opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3354 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-21
Subject: Fit India Movement
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Gopal Chinayya Shetty

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3354

ANSWERED ON 21/03/2023

## FIT INDIA MOVEMENT

## 3354.   SHRI GOPAL CHINNAYA SHETTY:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry has prepared any framework or coordination with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to take the 'Fit India Movement' further to the farflung and remote areas of the country; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the progress made so far in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b)  Ministry of Rural Development has been undertaking several activities in response to the list of activities indicated for 'Fit India Movement' by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

- i. Right at the inception of the 'Fit India Movement' the Ministry requested all States/ UTs for taking action  for  administering  the  pledge  during  the  launch  of  'Fit  India' Campaign during August, 2019. The States/ UTs were also requested for organizing various activities such as Fit  India Run, walking fast event etc. with an advisory to follow it up in all gram panchayats.
- ii. Ministry has requested State Rural Livelihoods Missions (SRLMs), National Institute of  Rural  Development  and  Panchayati  Raj  (NIRDPR),  NABARD  Consultancy Services  (NABCONS),  National  Centers  for  Excellence  of  RSETIs  (NACER)  and National Academy of RUDSETI, that all training centers/ institute under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya  Grameen  Kaushalya  Yojana  (DDU-GKY)  and  Rural  Self  Employment Training  Institutes  (RSETIs)  should  support  the  Fit  India  Movement  and  regular fitness and Yoga activities should be made part and parcel of all training institutes.
- iii. For  wide  publicity  of  'Fit  India  Mobile  App'  Ministry  of  Rural  Development requested  all  its  Programme  Divisions,  National  Rural  Infrastructure  Development Agency (NRIDA), Bharat Rural Livelihoods Foundation (BRLF) and National Rural Livelihoods  Promotion  Society  (NRLPS)  to  encourage  people  to  download  the  app and  share  with  officers,  staff,  concerned  States  and  stakeholders  as  well  as  family members. These efforts were made to make the initiative successful.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3351 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-21
Subject: Change in Compulsory Width of PMGSY Roads
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: M. P. Abdussamad Samadani

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

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3351 ANSWERED ON 21/03/2023

## CHANGE IN COMPULSORY WIDTH OF PMGSY ROADS

## 3351.   DR. M.P. ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any plan to change the compulsory width of roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in Kerala;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government is aware of the special situation in Kerala due to the scarcity of land?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Rural roads under  Pradhan  Mantri  Gram  Sadak  Yojana  (PMGSY)  are constructed as  per  the  technical  specifications  and  geometric  design  standards  given  in  the Ministry of Rural Development Specifications for Rural Roads, Rural Roads Manual of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) (IRC-SP:20) and also, where required, the Hill Road Manual (IRC:SP:48) and other relevant IRC Codes & Manuals. In terms of the extant guidelines, the minimum required road  width  (formation  width)  should  not  be  less  than  7.5  m  in  case  of plain / rolling terrain and 6 m in case of mountainous/ steep terrain for single lane carriage way, i.e., 3 m/3.75 m.  The carriageway width of PMGSY roads are constructed based on the projected traffic in terms of Passenger Car Unit (PCU) plying on the roads. The carriageway width  may  be  3  m/  3.75  m/  5.5  m  depending  upon  the  traffic  plying  on  the  roads.  The formation  and  roadway  width  are  decided  on  the  consideration  of  road  safety.  These specifications  are  applicable  to  the  whole  country,  including  the  north-east  and  hill  states. There is no plan to change the compulsory width of roads under PMGSY. The provision of land for PMGSY roads is the responsibility of the state government.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3348 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-21
Subject: Assistance to Onion Farmers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Jai Prakash, Deepak Baij

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3348

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21 ST  MARCH, 2023

## ASSISTANCE TO ONION FARMERS

3348.  SHRI JAI PRAKASH : SHRI DEEPAK BAIJ : Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान क  याण मंी be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has directed its agencies viz., National Agricultural Cooperative  Marketing  Federation  (NAFED)  and  the  National  Cooperative  Consumers Federation (NCCF) to aid onion farmers of Maharashtra who have been hit due to crash in prices; (b) if so, the details thereof; whether the Government is aware that some farmers in Maharashtra could get Rs. 2
2. (c) only for more than 5 quintals of onion; and
3. (d) if so, the reasons for which income of onion growing farmers have declined instead of getting doubled?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

