opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1102 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-08
Subject: GST on Technical Tools
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Pinaki Misra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1102 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8.2.2023

## GST ON TECHNICAL TOOLS

## 1102.   SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

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

- (a) whether there has been an increase in GST on technical tools utilised in scientific
- research and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether any study has been undertaken to assess the impact thereof on investment in research and development in public research institutes;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  plans  to  revise  grant  structures  to  reduce  the  impact  of increased GST; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

ͪव£ान और Ĥौɮयोͬगकȧ तथा पृ Øवी ͪव£ान मंğालय क े राÏय मंğी ( èवतंğ Ĥभार) (डॉ . िजतɅġ ͧसंह)

- (a)  Yes,  there  has  been  an  increase  in  GST  on  technical  tools  utilized  in  scientific research from 5% to 'applicable rates' (up to 18%). The Department of Revenue (Ministry of Finance, Government of India) has withdrawn the benefit of concessional GST rate available to research institutions on procurement of scientific and technical instruments, equipment, accessories, consumables etc.
- (b) and (c) The Office of PSA prepared a Note titled- 'R&D Tax incentive in India-Recent changes in GST Rates, its estimated impact and way forward' after due consultations with  NITI  Aayog  and  stakeholder  scientific  departments/ministries  (CSIR,  DBT,  DST, ICAR,  ICMR,  Ministry  of  Earth  Sciences  and  MeitY).  This  note  inter-alia  studied  the estimated  impact  of  withdrawal  of  GST  concession  on  R&D  budget  of  key  scientific department in Government of India. The impact of these rate changes is on entities who were eligible to claim exemption prior to 18 th  July 2022. While the private organizations may gradually absorb the impact of rate changes, there is a limited  space for public funded organizations to absorb the impact. The primary impact of the GST rate change is on imported equipment as it constitutes a major portion of procurement of scientific equipment.
- (d) and (e) This Note was examined by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance and in their reply the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance has conveyed to the O/o PSA that it has taken a note of the points mentioned in the document and agreed in principle  to  make  additional  allocations  of  funds  to  cover  the  actual  impact  of  GST changes.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1101 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-08
Subject: Safety of Nuclear Power Stations
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Debasree Chaudhuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1101

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2023

## Safety of Nuclear Power Stations

## 1101.  MS. DEBASREE CHAUDHURI :

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Nuclear Installations and Nuclear Power Stations in the country are secure from Cyber attacks and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the steps taken by the Government to ensure their safety and security;
- (c) whether there has been any incidents of breach of security in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  PERSONNEL,  PUBLIC  GRIEVANCES  AND PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

(a)&(b)  Yes, Sir. Indian nuclear establishment has an already set rigorous procedure for design,  development and operation of the systems  used in its installations.  The  safety  and  security  critical  systems  are  designed  and developed  in-house  using  custom  built  hardware  and  software  which  are subjected  to  regulatory  verification  and  validation,  thereby  making  them resistant to cyber security threats.

The safety and security critical infrastructure of Indian nuclear establishments, such as control network and safety systems of plants are isolated from Internet and the local IT network.

Department  of  Atomic  Energy  has  specialist  groups  like  Computer  and Information Security Advisory Group (CISAG) and Task force for Instrumentation and control security (TAFICS) to look after cyber

security/information  security  of  DAE  units.  These  groups  undertake  the process  of  strengthening  cyber  security  of  all  units  under  DAE  including nuclear facilities through hardening of systems and audits.

(c)&(d)   There was an identification of a malware infection on Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP)  administrative network used for day to day administrative  activities.  The  affected  system  contained  data  related  to administrative function only. Plant control and instrumentation system is not connected to any external network such as Intranet, Internet and administrative  system.  The  plant  systems,  which  are  isolated  and  not accessible from this administrative network, were not affected. There was no impact on the critical plant systems.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1100 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-08
Subject: Vacant Posts in various Departments/Enterprises
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Hanuman Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

## (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1100

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2023)

## VACANT POSTS IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS/ ENTERPRISES

## †1100.SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  vacant  posts  in  various  departments  and  enterprises  of  the  Central Government, category-wise/class-wise;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to fill the said vacant posts at the earliest and if so, the time by which it is likely to be done; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a):    As  per  the  Annual  Report  of  Department  of  Expenditure,  the  details  of  vacancies,  classwise, under various Ministries/Departments of the Central Government, as on 01.03.2021, are as under:

| Group            |   Number of vacant Posts |
|------------------|--------------------------|
| A                |                    23584 |
| B (Gazetted)     |                    26282 |
| B (Non-Gazetted) |                    92525 |
| C                |                   836936 |
| Total            |                   979327 |

Data is centrally maintained  only  in respect of  employees  of  Central Ministries/ Departments, class-wise.

- (b)  &  (c):    Recruitment  against  vacant  posts  is  a  continuous  process.  Vacancies  in  various Central  Government  Ministries/  Departments  and  their  Attached  and  Subordinate  offices  are caused due to retirement, resignation, death, promotion etc. of the employee. These vacancies are maintained  &  filled  by  the  respective  Ministries,  either  directly  by  the  concerned  Ministry/ Department or through recruitment agencies.

