opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4382 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-30
Subject: Merger Proposal in FCI
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Malook Nagar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4382 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30TH MARCH, 2022

## MERGER PROPOSAL IN FCI

t4382. SHRI MALOOK NAGAR:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that the proposal of merger of movement and depot cadre in Food Corporation of India was approved by the competent authority in the year 2020 itself after the recommendation of a general manager Ievel committee;
- (b) was placed before the Board of Directors of the Corporation for their approval and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether it is a fact that a similar proposal has been given by specialised agency after human resource audit of the corporation;
- (d) if sO, the details of the financial benefits to the corporation and the revenue accrued along with the various other benefits in operational activities on account of the above merger; and
- (e) whether the benefits inherent in the merger have been ignored and the approval of the competent authority given earlier for the proposal of merger has not been implemented and now the corporation has formed another committee; and
- (f) if so, the reasons in this regard?

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

(b): Sir. The matter could not be placed before the Board of Directors (BoDs) of Food Corporation of India (FCI) as it was decided to discuss the matter with recognized staff Union of FCI to avoid any industrial dispute: However, the follow up meetings could not be taken up due to pandemic. No,

- (c): Yes, Sir.
- (d): The major   operational & financial benefits to the Corporation on account of merger are detailed below:
- Employees will have exposure to deal with different type of work and larger pool of staff will be available for operation:
- The new entrant joining in a single Generalist cadre will have same eligibility criteria, training and equal opportunities of promotion which will bring transparency in the system\_
- After merger, present vacancies of movement cadre at feeder level may be utilized for new entrants in Category-III:
- iv. The merger is estimated to bring about financial savings of approximately Rs: 350 crore for the Corporation.

(e) & (f): Sir. The benefits  inherent in the merger have not been ignored: After recommendations of committee of General Managers, consultation of staff union was due and in the meantime Staff Strength Audit report was also received which inter-alia covered cadre merger in its recommendation. FCI has formed a committee of Executive Directors to examine the recommendations of specialized agency regarding staff strength audit with various stakeholders including staff Unions of FCI to take a holistic view regarding manpower and cadre management: No,
Lok Sabha Question No. 4381 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-30
Subject: Quality of Food Grains
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Nalin Kumar Kateel

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

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LoK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4381

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 30TH MARCH, 2022

## QUALITY OF FOOD GRAINS

## 4381. SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL:

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

- (a) whether the production of foodgrains has reached record level in the last three years and if SO, the details thereof, year-wise;
- (b) whether the huge quantity of foodgrains with Food Corporation of India (FCI) has shorter shelf life and these foodgrains gets shrivelled and lacks luster and if the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has made any assessment of losses to the public exchequer from the huge wastage of foodgrains and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government is taking any measures to safeguard the quality of foodgrains by   setting up adequate infrastructure for its storage; and
- (e) if so, the action plan chalked out in this regard?

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

- (a): The details on the production of Paddy & Wheat during the last three years and current year is tabulated as under:-

(Fig: in Million Tonnes)

| KMSIRMS   |   Paddy |   Wheat |
|-----------|---------|---------|
| 2018-19   |  116.48 |  103.6  |
| 2019-20   |  118.87 |  107.86 |
| 2020-21   |  124.37 |  109.59 |
| 2021-22   |  127.93 |  111.32 |

- (b): No SirFood Corporation of India (FCI) always stores foodgrains by adopting scientific method %f preservation and even during longer storage; quality of foodgrains are maintained:
- (c): FCI handled large quantities of foodgrains for distribution under various welfare schemes of Government of India. Inspite all precautionary measures only a meagre quantity of foodgrains gets damagedlbecome non-issuable mainly due to Natural Calamities like cyclone, flood, rain etc.
- (d) & (e): Government   continuously assesses and monitors the storage capacity and based on the storage gap assessment, storage capacities are createdlhired through following schemes:
1. Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme:
2. Central Sector Scheme (CSS):
3. Construction of Silo'$ under PPP mode.
4. Hiring of godown from CWCsISWCsIState Agencies:

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4380 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-30
Subject: Financial Assistance Scheme for Artisans
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Raghu Ramakrishna Raju Kanumuru

## FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME FOR ARTISANS

## 4380. SHRI KANUMURU RAGHU RAMA KRISHNA RAJU:

## Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री

be pleased to state :

(a) whether the Government has taken note that the livelihood of artisans has deteriorated due to the Covid-19 Pandemic in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  proposed  any  financial  assistance  schemes  for  the  benefit  of  these artisans; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् )

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

(a) to (d): Sir, the  office  of  Development  Commissioner  (Handicrafts)  has  taken  the  following steps  for  the  welfare  of  artisans  under  National  Handicrafts  Development  Programme  (NHDP)  and Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS): -

- (I) 57 Producer Companies have been formed as business model for sustainable development of artisans  in  a  time  period  of  three  years  by  ensuring  self-sustainment  of  the  SHG  /artisans  of clusters. The required interventions have been provided to these companies.
- (II) In collaboration with GeM, handicrafts artisans have been onboarded on GeM portal to provide access to direct market platform to sell handicraft products to the government departments and organizations. 28,403 artisans have been on boarded on the GeM portal and total sales figure are Rs 90.57 crores by the registered artisans so far.
- (III) 8 Crafts villages with modern facilities are being set up across the country to promote tourism in handicrafts sector and to provide livelihood opportunity for handicrafts artisans by attracting domestic as well as foreign buyers in the crafts villages. These craft villages  also provide an opportunity  for  exporters  and  artisans  to  work  closely  towards  promotion  and  marketing  of handicrafts products.
- (IV) 12  virtual  marketing  events  have  been  organized  during  the  pandemic  to  ensure  unhindered access to direct marketing platform to handicrafts artisans to sell their products during the Covid pandemic.  Further,  1,330  Chaupals  have  been  organized  throughout  the  country  to  facilitate artisans by way of various interventions.
- (V) Under Direct Benefit to Artisans Scheme margin money assistance and interest subventions on MUDRA  loans  for  3  years  subject  to  maximum  of  Rs.  1,00,000  are  provided.  Further  the financial support amounting to Rs. 5,000 per month provided to awardees artisans in handicraft sector whose age is above 60 years and income should not be exceeding 1.00 Lakh per annum in indigent circumstances.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4377 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-30
Subject: Rise in Sea Level
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Y. S. Avinash Reddy, Komati Reddy Venkat Reddy, Manne Srinivas Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4377 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 30 TH  MARCH, 2022

## RISE IN SEA LEVEL

## 4377. SHRI Y. S. AVINASH REDDY: SHRI KOMATI REDDY VENKAT REDDY: SHRI MANNE SRINIVAS REDDY:

## Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether in the next three decades, cities like Chennai may witness a marginal decrease in its annual rainfall due to rapid urbanization, threat of sea-level rise and decrease in rainfall that are likely to affect the fragile freshwater coastal aquifer;
- (b)      if so, the facts thereof;
- (c) whether sea level is likely to rise by 2050 due to various factors including global warming that would impact the freshwater aquifer;
- (d) whether the proposed installation of desalination plants may reduce ground water extraction and maintain the freshwater aquifer and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)     the State-wise studies done in this regard alongwith the reports prepared and the future action plan prepared by the Government to tackle this issue?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a) Yes,  Sir.  Recent  scientific  studies  have  projected  a  decrease  in  annual  rainfall  for Chennai  at  the  rate  of  6.398  mm/year  during  the  next  three  decades  (2020-2050). However, these results are based on projections using a single regional climate model and there are large uncertainties in projecting rainfall changes at regional / local scales.
- (b) The  reduction  in  the  projected  rainfall  would  lead  to  reducing  the  recharge  of  the coastal aquifer. In addition to this, increased extraction of groundwater will also affect the coastal aquifers.
- (c) Yes,  Sir.  It  is  expected  that  the  sea  level  will  continue  to  rise  in  the  coming  several decades.  As  per  the  6 th Assessment  Report  (AR6) of  the  Intergovernmental  Panel  on Climate Change (IPCC), relative to 1995-2014, the global mean sea level is expected to rise by 0.28 - 0.55 m under the very low greenhouse emission scenario (SSP1-1.9), 0.44 - 0.76 m under the intermediate emission scenario (SSP2-4.5) and 0.98 - 1.88 under the very  high  emission  scenario  (SSP5-8.5)  by  2100.  However,  the  regional  sea  level change  can  differ  significantly  from  the  global  mean.  The  regional  sea  level  rise estimate for the Chennai coast and its impact on freshwater aquifers have not yet been studied.
- (d) & (e)   No  studies  have  been  carried  out  state  wise  to  indicate  that  the  proposed installation of desalination plants may reduce ground water extraction and maintain the fresh water aquifer.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4375 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-30
Subject: Law on Work from Home Concept
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Ranjanben Dhananjay Bhatt, Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4375

