opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 161 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: End of MSP
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Mukesh Rajput

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

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.161

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  2 ND  FEBRUARY, 2021

## END OF MSP

## 161.   SHRI MUKESH RAJPUT:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to end Minimum Support Price(MSP) ;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has any incentive scheme to manufacture organic manure;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  manner  in  which  the  Government  provides  assistance  for  opening  a  factory  for chemical fertilizer?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a) & (b): No Sir, the Government does not have any proposal to end MSP.

(c) & (d): The  Paramparagat  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (PKVY)  Scheme  is  launched  for promotion of Organic farming in our country and is implemented in a cluster mode with min. 20 hac size and states have been asked to implement in cluster size of 1000 hac in plain area  and  500  hac  in  hilly  area  to  facilitate  marketing  of  organic  produce.  All  farmers  are eligible but within a group, a farmer can avail benefit upto a maximum of 2 hac. and the limit of assistance is Rs.50,000 per hac, out of which 62% i.e. Rs.31,000 is given as incentives to a farmer for organic conversion, organic inputs, on farm inputs, production infrastructure, etc. The incentive is to be provided directly through DBT during the conversion period of 3 years (2018-19 to 2020-21). Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Regions is also being implemented in NER for development of certified organic production in a value chain mode to link growers with consumers and to support the development of entire value chain  starting  from  inputs,  seeds,  certification,  to  the  creation  of  facilities  for  collection, aggregation,  processing  marketing  and  brand  building  initiative.  The  main  focus  of  the scheme is on export of produce.

(e): The Government had announced New Investment Policy (NIP) - 2012 on 2nd January, 2013  and  its  amendment  on  7th  October,  2014  to  facilitate  fresh  investment  in  the  urea sector and to make India self-sufficient in the urea sector. Only those units whose production started  within  five  years  from  the  date  of  notification  of  the  amendment  would  be  covered under the policy. Subsidy will be given only upon domestic sale, as at present, for a period of 8  years  from  the  date  of  start  of  production.  Thereafter,  the  units  will  be  governed  by  the Urea policy prevalent at that time.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 158 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Agricultural Universities
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Nishikant  Dubey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 158

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02/02/2021

## AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITIES

## 158. DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f"k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to open agriculture universities in various parts of the country including agriculture university at Godda in Jharkhand;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f'k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k ea=h (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) No,  Sir.    There  is  no  such  proposal  for  establishment  of  new  agricultural universities in India, as of now.

(b) & (c):

Question does not arise.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 157 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Action plan for Agricultural Productivity
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Saikia Dilip

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.157

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  2 ND  FEBRUARY, 2021

## ACTION PLAN FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY

## 157. SHRI DILIP SAIKIA:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  action  plan  to  increase  agricultural productivity in NorthEastern States including Assam;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has fixed any responsibility in this regard; 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): Agriculture being a State subject, the State Governments undertake implementation of programs/schemes for the development of the sector. Government of India supplements  the  efforts  of  the  State  Governments  through  various  schemes/  programs. These schemes/ programs of the Government of India are meant for the welfare of farmers by increasing production,  remunerative  returns  and  income  support  to  farmers.  The initiatives taken by the Government to increase agricultural productivity, income support and remunerative prices in the North Eastern Region (NER), including the State of Assam, are by way  of   implementation  of  Oil  Palm  cultivation  scheme,  issuance  of  Soil  Health  Card, implementation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) and  with a view to increase coverage in NER, revision of the sharing pattern from 50:50 between Central and State Government to 90:10 w.e.f.  Kharif  2020  season , extending  PM-Kisan  benefits, establishment  of  new  Centres  of Excellence under IIAP for promotion of fruits and vegetables in Kamrup (Assam), East Khasi Hills  (Meghalaya) and Amarpur (Tripura), more focus on quality planting material including import  of  planting  material  of  high  value  crops  like  Apple,  Walnut,  Kiwi  etc,  cluster  based development  of  important  horticulture  crops  in  NER  like  Pine  apple,  Turmeric,  Kiwi  etc, development of Horticulture  Promotion  Parks in  each  State, establishment  of  nurseries  for production of quality planting material, creation of water harvesting structures, promotion of organic farming/ micro irrigation/ bamboo/ honey, creation of Agriculture Marketing Infrastructure (AMI) fund and   Micro Irrigation Fund (MIF), formation of FPOs, promotion of Start-ups,  implementation  of   Krishi  Udaan  Scheme,  operationalization  of   three  Kisan Special Rails Connecting NER States etc.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 151 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Fish Farmer Producer Organisation
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Riti Pathak

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRYAND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 151 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 nd  February, 2021

## Fish Farmer Producer Organisation

## 151. SHRIMATI RITI PATHAK:

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

- a) whether  the Government has any scheme to promote the Fish Farmer Producer Organisation(FFPO);
- b) if so, the details thereof;
- c) whether the Government is working any scheme to promote the Animal Husbandry; and
- d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRYAND DAIRYING

## (SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI)

(a)  to  (b):    Yes  sir.    The  Department  of  Fisheries,  Ministry  of  Fisheries,  Animal  Fisheries Husbandry and Dairying under flagship 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  as  a  part  of  the  Atma  Nirbhar  Bharat relief  package  is  extending  support  to  promote  the  Fish  Farmers  Producer  Organisation (FFPO).    Further,  100%  central  assistance  is  admissible  for  setting  up  of  FFPOs  in  the States/UTs  to  economically  empower  the  fishers  and  fish  farmers  and  enhance  their bargaining power.