क ृ िष एवं िकसान क  याण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR) (a) to (d): Yes sir, Government has taken a decision to procure 2.50 lakh metric tons of Rabi-2023 onion to stabilize the prices during lean season through Central Nodal agencies (CNAs) i.e., NAFED and  NCCF in equal halves. In  recent  weeks  the  prices  of  onion  have  fallen  below  Rs.10/kg  in  major  mandis  in Nashik belt of Maharashtra due to bumper arrival of late kharif crop and expected early arrival of rabi crop. The government has directed NAFED and NCCF to initiate procurement of onion from these markets for simultaneous disposal in consumption centers outside Maharashtra.

NAFED has commenced its procurement on 24 th  February, 2023 and NCCF from 28 th February, 2023. As on date, both CNAs have procured total quantity of 12,950 MT (NAFED 9,749 MT, NCCF-3201 MT)

- *******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3347 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-21
Subject: Dues of MGNREGS Workers
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Suresh Kodikunnil

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3347

ANSWERED ON 21/03/2023

## DUES OF MGNREGS WORKERS

## 3347.   SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of dues of payment to workers who are not eligible for payment under Aadhaar Based Payment Systems for receiving payment for work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS);
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
- (c) whether the Government is yet to clear and disburse due payment under MGNREGS for States; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with details of the States that are yet to process their accounts of wages due and submit the same to the Government, State-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(a)&(b):  The  Ministry  has  decided  that  till  31 st March,  2023,  the wage  payment  of  the beneficiaries  under  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Scheme (Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGS)  may  be  made  either  using  Aadhaar  Based  Payment  Systems (ABPS) or NACH (National Automated Clearing House) depending upon the status on ABPS of  a  beneficiary.  Thus,  there   may  be  two  options  to  be  used for  making wage payment as under:-

Option 1- ABPS: if a beneficiary is ABPS enabled, the payment will be made through ABPS only.

Option 2- NACH: In case due to some technical reasons etc, the beneficiary is not enabled for ABPS, the Programme Officer can choose NACH as the mode for making wage payment.

(c)&(d):   Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGS  is  a  demand  driven  Scheme.  Fund  release  to  the States/UTs is a continuous process and Central Government is committed to making funds available to States/UTs for the implementation of the Scheme as per the demand for the work on ground.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3346 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-21
Subject: Caste Data of Socio Economic Caste Census
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: P. Velusamy

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3346 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2023

## CASTE DATA OF SOCIO ECONOMIC CASTE CENSUS

## 3346. SHRI VELUSAMY P

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

- (a) whether the Government has detailed caste data collected the Census-2011 (Socio Economic Caste Census); during
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- whether the data will be published for determining the reservation and other benefits for the under-privileged castes and if sO, the details thereof; and
- the reasons due to which the Government is unable to publish the data?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

## (SUSHRI PRATIMA BHOUMIK)

- (a) & (6): Yes Sir: The caste status of all the households in the country was collected during the Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011.
- (c) & (d): The SECC-2011 casteltribe data has not made official for any purpose because of technical flaws in the same. been

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3343 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-21
Subject: Complaints regarding Poor Quality of Material under PMGSY
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Ashok Kumar Rawat

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3343

ANSWERED ON 21/03/2023

## COMPLAINTS REGARDING POOR QUALITY OF MATERIAL UNDER PMGSY

## 3343.   SHRI ASHOK KUMAR RAWAT:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the work of package number UP 33175 (GMM Road to Nevada Paras (Mallawan) old work) has been completed in the year 2021-22 through Pradhan Manri Gram Sadak Yojana(PMGSY) in the districts comes under Misrikh Parliamentary constituency of Uttar Pradesh State especially in Hardoi district and renewal and five years maintenance work of package number UP 16 R (Package group no 33-16 R) is being completed;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the complaints have been received from the concerned people's representatives in May, 2022 regarding use of poor quality construction material and its intensive investigation by constituting a high-level technical committee at the Central Ministry level for preventing the misuse of central revenue with immediate effect and ensuring departmental action against the engineers involved in it after the investigation;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the action taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) The work of package no. UP33175 [GMM Road to Nevada Paras (Mallawan)] was sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III (PMGSY-III) in 2020-21 and the same has been completed on 24.04.2022. The said road is under Defect Liability Period of 5 years.  The State Government has informed that renewal work under Package Group No.UP33/16R was cancelled by  UPRRDA and this road was transferred to the State Division of PWD.

