opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 827 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-07
Subject: Obscene Advertisements
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Ashok Kumar Rawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.827

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2023)

## OBSCENE ADVERTISEMENTS

## 827.  SHRI ASHOK KUMAR RAWAT:

Will  the  Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether some advertisements of cigarettes, tobacco, liquor have been/are being broadcast for the last three years and during the current year by doordarshan kendras/centres;
- (b) whether obscene pictures are also  being  broadcasted  on  a large scale by doordarshan kendras;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  suggestions  or memorandum during the last three years and as on date to ban or  impose  legal  restrictions  on  the  broadcast  of  these advertisements/obscene pictures;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c):  No,  Sir.    The  programme  and  advertisement  on Doordarshan are telecast in accordance with the Programme and Advertising Codes issued from time to time. (d) to (f): Does not arise in view of the reply to parts (a) to (c) above. However, in case of Private Satellite TV Channels, all advertisements are regulated in terms of Cable Television Networks (Regulations) Act, 1995 and the rules framed thereunder.    Appropriate  action  is  taken  if  any  violation  of  the Programme and Advertisement Code is established.  The Ministry also  issues  advisories  from  time  to  time  to  private  satellite  TV channels for ensuring compliance to the Programme and Advertising Codes.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 826 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-07
Subject: Domino effect in MGNREGS
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Manickam Tagore B

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

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 826 ANSWERED ON 07/02/2023

## DOMINO EFFECT IN MGNREGS

## 826. SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B.:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Government owes as on December 14, 2022, Rs. 4,700 crore in wages to 18 States and Rs. 5,450 crore in material cost to 19 States and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is also a fact that the delay in material costs has a domino effect on work since a delay in the payment breaks the supply chain and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also true that the vendors are reluctant to supply new material because of prolonged delays in payments and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether it is also true that the Government is considering meeting the shortfall and if so, the details and the manner thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a),(b)&(d):  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Scheme  (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS) is a demand driven wage employment Scheme. Funds are released to the States/UTs  on  the  basis  of  "agreed  to"  Labour  Budget  (LB)  and  performance  of  the States/UTs during the financial year. Fund release to States/UTs is a continuous process and Central Government is committed to making funds available keeping in view the demand for work on the ground. No State/UT-wise financial allocation is made under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS.

During  the  current  financial  year  2022-23  (as  on  03.02.2023)  an  amount  of  Rs.  72813.73 crore was released for wage, material & administrative components under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS.

- (c):     Under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS, no fund is directly released to the vendors.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 825 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-07
Subject: National Fellowship for PwD
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Satyadev Pachauri

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

## LOK SABHA

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT

( Shri A.Narayanaswamy )

(a) to (d) 'National Fellowship for Persons with Disabilities (NFPwD)' is one of six components of  'Umbrella  Scheme  of  Scholarships  for  Students  with  Disabilities'  being  implemented  by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan).

The  Department  maintains  a  record  of  the  number  of  selected  students  under  'National Fellowship  for  Persons  with  Disabilities  (NFPwD)'.  Since  2014-15,  a  total  1865  students  are selected under NFPwD out of which 376 students belong to Uttar Pradesh.

The details of Budget Allocation (BE), Revised Allocation (RE) and Actual Expenditure (AE) under Umbrella Scheme titled 'Scholarships for Students with Disabilities (Divyangjan)'  during last three year is as under:-

(₹ in Crore)

| Year    |   BE |     RE |     AE |
|---------|------|--------|--------|
| 2019-20 |  125 | 108.67 |  95.75 |
| 2020-21 |  125 | 100    |  97.37 |
| 2021-22 |  125 | 124.88 | 120.25 |

*****

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 825 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2023

## NATIONAL FELLOWSHIP FOR PwD

## 825.   SHRI SATYADEV PACHAURI

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

- (a) whether the Government maintains a record of the number of beneficiary students selected for 'National Fellowship for Persons with Disabilities (PwD)';
- (b) if so, the details for the State of Uttar Pradesh in this regard and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether  the  budget allocated for the benefit of  persons  with disabilities has  been underutilized; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?
Lok Sabha Question No. 824 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-07
Subject: Small Food Processing Cold Chain
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Kuldeep Rai Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 824

