opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2492 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-09
Subject: State Level SCs Commission
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: D. Ravikumar

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2492 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2021

## STATE LEVEL SCs COMMISSION

## 2492. SHRI RAVIKUMAR D:

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

(a) the details of the benefits of setting up a State level Scheduled Castes (SCs) Commission;

whether it is mandatory to set up a State level SCs Commission;

the number of States which have started State SCs Commissions;

whether the Government has taken any action to start a State SCs Commission in Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof; and

(e the reasons for the delay o the part of the State Government of Tamil Nadu in setting up a State SCs Commission?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA)

(a) & (e): Article 338 of the Constitution of India provides that there shall be a Commission for the Scheduled Castes to be known as the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) The members of the SC Community in the States which do not have a State Commission for the Scheduled Castes (SCSC) can approach the NCSC for remedy. The setting up of the State Commission for Scheduled Castes falls within the domain of the State Government

(b): No. Sir

(c): As per the information available, the following 15 States have set up SCSCs: - Rajasthan, Punjab, Kerala,  Madhya Pradesh; Andhra Pradesh: Uttar Pradesh: Uttarakhand, Karnataka: Chhatisgarh; Bihar. Maharashtra; Goa. Jharkhand. Telangana and Haryana have constituted State SCs Commissions.

(d): The members of SC Community can approach the   regional/state office of National Commission for Scheduled Castes which is functioning in Chennai with its headquarter in New Delhi for any remedy.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2491 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-09
Subject: Wastage due to Non-Utilisation
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Sanjay Kumar Bandi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MTNISTRY OF GONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLTC DTSTRTBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIG DISTRIBUTION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED OUESTIOI{ NO. 249{ TO BE ANSWERED  ON  gth  March, 2O2{

## WASTAGE DUE TO i{ON-UTILISATION

## 249{. SHRI BAII{DI SANJAY KUMAR:

Will the Minister  of GONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND  pUBLtC DISTRIBUTION  5ctrtfrr rrrd, sr(c ct{ Trffif,fi, Ffi{ur d* be pteased  to state:

- (a)  whether the stock stored in Food Corporation of lndia (FCt) warehouses, has been destroyed  due to non-utilization during the last one year;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the reaction ofthe Government thereto?

## MINISTER  OF STATE FOR MTNTSTRY  OF CONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD &

## ANSWER PUBLIG DISTRIBUTION (sHRt DANVE RAOSAHEB DADARAO)

- (a): No quantity of Gentral Pool Foodgrains (wheat & riee) stored in the godowns of Food Gorpoetion of lndia (FGl) has been destroyed due to non utilization during last one year.
- (b) & (c):  Do not arise in view of the (a) above.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2484 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-09
Subject: Implementation of MSP
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Sangeeta Azad

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2484 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH  MARCH, 2021

## IMPLEMENTATION OF MSP

## 2484. SHRIMATI SANGEETA AZAD

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

- (a)  whether  Minimum  Support  Price  (MSP)  is  implemented  in  various States proportion to population;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
- (c)  if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d)  the time by which it is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

(a) to (d):     Minimum Support Prices (MSP) is determined for the country as a whole and  not  region  or  state-specific.  The  objective  is  to  promote  regionally  differentiated production  strategy  and  encourage  an  efficient  state  of  agricultural  production  in  the country.  However,  region  specific  parameters  are  kept  in  view  by  the  Commission  for Agricultural  Cost  and  Prices  (CACP)  while  formulating  price  policy  for  agricultural commodities.

Food Corporation of India  (FCI) procures  cereals.  The  Government  implements an  Umbrella  Scheme  'Pradhan  Mantri  Annadata  Aay  SanraksHan  Abhiyan'  (PMAASHA), comprising Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), and pilot Scheme of Private Procurement and Stockist Scheme (PPSS) for the procurement of pulses, oilseeds and copra.

The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) is the central nodal agency for undertaking price support operations and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India  Ltd.  (NAFED)  supplements  the  efforts  of  CCI  for  cotton  procurement.  Jute Corporation of India (JCI) is the Price Support Agency (PSA) for jute.

