  of  the  scheme,  information  technology  interface  has  been strengthened. With this initiative list of beneficiaries has been fully digitized and funds under the scheme are released to the State on the basis of digitized number of beneficiaries.
- (d) A third party evaluation study of NSAP has been initiated. The broad terms of reference of the study  inter-alia  include  documentation  of  best  practices  and  to  bring  about  uniformity  in  the implementation of the scheme in all States/ UTs and to suggest changes in assistance and criteria related to various schemes included under NSAP.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2047 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Misuse of MGNREGS Funds
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Pritam Gopinath Munde

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2047

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.03.2020

## Misuse of MGNREGS Funds

## 2047. DR. PRITAM GOPINATHRAO MUNDE:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  funds  under  the  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee Scheme  (MGNREGS)  is  siphoned  off  in  a  majority  of  cases  as  there  are  not  appropriate checks and balances in place in some States, if so, the names of those States and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  rationalize  the  allocation  of  funds  to  the  States under the MGNREGS to check large-scale misappropriation of funds in some States and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government for better utilization of funds?

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

(a)&(b):          Whenever   instances  of  misuse  of  Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGS  funds  are reported,  the Ministry promptly inquires into those through local inspections, internal audits, social audits etc. and initiates necessary corrective measures. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Act  (Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGA),  2005  is  a  demand  driven wage employment programme.  Hence, no allocation is made State/UT-wise. Fund release to the States/UTs is a continuous and dynamic process and Central Government is committed to making funds available keeping in view the demand for work. The Ministry releases funds to the  States  periodically  in  two  tranches  with  each  tranche  consisting  of  one  or  more installments based on agreed to Labour Budget (Persondays), opening balance with the State, pace  of  utilization  of  funds,  pending  liabilities  of  the  previous  year,  if  any,  overall performance and submission of requisite documents by the State.

- (c): Various steps have been taken for better utilization of funds which include geo-tagging of assets,  Direct  Benefit  Transfer  (DBT),  National  electronic  Fund  Management  System (NeFMS) , Aadhar Based Payment System (ABPS), Software for Estimate Calculation using Rural  rates  for  Employment  (SECURE),  Performance  Review  Committee  meetings  of  the Ministry,  Common  Review  Missions  ,  regular  video  conferencing  and  establishment  of independent social audit units.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2045 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Cost of cultivation
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Ram Kripal Yadav

O.I.H.

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2045

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  3 RD  MARCH, 2020

## COST OF CULTIVATION

2045.   SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV:

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

- (a) whether a second Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) was constituted for comprehensive  cost  of  cultivation  scheme  under  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  Farmers Welfare by the Government of India;
- (b) the  reasons  for  non-implementation  of  the  recommendations  submitted  by  the Committee in February 2019 even after approval from the Union Cabinet; and
- (c) the time by which it is likely to be implemented by the Government?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a): The Second Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) was constituted for comprehensive cost of  cultivation  scheme  under  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  Farmers  Welfare  by  the Government of India vide order dated 27.3.2014.
- (b) & (c): The  implementation  of  the  recommendations  of  the  2 nd Inter Ministerial Committee  has  many  financial  and  administrative  aspects  that  are  under  consideration.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2041 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Anumula Revanth Reddy

## GOVERNMEVT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2041 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.03.2020

## RAJIV GANDHI NATIONAL FELLOWSHIP SCHEME

## 2041, SHRI ANUMULA REVANTH REDDY:

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

- (a)   whether  the Government has recently made qualifying NET as basic   eligibility for Scheduled Caste students for availing fellowship under Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme;
- (b) if the reasons therefor; SO,
- (c) whether the Giovernment has received any representation regarding removal of NET as basic eligibility criteria for the National Fellowship for SC students;
- (d) if so, whether the Government plans t0 take back its decision in this regard; and
- (e) whether there is any plan to increase the number of fellowships and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Yes, Sir: NET qualification criteria has becn incorporated in the Scheme guidelines for the 'National Fellowship for SCs (NFSC)' \_

As per the revised guidelincs, the SC candidates who have qualified in the following tests are eligible to apply for fellowship under the scheme:

- National   Eligibility TestJunior   Research   Fellowship  (NET- JRF) of UGC (for Humanities/ Social Sciences); or
- ii) UGC-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (UGC-CSIR) NET-JRF Joint Test (for Science stream including Engineering & Technology)
- (6): As per the extant Government's guidelines, all the ongoing schemes of the Department are required to bc reviewed/ appraised at the end of each Plan Finance Cycle for continuation in the next Plan period. Accordingly, the scheme of National Fellowship for SCs was evaluated and reviewed by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment in2017-18 and a third party evaluation of thc scheme was carried out by an independent agency. One of the suggestions given by the organization in its report for better implementation of the scheme was making the selection process of students more transparent and exhaustive. Accordingly, period/

to make the selection process more transparent and effectivc, after duc consultations with the implementation of the scheme more guidelines of National Fellowship University Grants Commission (UGC) the scheme the guidelines of the UGC; which also prescribe NET qualification criteria for grant of fellowship as one of the eligibility felloeshSifaRepresentations for removal of NET as basic eligibility Fellowship for SC students have been received criteria for the National in this Ministry.