ANSWERED ON 07 TH  FEBRUARY, 2023

## SMALL FOOD PROCESSING COLD CHAIN

## 824. SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA:

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

- (a) the number of small food processing cold chain set up/functioning in the country;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  provide  grants  for  establishing  small  food processing cold chain units in near future;
- (c) if so, the details thereof, especially in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether there is any other scheme to benefit small and medium farmers through low investment processing units and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a)  to  (c):    The  Ministry  of  Food  Processing  Industries  (MoFPI)  is  implementing  the  scheme  of "Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure' which is a demand driven scheme. Project proposals are invited from interested individuals/ entities through Expression of Interest (EoI) floated from time to time and projects are sanctioned based on procedure enumerated in the scheme guidelines. A total of 376 cold chain projects have been accorded approval under the said scheme till date, of which 271 projects  are  completed.  Two  cold  chain  projects  have  been  approved  in  Andaman  &  Nicobar Islands, out of which one is completed.

(d):  Interested individuals can avail benefits available under Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food  Processing  Enterprises  (PMFME)  scheme  being  implemented  by  MoFPI  to  support  low investment processing facilities.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 821 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-07
Subject: Natural Farming in Rainfed Areas
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Sanjay Bhatia

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 821

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 7 Th  FEBRUARY, 2023

## NATURAL FARMING IN RAINFED AREAS

821. SHRI SANJAY BHATIA:

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

- (a) whether the Government is focusing on the promotion of natural farming in rainfed areas beyond Ganga as well as Yamuna river and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Union Government has any proposal to bring any new plans/economic plans and development projects in coordination with the State Government in those districts of  Haryana  (Karnal,  Panipat,  Kurukshetra  etc.)  which  produce  for  agriculture  market  and export at international level; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Government  is  promoting  natural  farming  through  a  sub  scheme  namely  Bhartiya Prakritik  Krishi  Padhati  (BPKP)  under  Paramparagat  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (PKVY)  since 2020-21. So far, 4.09 lakh ha area has been brought under BPKP in 8 States including rainfed areas.

(b) & (c): Under PKVY, assistance is provided @ Rs. 15.0 lakh / 1000 ha cluster for 3 years to facilitate farmers for direct marketing of their organic products to the buyers in the country including all districts of Haryana. In addition, assistance is provided @ Rs. 53.0 lakh /1000  ha  clusters  for  3  years  for  branding,  publicity,  exhibition,  trade  fairs  and  other marketing initiatives to support direct buying of organic products from farmers.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 812 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-07
Subject: Preventive Detention Laws
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Jayadev Galla

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 812

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 07 TH  FEBRUARY, 2023/ MAGHA 18, 1944 (SAKA)

PREVENTIVE DETENTION LAWS

812.  SHRI JAYADEV GALLA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  preventive  detention  laws  that  are  currently  under operation in the country;
- (b) the number of persons detained under these laws during the last three years, classified law-wise;
- (c)  the  number  of  persons  detained  under  these  laws  during  the  said period, State-wise;
- (d)  the  number  of  persons  who  have  been  convicted  after  serving  the sentence under preventive detention;
- (e) whether the Government aims to reduce the arrests under these laws;
- (f) if so, the objective criterion that would be taken up to determine arrest under preventive detention laws; and

(g) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (g)  :  Preventive  detention  laws  are  made  by  both,    Central Government  and  State  Governments.  Preventive  detention  orders  are passed  by  different  authorities  including  district  and  state  authorities,

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 812 FOR 07.02.2023

authorized  by  concerned  government.  Information  regarding  preventive detention  laws  made  by  the  State  Legislatures  and  preventive  detention orders  passed  by  all  the  authorities  are  not  maintained  centrally  in  this ministry.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 811 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-07
Subject: Implementation of AVAY
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Harish Dwivedi

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.811 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2023

## IMPLEMENTATION OF AVAY

## +811. SHRI HARISH DWIVEDI:

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

- (a) the facilities provided to senior citizens under Atal Abhyudaya Yojana (A VAY); being Vayo
- (b) the names of districts of Uttar Pradesh in which the Integrated Senior Citizen Programme is not being implemented under A VA Y; and
- (c) the details of criteria adopted for the selection of districts under the Integrated Senior Citizens Programme?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

