opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 439 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-05
Subject: Rise in Prices of Ethanol
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 439

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 05 FEBRUARY, 2019

## RISE IN PRICES OF ETHANOL

## 439. SHRI A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN:

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 it is a fact that the Government has announced an upto 25 per cent hike in prices of ethanol meant for blending with petrol for 2018-19; and
- (b) whether it is also true that the Government has approved a package comprising  Rs.  4440  crore  loans  to  mills  to  expand  ethanol  production capacity and Rs. 207 crore aid in the form of interest subsidy on the loan and carrying cost of creating buffer stock and if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a): For ethanol supply year 2018-19 (December- November) Government has increased the ex-mill price of ethanol derived from C-heavy molasses to Rs. 43.46 per litre from Rs.40.85 per litre being paid for ethanol supply year  2017-18.  For  the  first  time,  Government  has  also  fixed  the  ex-mill price of ethanol derived from B-heavy molasses/partial sugarcane juice at Rs.52.43 per litre and from 100 % sugarcane juice at Rs. 59.19 per litre for ethanol supply year 2018-19.
- (b): Government is extending soft loans of Rs. 6139 crore through banks to  the  sugar  mills  for  setting  up  new  distilleries  and  installation  of incineration  boilers  to  augment  ethanol  production  capacity  for  which Government  will  bear  interest  subvention  of  Rs.  1332  crore.  Further, Government has also created a buffer stock of 30 LMT to be maintained by sugar  mills  w.e.f.  01.07.2018  to  30.06.2019  for  which  Government  will reimburse carrying cost in terms of interest, insurance & storage charges of about Rs. 1175 crore towards maintenance of buffer stock.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 438 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-05
Subject: India Agricultural Outlook Forum
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: PRALHAD VENKATESH JOSHI

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.438

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  5 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019

## INDIA AGRICULTURAL OUTLOOK FORUM

438.   SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI:

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

- (a) whether the Government has recently organised the India Agricultural Outlook Forum in New Delhi;
- (b) if so, the issues of national and international importance which were addressed in the forum; and
- (c) the details of the forum and the manner in which it will help in agricultural development and enable farmers profit and prosper?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF  STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF  AGRICULTURE AND  FARMERS  WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी ( SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a)  to (c): Yes, Madam. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare organized the 'India Agricultural Outlook Forum 2018' on 10-11 September, 2018 in New Delhi. The Forum serves  as  a  platform  for  exchange  of  national  and  international  agricultural  outlook,  policy insights and expertise on various agricultural development issues.

The  Forum  deliberated  on  long-term  demand  and  supply  projections  of  agricultural commodities for India prepared by NITI Aayog and Global Agriculture Outlook prepared by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The other major issues addressed in the Forum, include need  for innovative farm technology and  management,  regulatory  issues  in agriculture,  challenges  in  water  management  and  agricultural  insurance,  crop  residue management, agricultural value chain, agricultural trade, food safety & standards, etc.

This  multi-stakeholder  consultative  process  of  sharing  of  experiences  and  best practices  is  envisaged  to  play  an  important  role  in  making  effective  and  informed  policy decisions and thereby creating an enabling environment for the farmers to profit and prosper.

Important resources related to the Forum are available on the website:

https://farmer.gov.in/iaof/IAOF\_Home.aspx#

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 437 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-05
Subject: Ease of doing Agri-Business Index
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: C. MAHENDRAN

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.437

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  5 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019

## EASE OF DOING AGRI-BUSINESS INDEX

437.   SHRI C. MAHENDRAN:

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

- (a) whether the Government is planning to launch its own index to rank States on 'Ease of doing agri-business' recently, if so the details thereof;
- (b) whether  it  will  rank  States  on  the  basis  of  reforms  in  the  sector  as  well  as  their investment in agriculture, increased productivity, reduction of input costs and risk mitigation measures, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether this will foster agriculture, as agriculture is a State subject and the success of policies and reform initiatives proposed at the Centre is dependent on implementation by the States, if so the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF  STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF  AGRICULTURE AND  FARMERS  WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी ( SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a)  to (c): Yes Madam. The Government has been reorienting the agriculture sector by focusing  on  an  income-centeredness  which  goes  beyond  achieving  merely  the  targeted production.  The  income  approach  focuses  on  achieving  high  productivity,  reduced  cost  of cultivation  and  remunerative  price  on  the  produce,  with  a  view  to  earn  higher  profits  from farming.