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.03.2022)

## LAW ON WORK FROM HOME CONCEPT

## †4375. SHRIMATI RANJANBEN DHANANJAY BHATT: SHRI SHRINIWAS PATIL:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  is  any  proposal  to  encourage  work-from-home  concept  in  the  Central Government offices wherever feasible as prevalent in private sector;
- (b) whether the Government has conducted any work study about the feasibility of such a move;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government is considering to enact a law on 'work from home' concept and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government has taken any steps in this direction so far; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reason therefor?

## 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)  to  (f):   Given  the  nature  of  work  and  its  functional  requirements,  remote  working  is  not feasible  for  majority  of  roles  in  the  Government.  However,  the  Government  did  permit  Work from Home as an exception to middle/junior employees during Covid-19 pandemic to enforce social distancing at workplace. As the pandemic restrictions eased off the employees are required to attend the office physically.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4374 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-30
Subject: Copper Mask
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Kavitha Malothu, Gaddam Ranjith Reddy, Venkatesh Netha Borlakunta, Dayakar Pasunoori

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4374

TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.03.2022

## COPPER MASK

4374.    SHRIMATI KAVITHA MALOTHU:

DR. G. RANJITH REDDY: SHRI VENKATESH NETHA BORLAKUNTA: SHRI PASUNOORI DAYAKAR:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ǒव£ान और Ĥौƭोिगकȧ मंğी be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether it is true that Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and CCMB, Hyderabad, has prepared a mask with copper to wear during this pandemic which gives 99.9% protection from the infection;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the time by which it is likely to come into the market; and
- (d)  whether this mask can be compared with other masks available in the market and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY & EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

ǒव£ान और Ĥौƭोिगकȧ तथा पृØवी ǒव£ान मंğालय क े राÏय मंğी ( èवतंğ Ĥभार) ( डॉ. ǔजतɅġ िसंह )

- (a)  Yes sir, International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy &  New  Materials  (ARCI),  Hyderabad  and  Centre  for  Cellular  &  Molecular Biology  (CCMB),  Hyderabad  and  Resil  Chemicals  Pvt  Ltd,  Bangalore  has developed copper based nanoparticle coatings on fabric which can be used as self-disinfection masks which give 99.9% protection from the infection.
- (b)  Copper-based  nanoparticles  have  been  prepared  by  a  Flame  Spray Pyrolysis (FSP) processing facility established at ARCI and stable nanoparticle suspension is prepared by optimizing the solid loading and pH. A uniform layer of this nano-coating on the cotton fabric with good adhesion was achieved using a suitable binder.  The efficacy of the coated fabric against SARS CoV2 was evaluated by CCMB and also tested for other virus and bacteria.
- (c)  Few thousands of masks have been produced by the industry partner, Resil Chemicals Ltd for pilot scale demonstration and they are being tested
- for certification.
- (d)  The mask cannot be compared with other masks as the technology of other masks available in the market is not well known.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4373 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-30
Subject: Cyber Appellate Tribunal
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Rajbahadur Singh, Chandra Prakash Joshi, Sangamlal Kadedin Gupta, Mahendra Singh Solanky, Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Brijbhushan Sharan Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4373 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30 TH  MARCH, 2022

## CYBER APPELLATE TRIBUNAL

4373.   SHRI RAJBAHADUR SINGH:

SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

SHRI SANGAM LAL GUPTA:

SHRI MAHENDRA SINGH SOLANKY:

SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

SHRI BRIJBHUSHAN SHARAN SINGH:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the number of cases brought to the notice of the Cyber Appellate Tribunal and the orders passed during the last three years;

- (b) whether the Government plans to act on the recommendation of the Standing Committee to have more than one Bench of the Tribunal, if so, the details thereof; and

