opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1355 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-14
Subject: Steps to Control Cotton Price
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: P. Velusamy

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1355 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2022

## STEPS TO CONTROL COTTON PRICE

## 1355. SHRI VELUSAMY P.:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state :

- (a) whether the average modal or most quoted price of kapas (raw un-gined cotton) has recently doubled as compared to last year price for long staple cotton varieties;
- (b) the steps taken by the Government to control the price of the cotton;
- (c) whether the Government will increase the MSP and impose ban on exports due to lower production since the domestic consumption is higher;
- (d) whether the Government is having any proposal to ban Bt cotton with reference to fertility of the soil; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SMT. DARSHANA JARDOSH)

- (a): During last cotton season 2021-22, opening prices of long staple variety kapas were in the range of Rs.7,000 to 7,600 per quintal.   The opening prices in current cotton season 2022-23, of this cotton variety kapas is in the range of Rs. 8,000 to 8,700 per quintal.
- (b): Cotton  prices  are  dependent  on  market  forces  of  demand  &  supply  and  international  prices. Ministry  of  Textiles  is  constantly  engaged  with  stakeholders  across  the  entire  cotton  value  chain  in respect of the prices of cotton to harmonize their interest.
- (c): For cotton season 2022-23 (1.10.2022 to 30.9.2023), Government of India has increased MSP of FAQ grade cotton by about 6% than last year i.e from Rs. 5,726 and 6,025 to Rs. 6,080 and 6,380 per quintal for Medium/Long staple cotton respectively.  The estimated cotton production in the country is 341.91 lakh bales whereas consumption is 311 lakh bales.  Hence, there is no need to ban the cotton export.
- (d) & (e): There is no proposal to ban  Bt cotton  as even after 18 years of  Bt cotton introduction in India, no long term effect has been noticed on soil ecology, soil micro- flora, fauna and their diversity.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1354 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-14
Subject: Medical Assistance at Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Jyotsna Charandas Mahant

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1354 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2022

## MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AT STATIONS

†1354.    SHRIMATI JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has taken any steps to provide first aid and  immediate  medical  assistance  to  the  passengers  at  stations during their journey;
- (b) if so, the details of the facilities being provided in this regard;
- (c) whether the said facilities are available at all the railway stations across the country; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  whether  the  Government proposes to provide the said facility?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d): Yes, Sir. The need and extent of providing medical facilities at  railway  stations  and  in  trains  was  examined  by  Hon'ble  Supreme Court.    In  compliance  of  the  orders,  a  committee  of  experts  was constituted  at  All  India  Institute  of  Medical  Sciences  (AIIMS),  New Delhi.  As  recommended  by  Committee  of  experts,  instructions  have been issued to provide a Medical Box

containing life saving medicines, equipments, oxygen cylinder etc. at all Railway stations and passenger carrying trains. Front line staff i.e. Train Ticket Examiner, Train Gaurds/ Superintendents, Station Master etc.  are  trained  in  rendering  First  Aid.  Regular  refresher  courses  are conducted for such staff. List of near-by hospitals and doctors along with  their  contact  numbers  is  available  at  all  Railway  Stations. Ambulance services of Railways, State Government/Private Hospitals and ambulance service providers are utilized to transport the injured/sick passengers to the hospitals/doctor's clinics.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1352 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-14
Subject: CBI Cases against Derogatory Posts
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1352

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2022)

## CBI CASES AGAINST DEROGATORY POSTS

## 1352. SHRI T.R. BAALU:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  and  details  of  charge-sheets  filed  by  the  Central  Bureau  of  Investigation (CBI)  against  persons  accused  of  derogatory  posts  on  Government  and  Constitutional functionaries;
- (b) the  number  and  details  of  cases  in  which  CBI  could  ultimately  ensure  conviction  by courts;
- (c) whether the Government has been successful in removing all the objectionable posts on social media platforms as soon as such derogatory posts are brought to the attention of the Government through formal complaints or protests and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if  not,  the  reasons  therefor  including  corrective  measures  proposed  to  be  taken  by  the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a):    CBI  has  registered  a  total  number  of  15  cases  on  the  allegations  of  derogatory  posts  on Government and Constitutional functionaries since 2019 and upto 30.11.2022.  Out of these 15 cases, 6 cases are under investigation; while in 9 cases, 28 charge-sheets have been filed against 28 accused persons.  All the cases, in which charge-sheets have been filed, are under trial.

