opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2723 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-02
Subject: MIS Portal under Accessible India Campaign
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Unmesh Bhaiyyasaheb Patil, Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Heena Vijaykumar Gavit, Sujay Radhakrishna Vikhepatil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2723

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2022

## MIS PORTAL UNDER ACCESSIBLE INDIA CAMPAIGN

2723.  SHRI UNMESH BHAIYYASAHEB PATIL:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

PROF. RITA BAHUGUNA JOSHI:

DR. HEENA GAVIT:

DR. SUJAY RADHAKRISHNA VIKHE PATIL;

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

- (a) whether the Government has launched a Management Information System (MIS) portal under Accessible India Campaign recently for Divyangjans and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the aims and objectives of launching this portal along with its benefits;
- (c)  whether  it  will  be  used  as  a  single  platform  for  monitoring  the  progress  being  made against each target of Accessible India Campaign (AIC) and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  the  Divyangjans  from  rural  and  remote  areas  are  getting  benefited  from  this portal and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the measures taken by the  Government to eliminate obstacles and barriers in indoor/outdoor facilities?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SUSHRI PRATIMA BHOUMIK)

(a) to (c):Yes Sir, the Government has launched a Management Information System (MIS) portal for Accessible India Campaign in September 2019 with the aim and objective of real time online monitoring of the targets of the Campaign.

The current MIS portal is a single platform for monitoring the progress being made against  each  target  of  Accessible  India  Campaign.  All  stakeholders  of  the  Campaign, including  Ministries/Departments  as  well  as  States/UTs  report  the  progress  of  work  being achieved  on  ground  on  a  regular  basis  along  with  photographs  and  other  necessary documents. So far, 09 Central Ministries/Departments have uploaded data and 29 States/UTs have uploaded data of 1768 buildings along with 2740 photographs.

(d):The  basic  purpose  of  MIS  portal  is  monitoring  of  the  work  being  implemented  under Accessible India Campaign at the level of the Ministry.

(e):To eliminate obstacles and barriers in indoor/outdoor facilities, 'Harmonised Guidelines & Standards for Universal Accessibility in India 2021' to be followed  by States/UTs have been issued by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2722 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-02
Subject: MGNREGS in Kerala
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Rajmohan Unnithan

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

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2722 ANSWERED ON 02/08/2022

## MGNREGS IN KERALA

## 2722.   SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  under  the  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme(MGNREGS), Material and Admin fund are long pending in the State of Kerala;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  also  aware  that  many  poor  people  in  the  State  have borrowed money expecting this payment which usually arrives within three months of the project's completion; and
- (c) if  so,  the  urgent  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  release  material  fund  soon  after work  completion  and  admin  fund  for  Gram  Panchayats/Block  Panchayats  level officials who work under MGNREGS and resolve this issue of releasing material fund for Kerala?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a)  to  (c):    Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Scheme  (Mahatma Gandhi  NREGS)  is  a  demand  driven  Scheme.  Under  Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGS,  States submit fund release proposal to the Government of India.

In  the  current  financial  year  2022-23,   an  amount  of  Rs.  583.42  crore  has  been released for material and administrative components as first installment of first tranche  to the State of Kerala under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS. Also, an amount of Rs. 729.24 crore has been released for wage component under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS to the State of Kerala in the current financial year 2022-23 (as on 28.07.2022).

Further, release of funds to States is a continuous process and Central Government is committed in making funds available to States for the implementation of the Scheme as per demand of work on ground.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2720 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-02
Subject: Panchayati Raj Law in Lakshadweep
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Dinesh Chandra Yadav, Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2720

ANSWERED ON-02.08.2022

## PANCHAYATI RAJ LAW IN LAKSHADWEEP

## †2720 . SHRI DINESH CHANDRA YADAV: SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Panchayati  Raj  law  implemented  in  Lakshadweep  is  not  the  same  as  is implemented in other States; and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL)

(a) to (b) The provisions of Part IX of the Constitution of India apply to the Union Territories in terms of Article 243L of the Constitution. Article 240 of the Constitution gives power to the President of India to make regulations for certain Union Territories, including Lakshadweep. Accordingly, provisions of Part-IX of the Constitution, relating to Panchayats, in Lakshadweep are governed by 'The Lakshadweep Panchayats Regulation, 1994' notified on 23.04.1994.