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in
Lok Sabha Question No. 2481 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-09
Subject: Palm Oil Pricing
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Kotagiri Sridhar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2481

TO BE ANSWERD ON THE  09 TH  MARCH, 2021

## PALM OIL PRICING

## 2481.   SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI

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

- (a) whether the formula for fixing Palm Oil pricing paid to farmers by manufacturers was  fixed  by  Commission  for  Agricultural  Costs  and  Prices  (CACP)  of  Ministry  of Agriculture, favouring industry to encourage investments in the initial stages, if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether the Government will relook and favour the farmers to help with doubling farmers  income  as  well  as  increasing  palm  oil  growth  to  save  foreign  exchange  on imports and also since the industry has achieved maturity?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी

## (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a): Commission  for  Agricultural  Costs  and  Prices  (CACP)  had  recommended  the formula for fixing the price of  Fresh Fruit Bunches  (FFBs)in  order  to provide remunerative  price  to  the  farmers  that  promote  efficiencies  and  investments,  help  in achieving self-sufficiency in edible oils and enhancing incomes of all those involved in Oil Palm sector. The formula is as under: 12.84  percent  of  net  CPO  weighted  average  price  plus  75.69  percent  on  9  percent
- recovery of palm kernel nuts weighted average price.
- (b): Government is promoting Oil Palm cultivation in the country under National Food Security Mission(NFSM) -Oil Palm scheme. Under the programme, financial assistance is being provided to the farmers for area expansion under Oil Palm which help to increase palm oil production in the country and save the foreign exchange by reducing import of edible oils.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2480 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-09
Subject: Increasing Irrigation in Agriculture
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Anubhav Mohanty

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2480

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH  MARCH, 2021

## INCREASING IRRIGATION IN AGRICULTURE

2480. SHRI ANUBHAV MOHANTY:

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

- (a) whether the Government is planning to increase agricultural land under irrigation, so that the objective of national food security mission is achieved;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

- (a) & (b): Government of India launched the Pradhan Mantri Krishi SinchayeeYojana (PMKSY) on 1 st July, 2015 with the motto of 'HarKhetKoPaani' for providing end-to-end solutions  in  irrigation supply  chain viz. water  sources,  distribution  network  and  farm  level  applications.  The components of PMKSY are; Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), PMKSY - HarKhetKoPaani, PMKSY - Per Drop More Crop (PMKSY - PDMC) and  PMKSY  (Watershed).  The  Department  of  Agriculture,  Cooperation  & Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) is implementing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of PMKSY-PDMC from 2015-16 in all the States of the country which focuses on  enhancing  water  use  efficiency  at  farm  level  through  Micro  Irrigation viz., Drip  and  Sprinkler  irrigation  systems.  Besides  promoting  Micro  Irrigation,  this component also supports micro level water storage or water conservation/management  activities  to  supplement  source  creation  for  Micro Irrigation.

Besides, National Food Security Mission (NFSM) provides assistance to the farmers for purchase of pumps sets, water carrying pipes, sprinkler sets and mobile raingun through the State Governments/UTs. Bringing Green Revolution

to  Eastern  India  (BGREI),  a  sub  scheme  of  Rashtriya  Krishi  VikasYojana (RKVY)  is  being  implemented  in  7  Eastern  States  including  Odisha  under which, assistance for construction of minor irrigation tanks, check dams, water harvesting structures, shallow tube wells, dug wells, bore wells, pump sets and water carrying pipes is also provided to the farmers through State Governments.

These schemes  promoting irrigation for crops, supports enhancing production and productivity of crops to achieve the objective of NFSM.

(c): Question does not arise in view of (a) & (b).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2473 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-09
Subject: Price of Medicines
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Chirag Paswan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2473 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 th  March, 2021

## Price of Medicines

## †2473. SHRI CHIRAG KUMAR PASWAN:

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

(a) whether the prices of medicines are higher in the country as compared to the neighbouring countries;

- (b) if so, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether any concrete steps have been taken by the Government to reduce the prices of medicines; and

(d) if so, the details and achievement thereof along with the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI D.V. SADANANADA GOWDA)

(a) to (b): No  information  regarding  prices  of  medicines  in  neighbouring  countries  is readily available. However, the prices of medicines in the country are not high and the same are regulated as per provisions of the Drug Prices Control Orders (DPCOs) issued from time to time.