## (SHRI A. NARAYANASWAMY)

- (a) The scheme of Atal Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) being run by Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, includes provision of   financial security, healthcare, nutrition, shelter; welfare etc. for senior citizens. Basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care, entertainment opportunities are provided free of cost to indigent senior citizens. Vayo
- (b) The districts of Uttar Pradesh in which the  Integrated  Programme   for  Senior Citizens (IPSrC) is not being implemented under the AVYAY as conveyed by the State Government and  accordingly notification issued for inviting applications from NGOs/Trusts organisation are Agra, Baghpat, Etawah, Farrukhabad, Gorakhpur; Hamirpur, Kasganj, Mathura, Prayagraj, Barabanki, Bulandshahr; Kannauj and Kushi Mau, Nagar.
- (c) Senior citizen homes (old age homes) under Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens(IPSrC), a component of AVYAY, are provided in gap districts, i.e. districts not having senior citizen homes which includes senior citizen homes not maintained even by the State Government: Such information is obtained by this Ministry from the respective Statesl UTs on the basis of which, applications are invited from eligible organisations on e-Anudaan portal only. Organisations are then selected on the basis of documents provided by them and also the recommendation of the respective Statel UT Government: being
Lok Sabha Question No. 803 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-07
Subject: FSL in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Kotagiri Sridhar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 803

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 07 TH  FEBRUARY, 2023/ MAGHA 18, 1944 (SAKA)

FSL IN ANDHRA PRADESH

803.   SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  there  is  any  proposal  to  build  any  forensic  lab  in  Andhra Pradesh and if so the details thereof along with the progress of construction  of  Forensic  Science  Laboratory  (FSL)  in  Amaravati,  Andhra Pradesh;

(b) the funds allocated for the construction of the laboratory in the current Financial Year;

(c) the steps taken to ensure timely completion of its construction;

(d) whether any more such laboratories are proposed to be established in Andhra Pradesh; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

(SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a)   Since 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects as per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution  of  India,  it  is  primarily  the  responsibility  of the State Governments/UT Administration to construct all police establishments,  including  forensic establishments.   However, a Centrally

Sponsored  Sub-scheme  for  setting  up  of  various  forensic  laboratories  in Andhra Pradesh was approved by the Central Government in September, 2017. Central share of ₹ 42.35 crore was also released during the financial years  2017-18  and  2018-19.  This  sub-scheme  was  revived  in  the  name of 'Assistance  for  Setting  up  /  Up-gradation  of  Forensic  Science  Labs  in Andhra  Pradesh'  and  has  been  approved  by  the  Central  Government  on 19.1.2022  with the following outlays:

| Financial Year   |   Central Outlay (In ₹ crore) |
|------------------|-------------------------------|
| 2021-22          |                         28.75 |
| 2022-23          |                         37.4  |
| 2023-24          |                         43.5  |
| Total            |                        109.65 |

(b)  No  funds  could  be  allocated/released  under  this  sub-scheme  in  the current  Financial  Year  as  Utilization  Certificates  of  Rs.  14.36  crore  are pending from the State Government since November, 2020.

(c) The State Government and State Police have been reminded from time to  time  for  expediting  implementation  of  the  sub-scheme  through  letters as well as review meetings held with the officials. However, no progress has been reported by the State Government in this regard in recent years.

## L.S.US.Q.N.803 FOR 07.02.2023

(d) and (e) This sub-scheme includes construction, furnishing and equipping  of  the  State  Forensic  Science  Laboratory,  3  new  Regional Forensic  Science  Laboratories  and  upgradation  of  4  Regional  Forensic Science Laboratories.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 801 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-07
Subject: Approval for Genetically Modified Mustard
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Anto  Antony

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 801

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07 TH  FEBRUARY, 2023

## APPROVAL FOR GENETICALLY MODIFIED MUSTARD

801. SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ षि और षकसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has given approval for cultivation of Genetically Modified (GM) Mustard and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has conducted any study in this regard and if so, the details of such study;
- (c) whether the Government has received any complaints against the use of GM Mustard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ षि और षकसान कल्याण मंत्री (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a): The Government has approved the environmental release of Genetically Modified (GM) Mustard hybrid DMH-11 and its parental lines during 147 th  meeting of Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) on 18 October, 2022 for its seed production and testing as per existing ICAR guidelines, conditions imposed by the GEAC while recommending  the  environmental  release  of  GM  mustard  hybrid  DMH-11  and  its parental lines; and other extant rules/regulations prior to commercial release.