To ensure that the reform agenda of Government is implemented at a desired pace by all States/UTs, a need is felt to develop a competitive spirit between the States. Keeping this in mind to rank the States through an Index i.e. Ease of Doing Agri-Business, a concept note alongwith parameters for developing an Index has been circulated to all States/UTs inviting their  views.  The  concept is to consider farming not solely as a production oriented activity carried out to achieve food security for the country, but as a business activity carried out by farmer as entrepreneur. The proposed index has taken the aspects of increasing production/productivity,  increasing  price  realization  of  agri  produce  and  decreasing  input costs of production, risk mitigation and investment related attributes.

Agriculture being a State subject, the State Governments undertakes development of perspective plans and ensures effective implementation of the programmes/ schemes. Also, Government  of  India  supplements  the  efforts  of  the  State  Governments  through  various Schemes/ Programmes. The index will obviously help in fostering agriculture among States by promoting a competitive spirit  amongst the States.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 434 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-05
Subject: New Scientific Standard of Kg
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: VASANTHI M.

## Government of India

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 434

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2019

## NEW SCIENTIFIC STANDARD OF KG

## 434. SHRIMATI VASANTHI M.:

## 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 it is a fact that the Government will develop a prototype of one kilogram in next three years that will be in sync with the new definition of kilogram which is  coming  into  effect  from  2019  May  across  the  globe  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (b) whether it is also true that the new scientific standard of kg will help in accurate measurement which will immensely benefit sectors such as pharma and precious metals and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h ¼Jh lh- vkj- pkS/kjh½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) : Madam, the prototype of one kilogram (NPK-57) is already  available  in India  and  placed  at  National  Physical  Laboratory,  New  Delhi  as  per  the  provisions made under the Legal Metrology (National Standards) Rules, 2011. There is no such proposal at present before the Government to achieve the new prototype of kilogram through physical constants.
- (b) : The  previous  definition  of  kilogram  was  based  on  the  mass  of  the international prototype 'kilogram' which is an artefact, however, the new definition is based on physical constants of nature. The change is in the definition of kilogram and will not have any practical implications.
Lok Sabha Question No. 429 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-05
Subject: Pending Funds under Scholarship Schemes
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: SANTOKH SINGH CHAUDHARY

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 429 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2019

## PENDING FUNDS UNDER SCHOLARSHIP SCHEMES

## 429. SHRI SANTOKH SINGH CHAUDHARY:

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

- (a) whether the Government has  received regarding the release of pending funds under various scholarship schemes;
- (6) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government in this regard;
- (c) whether non-disbursal of scholarships to students has led to difficulties in gaining admissions to educational institutions and if the details thereof; SO,
- d) the reasons for not releasing the scholarship funds; and
- the steps taken by the Government to release the funds at the earliest?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA)

(a) to (d) Yes, Madam: Proposals have been received from some States/UTs including Punjab for release of pending funds under Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Caste students (PMS-SC).

The Scheme is open ended with no limit on number of eligible beneficiaries and amount of tuition fee charged by the education Institutions. Due Central Assistance is released to States/UTs based on their proposal,   utilization   certificates, audit  reports etc. and availability of funds The arrears, if any, are considered for release in subsequent years. complete

As per PMS-SC guidelines, the states/UTs will frame modalities regarding periodical and timely release of scholarship to students accounts, so that student can pay the fee to the institution on time. Advisory has been issued to States/UTs time to time to ensure that eligible students are not denied admission.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 428 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-05
Subject: Safe City Project
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 428

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 05 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019/, MAGHA 16, 1940 (SAKA) SAFE CITY PROJECT

428.  SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  the  success  achieved  so  far  by  the  Ministry  in  implementing  Safe  City Project;

(b)  the  details  of  the  share  of  responsibility  and  budget  between  State  and Centre with regard to this project; and

(c)  the  criteria  likely  to  be  adopted  by  the  Government  to  select  the  next batch of cities in the aforesaid project?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a): Empowered  Committee  of  Officers  for  Nirbhaya  funds  scheme  has approved  pilot  Safe  City  projects  in  eight  selected  metropolitan  cities, namely, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Lucknow with a view to provide safety to women in public places at a total  cost  of  Rs.  2919.55  crore.  Out  of  these,  funds  have  been  released  to States for five projects.

