opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1354 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: Free Food Grains
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Bhartruhari Mahtab

## GOVERNMENT OF INDTA

## DEPARTMEIIIT  oF FooD AIID PUBLtc DIsTRIBuTIoiI

## mtNtsTRy  oF coNsuMER AFFAIRS,  FooD &  puBLtC  DtsTRtBUTtoN

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTTON  NO. 1354 TO BE ANSWERED  Oil 27rnJttLY,2O2l

## FREE FOOD GRATNS

1354. SHRI BHARTRUHARI  MAHTAB:

wl!  the Minister  of  Goil$UMER AFFAIR',  FooD AND  puBLrc

DrsrRrBUTrOn  rqgtan arr*, urr-a dk grffi fuf,rur  d* be preased  to state:

- (a)  whether  the Government  has decided to offer free food grarns  to
- vulnerable  sections of the society during GOVID-{9 pandemtc;
- (b)  If so, the details  thereof and its impact on the excheque4
- (c)  whether thrs free food grarn suppay is over and above the monthry
- entltlement  of subsldized food grains under the food securlty;
- (d) if so, the detaits thereto?

## AilSWER

MII{ISTER OF STATE FOR MI]{ISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPiIENT AND coNsuMER AFFAIRS, FOOD &  puBLtC  DtsTRtBUTtON (SADHV!  NtRAltJAr{  JYOTT)

(a)to(d): As a part of Economic Response  to covlD-ig, Govt of lndta has implemented additionar nation-wide  schemes  such as  pradhan  Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna yoina  (pMGKAy)  and Atma Nirbhar Bharat Scheme(ANBS).

Also' under PMGKAY,  Govt of rndia has made aflocation  of foodgrains @ 5 kg per person per month free of cost for around  go  crore beneficiarres of all the 36 states/urs  covered under NFSA (Antyodaya Anna  yolana(AAy) & Priority Households(pHH))  Including those covered under Direct Benefit Transfer(DBT)  for a period of E months i.e Aprrt-November, 2o2o and agarn similarly during the period  May -ilovembeq2021.

During the year, 2O2O, about 322 Lakh Metric Tons (LMT)  of food. grains  and during the year 2021, aboul 27a LMI. foodgrains  haye been arrocated  free of, cost under  pMGrAy  scheme  to approximatety  go  crore NFSA beneficiaries.

Under the Atma t{irbhar  Bharat Scheme (ANBS),  this Department made alocation  of about totat  g  LMT of additionat  free of cost foodgrain covering  a'  the states/UTs  for migrants/stranded  migrants,  who are neither covered under l{ationat Food security Act (iFsA)'nor state Scheme PDS Cards, @ 5 kg per penson per month free of cost for a period  of two months (May & Juner 2O2O).

The a,ocation of free foodgrains  under  pMGI(Ay  and ANBS was an addition  to normat  allocation  done under  the NFSA.

The totar financiar  imprication  under the above  pMGKAy  scheme  I.e April-Novembe4  2o2o and May, zozl lo l{ovember,  2o2l is estimated to be upto a maximum of Rs. 2iSgg2.OZ Crores.

ln addition to  pMGKAy,  under ANB$, financial imptication  of upto maximum oI Rs. 3{09.52 crore have also been incurred.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1352 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: Eradication of Diseases in Animals
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Mahabali Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1352 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 TH  JULY 2021

## ERADICATION OF DISEASES IN ANIMALS

1352. SHRI MAHABALI SINGH:

## Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपाऱन , पशुपाऱन और डेयरी मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any decision for the eradication of certain specific disease in animals;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has fixed any time-limit to achieve the said target of eradication of specific diseases in animals; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a) and (b) Yes Sir, The Government is implementing a Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme  (LH&DCP)  under  which  Foot  and  Mouth  Disease  (FMD)  and  Pesté  des  Petits Ruminants  (PPR)  are  two  diseases  which  are  taken  up  for  eventual    eradication.  Both  the diseases are of economic importance to the farmers. The FMD eradication is implemented under National  Animal  Disease  Control  Programme  (NADCP)  since  2019-20.  PPR  eradication programme under Livestock Health and Disease Control (LH&DC) scheme is implemented from 2021-22. Both FMD and PPR eradication programmes are 100% centrally funded.
- (c) and (d) Yes Sir, It is envisaged to eventually eradicate FMD and PPR by 2030.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1350 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: Impact of Unapproved GM Cotton
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Arvind Kumar Sharma

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1350 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  JULY, 2021