(c) to (d): The medicines which are covered under the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) announced by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare are included in the Schedule - I of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO, 2013) and the ceiling price of these medicines  are  fixed  by  the  National  Pharmaceutical  Pricing  Authority  (NPPA)  under  the Department of Pharmaceuticals. The details of medicines under price control are as under:

-  NPPA has fixed the ceiling prices of 881 scheduled formulations of medicines under NLEM, 2015.
-  NPPA has also fixed the retail price of 1,495 new drugs under DPCO, 2013.
-  NPPA fixed prices of 106 Anti-diabetic and Cardiovascular drugs under Para 19 of DPCO, 2013 in Public interest. NPPA has fixed ceiling price of Cardiac Stents being scheduled formulation under DPCO, 2013 affecting price reduction for Coronary Stents worked out up to 85% for Bare Metal Stents and 74% for Drug Eluting Stents.
-  NPPA has fixed ceiling price of Orthopedic Knee Implants under Para 19 of DPCO, 2013 in Public interest affecting price reduction for orthopedic Knee Implants worked out up to be 69%.
-  NPPA capped the Trade Margin of non-scheduled formulations of 42 select Anti-cancer medicines  under  'Trade  Margin  Rationalization'  approach  as  a  Pilot  for  proof  of concept, wherein price of above 500 brands of medicines were reduced upto 90%.

The fixation of prices has resulted in a total saving of Rs. 12,447 crores per annum to the public after implementation of DPCO, 2013.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2472 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-09
Subject: Desert Development Programme
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: P.P. Chaudhary, Arjunlal Meena

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2472 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 th  MARCH, 2021 DESERT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

## 2472.  SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY and SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA

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

- (a) Whether the Government has considered to increase the minimum limit of eligibility of being identified as small and marginal farmers of Desert Development Programme district from the State of Rajasthan, including Pali, from 2 hectares to 5 hectares;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the progress made so far along with  the time by which the limits can be extended;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the details of the factors considered in categorising the farmers as small, marginal, large etc.;
- (e) Whether the Government intends to increase the maximum limit for Agriculture Input Subsidy from 2 hectare to 5 hectare in the context of Rajasthan; and
- (f)     If so, the details thereof and if not, the reason therefor?

## ANSWER

## Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

(a) to (c): Three programmes previously implemented on watershed basis viz. Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP), Desert Development Programme (DDP) and Integrated Wastelands  Development  Programme  (IWDP)  were  integrated  and  consolidated  into  a single  modified  programme  called  the  Integrated  Watershed  Management  Programme (IWMP) with effect from 26.02.2009 which was later amalgamated as one of the component of  PMKSY  in  2015-16  i.e   Watershed  Development  Component  of  the  Pradhan  Mantri Krishi  Sinchayee  Yojana  (WDC-PMKSY).The  activities  undertaken inter  alia include  ridge area  treatment,  drainage  line  treatment,  soil  and  moisture  conservation,  rain  water harvesting, nursery raising, afforestation, horticulture, pasture development, livelihoods for assetless persons, etc.

820 watersheds projects are implemented in Rajasthan with the central assistance under WDC-PMKSY,  out  of  which  601  projects  have  been  completed  and  219  projects  are ongoing as on date. An amount of Rs.2984.596 crore has been released to Rajasthan as Central share.

(d): In Agriculture Census, operational holdings are classified into five major size groups viz., Marginal (<1.0 ha), Small (1.0 to <2.0 ha.), Semi-Medium(2.0 to <4.0 ha.), Medium(4.0 to <10.0 ha.) and Large (10.0 ha. and above).

(e) & (f): No such proposal is under consideration as of now. Under most schemes of the DAC&FW, assistance is not linked to area of land holding.