(d) & (e): No such proposal is under consideration in this Ministry:

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2040 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Problems of Differently Abled
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Sunil Kumar Pintu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (DIVYANGJAN) MINISTR Y OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2040 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.03.2020

## Problems of Differently Abled

2040. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR PINTU:

pleased to state:

(a) whether  the   Government has   conducted/proposes to conduct to identify the provisions faced by the differently abled persons in the country; being

(b) if so, the details thereof ; and

(c) the manner in which the needs of the differently abled persons are being fulfilled?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

(a) No Sir.

(b) Does not arise in view of answer to (a) above.

(c) The Government enacted Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPwD Act), 2016 which provides various rights and entitlements for PwDs. Italso provides for not less than 4% reservation in Govt: establishments and S% reservation in Govt /Govt: aided higher educational institutions for persons with benchmark disabilities (i.e. disability of 40% O more). The Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Govt  through various schemes & programmes for empowerment of PwDs. Some of the major schemes are as follows:

Deen Dayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme   (DDRS)  under which   grant-in-aid  is   provided to NGOs/voluntary organisations for projects relating to rehabilitation of persons with disabilities   aimed at enabling persons with disabilities to reach their optimal, physical, sensory, intellectual, psychiatric or social functional level.

Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) under which assistance is provided to persons with disabilities in procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances that can promote their   physical, social and Psychological rehabilitation by reducing the effects of disabilities and enhancing their economic potential. The scheme also has a provision to provide cochlear implant to hearing impaired children upto 5 years of age at & cost of up to Rs.6.00 lakh per child.

Scholarship schemes under which the Government provides scholarships for students with disabilities such as Pre-matric (for classes IX & X), Post-matric (from class XI up to Post Graduate degree/diploma level), Class Education (Post graduate degreeldiploma in notified Institutes), National Fellowship (MPhil and PhD courses), National  Overseas  Scholarship (for Overseas education at P.G /Doctorate level). Top

Skill  Development; The National Action Plan   for Skill Training of persons with disabilities aims at imparting skills to persons with disabilities for enhancing their employability.

(SHRI KRISHANPAL GURJAR)
Lok Sabha Question No. 2037 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
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. 2037

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.03.2020

## PMAY in Assam

## 2037. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  Pradhan  Mantri  Awas  Yojana  (PMAY)  has  been  meeting  its  stated  construction targets in the State of Assam;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and 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)  to  (c):  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  been  allocated  a  target  of  5,15,857  houses.  Under PMAY-U a demand survey was conducted in 2017 in Assam and total housing demand under four verticals of PMAY-U Mission  is 2,18,780. 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 till 28.02.2020 is as below:

| PMAY-G                      | PMAY-G   | PMAY-G                    | PMAY-G   |        |
|-----------------------------|----------|---------------------------|----------|--------|
| Indicators                  | Assam    | Nagaon Indicators         | Assam    | Nagaon |
| Sanctioned                  | 4,03,675 | 50,551 Sanctioned         | 1,17,508 | 5,473  |
| Release of 1 st installment | 3,99,955 | 49,828 Grounded           | 53,377   | 3,767  |
| Completed                   | 2,31,260 | 25,710 Completed          | 17,816   | 1,696  |
| Under Construction          | 1,68,695 | 24,118 Under Construction | 35,561   | 2,071  |

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

Rs. In Crores

| Year    | PMAY-G   | PMAY-G   | PMAY-U   | PMAY-U   |
|---------|----------|----------|----------|----------|
|         | Assam    | Nagaon   | Assam    | Nagaon   |
| 2016-17 | 113.82   | 13.47    | 13.85    | 2.42     |
| 2017-18 | 1458.47  | 164.34   | 326.43   | 24.49    |
| 2018-19 | 1149.68  | 121.44   | 15.08    | 0.33     |

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2036 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Hoarding and Speculative Activities in Pulses Trade
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Rahul Ramesh Shewale

## Government of India

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2036

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.03.2020

## HOARDING AND SPECULATIVE ACTIVITIES IN PULSES TRADE

2036.  SHRI RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE:

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 cases involving hoarding and speculative activities in the trade of pulses have come to the notice of the  Government  despite  having  stringent  provisions  in  the  Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and Prevention of Black-Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980 to prevent such activities;
- (b) if so, the number of such cases reported across the country during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise and the reasons therefor along with the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether the gap between demand and supply of pulses has widened due to the said hoarding and speculative activities in the country during the said period, State/UT-wise; and
- (d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to bridge the gap between demand and supply of pulses across the country?

## 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)

- : No Sir.

- (b) & (c) : Does not arise.

- (d) : Government through implementing NFSM-Pulses to increase domestic production of pulses through enhanced productivity, crop area expansion under pulses and promoting research and development for evolving batter varieties. Government is also implementing Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) under which buffer stocks of identified agri-horticulture commodities including pulses, is built for calibrated released during lean season to help moderate the prices volatility. Apart from these  Government  also  takes  various  measures  from  time  to  time  stabilize  prices  of  essential commodities including pulses which, inter-alia, include appropriately utilizing trade and fiscal policy instruments like import duty, export restrictions, imposition of stock limits and advising States for effective  action  against  hoarders  and  black  marketers  etc.  to  regulate  domestic  availability  and prices.

*****