## IMPACT OF UNAPPROVED GM COTTON

1350.  DR. ARVIND KUMAR SHARMA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE & FARMERS' WELFARE कृ िष एवम कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- a)  whether  thousands  of  cotton  farmers  have  been  risking  their  crops  by  sowing unapproved GM cotton for the last few years and if so, the details thereof;
- b)  whether GM crops have the potential to reduce the ecological footprint and costs, and improve farmers' income and competitiveness of Indian agriculture, particularly in cotton, maize, and soybean; and
- c)  if  so,  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  in this  regard and the outcomes achieved thereon?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS' WELFARE

## कृ िष एवम कसान कयाण मंी SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a):      Herbicide  Tolerant  (HT)  cotton  is  not  approved  by  the  Genetic  Engineering Appraisal  Committee  (GEAC),  working  under  Ministry  of  Environment  and  Climate Change. As per media report, cultivation of unapproved Herbicide Tolerant (HT) cotton is reported in some states of the country. This Department has issued several advisories to states for control of sale/production/ storage and further spread of HT Cotton in the state. However, No state has reported risking farmers' crops by sowing unapproved GM cotton.

(b)& (c):   GM crop gives an advantage by reducing the loss to crop, due to the pest infestation and weeds. The numbers of sprays of pesticide are reduced and the input cost  on  farm  labour  is  also  reduced  which  gives  an  advantage  in  enhancing  the crop productivity & production. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), under Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has been established by the Government for evaluating the data for approval of genetically modified crop for commercial release. Bt. Cotton is the only genetically modified (GM) crop approved for commercial cultivation in India by GEAC.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1349 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: Ration Cards for Middle Class
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Kaushalendra Kumar

## GOVERNUENT  OF TNDIA MtNrsTRy oF GONSUMER  AFFA|RS,  FOOD &  puBLtC  DTSTRIBUTTON DEPARTUEiIT  OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTIOiI

## ur.rsrmnrlooXusJl?lix  No., 34e TO BE ANSWERED  ON 27TIIJI,LY.2U21

## RAA!6P  GARDS FOR MIDDLE CLASS

{349. SHRI KAUSHALENDRA  KUMAR!

Will the  Minister  of  GONSUMER  AFFAIRS,  FOOD AilD  pUBLtC DtSTRtBUTtoN  rcgt€r errd, ur<-c sit{ Tr&npf,{,  Elt{pr d.+ m pl""="o  to state:

- whether Government  Is rmptemen*ng  one Nation  one Ration card (oNoRc) scheme, lf so, the details thereof;
- (a)
- (b)
- whether Govemrnent has any pran to assue Ration Gard to middre crass atso l# r*  facing  shortage  of wheat and ric€ specra,y for high prrce  tn open  ia*et;
- (c)
- af  so, the detaits  thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR IIIINISTRY  OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT  AND CONSUMER AFFA|RS,  FOOD &  puBt.tc  DtsTRtBUTtoN (sADHVt  NIRANJAII  JYOTT)

## ANSWER

- (a): Yes slr. So far, the One Nafion One Ration  Card (ONORC) wide portability  Nationat Food Security  Act (NFSA),  2013 ration cards empowering all NFSA beneficiaries, particularly mlgrant  beneficlarles,  to lift thelr entitled  quota  of subsidised  foodgratns from any Fair  price  Shop (FpS)  of cholce in the country  by using thelr same existing rafion  card with biometrlc authentication  on an electronic poi nt of Sale (epos)  device,  is enabled  in 33 States/UTs,  covering almost  g6.7 % NFSA population  (about  69 Grore NFSA beneficiaries)  in the country.  Delhi belng the latest to enable  the same from July 2O21. Furlheq regular  fo ow up has been done with 3 remainlng States/UT of Assam, Ghhattisgaft and West Bengal to enable the ONORG plan for the benefit of migrant NFSA be,neficiaries. plan for natlon.
- (b) & (c): under NFSA, the coverage  of eftgabre benefrciaries/  househotds  is derinked from the erstwhire poverty  estimates and has been finked to popuration estimates.  Accordingly,  lt  provides  coverage  for maximum  of  g,t.35 Grore pensonsr  nearry two'thrrd of the country popuraron  as per eensus or 2011, ro receive the benefit of hfghly subsidased  foodgrains.

Further,  NFSA ts operated  in  toint  responsibitifles  of the Gentral and state/ur Govemments,  wherern  rnter-arta  the operationar responsibirifles  for the ldentificatlon  of erigrbte  ben.faciades/  househotds,  rssuance  of rafion  cards to them as per owrr no.'''s and procedures  rests with the respecfive  state/UT govemments.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1347 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: Selling of Bottled Water, Beverages and Food Items at Higher Prices
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Sukhbir Singh Jaunapuria

## Government of India

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1347

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2021

## SELLING OF BOTTLED WATER, BEVERAGES AND FOOD ITEMS AT HIGHER PRICES

1347.  SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNAPURIA: (OIH)

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 is aware that bottled water and packaged beverages and food items are being sold at higher price than MRP at public places such as railway stations, airports, hotels and multiplexes; and
- (b) if so, the remedial steps proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h ¼Jh vf'ouh dqekj pkScs½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) & (b) : Some complaints of bottled water, packaged foods and drinks being sold at higher prices than the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) have been received. There are provisions in the Legal Metrology Act 2009  and  the  Legal  Metrology  (Packaged  Commodities)  Rules  2011  to  prevent  charging  above  MRP. Enforcement  of  these  provisions is  done  by  the  Legal  Metrology  Department  of  the  concerned  State Government which imposes penalties in case of such violations.

