opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 227 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Illegal Export of PDS Rice
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Jayadev Galla

## MINISTRY  OF GONSUMER AFFA|RS, FOOD &  pUBLtC  DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD Al{D PUBLIG DISTRIBUTION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED OUESTION NO. 227 TO BE AI{SWERED ON 2"d February,2O21

## ILLEGAL EXPORT OF PDS RICE

## 227. SHRI JAY'TDEV GALLA:

Will the Minister of GONSUIT,IER  AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIG DISTRIBUTION  5clfrrilr rrr*, ar<-a gtf  sr{ufrr fuflur d* be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it has come to the notice of the Government that police has recently busted a racked involved in illegally expo ing PDS rice worth crores of rupees from Andhra Pradesh to Africa, Malaysia, Bangladesh and other countries and also seized rice worth crores of rupeesl
- (b)  whether it is also true that PDS rice bought in Andhra Pradesh  for Rs. {O and being sold between  Rs. {0O and Rs. {3O in above and other countriesl
- (c) if so, the details  thereof; and
- (d)  the steps taken to stop this illegal expoil of PDS rice by the Government?

ANSWER

TIINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER  AFFAIRS,  FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRI DANVE RAOSAHEB DADARAO)

- (a) to (c): Of-late a report had appeared  in the media titled  "Bought  in Andhra at Rs. {O, sold in Malaysia  at Rs. {23" alleging diversion of the PDS foodgrains in Andhra Pradesh' Up on inquiry, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has informed that they have seized 435.EO MTs of Rice worth of Rs. {  rO8r95rOOO/-  and has taken all preventive measures and necessary action against the culprits.

2t-

(d): To bring transparency  and efficiency in the functioning of the Targeted Publiic Distribution System (TPDS),  this  Department  in association  with all States/UTs had implemented a scheme on  rEnd-toEnd Gomputerization  of TPDS  (rperations',  which inter.alia  comprised digitization of ration cards/ beneficiaries'  data, installation  of etectronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices at all Fair Price Shops (FPSs), etc. for transparent distribution  of foodgrains to al! beneficiar:es  under National Food Security Act (NFSA). As part of these activities,  {OO% digitization  of NFSA ration cards has been achieved in all States/UTs, Aadhaar seeding of almost 9l7o ration cards at the national level has been achieved  so far ({OO% in Andhra Pradesh).  Besides, almost 92o/o ol total 5.4 Lakh FPSS in the country are distributing foodgrains  through ePoS devices. At the nationa! level, more than 7O% of the monthly allocated foodgrains to States/UTs are being distributed to  I{FSA beneficiaries  after their biometric authentication  on ePoS devaces.

Futther, NFSA provides for implementation  of a two-tier grievance redressal mechanism in all States/UTsr including  Andhra Pradesh, i.e. District  Grievance Redressal Officerc (DGRO) and independent  State Food Gommissions  (SFC) along with setting up of 4 level Vigilance Gommittees at State, districts, blocks and FPSs levels  for the monitoring  and grievance redressat, transparency and accountability in TPDS operations.
Lok Sabha Question No. 226 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Modernisation of Jammu & Kashmir Police
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Jugal Kishore Sharma

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 226

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 02 ND  FEBRUARY, 2021/ MAGHA 13, 1942 (SAKA)

MODERNISATION OF JAMMU & KASHMIR POLICE

†226.  SHRI JUGAL KISHORE SHARMA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether additional assistance has been sought for the modernisation of Jammu & Kashmir Police; and

(b) if so, the amount sought and sanctioned during the last year?

ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Modernisation of police force is an ongoing process.  During the Financial  Year  2019-20,  Rs.  1,267  Crore  have  been  released  under  the Security Related Expenditure (Police), in addition to Rs. 40.20 Crore for the modernization of Jammu and Kashmir Police.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 223 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Amendment of IPC and CrPC
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Geetha Viswanath Vanga, Kotha Prabhakar  Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 223

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 02 ND  FEBRUARY, 2021/ MAGHA 13, 1942 (SAKA)

AMENDMENT OF IPC AND CRPC

223.  SHRIMATI VANGA GEETHA VISWANATH: SHRI KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Union Government proposes to amend Indian Penal Code and  Code  of  Criminal  Procedure  to  suit  the  present  conditions  in  the country to stop misuse of atrocity case related laws;

(b) if so, whether the views of the States have been sought;

(c) if so, the response received and considered so far in this regard; and

(d) the present status of the amendments?

ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Amendment to Criminal laws is a continuous process which is based on wider stakeholder consultations.  Accordingly, views of various stakeholders including State  Governments  have  been  sought. The suggestions received are subject to examination by the Ministry of Home Affairs in consultation with all stakeholders.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 222 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Misuse of Funds
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Chunni Lal Sahu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †222 ANSWERED ON 02.02.2021

## MISUSE OF FUNDS

## †222. SHRI CHUNNI LAL SAHU:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the  Government has any scheme to empower the panchayats digitally all over the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the number of cases registered so far by the Government in respect of bringing a check on misuse of funds at panchayat level along with the action taken in this regard during the last two years;

(d)  the  present  status  thereof  particularly  in  the  State  of  Chhattisgarh  including  Mahasamund, Gariyaband and Dhamtari; and

(e)  the  reasons  for  not  taking  appropriate  action  so  far  against  the  said  offenders  while  taking cognizance in this connection?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) and (b) With a vision to digitalize Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) for empowering rural India, Ministry has developed a suite of Core Common Applications under e-Panchayat Mission Mode  Project  (MMP)  to  address  all  aspects  of  Panchayat  functioning  including  planning, budgeting, implementation, accounting, monitoring and delivery of citizen centric services like issue of certificates, licences, etc to make them more transparent, accountable and effective as organs of decentralized self-governing institutions. Further, in order to strengthen e-Governance in PRIs, a Simplified Work Based Accounting Application for Panchayati Raj - eGramSwaraj (egramswaraj.gov.in) has been developed amalgamating functionalities of planning, monitoring, accounting and online payments.

(c) to (e) Panchayat being a State subject, the responsibility of governance of Panchayats rests with State Governments. Hence, appropriate actions on complaints relating to Panchayats including misuse of funds is the responsibility of State Governments. No such record is maintained centrally.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 221 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Delay in Payment under MGNREGS
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Diya Kumari

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

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 221 ANSWERED ON 02.02.2021

## DELAY IN PAYMENT UNDER MGNREGS

## 221. MS. DIYA KUMARI:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken/is  likely  to  take  steps  to  avoid  multiple  data  entry under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme(MGNREGS);
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the steps taken and/or being taken by the Ministry to resolve the issue of delay in payment due to the absence of data entry under the said Scheme; and
- (d) the steps taken/being taken by the Ministry to resolve issues that are being caused due to poor technical and internet connections in relation to the said Scheme?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a)  to  (d):      The  Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGS  is  implemented  on  an  end-to-end  integrated transaction based Management Information System platform called NREGAsoft, which monitors all aspects relating to planning, administrative and technical approval of the scheme, issue of job cards, acceptance of demand, issue of muster roll, measurement, approval of payment and finally payment  to  the  beneficiary  through  a  Direct  Benefit  Transfer-  Public  Financial  Management System  platform.  During  current  financial  year  2021-21  (as  on  26.01.2021),  the  Ministry  has released  Rs.  88378.53  crore  to  the  States  &  UTs  for  implementation  of  Scheme  and   around 97.97% Fund Transfer Orders have been generated within specified 15 days.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 220 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Broadband/Internet Connections
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Vijay Baghel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †220 ANSWERED ON 02.02.2021