(b): The hybrid DMH-11 has been tested against the check varieties Varuna and RL1359 during Biosafety Research Level Trials (BRL) I and II, where it gave 28.15% high over Varuna during 2010-11 to 2014-15.  Field trials for three years were conducted to assess the impact on human health and environment as per the stipulated guidelines and applicable rules. Extensive studies carried out on toxicity, allergenicity, compositional analysis, field trials and environmental safety studies of GM mustard lines vs.  their  non-transgenic  comparators  have  provided  evidence  that  the  GE  mustard hybrid DMH-11 and its parental lines are safe for cultivation and for food and feed use. Visitation of bees to the transgenic lines is similar to the non-transgenic counterparts during the BRL-I and BRL-II trials conducted as per the protocols approved by Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) and GEAC.

(c) and (d): Few representations have been received on the environmental release of GE  mustard  hybrid  DMH-11,  however,  the  issue  of  environmental  release  of  GM Mustard is under adjudication before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 793 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-07
Subject: Low Wages under MGNREGS
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Jagannath Sarkar

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 793 ANSWERED ON 07/02/2023

## LOW WAGES UNDER MGNREGS

## 793. SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware about the wage rate being provided under Mahatma Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Scheme  (MGNREGS)  is  far  below than the market rate in several States thereby defeating the purpose of acting as the safety net, if so, the details thereof and the steps taken in this direction;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  according  to  a  report  the  women  are  facing troubles  in  applying  to  work  under  MGNREGS  due  to  complexity  in  application process; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a)      As per Section 6 (1) of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (Mahatma Gandhi NREGA), 2005, the Central Government may by notification specify the wage  rate  for  unskilled  work  for  its  beneficiaries.  Accordingly,  the  Ministry  of  Rural Development  notifies  Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGA  wage  rate  for  every  financial  year  for States/UTs.  To  compensate  the  Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGA  workers  against  inflation,  the Ministry of Rural Development revises the wage rate every financial year based on change in Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labour (CPI-AL). If the calculated wage rate of any State is coming lower than the wage rate of previous financial year, it is being protected by maintaining the previous financial year wage rate. The revised wage rate is made applicable from 1 st April  of  each  financial  year.  However,  State  Governments can  provide wage over and  above  the  wage  rate  notified  by  the  Central  Government  under  Mahatma  Gandhi NREGA.

- (b)   No such issue is reported to the Ministry.

(c)  The rate of participation of women (women person-days out of total in percentage) under Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGS  during  the  last  three  financial  years  and  current  financial  year 2022-23 (as on 03.02.2022) is given below:

| Financial Year               |   2019-20 |   2020-21 |   2021-22 |   2022-23 |
|------------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Women participation rate (%) |     54.78 |     53.19 |     54.78 |     56.64 |

(As per NREGASoft)

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 788 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-07
Subject: Consolidation of Gram Panchayats
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Sushil Kumar Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 788 ANSWERED ON-07.02.2023

## CONSOLIDATION OF GRAM PANCHAYATS

## 788. SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of Gram Panchayats in the country;
- (b) the number of Gram Panchayats having population of fewer than 1000 individuals;
- (c) whether the Ministry proposes that the States should consolidate some of the Gram Panchayats for better administration or for any other reasons;
- (d) if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether there should be a threshold population for declaring a particular administrative region as Gram Panchayat and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ

## (SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL)

(a) & (b) As per data available with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the total number of Gram Panchayats in all States and Union Territories, covered under Part-IX of the Constitution of India, is 2,55,600 and the number of Gram Panchayats having population of fewer than 1000 individuals is 29,217 as per census 2011 data.

(c) to (e) 'Panchayat', being 'Local Government', is a State subject in terms of the State list of Seventh Schedule of Constitution of India. Mandate for setting up of Panchayats is provided by Article 243C in Part IX of the Constitution of India. The Panchayats are setup and operated through the respective State Panchayati Raj Acts. Accordingly, Panchayats are primarily the responsibility of concerned State Governments and consolidation of the Gram Panchayats for better administration or for any other reasons or to fix any threshold population for declaring a particular  administrative  region  as  Gram  Panchayat,  comes  within  the  purview  of  State Governments.

\_\_\_\_