opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2072 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Change in Nuclear Policy
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Meenakashi Lekhi, Rajmohan Unnithan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2072 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.03.2020

## CHANGE IN NUCLEAR POLICY

## 2072. SHRIMATI MEENAKASHI LEKHI:

## SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN:

## Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government of India has any plan to change the basic principle of India's Nuclear Doctrine, i.e. No First use according to which, nuclear weapons will only be used in retaliation against a nuclear attack on Indian Territory or on Indian forces anywhere; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof including the present stand on the aforesaid policy:

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) & (b) There has been no change in India's nuclear doctrine. India is committed to maintaining credible minimum deterrence and the policy of no-first use of nuclear weapons.

- ***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2071 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Ban on Onion Exports
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Ravneet Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2071 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04 th MARCH, 2020

## BAN ON ONION EXPORTS

## 2071. SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािण�य एवं उ�ोग मं�ी ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has banned onion exports and imposed stock limits for a certain period of time due to the shortage of onions;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any long term initiative has been planned by the Government to address the problem of onion shortage; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=h ( Jh ih;w'k xks;y ) THE MINISTER OF  COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) & (b): Y es Sir.  The Government had prohibited export of all varieties of onions from 29.09.2019 vide Notification No. 21/2015-2020.  Subsequently, the Government had allowed export of Bangalore Rose  Onion  upto  a  quantity  of  9,000  MT  over  the  period  from  28.10.2019  to  30.11.2019  vide Notification No. 27/2015-2020 as well as export of Krishnapuram Onion upto a quantity of 10,000 MT during the period from 06.02.2020 to 31.03.2020 vide Notification No. 46/2015-2020.  However, the Government has allowed export of all varieties of Onions 'free' without any conditions with effect from 15 th  March, 2020 vide Notification No. 49/2015-20 dated 02.03.2020 and the Notification No. 46/2015-2020  related  to  export  of  Krishnapuram  Onions  stands  withdrawn  with  effect  from 15.03.2020.  At the same time, the Government has initially imposed stock-limits for storing onions upto 50 MT for Wholesaler and 10 MT for Retailer of all States/ UTs vide Notification S.O. 3540(E) dated 29.09.2019, which has now been removed vide Notification S.O. 9017(E) dated 27.02.2020 in view  of  moderation  in  onion  prices  as  well  as  estimated  bumper  rabi  crop  harvests  indicating improved arrivals and availability.

(c) & (d): The Government, inter alia, builds buffer stock of onions under Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) Scheme through procurement during peak season so as to make price stabilizing market interventions during lean seasons.  The procurement of Rabi onion under PSF for 2019-20 is 57.23 Thousand MT.  Moreover, in order to address the onion shortage situation, a Crop Weather Watch Group consisting of members from Indian Meteorological Department, Central Water Commission, Department of Consumer Affairs, Department of Fertilizer, Department of Food & Public Distribution and Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare monitors the sowing, growth of onion crop and harvesting time of the crop through meetings and video conferences with the States.  The assistance @ 50% of the cost (Rs. 1.75 lakh/unit) is also provided to farmers for construction of the low cost onion  storage  (25MT  capacity)  as  per  the  guidelines  of  Mission  for  Integrated  Development  of Horticulture.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 176 (STARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Assistance for Banana Farmers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Raksha Nikhil Khadse

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION & FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 176

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE   3 RD  MARCH, 2020

## ASSISTANCE FOR BANANA FARMERS

- *176.     SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE:

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

- (a) whether  banana  export  was  highly  affected  this  year  due  to  temperatures  going below 10°C and affecting the banana crop ready for harvesting in the area/land to the tune of  5000  hectares  out  of  total  46000  hectares  of  land  in  Jalgaon  District  of  Maharashtra State;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to provide assistance for these affected farmers;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to advise the insurance companies to relax the recently amended norms for getting insurance claim to help these distressed farmers; 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) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 176    DUE FOR REPLY ON 3 RD  MARCH, 2020. No, Sir. Banana exports for the current period (April, 2019 to Jan, 2020) have not been  adversely  affected.    The  exports  of  Banana  were  to  the  tune  of  1,27,230  MT amounting  to  Rs.  447  crore  during  2019-20  (Apr-Jan)  against  export  of  98,044  MT amounting to Rs. 301 crore during the corresponding period of the last year. Thus, there has been an increase in banana exports to the tune of 29.7% in quantity and 48.7% in value  terms.  No  report  has  been  received  from  State  Govt.  regarding  crops  loss  on

(a): account of adverse temperature. (b) to (d): No such proposal is  under consideration.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 168 (STARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Illegal Immigrants in Delhi
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Parvesh Sahib Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *168

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

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN DELHI

*168.       SHRI PARVESH SAHIB SINGH VERMA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Ministry maintains a record of the number of illegal immigrants in Delhi and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  whether  the  Ministry  has  sought  cooperation  from  the  Delhi  Government  to assist in identification of illegal immigrants and if so, the details thereof; and

(c)  the  steps  proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Ministry  to  identify  and  evict  illegal immigrants from Delhi?

ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  THE  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  to  (c)  OF  THE  LOK SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  168    FOR  3 RD   MARCH,  2020,  REGARDING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN DELHI.

Illegal  immigrants enter into the country without valid travel documents in clandestine and surreptitious manner. As such accurate data regarding number of such migrants living in the country, including Delhi, is not centrally maintained.

Detection, detention and deportation after  due process of nationality verification of illegal immigrants is an ongoing process under the Foreigners Act, 1946  and  Passport  (Entry  into  India)  Act,  1920.  Central  Government  has  been vested with powers under Section 3(2)(e) and 3(2)(c) of the Foreigners Act, 1946 to  detain  and  deport  foreign  nationals    staying  illegally  in  the  country.  Under Section 5 of The Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, Central Government may also by an Order direct the removal of any foreigner from India who enters India without  passport.  These  powers  of  the  Central  Government  have  also  been entrusted  under  Article  258(1)  of  the  Constitution  of  India  to  all  the  State Governments since 1958. Further, under Article 239(1) of the Constitution of India, the  Administrators  of  all  the  Union  Territories  including  Delhi  have  also  been directed  to  discharge  the  functions  of  the  Central  Government  relating  to  the aforesaid powers.

Ministry of Home  Affairs (MHA) has issued consolidated instructions regarding  deportation  /repatriation  of  foreign  nationals  to  all  States  &  UTs  vide letters dated 24.04.2014 and 01.07.2019. Further MHA has also issued  advisories to  the  State  Governments/UT  Administrations  regarding  identification  of  illegal migrants and monitoring thereof, vide letters dated 08.08.2017 and 28.02.2018.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 167 (STARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: National Food Processing Policy
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Nama Nageswara Rao

## GOVERNMENTOF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *167

ANSWERED ON 03 RD  MARCH, 2020

## NATIONAL FOOD PROCESSING POLICY

## *167.   SHRI NAMA NAGESWARA RAO:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to introduce/formulate National Food  Processing Policy and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to provide loans at lower rates to entrepreneurs to set up new food processing units or acquire existing food processing units which have become Non-Performing Assets (NPAs)?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SMT. HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL)

(a) to (c):  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  *167 FOR ANSWER  ON  03 RD MARCH,  2020 REGARDING 'NATIONAL FOOD PROCESSING POLICY'

(a): Yes, Sir. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has formulated a draft National Food Processing Policy for the comprehensive development of the food processing sector through appropriate interventions to address the critical gaps hindering growth of the sector. The draft was  circulated  to  Ministries/Departments  of  the  Central  Government  and  to  the  State Governments  for  inter-Ministerial  consultations.  The  comments  received  from  various Ministries/Departments and State Governments are under examination.

- (b): Does not arise.

(c): The Government has created a special food processing fund of Rs.2000 crore with the National  Bank  for  Agriculture  and  Rural  Development  (NABARD)  to  provide  affordable credit at lower interest rate of ranging from 3.90% to 7.10% to food processing projects such as Mega Food Parks (MFPs), Agro-processing Clusters (APC), other Designated Food Parks (DFPs)  and  processing  units  set  up  in  these  MFPs,  APCs  and  DFPs.  Under  the  Interest Subvention  Scheme  (ISS)  operated  through  Small  Industrial  Development  Bank  of  India (SIDBI), all GST registered Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) including the MSME in the  food  processing  sector  are  eligible  for  2%  interest  subvention  on  fresh  or incremental loans. All units that have become Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) including food processing units are subject to Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) under section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 166 (STARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Compensation for Crop Loss in Maharashtra
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Balubhau (Alias Suresh Narayan) Dhanorkar

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

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 166

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE   3 RD  MARCH, 2020

## COMPENSATION FOR CROP LOSS IN MAHARASHTRA

- *166.    SHRI BALUBHAU ALIAS SURESH NARAYAN DHANORKAR:

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

- (a) whether  any  fund  has  been  provided  by  the  Union  Government  to  the  State  of Maharashtra as compensation for affected farmers who lost their crops due to unseasonal rain;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, district-wise; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी

(SHRI NARENDRA  SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 166    DUE FOR REPLY ON 3 RD  MARCH, 2020.