*****

## ORIGINAL IN HINDI
Lok Sabha Question No. 1346 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: Reduced Allocation for MIS-PSS and PM-AASHA Schemes
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Kalyan Banerjee

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1346 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  JULY, 2021

## REDUCED ALLOCATION FOR MIS-PSS AND PM-AASHA SCHEMES

1346.  SHRI  KALYAN BANERJEE:

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

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  in  the  budget  2020-2021  and  2021-22,  the Government has continuously reduced allocations to Market Intervention Scheme and  Price  Support  Scheme  (MIS-PSS)  and  remunerative  prices  to  farmers  for Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) Scheme, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is also a fact that the budget for PM-AASHA has been reduced to one third from Rs. 1,500 crore in 2019-20 to Rs. 500 crore in the last year's budget and allocation  under  PM-AASHA came down to a mere Rs. 400 crore in budget 2021-22;
- (c) if so, the reasons therefor and the plan/process to solve the plight of farmers in the country therein; and
- (d) the details of the proposal to procure crops under Price Support Schemes and stops taken to provide adequate remuneration to farmers for their produce?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## कृ ष एवं कसान कल् याण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) to (c): MIS  and  PM-AASHA  of  which  PSS  is  one  of  the  component  are continuing  scheme  for  supporting  procurement  of  pulses,    oilseeds  and  copra  at MSP  within  the  parameters  of  guideline.  Central  Government  has  provided  a guarantee  of  more  than  Rs.40,000  crore  to  Central  Nodal  Agencies  (CNAs)  for accessing  credit  to  conduct  the  procurement  operations.    Budgetary  funds  are provided  to  meet  any  losses  incurred  in  such  procurement  operations  as  per requirement.  The  indicative  budgetary  estimates  are  based  on  previous  years demand of the schemes. This estimate gets revised as per the actual requirement. Therefore, it is not correct to say that the allocation has been reduced.
- (d):        Under  Price  Support  Scheme  (PSS),  Government  agencies  procure  the notified  pulses,  oilseeds  and  copra  of  Fair  Average  Quality  (FAQ)  at  Minimum Support  Price  (MSP)  directly  from  farmers  on  the  request  of  concerned  State Governments /  Union  Territories  as  prescribed  in  the  scheme  guideline  .  All  the payments  of  MSP  value  of  such  procured  crops  are  made  by  the  procuring agencies directly into farmers' accounts.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1342 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: Agriculture Export Centers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: E. T. Mohammed Basheer

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1342

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 TH  JULY, 2021

## AGRICULTURE EXPORT CENTERS

1342.    SHRI E.T.MOHAMMED BASHEER:

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

- (a)       whether the Government plans to open new agriculture export centers in the country, if so, the details thereof; and
- (b)       the steps taken by the Government for the promotion of Agricultural tourism in the country and the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

(a):     The Government has no such proposal under their consideration for opening of agricultural export centers in the country .

- (b) :     To promote Agricultural tourism is primarily responsibility of the concerned State Governments  /Union  Territory  Administrations.  However,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  has taken the initiative of identifying, diversifying, developing and promoting niche tourism products in the country.  This is done in order to overcome the aspect of 'seasonality' and to promote India as a 365 days destination, to attract tourists with specific interest, and to ensure repeat visits for the unique  products in which India has  a comparative advantage .

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1337 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: Custom Hiring Centres for Small Farmers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Narendra Kumar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1337

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  JULY 2021

## CUSTOM HIRING CENTRES FOR SMALL FARMERS

1337. SHRI NARENDRA KUMAR:

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

- (a)  whether the  Custom Hiring Centres are  proving very beneficial to the small farmers for agricultural activities;
- (b) if so, the details of the efforts being made by the Government to provide the benefits of Custom Hiring Centres to the maximum farmers; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a) to (c): The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing Sub-Mission  on  Agricultural  Mechanization  (SMAM)  with  one  of  the  major objectives  of  promoting  Custom  Hiring  Centres,  Farm  Machinery  Banks  and hubs for  hi-tech  &  high  value  farm  machines,  in  order  to  make  machines  and equipments available to farmers on rental basis. Since inception of the SMAM in 2014-15, more than 15400 Custom Hiring Centres, 360 Hi-tech hubs and 14200 Farm Machinery Banks have been established in different States. The Department  has  also  launched a multi-lingual  'FARMS'  (Farm  Machinery Solutions)  mobile  app,  which  facilitates  hiring  and  renting  of  farm  machinery through a fair and transparent rental process.  All these initiatives are helping in making machinery accessible to small and marginal farmers.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1335 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: CAA Rules
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Gaurav Gogoi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1335

