opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1276 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: Food Stocks Stored by FCI
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: K. Shanmuga Sundaram

## GOVERNMENT  OF INDIA

## MtNtsTRy OF CONSUiIER AFFAIRS, FOOD &  puBl.tc  DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 1276 TO BE ANSWERED  ON 27IIIJI]/LY,2O21

## FOOD STOCKS  STORED BY FGI

1276. SHR! SHANMUGA SUNDARATII  K.:

Witt the  Minister  of  CONSUMER  AFFA|RS,  FOOD DISTRIBUTIoil  lcsffir arr*, ur(-a gt{  {rffif,fi fur{ur d+ state: AND PUBLIC be pleased  to

- (a) the totat quantityr  of food stocks stored by Food  Gorporation on date in metrlc tons; of lndia (FCI) as
- (b)
- whether these food procurements  were acqutred  as per the Uinimum Support  Price (MSp),  if so, the detaits  thereof;
- !:) the tota! quantity  of food grains released under pradhan  lantri Garib Kalyan  Yojana (pMGKAy);  and
- (d! the steps taken by the Govemment  to prevent iregar sate of food grains released under  pDS  scheme? I

## ANSWER

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

(a): The total stock of 90O.45  !akh tons consistin foodgrains  in the Geniral Poo! as on O{.O7.202{ was g of 603.56 takh of wheat  and 296.89 takh tons of rice.

- (b): Yes sirr The procurement  poricy  of Govemment  of lndia is open ended, under which paddy and wheat offered by farmers  within  the stipurated  perrod (confiming  to specifications  prescribed  in advance by Go!) are purchased  for Central Poot  at  Minimum  Support price  (MSp)  by Food Corporation  ot ln'lia(Fcl)/state  Govemments  /state Government  Agencres  to hetp farmers get remunerative price and prevent  distress  sale.
- (c): During  the covrD-rg pandemic  year 2o2o-21 and 2021-22  unarer Pradhan Mantri Garib Karyan Anna  yojana  (pmcKAy)  a totar of nearty 600.814 rakh tons of foodgrains  was atocated.  out of this arocation  nearry 4oo-.703 lakh tons has been lifted (reteased)  as on l4r,jutyr 202{.
- (d): For transparent distribution  of foodgrains  and rightfur targeting  under NFSA, nearry 4.9G rakh e-pos devices have beei instaled,  out of a totat oi nearty 5'38 lakh FPS,  a, over the country, through Aadhar  aothentication.  rn this regard, transaction  detafls  are avairabre  in the pubric  domarn. Further, whenever e.pos device is not ava*abre or not workrng at Fps, this Department has advised a, states/urs  to distribute the subsidized/free  foodg.ins  In the presence  of Govemment  offlcial/Staff.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1274 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: Manual Scavenging by Dalits
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: S. Jagathrakshakan

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1274 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2021

## MANUAL SCAVENGING BY DALITS

1274. SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN:

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

- a) whether it is a are in place, their implementation remains very weak; and consequently atrocities   against   Dalits are almost inevitably committed with impunity;
2. (b) if so, the details thereof;
3. whether it is also a fact that even today, more than 90% of the employees in the sanitation and cleaning sector are Dalits, if so, the details thereof; and
4. (d) the preventive steps taken/being taken by the Government to protect dalits and also to put &n end to manual scavenging?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)

- (a) & (b): The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) {PoA} Act, 1989,is an Act to prevent the commission of offenses of atrocities against members of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

Since 'Police' and  'Public Order' are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule (List-II) to the Constitution of India, the State Governments and UT Administrations are primarily responsible for prevention; detection;  registration,   investigation and   prosecution of all crimes within their as  also  for implementation of provisions of the PCR Act and the PoA However;  Government of   India reviews the implementation of the Act from time to time and also issue advisories from time to time to the States/UTs for implementing the provisions of the Act in letter and spirit:

- No such data is maintained by this Department;
- (d) Manual   scavenging is prohibited under  Section 5 of the 'Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Territories with effect from 06.12.2013,the date of coming into force of the Act: Act,

Further; Section 3(1) (j) of the PoA Act  describes as follows:

'Whoever; not a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe;-\_ being shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to five years and with fine.

makes a member   of a SC a ST to do manual   scavenging or employs or permits the employment of such member for such purpose.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1271 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: Scheme for Transgenders
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Dr. T. Sumathy (a) Thamizhachi Thangapandian