(a) to (c): The  State  Governments  undertake  relief  measures  in  the  wake  of  natural disasters from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) already placed at their disposal in accordance with Government of India approved items and norms. Additional assistance is extended from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) as per established procedure. The assistance approved under SDRF/NDRF norms is provided in the form of relief. Unseasonal rain is not a calamity notified by the Ministry of Home Affairs. However, the  State  Governments  are  empowered  to  utilize  up  to  10  percent  of  the  funds  available under  SDRF  for  providing  immediate  relief  to  the  victims  of  natural  disasters  that  they consider to be 'disasters' within the local context in the State and which are not included in the notified list of disasters of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India and incur expenditure as per the SDRF/NDRF guidelines, issued by Government of India (Ministry of Home Affairs) on 08.04.2015.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 162 (STARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Anti-Cancer Medicines
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Ramesh Chander Kaushik

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

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *162

TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 rd  March, 2020

## Anti-Cancer Medicines

## *162. SHRI RAMESH CHANDER KAUSHIK:

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

- (a)  whether the Government is aware that the prices of anti-cancer medicines are high in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  cancer  patients  incur  a  large  portion  of  the  expenditure  for  their treatment, on anti-cancer medicines only and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has taken any steps to control the prices of anti-cancer medicines; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS (SHRI D. V. SADANANDA GOWDA)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## Statement  referred  to  in  reply  to  Lok  Sabha  Starred  Question  No.  *162  for answer on 03/03/2020 regarding Anti-Cancer Medicines.

(a) & (b): No, Sir.  The  cost of  both  patented  and  generic  chemotherapeutics  is significantly less in India than in most other countries, yet, these medicines are not easily affordable to a large section of society due to low population coverage with insurance programs and low average household income levels.

(c): The  treatment  of  cancer  is  multimodal,  incorporating  mainly  radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery depending on the site and stage of disease. The intent to treat is curative where it is reasonable to expect complete response and sustained remission.  The  rest  of  cases  receive  treatment  directed  towards  palliation  of symptoms or supportive care. 70% of all cases who are treated with curative intent receive chemotherapy either primarily, or prior to or adjunct to radiation or surgery. Similarly  40%  of  palliative  treatment  comprise  of  chemotherapy.  Chemotherapy forms a part of treatment for nearly 60% of cancer patients, often being administered as an adjunct to definitive surgery or radiotherapy.

(d) & (e): The  National  Pharmaceutical  Pricing  Authority  (NPPA)  has  fixed  the ceiling  prices  of  81  anti-cancer  scheduled  formulations  under  the  National  List  of Essential Medicines, 2015 (NLEM, 2015).

Further, the NPPA, vide order S.O. 1041(E) dated 27th February, 2019, put a cap on Trade Margin of 42 select non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines under 'Trade Margin Rationalisation' Approach. By this approach, the MRP of 526 brands of these medicines  have  been  reduced  by  upto  90%.  This  move  will  result  in  an  approx annual savings of around Rs. 984 crore to the patients. The details of prices fixed by the NPPA is available on the website of the NPPA i.e. nppaindia.nic.in.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2068 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Loans for Sugar Mills
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Rajan Baburao  Vichare

## GOVERI{ME]{T  OF IIIDIA

## lullilrsTRY OF CON$UilER AFFATRS, FOOD &  pUBLtC  DtSTRtBUTtOl{ DEPARTIf,EI{T  OF FOOD AilD PUBLIC  DISTRIBUTIOiI

## LOK $ABHA UNSTARRED OUESTION XO.2O6E TO BE AilSWERED Olt 3", iltARclt,2O2O

## LOAIIS FOR AUGAR UILLS

## t2o6E.  SHR! RAJAI{ VTGHARE:

Wilt thc tinistcr of COilSUilIER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC D t STRI B UTI O il 5qa!fiT qIfi, srEq 3t{ grffi{, furrsr d* te pteased  to state:

- (a)  whethet the Government has sanctloned afiordablc loans to the sugar mills to clear thcir dues payable  to sugarcane gnowenr for the sugarcane crushlng seasons of 2OlE.lg and 2Ol9-2O; and
- (b) lf so, the details thcreof, Statc/UT-wise?