(c) to (e) No such complaint was received in the Ministry in May, 2022. However as per the information received from the State Government of Uttar Pradesh, in the meeting of District Monitoring  Committee,  complaint  of  uprooting  of  ballast  on  the  said  road  was  raised  by Hon'ble Member of Parliament. State Government has further informed that the restoration work of the said road has now been completed by the concerned contractor. The road was also inspected by State Quality Monitor and has been found to be satisfactory. The concerned Chief Engineer, PMGSY of the State has also inspected the road and found the construction work to be satisfactory.

Further, on 02.02.2023, a complaint  regarding poor quality of the package number UP 33175 was raised under Rule 377 by Hon'ble MP Shri Ashok Kumar Rawat. The road was thereafter inspected by a team of NQMs and was found satisfactory.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3339 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-21
Subject: R&D in Seeds Production
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Jual Oram

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3339

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st  MARCH, 2023

## R&D IN SEEDS PRODUCTION

## 3339. SHRI JUAL ORAM:

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

- (a) the details of the plans of the Government to encourage research and innovation in grain and vegetable seeds production to make our country Atma Nirbhar and Selfsufficient, under the looming threat to food security due to climate change; and
- (b) the details of steps that the Government has taken to make our country a Global Export Seed Hub?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): In  order  to  develop  new  varieties,  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research (ICAR) through its 57 Institutes and 40 All India Coordinated Research Projects/ All India Network Projects operating in more than 930 centres across 45 State/Central Agricultural Universities primarily promotes research on improvement of seed/varieties of various crops including grains and vegetables. In addition, eight special projects viz., ICAR-National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture ( NICRA), four Consortium Research Projects, Incentivizing Research in Agriculture Project, Network Project on Translational Genomics in Crop Plants and National Agricultural Science Fund also focus on climate change research in seed varieties.  As a result of robust research system, a record production of food grains has been achieved at 323.055 Million MT in 2022-23 (2 nd  Advance Estimate) and 345.32 Million MT of Horticultural crops during 2021-22.
- (b): In order to enhance the export of seeds, India has become a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Seed Scheme from  2008.  The  scheme  authorizes  the  use  of  labels  and  certificates  for  seeds produced and processed for international trade according to OECD guidelines and hassle free export to OECD member countries. The scheme also facilitates the export of seeds by the removal of technical trade barriers through international recognized labels. Moreover, through Export Import Committee i.e. EXIM Committee, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare also facilitates the import and export of seeds.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3338 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-21
Subject: Funds for Construction of Stadium
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Kumbakudi Sudhakaran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3338 ANSWERED ON 21.03.2023

Funds for Construction of Stadium

## 3338.  SHRI KUMBAKUDI SUDHAKARAN:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  allocated  funds  for  construction  of  an indoor/outdoor stadium at Pathanamthitta in Kerala;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the status of the project; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS { SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR }

(a)  to  (c)  Yes,  Sir.  Under  the  erstwhile  Urban  Sports  Infrastructure Scheme  (USIS)  of  this  Ministry,  an  amount  o f  ₹  6.00  crore has  been sanctioned for construction of Multipurpose Indoor Hall at Pathanamthitta, Kerala. Total funds released for the project are ₹ 1.80 Cr with physical achievement of 12% till date.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3335 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-21
Subject: Mother Tongue Survey of India
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Arvind Ganpat Sawant, Vinayak Bhaurao Raut

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3335

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21 ST  MARCH, 2023/ PHALGUNA 30, 1944 (SAKA)

MOTHER TONGUE SURVEY OF INDIA

3335.      SHRI ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT: SHRI VINAYAK RAUT:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  consolidated  the  evidence  from  the Mother Tongue Survey of India (MTSI);

(b) if so, the details including the research outcomes thereof;