## \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Lok Sabha Question No. 2719 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-02
Subject: Irregularities in PMGSY
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Kishan Kapoor

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

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2719 ANSWERED ON 02/08/2022

## IRREGULARITIES IN PMGSY

## 2719.   SHRI KISHAN KAPOOR:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  cases  of  construction  related  irregularities  under  the  Pradhan  Mantri Gram  Sadak  Yojana  (PMGSY)  in  the  country  which  came  to  the  notice  of  the Government during the year 2021-22; and
- (b) the number of such cases in which the Government has taken action till date, Statewise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a)  &  (b)     Construction  and  maintenance  of  roads  constructed  under  PMGSY  are  the responsibilities of the respective state governments. Under PMGSY, there is a well-structured three tier Quality Assurance Mechanism for ensuring construction of quality and durability of road assets. Under the first tier, the Programme Implementation Units (PIUs) are required to ensure  process  control  through  mandatory  tests  on  material  and  workmanship  at  the  field laboratory. The second tier is a structured independent quality monitoring at the State level through State Quality Monitors (SQMs) to ensure that every work is inspected at initial stage, intermediate stage and final stage of the construction. Under the third tier, which is at the national level, independent National Quality Monitors (NQMs) are deployed for inspection of road  works  on  a  random  basis  to  monitor  quality  and  also  to  provide  guidance  of  senior professionals to the field functionaries. Based on the periodic monitoring of quality of roads under  the  3-tier  mechanism,  corrective  measures,  wherever  necessary,  are  required to  be taken by the State Governments.

Complaints  about  various  irregularities  including  construction  related  irregularities  under PMGSY are received in the Ministry from time to time.  Such complaints are referred to the State Governments for taking necessary action.  In case, an adequate response is not received within  the  stated  time  schedule,  the  National  Rural  Infrastructure  Development  Agency (NRIDA)  deputes  National  Quality  Monitors  (NQM)  in  suitable  cases  and  the  inspection report  is  then  shared  with  the  concerned  state  for  necessary  rectification.   In  the  Financial Year 2021-22, a total of 9,262 NQM inspections have been conducted on completed, ongoing and  maintenance  works  all  over  the  country.  Of  the  inspected  works,  6.82%  completed works,  4.21%  ongoing  works  and  22.71%  maintenance  works  were  found  Unsatisfactory. Concerned State Governments have been asked to rectify all the unsatisfactory graded works. Inspections and rectification of works are ongoing processes.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2717 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-02
Subject: Allocation for PM-KISAN Yojana
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Kalyan Banerjee

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2717

TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND  AUGUST, 2022

## ALLOCATION FOR PM-KISAN YOJANA

2717. SHRI KALYAN BANERJEE: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Yojana, 12.5 crore farmer households are supposed to be provided Rs. 6,000 each which requires an allocation of Rs. 75,000 crores therefor, but only Rs. 68,000 crore has been allocated; and (b)  if  so,  the  reasons  behind  such  an  allocation  and  the  proposal  of  the  Government  to support the entire 12.5 crore families therein?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्री (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) & (b) Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) aims to provide benefit to all eligible farmer families of the country. Initially, it was estimated based on secondary data that there would be 12.5 crore farmer families eligible for the Scheme. However, till now 11.37 crore farmer families found eligible, are getting benefits under the Scheme. As it is an ongoing Scheme, new farmers are continuously getting included under the Scheme after due  verification  of  their  eligibility.  Sufficient  funds  are  available  to  provide  benefits  to currently registered and eligible beneficiaries.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2714 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-02
Subject: Prices of Electric Vehicles
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Jagdambika Pal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2714

ANSWERED ON 02.08.2022

## PRICES OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES

## 2714.  SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES भारी उद्योग मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  bring  the  prices  of  Electric  Vehicles (EVs) below the prices of Petrol Vehicles (PVs) keeping in view the budget of common man and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has taken any new initative to facilitate transition to EVs by 2030 and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  alter  the  entire  fleet  of  public  transportation including buses and auto-rickshaws to electric fleet and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES (SHRI KRISHAN PAL GURJAR)

