opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1594 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-20
Subject: Testing of Imported Seeds
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Maneka Sanjay Gandhi

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1594

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 20 TH  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## TESTING OF IMPORTED SEEDS

1594       SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI:

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

- (a) whether imported seeds are being tested for suitability for local performance before being registered or being allowed for sale;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether India allows for seed imports from countries that grow transgenic varieties;
- (d) if so, the details of such imports in the past three years;
- (e) whether the testing labs have equipments for testing of transgenic and gene edited seeds with primers, if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether the State Governments will be empowered to register seeds that are suitable in their jurisdiction and disallow those that are not suitable or tested for the State, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a)  &  (b):  Yes  Sir,  the  import  of  seeds  and  planting  material  is  regulated  through  the  Plant Quarantine (Regulation of import into India) Order, 2003 and amendments made therein.  Small quantity  of  seeds  in  case  of  cereals,  millets,  pulses,  oil  seeds  and  fodder  etc.  allowed  to  be imported for multi-location trials by ICAR and/or in-house trial by the importer.  If the material/ seeds is found better than existing variety then bulk import may be permitted for two years

(c) & (d):  No transgenic seeds are allowed to be imported for commercial purposein the country.

- (e):    On  the  recommendation  of  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  four laboratories  namely  (i)  National  bureau  of  Plant  Genetic  Resource  (NBPGR),  New  Delhi;  (ii) Punjab Biotechnology Incubator, Mohali; (iii) DNA  Fingerprinting and Transgenic Crop Monitoring Laboratory, Hyderabad; and Export Inspection Agency, Kochi are notified for testing of GM crops by Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers' Welfare.
- (f):    State  Seed  Sub-Committee  working  under  the  State  Department  of  Agriculture  is empowered to release/ recommend the variety for notification, if found suitable to their state.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1590 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-20
Subject: Ornamental Fish Farming
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Krishna Pal Singh Yadav

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1590 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 th SEPTEMBER, 2020

## Ornamental Fish Farming

## 1590. DR. KRISHNA PAL SINGH YADAV:

Will the  Minister  of  FISHERIES,  ANIMAL  HUSBANDRY  AND  DAIRYING मत्स्यपाऱन , पशुपाऱन और डेयरीमंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  information  or  scheme  regarding  ornamental  fish farming; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI)

(a) to (b) : Yes, sir. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and  Dairying  from  the  current  financial  year  (2020-21)  is  implementing  a  new  scheme namely Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana(PMMSY) - A scheme to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India.  The PMMSY inter-alia provides financial assistance for development of ornamental fish farming including setting up backyard ornamental fish  rearing units, medium scale ornamental fish rearing units, Integrated ornamental fish units, Establishment of freshwater ornamental fish brood banks, marketing facilities and promotion etc.

*****

O.I.H.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1584 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-20
Subject: Market Study on E-Commerce
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: E. T. Mohammed Basheer

## Government of India

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1584

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.09.2020

## MARKET STUDY ON E-COMMERCE

## 1584.  SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

## 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 Committee on market study on e-commerce have submitted its report; and
- (b) if so, the action taken and various recommendations of said Committee?

## 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)    : As informed by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, The Competition Commission of India ('the Commission') conducted a 'Market Study on E-Commerce in India' in April 2019 with a view to better understand the functioning of e-commerce in India, its implications for markets and competition. The objective was to identify impediments to competition, if any, emerging from ecommerce  and  ascertain  the  Commission's  enforcement  and  advocacy  priorities  in  light  of  the same.

The study identified issues that may,  directly or indirectly, have  a  bearing  on competition, or may hinder realisation of the full pro-competitive potential of e-commerce. These include lack of platform neutrality, unfair platform-to-business contract terms, exclusive contracts between online marketplace platforms and sellers/service providers, platform price parity restrictions and deep discounts.

The  Study  suggested  certain  areas  for  self-regulation  by  the  e-commerce  marketplace platforms with a view to reduce information asymmetry and promote competition on the merits. The Commission under its advocacy mandate has urged the e-commerce platforms to put in place self-regulatory measures such as search rankings, collection, use and sharing of data, user review and  rating  mechanism,  revision  in  contract  terms  and  discount  policy  for  ensuring  competition, harnessing efficiency and greater transparency.