(b): The cost of the projects is shared between the Central Government and the  concerned  States  in  60:40  ratio.  The  Safe  City  Project  in  Delhi  is  fully funded by the Central Government.

(c): The criteria for selection of next batch of cities for the project have not been decided.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 424 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-05
Subject: Impact of Deficit Monsoon on Agriculture
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.424

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  5 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019

## IMPACT OF DEFICIT MONSOON ON AGRICULTURE

## 424.   SHRI PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY:

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

- (a) whether there are fears over deficit monsoon among the farmers in the country; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken to allay such fears among the farmers?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF  STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF  AGRICULTURE AND  FARMERS  WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी ( SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) & (b): The  India  Meteorological  Department  (IMD)  has  reported  that  the  seasonal rainfall (June-Sept) over the country as a whole during monsoon 2018 was 91% of its Long  Period  Average  (LPA).  Seasonal  rainfall  over  Northwest  India,  Central  India, South Peninsula & Northeast India were 98%, 93%, 98%, and 76% of the respective LPA.  Eight  States  (Arunachal  Pradesh,  Meghalaya,  Manipur,  Tripura,  West  Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and Gujarat) and one Union Territory (Lakshadweep) received less than normal rainfall during Monsoon 2018. Out of 36 meteorological subdivisions, 23 subdivisions constituting 68% of the total area of the country received normal seasonal rainfall, 1 sub-division received  excess  rainfall (1%  of  the  total  area)  and  12 subdivisions constituting 31% of the total area received deficient rainfall.

During  2018-19,  the  Governments  of  Andhra  Pradesh,  Gujarat,  Jharkhand, Karnataka,  Maharashtra,  Rajasthan  and  Odisha  intimated  about  drought  of  varying magnitudes  and  submitted  Memoranda  seeking  financial  assistance  from  National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  Farmers  Welfare,  through  m-kisan  portal,  sends  SMS advisory  to  registered  farmers.  These  advisories  include  weather  based  SMS  advisories, measures to minimize adverse impact of extreme weather events. These SMSs are sent by ICAR, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), Kisan Vikas Kendras (KVKs), AgroMeteorological Field Units (AMFUs) etc. and district level State Government officials.

Agriculture  and  allied  sector  related  information  is  provided  to  the  farmers  through Kisan Call Centres (KCCs) having toll free telephone line 1800-180-1551 accessible through all mobile phones and landlines of all telecom networks including private service providers. Replies to the farmers' queries are given in 22 local languages between 6.00 am to 10.00 pm on all seven days of the week.  Presently, 21 KCCs are operational across the country. Since  inception  of  the  scheme,  in  the  year  2004  over 400.49 lakh  live  calls  have  been registered at the KCC till December, 2018 .

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 422 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-05
Subject: Cadre Review of DANICS
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: FAIZAL P.P. MOHAMMED

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 422

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 05 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019/, MAGHA 16, 1940 (SAKA)

CADRE REVIEW OF DANICS

422.  MOHAMMED FAIZAL:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any action has been taken on the proposal for cadre review of DANICS and its feeder cadre from Lakshadweep which has been received in MHA;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether all the feeder cadre officers of Goa Civil Service, Mizoram Civil Service, Arunachal Pradesh Civil Service and all UTs which in turn are feeder services for IAS  (AGMUT)  get  the  status  of  Group  A  after  promotion  in  respective  State  Civil Services and UT Civil Services (DANICS and PONDICS);
- (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  reasons  for  the  discrimination  to  local SC/ST feeder cadre officers of DANICS from Lakshadweep and other UTs;
- (e)  whether  any  action  has  been  initiated  to  formulate  an  organised  cadre  of Lakshadweep  Administrative  Subordinate  Services  like  organised  cadre  of  Delhi Administrative Subordinate Services (DASS) and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (f)  whether  any  action  has  been  taken  to  provide  proportional  representation  to Lakshadweep  feeder  cadre  for  promotion/induction  into  DANICS  and  if  so,  the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a) to (d): The  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  resolves  the  cadre  related  issues  of  the services under various UTs falling under the administrative control of this Ministry from time to time including by conducting exercise of the cadre review. DANICS and PONDICS are Group-B Services. Services under States have their own classification. (e) & (f): The  issues  relating  to  services  under  various  UTs  are  resolved  by  the Ministry of Home Affairs after taking into consideration inputs from all the UTs.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 420 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-05
Subject: Assistance for Flood Relief
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: P.K.SREEMATHI TEACHER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 420