- (a): Sir,  in  order  to  reduce  the  price  of  electric  vehicles  and  promotion  of  adoption  of electric vehicles, following steps have been taken by the Government in the country:
- i. Under FAME India Scheme Phase-II, the demand incentive for electric two wheelers has been increased to Rs. 15,000/KWh from Rs. 10,000/KWh with an increase in cap from 20% to 40% of the cost of vehicle from 11 th June, 2021, thus enabling cost of Electric two wheelers at par with that of ICE two wheeler vehicles.
- ii. The Government on 12th May, 2021 approved a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for manufacturing of Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) in the country in order to bring down prices of battery in the country. Drop in battery price will result in cost reduction of electric vehicles.
- iii. Electric  Vehicles  are  also  incentivized  under  Production  Linked  Incentive  (PLI) scheme  for Automobile  and  Auto  Components,  which  was  approved  on  15 th September 2021 with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 25,938 crore for a period of five years.
- iv. GST  on  electric  vehicles  has  been  reduced  from  12%  to  5%;  GST  on  chargers/ charging stations for electric vehicles has been reduced from 18% to 5%.
- v. Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) announced that battery-operated vehicles will be given green license plates and be exempted from permit requirements.
- vi. MoRTH issued a notification advising states to waive road tax on EVs, which in turn will help reduce the initial cost of EVs.
- (b) & (c): Sir,  no  such  proposal  is  under  consideration  in  the  Ministry  of  Heavy Industries.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2713 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-02
Subject: Decadal Census Enumeration
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: D. Ravikumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2713

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 02 ND  AUGUST, 2022/SRAVANA 11, 1944 (SAKA)

DECADAL CENSUS ENUMERATION

2713.  SHRI RAVIKUMAR D.:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is going to conduct decadal census enumeration this year and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  the  census  activities  were  postponed  due  to  covid  pandemic  and  if  so,  the details thereof and the other reasons for the delay in conducting census; and

(c)  whether  there  is  any  proposal  to  bring  the  census  into  concurrent  list  and allow State Government to do the census and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

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

(a) & (b):  The intent of the Government for conducting Census 2021 was notified in Gazette of India on 28 th  March, 2019.   Due to outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the Census 2021 and the related field activities have been postponed.

(c): There is no such proposal.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2712 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-02
Subject: Post-Harvest Storage for Agricultural Produce
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Pashupati Nath Singh, Janardan Singh Sigriwal

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2712

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND  AUGUST, 2022

## POST-HARVEST STORAGE FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE

2712.  SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH: SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that post-harvest storage of agricultural produce is a big problem in the country; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken to tackle the situation?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्री (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) & (b): The Government is implementing Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI), a  sub-scheme  of  Integrated  Scheme  for  Agricultural  Marketing  (ISAM)  under  which assistance  is  provided  for  construction/  renovation  of  godowns/  warehouses  in  the  rural areas  in  the  States  to  enhance  the  storage  capacity  for  agriculture  produce.  Under  the scheme, Government provides subsidy at the rate of 25% and 33.33% on capital cost of the  project  based  on  the  category  of  eligible  beneficiary.  Assistance  is  available  to Individuals, Farmers, Group of farmers/growers, Agri-preneurs, Registered Farmer Producer  Organizations  (FPOs),  Cooperatives,  and  state  agencies  etc.  The  scheme  is demand driven.

Since  01.04.2001  and  up  to  30.06.2022,  a  total  of  41,452  storage  infrastructure projects  (Godowns),  with  storage  capacity  of  725.7  Lakh  MT  for  beneficiaries  including farmers have been assisted under AMI sub-scheme in the country.

Further, Government has approved a central sector scheme of financing facility viz., Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) of Rs. 1,00,000 Crore to provide a medium-long term loan facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest market infrastructure including warehousing  facility  and  community  farming  assets  through  interest  subvention  and financial  support. Under the scheme, a total number of 9516 applications for warehouse facilities have been sanctioned for a total amount of Rs. 7618 Cr.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2710 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-02
Subject: Violation of Programme and Advertisement Codes
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Manish Tewari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2710 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02/08/2022

## VIOLATION OF PROGRAMME AND ADVERTISEMENT CODES

2710. SHRI MANISH TEWARI:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  movies/  television  channels/  digital  outlets  that  have  been banned or taken off the  air for violation  of  the  programme  and  advertising codes respectively from July 01, 2017 to July 01, 2022;
- (b) the number of songs which have been banned and their digital dissemination proscribed during the said period;
- (c) whether any information technology guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media  Ethics Code  Rules, 2021  and  the Cable Television  Networks (Amendment) Rules 2021 have been challenged in various courts;
- (d) if so, the name of petitioner, the court in which these rules stand challenged, the principle grounds of challenge in each petition and the current state of the proceedings notwithstanding the stay by Supreme Court; and
- (e) whether the Government has done any cost benefit analysis of such bans and whether the help in stopping the alleged offensive content and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

(a): All private TV  channels  are required to adhere to the Programme  and  Advertising  Code  laid  down  under  the  Cable Television  Networks  (Regulation)  Act,  1995  and  Rules  framed thereunder.  Appropriate  action  is  taken  whenever  violation  of these  Codes  is  found.  During  the  years  2017  -  2022,  nine  (9)  TV channels  have  been  taken  off-air  for  specified  time-period  for violation of the Programme Code and Advertising Code.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued directions for  blocking  of  94  YouTube  based  news  channels  and  19  social media accounts / websites / mobile applications under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 during 2021-22.