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1271 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2021

## SCHEME FOR TRANSGENDERS

## 1271. DR T: SUMATHY (a) THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN:

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

- (a) the details and the number of transgender individuals who have received the bank transfer of Rs 1,500 as direct transfer and ration supplies with the reason as to why all transgenders could not be covered; along
- (6) the details of transgender people who hold bank accounts; and
- whether the Government has launched any scheme to address the issue of lack of identity cards amongst trans individuals, if s0, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI A. NARAYANASWAMY)

- (a):   In order to   support those transgender  persons who lost   their livelihoods  during the pandemic times, financial assistance of Rs.1,500 was provided through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Whereas 6,940 persons were supported in 2020, 5,938 persons were supported in 2021. This initiative is oly to support those who have completely lost their livelihoods, and not to every transgender person:
- (b): Ministry is not in possession of such information
- (c): Ministry has launched National Portal for Transgender Persons (NPTP) on 2Sth November; Through this portal, any Transgender  applicant can obtain Certificate of Identity and Identity Card without any physical interface with the office of issue. The Transgender applicant can apply online for the Certificate of Identity from anywhere in the Country and application automatically goes to the inbox of the competent authority of issue. On issue of the certificate, the same can be downloaded by the applicant directly. So certificates of identity and ID cards have been issued to 1,804 Transgender applicants far,

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1270 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: Amendment in Coconut Development Board Act
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Adoor Prakash

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1270

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 th  July 2021

## AMENDMENT IN COCONUT DEVELOPMENT BOARD ACT

1270.  ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

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

- (a) whether the Union Government has approved amendment of Coconut Development Board Act:
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the purposes of this amendment;
- (c) whether any draft has been prepared for the proposed amendment;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether all the concerned State and stakeholders will be taken into consideration before the amendment and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी

(SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a)  to  (d)  :    A  draft  Coconut  Development  Board  (Amendment)  Bill,  2021  has  been prepared for amendments in the Coconut Development Board Act, 1979, for making the post  of  Chairman,  Coconut  Development  Board  as  Non-Executive  Chairman.  A  draft Note  for  the  Cabinet  including  draft  Coconut  Development  Board  (Amendment)  Bill, 2021  has  also  been  prepared  for  the  purpose.  Union  Cabinet  has  approved  draft Coconut Development Board (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in its meeting on 8 th July,  2021. This  is  done  with  a  view  to  have  a  better  and  more  efficient  administration  of  the Coconut Development Board.

(e): In order to amend the Coconut Development Board Act, 1979, comments/views were  sought  for  from  NITI  AAYOG,  Ministry  of  Finance  (Department  of  Expenditure), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Food Processing  Industries,  Ministry  of  Micro,  Small  and  Medium  Enterprises,  Deputy Director General(Horticulture), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Coconut Development  Board,  Department  of  Pension  &  Pensioners'  Welfare  and  various Divisions within Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The draft Note for the Cabinet alongwith draft CDB (Amendment) Bill, 2021 has also been vetted by Ministry of  Law  and  Justice  (Department  of  Legal  Affairs  and  Legislative  Department).  The comments received have been examined and proposal has been modified incorporating suitable suggestions in the Cabinet Note as well as CDB (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1269 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: Impact of Carbon Dioxide on Agricultural Production
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Vivek Narayan Shejwalkar

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1269

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  JULY, 2021

## IMPACT OF CARBON DIOXIDE ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

1269. SHRI VIVEK NARAYAN SHEJWALKAR:

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

- (a) whether  any  survey  has  been  conducted  with  regard  to  the  fact  that  new  striking revelations in the agriculture science confirms that due to increase in the amount of carbon dioxide  in  the  atmosphere,  results  in  enhanced  photosynthesis  and  resultant  increase  in agriculture  production  but  with  the  exception  of  carbohydrates  the  production  of  almost  all other nutrients such as protien, minarals and other micronutrients has decreased, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether  any  research  is  being  conducted  to  compensate  the  reduction  of  nutrients taking place in production of crops; and

- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF AGRICUTLRURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ षि और ककसान कल्याण मंत्री

(

SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR

)

(a) Yes, Sir.  Based on the research conducted in Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and State Agriculture Universities (SAUs) in the country, it is observed that elevated CO2 increased the photosynthetic rate, biomass and yield, especially in C3 crops (rice, wheat, barley, oats, rye etc.). It was also found from the experiments that increase in CO2 enhanced wheat yield by 30% over a period of 36 years (base year 1980). However, wheat and rice grown  in  high  CO2 levels  had  3-9%  less  minerals  (zinc  &  iron)  and  6-8%  less  protein. Research also indicated that increased CO2 together with increased temperatures, which is the most commonly observed phenomenon in the changing climate, drastically affects yield of several food crops.