(c) to (d): The  Department  of  Animal  Husbandry  &  Dairying  ,  Ministry  of  Fisheries, Animal Husbandry &  Dairying is implementing Rashtriya Gokul Mission, National Programme for dairy development, National Live Stock Mission, Livestock health and disease control, Animal Husbandry infrastructure development fund, National Animal disease control programme to promote Animal Husbandry sector.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 150 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Reservation for SCs
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: D. Ravikumar

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 150 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2021

## RESERVATION FOR SCS

## 150. SHRI RA VIKUMAR D.

Will the MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- a) whether the Government to increase the   percentage of  reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) as per the percentage of their population based on the 2011 census; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): No Sir.

- (b): Does not arise.
Lok Sabha Question No. 144 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Loss to Farmers due to Protest
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Asaduddin Owaisi, Imtiaz Jaleel Syed

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.144

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  2 ND  FEBRUARY, 2021

## LOSS TO FARMERS DUE TO PROTEST

144.   SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI: SHRI SYED IMTIAZ JALEEL:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that due to farmers protest many farmers have suffered huge loss due to closed borders barring them to sell their product to national capital;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Government  has assessed the impact of agricultural product loss due to this reason;
- (c) whether there is any decrease in sowing area for crop between October till date; and
- (d) the steps taken or being taken by the Government to compensate those farmers who lost their product due to farmers protest?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a)   to (d): Normally  Rabi  sowing  starts  from  the  month  of  October  and  as  per  the weekly  report  received  from  the  States,  the  total  area    sown  in  Rabi  season  as  on  date (29.01.2021)  is  684.59  lakh  ha  as  compared  to  last  year's  area  sown  of  665.59  lakh  ha, thereby indicating an increase of 19.01 lakh ha area sown for the current year as compared to last year. Government of India has not received any information of loss to the farmers due to closed borders barring them to sell their produce to national capital. Hence, the question of compensation for loss of produce does not arise.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 142 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Disclosure of Information on Phone Tapping
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Manish Tewari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 142

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND  FEBRUARY, 2021/ MAGHA 13, 1942 (SAKA)

DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION ON PHONE TAPPING

142. SHRI MANISH TEWARI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the  Ministry has refused to disclose information under the RTI Act on queries regarding phone tapping and interception;

(b) if so, the reasons given by the Ministry for withholding this information, given  the  fact  that  the  Ministry  had  previously  provided  this  information, under various RTIs, like the one filed in 2013; and

(c)  the  percentage  of  the  total  RTI  applications  received  by  the  Ministry during the last five years which have been rejected?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): Lawful Interception and Monitoring is carried out by the authorized Law Enforcement Agencies with the approval of the Competent Authority as per Section 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 read with Rule 419-A of the  Indian  Telegraph  Rules,  1951  in  the  interest  of  the  sovereignty  and integrity  of  India,  the  security  of  the  State,  friendly  relations  with  foreign States or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of an offence.  As  per  section  8(a)  of  the  RTI  Act,  2005,  the  disclosure  of  such information is exempted,  which  would  prejudicially  affect the  sovereignty

## L.S.US.Q NO. 142 FOR 02.02.2021

and integrity of India, the security of the State,  relations with foreign States or  lead  to  incitement  to  the  commission  of  an  offence.  Further,  any disclosure  of  interception  related  information  defeats  the  very  purpose  of lawful  interception.  All  RTI  applications  received  are  replied  to  as  per  the provisions of the RTI Act, 2005.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 141 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Income Criteria for OBCs Creamy Layer
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 141 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2021

## INCOME CRITERIA FOR OBCS CREAMY LAYER

## 141. SHRI TR: BAALU:

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

- whether the Government proposes to revise the income criteria of Rs.8 lakhs per annum for (a) the purpose of determining the Creamy Layer amongst Other Backward Classes (OBCs):
- if the details thereof and the time by which the revision of Income criteria for OBCs (b) SO, would be implemented;
- whether the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) recommended
- if taking into account the delay in implementation  whether the income ceiling would be (d) SO, with the trend of rise in GDP, inflation, per capita income; raised to Rs.25 lakhs, in consonance economic growth; rise in cost of living; increased costs of health care; transport and all round education?