## ****************
Lok Sabha Question No. 2471 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-09
Subject: One India, One Agriculture Market
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: P.R. Natarajan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2471

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH  MARCH, 2021

## ONE INDIA, ONE AGRICULTURE MARKET

## 2471.  SHRI NATARAJAN P.R.:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  the  decision  to  implement  'One  India,  One Agricuture Market' regulations through ordinance route;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the private corporates and Foreign Direct Investment are allowed in this retail agriculture produce markets, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी

(SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) to (c): Yes Sir. Productions by farmers happen based on local agro-climatic and soil conditions,  whereas the markets for the same are spread at different places in the country based  on  its  demand  and  consumptions.  This  makes  agriculture  produce  to  travel  from production  markets/centers  to  consumption  markets/centers  cutting  across  geographical regions and state boundaries.  There is a need for seamless flow of farmers' produce across the  country  by  reducing  regulatory  restrictions  and  barriers  and  excessive  intermediation. Such 'One India, One Agriculture Market' is vital to enhancing price realization by farmers to increase their income.  With this intention, Government has enacted 'The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020' to provide for the creation of an ecosystem where the producers and buyers enjoy the freedom of choice relating to sale and purchase  of  farmers'  produce  which  facilitates  remunerative  prices  to  farmers  through competitive alternative trading channels promoting  efficient transparent and barrier-free interstate and intra-state trade and commerce of farmers' produce outside the physical premises of  regulated  market  yards/  sub-yards  and  deemed  markets  notified  under  various  State Agricultural Produce Market legislations. This farm Act aim to promote development of unified market  of  'One  India,  One  Agriculture  Markets',  which  also  encourages  investment  in marketing and value chain infrastructure by private sector including that by private corporate to facilitate farmers and producers to efficiently sell their produces near to farm gate at better prices. As per the information received from Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade,  Ministry  of  Commerce  and  Industry,  Govt.  of  India,  'there  is  no  specific  entry  with

respect to retail agriculture produce markets under the extant FDI Policy.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2470 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-09
Subject: Installed Capacity of PSEs
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
Asked by: E. T. Mohammed Basheer

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2470

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2021

## Installed Capacity of PSEs

## 2470:  SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER

Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that the major Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) are not fully utilizing their installed capacity; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c)  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  the  optimum  utilisation  of installed capacities of PSEs in the country?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

(a)  to  (c)  The  Central  Public  Sector  Enterprises  (CPSEs)  function  under  different  sectors having varied working conditions and are governed by sectoral rules, regulations and statutes. CPSEs in sectors like Crude Oil, Petroleum (Refinery & Marketing), Fertilizers, Power, etc. have  been  functioning  mostly  by  utilizing  their  full  capacity.  Further,  DPE  has  taken initiatives to make CPSEs profitable by bringing changes in MoU system for evaluation and monitoring  the  performance  of  CPSEs,  granting  autonomy  for  financial  and  functional empowerment  of  CPSEs  through  Ratna  scheme  and  Capacity  Building  Programmes  for executives and senior management of CPSEs.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2469 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-09
Subject: Smart Police Station Scheme
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Gopal Chinayya Shetty

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2469

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH   MARCH, 2021/ PHALGUNA 18, 1942 (SAKA)

SMART POLICE STATION SCHEME

†2469. SHRI GOPAL CHINNAYA SHETTY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to include all the States of the country under Smart Police Station Scheme; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and the action being taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  &  (b)  'Public  Order'  and  'Police'  being  State  subjects  as  per  the Constitution of India, the principal responsibility of modernisation of Police Stations lies with the State Governments. There is no scheme named 'Smart Police Station Scheme', however, under the scheme of 'Assistance to States for Modernisation of Police', the Government of India provides assistance for acquiring  modern  gadgets  and  weaponry  for  police  stations  as  per  the proposal of State Governments.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2466 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-09
Subject: Inclusion in the List of OBCs
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Mohammad Jawed

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2466 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2021

## INCLUSION IN THE LIST OF OBCs

## 2466. DR MOHAMMAD JAWED:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to include Surjapuri caste of Bihar in the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) list;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- whether the State Government of Bihar had sent its recommendation in this regard to the Union Government;
- (d) if so, the details of the action taken by the Government so far in this regard; and
- (e) the time by which the Government is likely to include the Surjapuri caste of Bihar in the OBCs list?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (e): No proposal for inclusion of the Surjapuri caste of Bihar in the Central List of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) has been received from the Government of Bihar in the Department: Accordingly, the issue is not under consideration of the Government at present:

*****