- (b):    All the 28 Court cases as mentioned above, are presently under trial.

(c) & (d):   The section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 empowers Government of India  to  block  information  from  public  access  under  specific  conditions  of  :  (i)  interest  of sovereignty and integrity of India, (ii) defence of India, (iii) security of the State, (iv) friendly relations  with  foreign  States  or  (v)  public  order  or  (vi)  for  preventing  incitement  to  the commission of any cognizable offence relating to above.

Accordingly, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is empowered to  issue  blocking  directions  after  following  due  process  as  envisaged  in  the  Information Technology  (Procedure  Safeguards  for  Blocking  for  Access  of  Information  by  Public)  Rules, 2009.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1349 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-14
Subject: Fake BPL Cards
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Uday Pratap Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1349

## To BE ANSWERED ON 14TH DECEMBER, 2022

## FAKE BPL CARDS

t1349. SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC

- (a) whether   complaints have been received  regarding fake BPL cardls issued to people taken by the Government in this regard; living
- (b) whether the Government has taken any concrete steps to provide cards to the eligible BPL beneficiaries deprived of BPL cards, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government has taken any concrete steps or proposed to weed out illegal BPL card holders in the country, if the details thereof?

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

- (a) to (c): Under National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA); the coverage of beneficiaries for receiving subsidized foodgrains through Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) has been de-linked from the erstwhile poverty estimates and has been linked to the population estimates under two categories namely Antyodaya Ann Yojana (AAY) and Priority Households (PHH) only: As such no BPL cards are issued under NFSA.

Further, under technology driven TPDS reforms and end-to-end computerization of TPDS operations including digitization of ration cardslbeneficiaries data, Aadhaar seeding of ration cards are enabling the StatesIUTs to curb %he menace of fakelbogus ration cards:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1348 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-14
Subject: Surveillance Software System
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Thirumaa Valavan Thol

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1348

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2022

## SURVEILLANCE  SOFTWARE  SYSTEM

## 1348.   SHRI THIRUMAAVALAVAN THOL:

Will the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government or any of its agency is currently using any software or software system or any other equipment for lawful interception and monitoring and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  programme or scheme under which such procurement has been made and the total funds sanctioned and allocated for such procurement;
- (c)whether the Ministry has deployed the spyware software and if so, the details thereof along with  the  reasons  of  the  spyware  software  being  authorised  in  India  when  hacking  is  a criminal offence as per India's law;
- (d) whether these surveillance requests were issued and reviewed by Competent Authorities if such tools have indeed been used and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the orders for interception and monitoring have been issued and if so, the time period for which such orders were in force; and
- (f) the details of intermediaries to whom these orders have been sent?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR)

(a)  to  (f):  Lawful  interception  and  monitoring  is  done  by  the  authorized  law  enforcement agencies after due authorization by the Central or State Governments, under the provisions contained in sub-section (2) of section 5 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 read with Rule 419A of Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951 and section 69 of the Information Technology Act, 2000  read  with  the  Information  Technology  (Procedure  and  Safeguards  for  interception, Monitoring and Decryption of Information) Rules, 2009.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1347 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-14
Subject: FCI Divisional Offices
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Narendra Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1347

## TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER, 2022 14TH

## FCI DIVISIONAL OFFICES

## +1347. SHRI NARENDRA KUMAR

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC

be pleased to state:

- (a) the names of the places in Rajasthan where Divisional Office of the Food Corporation of India is located;
- (b) whether there is any proposal to open Divisional Office of Food Corporation of India in Jhunjhunu (Rajasthan); and
- (c) if the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWE R MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND

## CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

- (a): Divisional Offices are located at following eight places in Rajasthan:
1. Alwar
2. Jaipur
3. Jodhpur
4. Ajmer
5. Bikaner
6. Kota
7. Sriganganagar
8. Udaipur.
- (b) & (c): No there is no proposal to open a Divisional Office of FCI in Jhunjhunu: On the request of the State Government of Rajasthan, procurement centre was opened in Jhunjhunu: However, the procurement remained zero in the last three years: The process of opening any divisional office is started only after considering different operations at the corporation: Sir,

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1346 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-14
Subject: Start-ups
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shiromani Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1346. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2022.