## BROADBAND/INTERNET CONNECTIONS

## †220. SHRI VIJAY BAGHEL:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the plan of providing Broadband/Internet connections to the Gram Panchayats under the Digital India Programme is being implemented by the Government;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  number  of  Gram  Panchayats  provided  Broadband/Internet  connections  in  the  country including the State of Chhattisgarh as on date;
- (d)  the  criteria  being  followed  for  providing  Broadband/Internet  connections  to  the  Gram Panchayats; and
- (e)  the  time  by  which  the  work  of  providing  Broadband/Internet  connections  is  likely  to  be completed in the country?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) to (c) Under the Digital India Programme, BharatNet project is being implemented to provide last mile broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country through Wi-Fi or any other suitable broadband technology including Fiber to the Home (FTTH). Till 15.01.2021, a total number of 1,51,404 GPs have been made Service Ready. This includes 6638  GPs in State of Chhattisgarh.
- (d) Under BharatNet project, all the GPs are to be provided with broadband connectivity. Further, as part of this project, the last mile connectivity is to be provided through Wi-Fi or any other suitable broadband technology in all GPs to access broadband/internet services.
- (e) The BharatNet project was envisaged to be completed by August 2021. However, this time will now be extended as the pace of completion is affected by lockdown and restrictions on movement imposed due to COVID-19.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 219 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: MoU between NBCFDC and Apollo Medicals
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Parbatbhai Savabhai Patel, Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadiya

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 219 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2021

## MoU BETWEEN NBCFDC AND APOLLO MEDICALS

## +219. SHRI PARBATBHAI SAVABHAI PATEL: SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

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

(a) whether the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) and Apollo Medicals have signed a Memorandum of   Understanding(MoU) to   provide vaccination   training to nurses   and  pharmacists  belonging to Other   Backward Classes   and Economically Weaker Sections utilizing the funding of NBCFDC;

- (b) if so, the details thereof; and

the number of persons targeted to be trained during the next few months under this MoU?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Yes; Sir. The National  Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) has signed an MOU with M/s. Apollo Medskills Pvt Ltd. for providing COVID Vaccination Administration training programme (as per guidelines of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) to Nurses, Medical & Nursing students and Pharmacist belonging to the target of National  Backward Classes Finance and  Development (NBCFDC) on a Co-funding group has been sanctioned with the aim of Up-Skilling the competency level of basis. The programme the health care-workers as well contributing to the national programme of Vaccination under progress.

has sanctioned training programme for I000 trainees in the state of Bihar; (c) The Corporation Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, which are expected to be commenced in due Delhi, Telangana, course.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 213 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Detention of Civil Rights Activist
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Mohammad Jawed, Kani K. Navas, T.N. Prathapan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 213

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 02 ND  FEBRUARY, 2021/ MAGHA 13, 1942 (SAKA)

DETENTION OF CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST

213.  DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED: SHRI K. NAVASKANI: SHRI T.N. PRATHAPAN:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  cases  of  arrests  and/or  detention  of  civil  rights  activists  for carrying out peaceful dissent are rising in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has taken cognizance of concerns expressed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights over the rise in arrests and/or detention of civil rights activists in India for carrying out peaceful dissent;
- (c) if so, the Government's response in this regard;
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether the Government has the data of Civil Rights activists who are arrested or detained for Bhima Koregoan case, anti-CAA protests and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (e): National  Crime  Records  Bureau  (NCRB)  is  the  Central  Agency which  compiles  the  data  on  crimes  as  reported  by  States  and  Union Territories  and  publishes  the  same  in  its  annual  publication  'Crime in

## L.S.US.Q.NO.213 FOR 02.02.2021

India'. The latest published report is of the year 2019.   The National Crime Record  Bureau  does  not  maintain  any  specific  data  on  arrests  and/or detention of civil right activists. Therefore, making any inference regarding trend of arrest and/or detention in this regard is not possible.