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  JULY, 2021/ SRAVANA 05, 1943 (SAKA)

CAA RULES

1335.  SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) Whether the Government is aware of missing the deadline to frame and notify Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) rules, if, so, the steps taken by the Government to frame it; and

(b) if, not the reasons thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

(SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) & (b): The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) has been notified on 12.12.2019 and has come into force w.e.f. 10.01.2020. The Committees on Subordinate Legislation, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have  been requested to grant further extension of time upto 09.01.2022 to frame the rules under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1331 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: Ration to Migrant Workers during Lockdown
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Sunil Kumar Pintu

## GOVERNiIENT  OF INDIA

## MTNISTRY OF CONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIG DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. I33{ TO BE ANSUVERED ON 27fHJULY,2OZI

## RATION TO MIGRANT WORKERS  DURING LOGKDOWN

## t{331. SHRI SiUNIL KUMAR PTNTU:

Will the Minister of  GONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIG DISTRIBUTIOiI  5tT$t.BI rnr*, ur<-a sit{  grffifi, kftuf f{l be pteased  to state:

- (a) whether the migrant workerc and poor families haye not been able to get ration prope y during lockdown in the country;
- (b) if so, the reasons  therefo4 and
- (c) the immediate measures  belng taken to provide ration to the poor during
- the pandemic?

## ANSWER

I,IINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF RURAL DEVELOPIUENT  AND CONSUMER

## AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLTG D|STRIBUTION

(sADHVr ]{TRANJAN JYOT!)

(a) to (c): Under National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2O{3 the Department allocates foodgrains for around 80 Grore beneliciaries  in the country, for monthly distribution  through  Targeted  Public Distribution System (TPDS) to needy and poor pereons. Additionally,  during the COVID.{  I  crisis, the Department under the Pradhan Mantri Gafib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAU  had allocated nearly 322 Lakh Metric Tons (LMT) foodgrain for dlstribution  to all NFSA beneficiaries during the 8 months period in 2020 (April to November 2020) and about 278 LMT foodgrains  for distribution during the 7 months period in 2O21 (May to November 202{). Under PMGKAY, additional free of cost foodgrains at the scale of 5 Kg per NFSA beneficlary per month are distr:buted to all 80 Crore beneficiaries over and above their regular NFSA foodgrains.

Under NFSA, ration cards are issued by respective State/UT Govemments to all ellgible  beneficiaries  / households  through own procedures,  identification  criteria and norms.

However, during 2O2O, the Department under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Scheme (ANBS) had prov:ded foodgralns to all States/UTs for free dlstributlon  to all migrants/stranded  mlgrants during the two months of May and June 2O2O. Through thls inltiatlve, neanly  2.74 Crore migrants/stranded  migrant persons lncludlng those without ration cards were benefited  from free foodgrains.

ln addition to this, the One Nation One Ration Gard (ONORC) plan in 33 States/UTs  is empowering  all beneficiaries,  particularly  mlgrant NFSA beneflclaries, to lift their  quota of entatled  foodgrains  from any Falr Pric6 Shop (FPS) of choice in these StatesluTs, by using their same existing ration card with biometric authentication
Lok Sabha Question No. 1330 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: Border Fencing near farmland Punjab
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Gurjeet Singh Aujla

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1330

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  JULY, 2021/ SRAVANA 05, 1943 (SAKA)

BORDER FENCING NEAR FARMLAND PUNJAB

1330.  SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the  Government is  aware  that  the  border  fencing  done  near village  Kakkar,  Amritsar,  has  not  been  done  in  accordance  with guidelines and thousands of acres of farmland has been separated from the main land creating tons of issues for farmers cultivating that land;
- (b) if so, the details along with the rectification of fencing nearer to Zero Line in terms of dimension; and
- (c) if not, the manner in which the fencing dispute on the farmland is going to be resolved?

## ANSWER

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

(a) : The  distance  of  Border  fence  from  International  border  depends upon geographical feature of the area. Border fence near Kakkar, Amritsar has  been  erected  at  a  distance  varying  500  mtrs  to  900  mtrs  from International border keeping in view geographical and other constraints as the river Ravi flows ahead of fence towards International border. (b) & (c): Approx 455 acres of land lie ahead of the existing fence in this area. The farmers are allowed to cultivate land ahead of Border Security Fence as per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). ******