The  Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 have been notified on 23 rd July, 2020 under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. These Rules specify duties and liabilities of the ecommerce entities and sellers on market place.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1583 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-20
Subject: GST on Milled Products
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Kuruva Gorantla Madhav, Chandra Sekhar Bellana, Beesetti  Venkata Satyavathi, Adala Prabhakara Reddy, Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, Sanjeev Kumar Singari, Kotagiri Sridhar, M V V Satyanarayana

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1583

ANSWERED ON 20 TH  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## GST ON MILLED PRODUCTS

1583.  SHRI KURUVA GORANTLA MADHAV: SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR BELLANA: DR. BEESETTI VENKATA SATYAVATHI: SHRI ADALA PRABHAKARA REDDY: SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY: DR. SANJEEV KUMAR SINGARI: SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI: SHRI M.V.V. SATYANARAYANA:

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

- (a) the details about the current rate of GST for milled food products as well as agricultural by-product;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  reduce  or  remove  the  GST  on  these  two categories and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Ministry of Food Processing Industries has submitted any recommendation to the Ministry of Finance for the reduction or removal of GST on milled food products or agricultural by products;  and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- ( a ) The  current  rate  of  Goods  and  Services  Tax  (GST)  for  milled  products  is  'Nil'  for unbranded  products  and  cereal  grains  hulled  and  5%  for  branded  products  packed  in  unit container. Agriculture by-products such as bran, sharps and other residues, whether or not in the form of pellets, derived from the shifting, milling or  other working of  cereals or  of  leguminous plants are at 5% while poultry feed & cattle feed, including grass, hay & straw, supplement & husk of pulses, concentrates & additives, wheat bran are exempted from GST.
- ( b ) The GST rates on goods are recommended by the GST Council. At present, the GST Council has not recommended any exemption on milled products, which presently attract GST.
- ( c ) & (d) Ministry of Food Processing Industries makes preliminary examination of proposals for reduction in GST rates for processed food products and if justified, forwards the same to the Department of Revenue for further action.

The request to exempt GST on branded food products including branding and packed milled food products, which presently attract GST at 5% was placed before the GST Council in its 31 st Meeting held on 22 nd  December 2018 and its 37 th  meeting held on 20 th  September 2019 and was not recommended by the GST Council.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1582 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-20
Subject: Block Chain Based Technology
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Adala Prabhakara Reddy, Pocha Brahmananda Reddy, Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, Chandra Sekhar Bellana, Kuruva Gorantla Madhav, Kotagiri Sridhar, M V V Satyanarayana

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED  QUESTTON No. 1582

TO BE ANSWERED  ON 2O,OT.2A2O

## Block Chaln Based Technology

1582. SHRI ADALA PRABHAI{ARA REDDY:

SHRI CHANDRA  STKHAR BTLLAITA:

SHRI POCHA BRAHMANANDA  RTDDY:

SHRI MAGT'NTA SREENTVASULU  REDDY:

SHRI KURWA GORAI{TLA  MN)HAV:

SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI:

SHRI M.V.V. SATYANARAYANA:

will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT  be pleased to state:

- (al whether the Government  has issued any directions  to the State Governments to adopt block chain based technologr for streamlining the land records  in the country;
- (b)
- If so, the details thereof;  and
- {cl The names of the state Governments  which have till date adopted block chain technologr  in the field of land records  and the status of their implementation?

## AI{SWER

## MINISTER OF RT'RAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI nARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) to (cf: The Department  of Land Resources is implementing  the Digital India l,and Records Modernization  programme  (DILRMp)  as per the existing guidelines' The land records are maintained using technolory developed, operated  and maintained by NIC. As on date, there is no proposat  in the

Department to use blockchain  based technolory  to maintain land records.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1581 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-20
Subject: Functioning of CPC
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Supriya Sadanand Sule, DNV Senthilkumar. S.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1581

TO  BE  ANSWERED  ON  THE  20 TH   SEPTEMBER,  2020/  BHADRAPADA 29, 1942 (SAKA)

## FUNCTIONING OF CPC

1581.

SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA: DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE: DR.AMOL RAMSING KOLHE: SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE: DR.DNV SENTHILKUMAR S.:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details regarding the number of Master Canteens and Subsidiary Canteens functioning for serving and retired Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  steps  to  provide  quality products in Central Police Canteen (CPC) and also at a subsidized rate as done in the case of CSD canteen for defence personnel, if so, the details thereof and the action taken in this regard;
- (c) whether any irregularities have been reported in the functioning of CPC canteen;
- (d) if so, the details thereof including such cases reported during each of  the  last  three  years  along  with  the  steps  taken  to  check  the irregularities in the CPC; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  has  decided  to  sell  only  indigenous products in CPC, if so, the details thereof and the objective behind the move along with the time by which this will be made functional?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Total  119  Master  Bhandars  and  1871  Subsidiary  Bhandars  are functioning for the benefit of serving and retired personnel of Central Armed  Police  Forces  (CAPFs).  Besides,  10  Mini  Bhandars  have  also been  sanctioned  for  Ex-CAPF  Associations,  out  of  which  07  are functioning under supervision of Master Bhandars.

(b): Quality  products  are  being  provided  to  Central  Police  Canteen (CPC),  now  renamed  as  Kendriya  Police  Kalyan  Bhandar  (KPKB) beneficiaries at discounted rates through direct negotiation with  the firms/suppliers.  To  ascertain  quality  of  the  products,  all  standard parameters  as  per  Government  rules/  guidelines  are  ensured  before registration of the products with KPKB. Goods in KPKB are available at  discounted  rates.  At  present,  there  is  no  exemption  in  GST  on products sold through KPKB, as available to CSD Canteens.

(c) & (d): No  irregularity  has  been  reported  in  the  functioning  of Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandar (KPKB).

(e): In order to promote domestic industries, it has been decided to sell  only  Swadeshi  Products  through  the  Kendriya  Police  Kalyan Bhandar (KPKB) with effect from 01.06. 2020.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1578 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-20
Subject: Sub-categorisation of SCs
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Imtiaz Jaleel Syed, Adoor Prakash, Asaduddin Owaisi

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION N0.1578 TO BE ANSWERED ON. 20.09.2020

## SUB-CATEGORISATION OF SCs

1578. SHRI SYED IMTIAZ JALEEL: ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH: SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

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

- a) whether in the wake of' the Supreme Court examining afresh the possibility of subcategorization of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Centre initiative in this regard, as many as 17 States have opposed the Central proposal:
2. (b) if the names of States which have supported and opposed this move;
3. the main reasons put forward by opposing States;
- d) whether any meeting between the Centre and the States has been held in the recent past on the subject and if so. the outcome thereof:
5. whether  creamy on the line of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) has also been ineluded in the the Central proposal for sub-categorisation of SCs; and layer
- f) if the details thereof and the time by which a reply is likely to be filed in the Court? Supreme

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Government of Andhra Pradesh vide their letter dated 01.01.2005 forwarded a copy of Resolution dated 10.12.2004 passed by Andhra Pradesh Assembly with a to take up the matter of   Sub-eategorisation of Scheduled Castes   (SCs) in Parliament. Accordingly. a National Commission was constituted to examine the issue of Subcategorisation of  Scheduled Castes in Andhra Pradesh. in its report; submitted on 01.05.2008, had recommended amendment of Article 341 of the Constitution to provide for   sub-categorisation and  de-sub-categorisation of SCs: The Government has decided to seek views Of the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations on the recommendation: So far 20 States and 2 Union Territories have responded. States of

Meghalaya, Odisha; Sikkim; Tripura, Uttarakhand and West Bengal and Union Territory of GNCT of Delhi have opposed the move and States of Andhra Pradesh;   Chhattisgarh: Haryana; Jharkhand. Karnataka  Telangana and Punjab have supported the sub-categorisation of SCs. The Union Territory of Chandigarh has offered no comments in the matter. Manipur.

(c): The opposing States are of the view that instead of   sub-categorisation; proper mechanism should be devised to empower the poorest of the poor amongst the SCs through special schemes aimed at their social. educational and economic empowerment

(d): Sir. No.

(e): No. Sir.