## ANSWER

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

for revision of the income criteria for determining the Creamy Layer (a) to (d): A proposal after due consultation with the the OBCs is under consideration of the Government; amongst National Commission for the Backward Classes
Lok Sabha Question No. 140 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Scheme for Sanitary Pad
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Rajan Baburao  Vichare

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

LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 140 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02 nd  February, 2021

## Scheme for Sanitary Pad

## †140.   SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to formulate any scheme to provide sanitary pad to poor women at very nominal price;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether there is any scheme to promote manufacturing of medical equipments; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) The Department of Pharmaceuticals has an existing Scheme, namely, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) under which quality generic medicines are being sold  at  affordable  prices  through  dedicated  outlets  known  as  Pradhan  Mantri  Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs).  In order to ensure easy availability of the menstrual health services  to  all  women  across  India,  the  'Janaushadhi  Suvidha  Oxy-Biodegradable  Sanitary Napkin' was launched, which are available for sale in all Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) across the country @ Rs. 1.00 per sanitary pad. The Jan Aushadhi Suvidha comes with a special additive, which makes it biodegradable when it comes in contact with oxygen after being discarded. This ensures 'Swachhta, Swasthya and Suvidha' for the poor and underprivileged women in the country.
- (c) & (d) With a view to address the challenges facing in manufacturing of medical devices in India vis-à-vis other major manufacturing economies, a 'Production Linked Incentive Scheme for  Promoting  Domestic  Manufacturing  of  Medical  Devices'  has  been  approved  to  boost domestic manufacturing and attract large investments in the Medical Devices Sector. Under the  scheme,  financial  incentive  is  to  be  given  to  selected  companies  at  the  rate  of  5%  of incremental  sales  of  medical  devices  manufactured  in  India  and  covered  under  the  Target segments of the scheme, for a period of five (5) years. Further, a scheme called 'Promotion of Medical Device Parks' has been approved under which financial assistance is to be provided for creation of common infrastructure facilities in Medical Device Parks proposed by the State Governments and selected under the scheme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 136 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Availability of Urea
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Andimuthu Raja

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 136 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 02.02.2021

## AVAILABILITY OF UREA

## 136 SHRI A. RAJA:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the shortfall in availability of urea for tea growers in Tamil Nadu, especially in the Nilgiris District;
- (c) whether the Government is also aware that some agencies are selling urea bags at higher rate in the open market and if so, the action taken by the Government on such agencies; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for shortfall in supply;
- (d) whether there is any demand for additional quantity of UrealFertilizers from the State Government of Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof;

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

(SHRI D.V. SADANANDA GOWDA)

(a) & (b): No Sir, no such shortfall is reported.

(c): Government has declared fertilizer as an essential commodity under the Essential Commodities Act; 1955(ECA) and notified Fertilizer (Control) Order (FCO), 1985 & Fertilizer   (Movement Control) Order,, 1973 under the EC Act. State Governments have been adequately empowered to ensure selling of fertilizers at MRP besides stopping smuggling and diversion of fertilizers State Governments are empowered to conduct search, make seizures and take punitive action against any person violating provisions of FCO, 1985 and Essential Commodities Act; 1955. Sir,

The State Governments have been empowered to take appropriate action to curb diversion initiate action against the persons who violate these orders. Department of Fertilizers from time to time, written to the Chief Secretaries of various States and Ministry of Home Affairs to activate the enforcement agencies under their jurisdiction to take appropriate action: Further, State Governments as enforcement agencies are adequately empowered to check the irregularities. has,

- (d): No Sir; no such request is received:
Lok Sabha Question No. 130 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Arrests of Journalists
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Kumbakudi Sudhakaran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 130

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND  FEBRUARY, 2021/ MAGHA 13, 1942 (SAKA)

ARRESTS OF JOURNALISTS

130.  SHRI KUMBAKUDI SUDHAKARAN: SHRI KANNOTH MURALEEDHARAN:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  the  number  of  journalists  arrested  under  the  provisions  of  Indian Penal Code, Epidemic  Diseases  Act, 1897  and  Unlawful  Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967 since 2014, year-wise; and

- (b)  the  number  of  journalists  currently  in  jail  who  have  not  yet  been convicted of any charges brought against them under the aforementioned laws, State-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule  to  the  Constitution  of  India  and  State  Governments  are responsible for Prevention, Detection and investigation of crimes and for prosecuting the criminals through their law enforcement agencies.  The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) does not maintain specific data with respect to arrest of journalists.

## L.S.US.Q NO. 130 FOR 02.02.2021

Central  Government  attaches  highest  importance  to  the  safety  and security of all residents of the country including journalists.  The Ministry of Home Affairs have issued advisories to States and UTs, from time to time, to maintain law and order and ensure that any person who takes law into his/her own hand is punished promptly as per law.  An advisory specifically  on  safety  of  journalists  was  issued  to  States/UTs  on  20 th October,  2017  requesting  them  to  strictly  enforce  the  law  to  ensure safety and security of media persons.

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