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 05 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019/, MAGHA 16, 1940 (SAKA)

ASSISTANCE FOR FLOOD RELIEF

420.  SHRIMATI P.K. SREEMATHI TEACHER:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  State  Government  of  Kerala  has  submitted  memoranda  for seeking assistance of Rs. 5596.77 crore for temporary measures for floods/landslides of 2018;
- (b) if so, whether the Union Government has released the approved assistance of Rs. 3048.39 crore from NDRF for floods and landslides of 2018;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the State had requested for additional assistance from the Union Government; and
- (e) if so, the steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a)  to (e):   Yes Madam. In the case of floods and landslides of 2018, based on the  memoranda  submitted  by  the  State  Government  of  Kerala  for  seeking additional assistance, Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCT) were constituted for  State,  had  assessed  the  damages  in  conformity  with  the  norms  of  (SDRF/ NDRF). Based on the report of IMCTs, the High Level Committee (HLC), in its meeting  held  on  06.12.2018  had  approved  the  assistance  of  (i)  Rs  3048.39 crore. (ii) Air bills, as per actuals.

Financial  assistance  is  provided  from  State  Disaster  Response  Fund  (SDRF)/ National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for immediate relief as per established

## LS.US.Q.NO 420 FOR 05.02.2019

procedure. Under the existing SDRF/ NDRF guidelines, there is no provision to provide  special  financial  assistance  for  long-term  reconstruction  measures. However, in order to support the affected people of the State Government of Kerala,  the  Government  of  India  (GOI)  had  released  both  the  installments  of Central  Share  of  SDRF  amounting  to  Rs.  192.60  crore  and  Rs.  2904.85  crore, released from NDRF to Government of Kerala for relief measures.  As such, an amount of Rs. 3405.93 crore is available in SDRF account for management of relief necessitated by natural disasters during 2018-19 by taking into account the opening balance and releases of both the installments of Central & State share of Rs. 214 crore.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 418 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-05
Subject: Vacancies in CAPF
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 418

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 05 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019/, MAGHA 16, 1940 (SAKA)

VACANCIES IN CAPF

418.  SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether many vacancies are existing in various cadres of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF);
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has fixed any time limit to fill the said vacancies and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to increase the strength of CAPF and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a) to  (d)  :  The  number  of    vacancies  in  Central  Armed  Police  Forces (CAPFs) & Assam Rifles (AR) as on 01.01.2019 is as under:-

| Force   | Vacancies   |
|---------|-------------|
| CRPF    | 22,980      |
| BSF     | 21,465      |
| CISF    | 10,415      |
| SSB     | 18,102      |
| ITBP    | 6,643       |
| AR      | 4,432       |
| Total   | 84,037      |

Vacancies in CAPFs and AR arise due to retirement, resignation, death, new  raisings/  creation  of  new  posts  etc.  The  vacancies  are  filled  up  by various modes viz. Direct Recruitment, promotion and by deputation as per the extant provisions of Recruitment Rules.

## LS.US.Q.NO.418 FOR 05.02.2019

For the recruitment year 2018, notification for recruitment of 54,953 posts for Constable  (General  Duty)  has  been  issued  by  Staff  Selection  Commission (SSC) and Computer based written examination is scheduled to be held with effect from 11.02.2019 to 11.03.2019. Further, an indent of 1073 vacancies in respect  of  Sub-Inspector  (GD)  has  also  been  reported  to  SSC  for  the  year 2018.  The  examination  is  scheduled  to  be  conducted  with  effect  from 12.03.2019  to  16.03.2019.  Also  an  indent  of  466  vacancies  in  respect  of Assistant  Commandant  (GD)  has  been  placed  on  UPSC  and  the  written examination has already been conducted.

Strength  of CAPFs is augmented by way of new raisings/Cadre Reviews as per operational requirement of forces.

*****