## START-UPS

## 1346.  SHRI RAMSHIROMANI VERMA:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) the growth in the number of recognized start-ups in the country during the last three years;
- (b) the  manner  in  which  the  new  start-ups  and  the  shops  existing  actually  in  the country shall get assistance and get promoted by the Open Network for the Digital Commerce (ONDC);
- (c) whether the Government has invited suggestions from the stakeholders of this ecosystem;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the above suggestions have been considered before launching the ONDC platform; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री सोम प्रकाश ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI SOM PARKASH)

- (a): Under Startup India Initiative, entities are recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as startups as per eligibility conditions prescribed under G.S.R. notification 127  (E) dated 19th February,  2019.  As on  30th  November 2022,  84,012  entities  have  been recognised as startups from across the country by the DPIIT.

The number of entities recognised as startups by the DPIIT in the last three years are:

|   Year | Number of Entities Recognised as Startups by the DPIIT   |
|--------|----------------------------------------------------------|
|   2019 | 11,328                                                   |
|   2020 | 14,534                                                   |
|   2021 | 20,089                                                   |

- (b) to (f): Startups can participate in Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) by developing innovative and specialised solutions for any part of e-Commerce value chain, integrate with the wider ecosystem of e-commerce in India, and scale rapidly. Shopkeepers can be visible on e-commerce and do business on their own terms through a seller network participant of their choice on ONDC.

ONDC published its overall approach in a strategy paper in January 2022 and its approach to building trust in the network on 29th September 2022 for public consultation. The suggestions from network participants and the broader  ecosystem  have  been  incorporated  into  the  ONDC  policies, codebase as well as overall development of the network.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1345 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-14
Subject: Updation of Aadhaar Card
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh, Santosh Kumar, Dinesh Chandra Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1345

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2022

## UPDATION OF AADHAAR CARD

## 1345. SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH: SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR: SHRI DINESH CHANDRA YADAV:

Will  the  Minister  of ELECTRONICS  AND  INFORMATION  TECHNOLOGY  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to make it mandatory to update Aadhaar card every ten years by amending Aadhaar regulations;
- (b) whether  the  said  proposal  is  likely  to  cause  problems  for  the  public  again  and  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of the benefits of frequent updates to be made in Aadhaar for the Government and the public?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR)

(a):  No,  Sir.  The  Unique  Identification  Authority  of  India,  with  a  view  to  ensure  continued accuracy  of  residents'  information  in  the  Central  Identities  Data  Repository,  through  its notification  dated  9.11.2022  has  provided  that  Aadhaar  holders,  upon  completion  of  every  10 years  from  the  date  of  enrolment  for  Aadhaar,  may  update  their  supporting  documents  in Aadhaar at least once, by submitting documents to prove identity and address.

- (b): Question does not arise.

(c): Aadhaar has emerged as the most widely accepted proof of identity and has enabled crores of residents to easily establish their identity and address through Aadhaar authentication. Updating of  Aadhaar  details  enables  Aadhaar  holders  to  avail  of  the  benefit  of  a  large  number  of government schemes on the basis of updated address and demographic data.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1344 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-14
Subject: Contribution of KNPP to National Energy Grid
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1344