(c)  the  manner  by  which  the  digital  data  processing  and  geospatial technology were employed in the processing of the MTSI data;

(d) whether the findings of the survey would be incorporated while drafting the  National  Curriculum  Framework  (NCF)  under  the  National  Education Policy of 2020; 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) to (e): Mother  Tongue  Survey  of  India  is a research  project for documentation  of  selected  mother  tongues.    Data  is  collected  directly from  the  native  speakers  through  direct  interview  using  audio-visual means and recorded digitally.  Data includes words, sentences and a free text.  The recorded data of the mother tongues is transcribed and analysed by  the  linguistic  experts  and  brief  grammatical  sketches  are  written  by them.  The data thus obtained is utilized only for the purpose of Census.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3334 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-21
Subject: Conservation of Grasslands
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: S. Jagathrakshakan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3334 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST  MARCH, 2023

## CONSERVATION OF GRASSLANDS

## 3334. SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN:

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  it  has  come  to  the  notice  of  the  Government  that  Grassland  degradation  has  become  a serious global issue, especially in semi-arid regions, where it is causing land degradation and impeding crop and livestock production; and
- (b) if so, the details of the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government for conservation and rejuvenation of grasslands and rangelands in the country keeping in view the fact that our people rely heavily on grasslands for food and forage production?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes, Sir. As per the Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India June 2021 prepared by Space Applications Centre, the area of degraded land in Semi Arid regions was estimated at 34.85, 35.40 and 36.02 Million ha in 2003-05, 2011-13 and 2018-19 respectively.
- (b) Conservation of Grasslands is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments/UTs. The Central Government supplements the efforts taken by the State Governments under its various schemes.  The  Union  Government  is  implementing  following  schemes/programmes  to  restore degraded land by 2030.
- i. National Mission for Green India (GIM)
- ii. National Afforestation Programme (NAP) implemented by National Afforestation and EcoDevelopment Board (NAEB).
- iii. National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS)
- iv. The Department of Land Resources (DoLR) has been mandated to implement erstwhile Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), now called Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY) which primarily focuses on development of rainfed/ degraded lands.

The  Department  of  Animal  Husbandry  and  Dairying  had  also  been  implementing a  component on Fodder  production  from  Non-forest  wasteland/  rangeland/  grassland/non-arable  land  during 2014 to June 2021.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3333 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-21
Subject: Popular Exotic Fruit Crops
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Ramya  Haridas

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3333

## TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21 ST  MARCH 2023

## POPULAR EXOTIC FRUIT CROPS

3333. MS. RAMYA HARIDAS:

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

- (a) whether the Government has identified ten globally popular exotic fruit crops of commercial importance;
- (b) if so, the details of exotic fruits identified by the Government;
- (c) whether the Government has any plan to encourage the farmers to promote cultivation of those fruits; and
- (d) if so, the extent to which the State of Kerala would be benefited from such cultivation?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान काण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) to (d): The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.

*****

.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3331 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-21
Subject: Cotton Production
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Raghu Ramakrishna Raju Kanumuru

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3331

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21 ST  MARCH, 2023

## COTTON PRODUCTION

3331.  SHRI KANUMURU RAGHU RAMA KRISHNA RAJU:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  bring  enhancement  of  productivity  of  the Cotton Crop in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of the incentives and facilities being provided to Cotton growing farmers under this program?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्री (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) to (c): Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing cotton development programme under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in 15 major cotton growing  states viz .,  Assam,  Andhra  Pradesh,  Gujarat,  Haryana,  Karnataka,  Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh & West Bengal from 2014-15 with the aim to increase production and productivity. The assistance is being provided to the farmers on various types of demonstrations, trials on  high  density  planting  system,  distribution  of  plant  protection  chemicals  &  bioagents, national & state level trainings. Under the scheme, an amount of Rs. 15.11 crores as central share  has  been  allocated  to  states  during  2022-23. Besides,  states  can  support  cotton development programme under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana - Remunerative Approaches for  Agriculture  and  Allied  Sectors  Rejuvenation  (RKVY-RAFTAAR). Further, ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research  (CICR), Nagpur  is undertaking intensive research & development works for developing improved varieties of cotton as well as site specific agrotechnologies to enhance the productivity of cotton in the country.

*****