AilSWER illl{lSTER OF STATE FOR mtI{tSTRY OF GOilSUMER  AFFAIRS,  FOOD A PUBLIG DIATRIBUTIOiI (sHRI DAI{VE RAOAAHEB DADARAO)

- (a): With a view to iacilitate payment of cane ducs of the farrncrc for the sugar season 2O18-19t the Centlal Govcrnment  notified  a Scheme ior extending  sorft loan to sugar mllls vide notillcation  datcd O2.03.2O{9.
- (b): Under the scheme, loans of about Rs.74O2 crore have been disbunsed by the banks to 32{ Sugat mills for which interest subvention amounting to Rs. 5lE crore @ 7  o/o  pe? annum  ior one year would be borne by Gentrat Govemment.  A atatement glving details of State/UT'wlsc  soft loan amount ls annexed.

## A}INEXURE

STATEMEI{T REFERRED TO tit REpLy TO PART (b) OF THE UNSTARRED QUESTIOI{  ilO.2O68 FOR ANSWERED  ON O3.O3.2O2O !N THE LOI( SABHA

| Name of the $tate   | Number of sugar mills   | Amount of Soft Loan Disbursed by Banks (in crore Rs.)   |
|---------------------|-------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|
| Kamataka            | 39                      | 884.OO                                                  |
| Tamil Nadu          | 2A                      | {68.35                                                  |
| AndhE Pradesh       | 9                       | 112.43                                                  |
| Uttar Pradesh       | 82                      | 2E17.50                                                 |
| Maharashtta         | l3{                     | 2753.OO                                                 |
| Bihar               | 8                       | 1A1.57                                                  |
| Punjab              | 12                      | {55.50                                                  |
| Guiarat             | 12                      | 325.54                                                  |
| Tota!               | 321                     | 740.2.29                                                |
Lok Sabha Question No. 2067 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Cold Storage in Odisha
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Mahesh Sahoo

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2067

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  3 RD  MARCH, 2020

## COLD STORAGE IN ODISHA

2067.  SHRI MAHESH SAHOO:

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

- (a) whether there is a proposal for establishing cold storage in the State of Odisha;
- (b) if so, whether this will be processed or not; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a): As  reported  by  the  State  Government  of  Odisha,  no  proposal  for  establishment  of cold storage in the State of Odisha is pending at the level of State Horticulture Mission for approval under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
- (b) & (c): Question does not arise.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2065 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shyam Yadav Singh, Girish Chandra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINSTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE ANI) EMPOWERMENT LOK SAKHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2065 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.03.2020

## BABU JAGJIVAN RAM CHHATRAWAS YOJANA

2065. SHRI SHYAM SINGH YADAV: SHRI GIISH CHANDRA:

## Will the Ministcr of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to statc:

- (a) the number of hostcls   construcled under Babu   Jagjivan Ram Chhatravas   Yojana (BJRCY) in Uttar Pradesh; and
- (b) the number of hostels under construction under this scheme, State-wise?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): A total number of 25 SC boys/girls hostels have been sanctioned for construction in the State of Uttar Pradesh from 2007-08 till date under Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatravas Yojna (BJRCY) Of these, construction work of 21 hostels has been completed a8 reported by the State Government.
- (b): As per the scheme guidelines of BJRCY, hostels are to be within a period of 2 years from the date of   sanction of the project. State-wise number of hostels   under construction under the Scheme is annexed completed

Unstarred\_Question\_No2065\_for Jagjivan Ram

State-wise number of hostels under construction under the Scheme of BJRCY

<!-- image -->
Lok Sabha Question No. 2062 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Guidelines for Agri Market Infrastructure Fund
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2062

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  3 RD  MARCH, 2020

## GUIDELINES FOR AGRI MARKET INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

2062.  SHRI T.R. BAALU:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  not  following  the  guidelines  issued  for  the  Agri-Market Infrastructure Fund on March 9, 2019 such as the proposed upgraded markets, which would have substantially enhanced market accessibility for socially disadvantaged Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Farmers;
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a) to (c): The Government has approved an Agri-Market Infrastructure Fund (AMIF) with a corpus of Rs. 2000 crore for developing and upgrading agricultural marketing infrastructure in  the  GrAMs  and Agriculture  Produce  Market  Committee  (APMC) Markets and circulated the Scheme Guidelines to the States/Union Territories (UTs). Since it is a demand driven scheme  from  the  States/UTs,  the  Government  of  India  has  requested  States/UTs  for submission of proposal for seeking assistance under AMIF and pursuing with them. Hence, the question of corrective measures does not arise.

*******