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2022

## Contribution of KNPP to National Energy Grid

1344.  SHRIMATI KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the contribution of KNPP  to the national energy grid during the last five financial years;
- (b) the details of the distribution of Total Production of electricity from  KNPP  during  the  said  period,  State-wise  and  year-wise  along  with  the progression made on the construction of units for full capacity functioning of the power plant; and
- (c) the details of current distribution of total employees and Tamil  Nadu Domicile employees in the power plant?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  PERSONNEL,  PUBLIC  GRIEVANCES  & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) The contribution of electricity from KKNPP 1&2 (2 X 1000 MW) to the Grid during the last five years (2017-18 to 2021-22) was 48,382 Million Units.
- (b) The distribution of electricity exported (in Million Units) from KKNPP-1&2, statewise is given below:

| Year->     |   2017-18 |   2018-19 |   2019-20 |   2020-21 |   2021-22 |
|------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Kerala     |      1089 |       757 |      1404 |      1510 |      1852 |
| Tamilnadu  |      4608 |      3199 |      5914 |      6365 |      7799 |
| Telangana  |       197 |       149 |       180 |       294 |       350 |
| Puducherry |       281 |       195 |       364 |       388 |       476 |
| Karnataka  |      1820 |      1263 |      2338 |      2512 |      3079 |

As  of  October  2022,  KKNPP  3&4  and  KKNPP  5&6  have  achieved  physical progress of 63.57% and 12.89% respectively.

- (c) The total number of NPCIL employees at present at Kudankulam site (KKNPP Units 1 to 6) is 1257, drawn from across the country. Of these, 810 employees are domicile of Tamil Nadu.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1343 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-14
Subject: National Retail Trade Policy
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Gyaneshwar Patil, Nayab Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1343. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2022.

## NATIONAL RETAIL TRADE POLICY

## 1343.  SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL: SHRI NAYAB SINGH:

## Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether the National Retail Trade Policy is increasing investments in the market for small scale industries and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has any proposal to develop the tribal and underdeveloped areas with this flow of money and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the implication of this policy can benefit the growth of retail business in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the policy is efficient enough to boost e-commerce platform and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government has proposed any initiative to educate the traders about this visionary policy and put in place awareness authority for the same and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री सोम प्रकाश ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI SOM PARKASH)

- (a) to (e):

There is no National Retail Trade Policy at present. A draft of National Retail Trade  Policy  has  been  prepared.  The  Draft  National  Retail  Trade  Policy focuses  on  preparing  strategies  for  providing  a  globally  competitive  and sustainable  environment  for  overall  development  of  retail  trade  through targeted  efforts  towards:  development  of  all  formats  of  retail  trade  in  a harmonious manner; improvement in Ease of Doing Business in retail sector; ensuring easy and quick access to affordable credit; facilitating modernization and digitization of retail trade by promoting modern technology and superior infrastructural  support;  development  of  physical  infrastructure  across  the distribution chain of retail trade; promotion of skill development and to improve labour productivity; creation of large scale employment opportunities; providing an  effective  consultative  and  grievance  redressal  mechanism  for  the  retail sector; and welfare of traders and their employees. Consultations have been held with various stakeholders.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1342 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-14
Subject: New FCI Godowns in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Goddeti Madhavi, Kotagiri Sridhar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1342

## TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER, 2022

## NEW FCI GODOWNS IN ANDHRA PRADESH

1342. SHRIMATI GODDETI MADHAVI: SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has established any new Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns in the State of Andhra Pradesh (AP) in the last three years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to establish any new FCI godowns in Srikakulam, Vijayanagaram and Visakhapatnam districts of Andhra Pradesh; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSW E R

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

- (a) & (b): Sir. Andhra Pradesh a decentralized procurement State; procurement, storage and distribution under National Food Security Act (NFSA) Other Welfare Schemes (OwS) is handled by State Government: Food Corporation of India (FCI) comes into the picture in case of surplus procurement, where stocks are taken over by FCI and moved out to consuming states: No, being

However, as on 01.11.2022, FCI has 9.56 LMT (Owned-09.00 LMT 1' Hired-0.56 LMT) capacity in Andhra Pradesh: Foodgrain stocks with FCI as on 09.12.2022 was 2.65 LMT.

- (c) & (d): Questions do not arise.