- (b) Yes, Climate resilient crop varieties that can minimise the impact of climate change on nutritional quality have been developed.

(c) ICAR  has  developed  17  bio-fortified varieties in rice, wheat, maize, mustard, groundnut, finger millet, etc. for increased availability of minerals like zinc, iron, calcium and protein without affecting the yield.

***********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1263 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: Availability of Medicines
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Prabhubhai Nagarbhai Vasava

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

## DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1263 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 th  July, 2021

## Availability of Medicines

## †1263. SHRI PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

(a) the details about the scheme being prepared by the Government to ensure that there will be no shortage of medicines during the third probable wave of the coronavirus in the near future;

- (b) the number of vaccine doses being produced in the country per day for the prevention of coronavirus; and
- (c) the detailed regarding both of the above important information for public concerns?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS (SHRI MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

- (a) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare vide its D.O.No.X.11035/178/2021-DRS on dated 13.07.2021  issued  'Guidelines  for  Buffer  Stock  Management  of  COVID  19'  to  State Governments/UT  administrations  requesting  them  to  initiate  the  necessary  procurement process on priority, with a view to ensure continuous availability of drugs for any possible future surge in cases.
- (b) &  (c) The  National Covid-19 Vaccination Programme  is built on scientific  & epidemiological  evidence,  WHO  Guidelines  and  Global  Best  Practices.  It  is  expected  that beneficiaries aged 18 and above will be vaccinated by December 2021.

The National Covid-19 Vaccination Programme commenced with vaccination of Health Care Workers, free of cost. The Programme was expanded with time to include vaccination of Front Line Workers, citizens more than 60  years of age,  citizens more than 45  years of  age and eventually, citizens more than 18 years of age.  Government of India procures and provides vaccine free of cost to the States/UTs. In addition, 25% of the monthly production of vaccine manufactured is available for procurement by private hospitals.

Government of India has made pro-active arrangements to augment the production capacities of  domestic  vaccine  manufacturers  by  facilitating  technology  transfer,  providing  financial assistance,  providing  advance  payment  against  supply  orders  and  by  streamlining  the Regulatory  pathway  for  approval  of  vaccines.  Government  of  India  has  further  placed procurement orders to ensure adequate supply of vaccines to facilitate vaccination of eligible adult citizens.

States/UTs are provided advance visibility of vaccine doses that would be supplied to them 15 days in advance to enable them to plan vaccination in accordance with availability of doses and to maximize the convenience of the beneficiaries.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1262 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: Cold Storage in Maharashtra
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Rajendra Dhedya  Gavit

O.I.H

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1262

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  JULY, 2021

## COLD STORAGE IN MAHARASHTRA

1262. SHRI RAJENDRA DHEDYA GAVIT:

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

- (a) the number of applications received from Palghar district, Maharashtra to set up cold storage; and
- (b) the number of applications which have been approved along with the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a): As per report received from Government of Maharashtra, no application was received  from  Palghar  District,  Maharashtra  up  to  the  year  2021  to  set  up  cold storage.  However,  for  the  year  2021-2022,  9  applications  have  been  received  on MAHADBT Portal from Palghar District, Maharashtra.
- (b): No application has been approved by Government of Maharashtra to set up cold storage in Palghar District, Maharashtra.
- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1261 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: Dairy Farm Management
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1261 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 TH  JULY 2021

## DAIRY FARM MANAGEMENT

1261.   SHRI T.R.BAALU:

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

(a) whether the Government has drawn any action plan to enable higher access for dairy farm management, including facial recognition of cattle;

- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c)  A comprehensive breed improvement marketplace and information portal for direct use  of  farmers  in  the  form  of  the  e-GOPALA  app (Generation  of  wealth  through Productive  Livestock) has  been  launched  by  Hon'ble  PM  on  10 th September  2020. eGopala app the digital platform is helping farmers in managing livestock including buying and  selling  of  disease  free  germplasm  in  all  forms  (semen,  embryos,  etc);  availability  of quality breeding services (Artificial Insemination, veterinary first aid, vaccination, treatment etc)  and  guiding  farmers  for  animal  nutrition,  treatment  of  animals  using  appropriate ayurvedic medicine/ethno veterinary medicine. The app is also sending alert to farmers (on due  date  for  vaccination,  pregnancy  diagnosis,  calving  etc)  and  informing  farmers  about various government schemes and campaign in the area.