(b):  The  CBFC  has  informed  that  between  2017  and  2022,  it  has refused certification to 11 songs.

(c)  and  (d):  Several  petitions  have  been  filed  in  High  courts  of Delhi,  Odisha,  Kerala,  Karnataka,   Madras, Calcutta, Bombay and the Supreme Court challenging these Rules.  The same are being heard by the Supreme Court.

(e): The orders issued by the Government  under  the  Cable Television  Networks  (Regulation)  Act,  1995  and  the  rules  framed thereunder and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines  and  Digital  Media  Ethics  Code)  Rules,  2021,  serve  as deterrence in ensuring compliance to the extant laws.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2704 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-02
Subject: Official Language Act 1963
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: A. Chellakumar

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2704

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND  AUGUST, 2022/ SRAVANA 11, 1944 (SAKA)

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE ACT 1963

2704. DR. A. CHELLAKUMAR:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  amend  the  Official  Languages Act, 1963 to allow the publication of official notifications in all languages mentioned in the Eighth  Schedule,  as  advised  by  the  Supreme  Court  in 2020 and if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor; and

(b) whether the Government has evaluated the impact of promoting Hindi at the expense of English in southern States and if so, the details therefor, if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI AJAY KUMAR MISHRA)

(a) :  The  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  has  not  given  any  advisory  regarding publication of official notifications in all languages mentioned in the Eighth

Schedule. In view of the above, question does not arise.

(b)  :  No  Sir.  The  Official  Language  Policy  of  the  Government  is  of persuasion, incentive and goodwill.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2703 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-02
Subject: Encouraging Palm Oil Production
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Nama Nageswara Rao

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2703

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 02 ND  AUGUST, 2022

## ENCOURAGING PALM OIL PRODUCTION

2703. SHRI  NAMA NAGESWARA RAO:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a)    the  details  of  total  estimated  annual  requirement  of  palm  oil  in  the  country  and  the details of present production and imports;
- (b)    whether  the  Government  is  considering  formulating  a  comprehensive  scheme  to encourage  palm  oil  producing  farmers  by  providing  Minimum  Support  Price  (MSP)  and other financial assistance incentives;
- (c)  if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्री

(SHRI NARENDERA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a):  The total annual requirement/Demand, production and quantity Imported of edible oil including palm oil during last five years is given under table:

## (Quantity in Lakh metric tons)

| Year    | Demand   | Supply           | Supply    |
|---------|----------|------------------|-----------|
| Year    | Demand   | Domestic sources | Imports** |
| 2017-18 | 242.01   | 103.80           | 138.21    |
| 2018-19 | 255.51   | 103.52           | 151.99    |
| 2019-20 | 251.12   | 106.55           | 144.57    |
| 2020-21 | 245.18   | 111.51           | 133.67    |
| 2021-22 | 257.26   | 116.59*          | 140.67    |

(b) & (c):  The National Mission on Edible Oil-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) has been launched during the year 2021 with the aim to augment the availability of edible oils in the country by harnessing area expansion, increasing Crude Palm Oil (CPO) production and reduce the import burden on edible oil. The total approved cost of the NMEO-Oil Palm scheme is Rs. 11,040 crore, out of which Rs 8844 crore as Central share and Rs.2196 crore as state share.

The  salient  features  of  NMEO-Oil  Palm  include  enhanced  rate  of  assistance  for planting material, inputs for maintenance & intercropping upto gestation period of 4 years, establishment of seed gardens, seed nurseries, micro irrigation, bore well/pump set/water harvesting structure, vermi compost units, solar pumps, harvesting tools, Custom Hiring Centre (CHC). Officers & farmers  training, replanting material cost of old oil palm gardens and establishment of Oil Palm processing mills in NE states  etc.

For the first time, the Government of India has introduced the concept of Viability Price which is a price assurance for the oil palm farmers.

(d):  Does not arise.

*****