(b) to (d): The Government of India has taken note of the Press Release dated 20 th  October, 2020 issued by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human  Rights  on  the  restrictions  on  human  right  NGOs  and  arrests  of activists in India and has responded to it appropriately. Further, there are adequate safeguards available under the Constitution of India and various statutes including the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, for ensuring protection of human rights.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 210 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Incentives for Plantation Crops
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Gangasandra Siddappa Basavaraj

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.210

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  2 ND  FEBRUARY, 2021

## INCENTIVES FOR PLANTATION CROPS

210.   SHRI G.S. BASAVARAJ:

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

- (a) whether the Government is providing excessive incentives to farmers growing cereals and  pulses  by  way  of  MSP  system,  while  cotton  and  sugarcane  farmers  are  left  to exploitation by industrial lobby?
- (b) if  so,  the  incentives  needed  to  sustain  the  livelihood  of  farmers  growing  plantation crops and horticultural produce and non-perishable items like potatoes and onions; and
- (c) whether the sugar industry is operating on a self-regulating mechanism with additional benefits derived from by-products like industrial alcohol, ethanol etc and value-added range of confectionaries?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a)   & (b) : Government  announces  Minimum  Support  Price (MSP)  for 22 major agricultural commodities including cotton each year in both the crop seasons after taking into account the recommendations of the Commission  for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).    Besides,  Government  also  announces  Fair  Remunerative  Price  (FRP)  for sugarcane.  The Government had increased the MSP of all mandated crops since 201819 with a return  of  atleast  50%  over all  India  weighted  average  cost  of  production.  For perishable agricultural and horticultural crops for which MSP  is not announced, Government  implements  Market  Intervention Scheme  (MIS)  and  Operation Green schemes as per the extant schemes guidelines.

(c): The FRP so fixed by the Central Government is the bench mark remunerative price for sugarcane.  Accordingly, FRP for 2020-21 sugar season has been fixed at Rs.285 per qtl. Linked to a basic recovery of 10% subject to a premium of Rs.2.85/qtl. for each 0.1% increase of recovery over and above 10% and reduction in FRP at the same rate for each 0.1% decrease in the recovery rate till 9.5%.  With a view to protect interest of farmers, the Government has decided that there shall not be any deduction in case where recovery is below 9.5%.  The sugar mills generally realized revenue from sale of sugar and its other by-products  viz.  molasses,  bagasse  and  press  cake  as  well  as  from  industrial  alcohol, ethanol manufactured from molasses or other sugar allied products including value-added range of confectionaries depending upon their own techno-economic viability.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 206 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Penalty for Animal Cruelty
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Gautam Gambhir

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 206 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND  FEBRUARY, 2021

## PENALTY FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY

206. SHRI GAUTAM GAMBHIR: Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMALHUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मात्स्यिकी , पशुपालन और डेिरी मंत्री be pleased to state: (a)  whether  an  increase  in  the  penalty  for  animal  cruelty  is  being  considered  by amending existing laws which stands at Rs. 50; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a)&  (b)  The  Department  of  Animal  Husbandry  and  Dairying,  Ministry  of  Fisheries,  Animal Husbandry and Dairying has been receiving number of representations from various animal welfare  organizations,  animal  lovers  and  persons  regarding  increase  in  current  penalty prescribed in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960. The Department is examining those representation regarding possibility of increasing the existing penalty.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 204 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Essential Commodities Law
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Badruddin Ajmal

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.204

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2021

## ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES LAW

## 204. SHRI M. BADRUDDIN AJMAL:

## Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has allowed black marketing on a large scale and paved the way for it in the country by making 'The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Law, 2020' because it is meant to remove commodities like cereals, pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, onion and potatoes from  the  list  of  essential  commodities  and  to  end  the  imposition  of  stock-holding  limits except under extraordinary circumstances;
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether it is  true  that  a  commodity  disappeared  from  markets  and  then  returned  after  few days with higher price without any extraordinary circumstances only due to black-marketing; and
- (d) if so, the response of the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h ¼Jh nkuos jkolkgsc nknkjko½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI DANVE RAOSAHEB DADARAO)

(a) to (d)   : No,  Sir.  Essential  Commodities  (Amendment)  Act,  2020  has  not  removed  any commodity from the Schedule of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. State Governments as well as Central Government continue to exercise powers under the Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980 which provides for detention in such cases  for  the  purpose  of  prevention  of  blackmarketing  and  maintenance  of  supplies  of  essential commodities.

*****