- (c) whether any plan is proposed to increase the number of benches for speedy disposal of such cases and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

- (a) Through the Finance Act 2017(7 of 2017), Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) was vested with powers to act as Appellate Tribunal under the Information Technology Act, 2000. The details of number of cases are as under:

| Year                    |   Opening balance/Pendency |   Fresh cases filed during the year |   Final Disposal of cases during the year |   Closing balance/ pendency |
|-------------------------|----------------------------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|
| 2022 (as on 16.03.2022) |                         96 |                                   0 |                                         2 |                          94 |
| 2021                    |                         89 |                                   9 |                                         2 |                          96 |
| 2020                    |                         78 |                                  11 |                                         0 |                          89 |
| 2019                    |                         53 |                                  34 |                                         9 |                          78 |

- (b) & (c)

There is no plan to increase the number of benches of TDSAT at this stage.

****

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4372 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-30
Subject: Minorities in Central Government Jobs
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Sanjeev Kumar Singari

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4372

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.03.2022)

## MINORITIES IN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT JOBS

## 4372. DR. SANJEEV KUMAR SINGARI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the details including the number of individuals from minority communities recruited by the Central Government during the last two years;
- (b) the percentage of individuals among all minority communities employed in the Central Government jobs;
- (c) whether there has been a change in the percentage of minorities in the Government jobs during the last five years; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## 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) to (d):   Government of India has launched a number of schemes to improve overall economic empowerment  of  minorities.  Many  of  these  schemes  aim  at  improving  the  employability  of minority students both in the private sector and public sector. Information regarding number of minority candidates recruited by Central Government in the current year is being compiled.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4371 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-30
Subject: BIS Mark to Cup Lump
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Anto  Antony

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4371 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30 th  MARCH, 2022

## BIS MARK TO CUP LUMP

## 4371.  SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry proposes to grant BIS Mark to cup lump;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the response of the concerned department in this regard;
- (c) whether the Government has received any request/representation in this regard;
- (d) if so, the details of the such request/ representation so received; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jherh vuqfiz;k iVsy½

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

- (a): No such proposal is under consideration of the Government.
- (b) to (e): The matter related to formulation of BIS standard for cup lumps has been examined by technical  committee  of  Bureau  of  Indian  Standards(BIS)  and  it  has  decided  that  the  product standard for cup lump is not feasible.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 375 (STARRED), answered on 2022-03-29
Subject: Renaming of Nehru Yuva Kendra
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Vishnu Dutt Sharma

## Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (Department of Youth Affairs)

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NUMBER *375 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2022

Renaming of Nehru Yuva Kendra

*375. SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:

Will  the  Minister  of  YOUTH  AFFAIRS  AND  SPORTS  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) whether the Government is considering revitalization, reconceptualization  and  renaming  of  Nehru  Yuva  Kendra  so  as  to bring it in line with its potential to contribute towards its mandate for youth development;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## ANSWER [SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR]

(a) to (c) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*375 FOR 29.03.2022 REGARDING  RENAMING  OF  NEHRU  YUVA  KENDRA  ASKED  BY

HON'BLE MP SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA: (a) At present, there is no such proposal under consideration. (b) Question does not arise.

- (c)  Nehru  Yuva  Kendra  Sangathan  (NYKS),  an  autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, having its  presence  in  623  districts  with  wide  network  of  village  based Youth Clubs with an enrolment of about 50 Lakh rural Youth has the mandate  to  generate  awareness;  organization  and  mobilize  rural Youth between the group of 15-29 years for developmental work in the villages, with emphasis on values, vision and volunteer action.

Youth from all sections of the society get opportunity to take part in the NYKS programs and activities. Over the years, the Youth have  been  given  opportunity  to  participate  in  adventure  camps, National  Integration  Camps,  Lifeskill  Education,  Inter-state  Youth Exchange  Programs(Ek  Bharat  Shreshtha  Bharat)  and  other  Youth exchange Programs supported by Ministry of Home Affairs, namely the  Tribal  Youth  Exchange  Programs  and  the  North-East  Youth Exchange Programs. These programs enable to enhance the leadership  qualities  among  the  youth  and  also  for  the  Youth  to participate in Nation-building activities.

****