(f): Does not arise.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1574 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-20
Subject: Social Innovation Hub for SCs
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: A.K.P. Chinraj, S. Jagathrakshakan

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION N0.1574 TO BE ANSWERED ON. 20.09.2020

## SOCIAL INNOVATION HUB FOR SCs

## 1574. SHRI AKP: CHINRAJ: SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any plan to organise & Social Innovation Hub in Delhi to facilitate   business ventures and start-ups by Scheduled Caste (SC) community and other weaker sections of the society and if so. the details thereof:
- (b) the details and the total number of SC community and other weaker sections who have availed this facility as on date:
- whether the Government has any plan to organise such Social  Innovation Hub in other States also; and
- (d) if so. the details thereof and if not; the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI KRISHAN PAL GURJAR)

(a) to (d): As on date no such scheme is implemented by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment: However; a scheme to promote entrepreneurship and innovation amongst Scheduled Castes and other weaker section of the   society is under active consideration of the Department. being
Lok Sabha Question No. 1573 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-20
Subject: Testing of PPE by BIS
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Kumbakudi Sudhakaran

## Government of India

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1573

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.09.2020

## TESTING OF PPE BY BIS

1573.  SHRI KUMBAKUDI SUDHAKARAN

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 Bureau of Indian Standards(BIS) on April 14, 2020, had sought testing of Personal Protective Equipment(PPE) under ISO 11092 to ensure breathability of material, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether this was withdrawn subsequently;
- (c) if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether there are any current standards in place to ensure breathability of material used to manufacture PPE?

## 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) : In  April  2020,  the  Technical  Textiles  for  Medtech  Applications  Sectional Committee,  TXD  36  of  BIS  had  finalized  a  draft  standard  on  Bio-Protective  Coveralls which is the major component of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). However, the requirement of 'breathability' was not incorporated in that draft standard. The draft standard was subsequently not notified.

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

- (d)

- :

No, Sir.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1567 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-20
Subject: Loss of Foodgrains due to Inadequate Storage
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Unmesh Bhaiyyasaheb Patil, Sujay Radhakrishna Vikhepatil, Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Sambhajirao Mane Dhairyasheel, Hemant Patil

## TINISTRY  OF CONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIG DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNIIiENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  OUESTION NO. 1567 TO BE ANSWERED  ON 2Ot'SEPTEMBER' 2O2o

## LOSSi OF FOODGRAINS  DUE TO TNADEOUATE  STORAGE

1567.

SHRI UNMESH BHAIYYASAHEB  PATIL: DR. SUJAY RADHAKRISHNA  VIKHE PATIL: DR. SHIIIKANT EKNATH SHINDE: SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL  SAMBHAJIRAO  MANE: SHRI HEMANT SRIRAM PATIL:

Will the Minister of GONSUMER  AFFAIRS,  FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION Jcs{trfrr  qrq*, qr{s :nt* urffio frifiur dt  be pleased  to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken cognizance  of the fact that every year a lot of foodgrains  get spoiled due to inadequate storage capacity of foodgrains in the
- country;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the names of States having excess storage capacity at present;
- (d) whether the excess foodgrain storage capacity has tumed out to be the
- reasons for crisis in some States;
- (e) if so, the details thereof;  and
- (0 the remedial  steps taken/proposed  to be taken by the Government  in this regard?

## ANSWER

MTNISTER OF S'TATE FOR MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER  AFFAIRS,  FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRI DANVE RAOSAHEB DADARAO)

- (a) & (b): No damage of Centra! Pool Foodgrains  (wheat & rice) stored  in godowns  can be directly  attrlbuted  to inadequate storage capacity'

Ason3{.O8'2O2O,storagecapacityavaitabtewithFGlandState agencies for storage  of centrat  Pool Foodgrain  is 816.89 Lakh MT  lFCl'  4{4.85 LIIIT lowneo  and Hlred) and state Agencies 4o2.O4 LlltTt against the total stock of 70O.27 Lakh illT.

- (c), (d), (e) & (Q: The utilization of storage capacity depends upon the level of procurement'movementoffoodgralnsetc.andmaydlfferfromtimetotlme.ln procuring regions,  tho capacity  utilization  is  maxlmum when  procuroment operations are going on butr subsequently,  the stock is moved to deficit roglons' whlch leads the storage capaeity being surptus at micro level' The storage capacityisperiodicatlymonitoredtoensureoptimalcapacityutllizationandln caseofanystoragegap'stepsaretakentocreateaddltlonalstoragecapacityby hiring through varaous State agencies and private sectors'