At present animal identification is not undertaken by facial recognition of cattle. However, assistance has been made available to the States and Union Territories for identification and registration  of  53.5  crore  cattle,  buffalo,  sheep  Goats  and  pigs  under  the  Central  Sector Scheme, National Animal Disease Control Programme using polyurethane tags with 12 digit unique  number.    As  on  date  16.85  crore  bovines  have  been  identified  and  their  data  on breeding and health has been uploaded on Information Network for Animal Productivity and Health data base. Identification and registration of animals undertaken under the scheme is as per recommendations of International Committee for Animal Recording.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1260 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Kripanath Mallah

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1260

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 Th  JULY, 2021

## PARAMPARAGAT KRISHI VIKAS YOJANA

1260. SHRI KRIPANATH MALLAH:

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

(a)  the salient features of the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana;

- (b)  the details of the funds sanctioned, allocated and utilized under this scheme within Assam so far;
- (c)  the details of the number of beneficiaries covered under this scheme within Assam so far;
- (d)  the details of the target set and achievements made so far within Assam so far along with its response;
- (e)  whether the Government is working to identify Traditional Organic Areas to transform them into certified organic production hubs under this scheme within the country; and
- (f)  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a): Government  of  India  has  been  promoting  Organic  farming  in  the  country through  dedicated  scheme  namely  Paramparagat  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (PKVY)  since 2015-16.  The  scheme  stress  on  end  to  end  support  to  organic  farmers  i.e  from production  to  certification  and  marketing.  Post  harvest  management  support  including processing,  packing,  marketing  is  made  integral  part  of  these  schemes  to  encourage organic farmers.

Under PKVY, farmers are provided financial assistance of Rs 50,000 per hectare/ 3 years,  out  of  which  Rs.  31,000  (62%)  is  provided  directly  through  DBT  for  inputs  (bio fertilizers,  bio-pesticides,  organic  manure,  compost,  vermi-compost,  botanical  extracts etc).

(b) to (d):  An amount of total Rs 29.59 crore has been released to Assam for 220 clusters benefitting 11000 farmers for 4425 ha area against the target 4451 since 2015-16 to till date.

(e) & (f):  Government  has  initiated  Large  Area  Certification  (LAC)  programme  since 2020-21 to certify  large  traditional/default  organic  areas  such  as  hills,  islands,  tribal  or desert  belt  with  no  past  history  of  GMO  and  agro  chemical  uses.  Entire  certification process  gets  completed  within  3-6  months  time.  This     reduces  the  conversion  period from  2-3  years  to  few  months  and  allows  farmers  for  marketing  of  their  produce  at premium prices.   Car Nicobar and Nancowry group of Island under the Union Territory of Andaman  and  Nicobar  Islands  with  14,491  ha  cultivable  area  is  the  first  Large Contiguous  Area  declared  as  certified  organic.  Government  of  India  have  already sanctioned and released Rs 11.48 lakh to Union Territory of Ladakh for LAC.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1258 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: Development of Nomadic Tribes and Denotified Tribes
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Ashok Mahadeorao Nete

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1258 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2021

## DEVELOPMENT OF NOMADIC TRIBES AND DENOTIFIED TRIBES

+1258. SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

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

- (a)  whether the Government proposes to formulate any special policy for development of the Nomadic Tribes and Denotified Tribes; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SUSHRI PRATIMA BHOUMIK)

- (a) & (b): The Department has   approved a special  scheme namely "Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNT Communities (SEED)" for welfare of this community having following four components:-
- To provide coaching of quality  for DNT  candidates competitive examinations. good
- (ii) To provide Health Insurance to them.
- (iii) To facilitate livelihood initiative at community level; and
- (iv) To   provide financial assistance for construction of houses for members of these communities.

*****