Rozgar  Mela  events  are  being  held  across  the  country  and  the  new  appointees  are inducted  into  various  Central  Ministries/  Departments/  Central  Public  Sector  Undertakings (CPSUs)/  Autonomous Bodies/  Public  Sector  Banks  etc.  Rozgar  Mela  is  expected  to  act  as  a catalyst  in  further  employment  and  self  employment  generation  and  provide  gainful  service opportunities to the youth.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1099 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-08
Subject: Unmanned Railway Crossings
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: C. R. Patil, Shardaben Anilbhai Patel, Mitesh Rameshbhai (Bakabhai) Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1099 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2023

## UNMANNED RAILWAY CROSSINGS

## 1099.  SHRI C.R. PATIL:

SHRIMATI SHARDABEN ANILBHAI PATEL: SHRI MITESH RAMESHBHAI PATEL (BAKABHAI):

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  total  number  of  Unmanned  Level  Crossings  (UMLCs)  in  the country;
- (b) the number of accidents that took place at these Unmanned level crossings during the last three years, Year/State-wise;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  taken  steps  to  make  unmanned railway  crossings  manned  in  the  country  including  in  the  State  of Gujarat in the last five years; and
- (d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government in respect of these unmanned level crossings?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (d):  All  Unmanned  level  crossings  (UMLCs)  on  Broad  Gauge  (BG) network  of  Indian  Railway  falling  on  passenger  train  route  have  been eliminated  by  31.01.2019.    Only  751  UMLCs  on  Meter  Gauge  (MG)  and Narrow Gauge (NG) sections exist on Indian Railways, which are planned for elimination during Gauge conversion of those sections. The number of consequential  train  accidents  at  unmanned  level  crossings  during  the last  three  years  is  'Nil'.    Following  steps  have  been  taken  by  Indian Railways to reduce rail accidents at UMLCs in the country:

-  All Unmanned level crossing (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge (BG) have been eliminated by 31.01.2019
-  Level  Crossings  having  high  Rail/Road  vehicular  traffic  are  either manned or interlocked with signals for enhancing safety.
-  Instructions  and  inspection  drives  are  being  launched  from  time  to time  to  ensure  availability  of  basic  infrastructure  at  level  crossings such as whistle boards, road warning boards, speed breakers, etc.

Further,  public  awareness campaigns/safety slogans are undertaken to  create  safety  consciousness  among  road  users  for  safe  passage  at level crossings.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1095 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-08
Subject: Aadhaar seeding in Ration Cards
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Abdul Majeed Ariff

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1095

## AADHAAR SEEDING IN RATION CARDS

1095. ADV. AM. ARIFF:

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

PUBLIC

- (a) whether the Government is aware that Kerala has completed 100% Aadhaar seeding of about 3.49 crore members included in the ration cards in the State;
- (b) if so, whether the Government intends to increase the number of beneficiaries in the priority category out of the 3.49 crore beneficiaries as stipulated by the National Food Security Act, 2013, if not; the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has received any representation from the State of Kerala for including 7,06,331 more beneficiaries to the priority category accordingly; and
- (d) if so, the action taken thereon?

## A NSWE R

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

- (a): The State Government of Kerala has reported 100% Aadhaar seeding of 40.84 Iakh Ration Cards in October 2022.
- (b): As per the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) Control Order 2015, the review of ration cardslbeneficiaries list, identification of ineligiblel duplicate ration cards and inclusion of genuine eligible beneficiaries/households is the responsibility of the concerned State/ut Government, and the benefit of deleted ration cards is utilized by States/UTs for targetingladdition of new beneficiarieslration cards subject to State/UT wise ceiling on coverage under NFSA

(c) & (d): Yes this Department has received representation from State Government of Kerala in October 2022, for seeking permission to include Aadhaar seeded beneficiaries in the priority category in proportion to the present population, until the Census, 2021 is completed: Sir,

In this regard, this Department vide its D.O. letter dated 21s October 2022 has  conveyed to the Minister of Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs & Legal Metrology that Department has already conducted a meeting with National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO); Registrar General of India (RGI) and NITI Aayog on 6th September 2022 on coverage issue, wherein, it was informed that due to COVID-19 outbreak, the Census could not be taken: Therefore, the present criteria under NFSA, 2013 for determination of StatelUT-wise coverage is uniformly applicable for all the States/UTs based on which national ceiling of foodgrain allocation to States is fixed: Hence, it is to enhance the coverage of a particular StatelUT including Kerala at this point of time:

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1090 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-08
Subject: Commemorative Postage Stamp
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Adoor Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1090 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 TH  FEBRUARY, 2023

## COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMP

## 1090.   ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) the present status of the  proposal received by  the Government  for  the  release  of commemorative postage stamp of Mooloor S. Padmanabha Panicker;

(b) whether the Philatelic Advisory Committee conducted any meeting after March, 2021 and if so, the details thereof including the next meeting scheduled, if any; and

(c) whether the Government will consider releasing the commemorative postage stamp of this great scholar and social reformer without delay, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) The proposal for issue of Commemorative Postage Stamp on Mooloor S. Padmanabha Panicker was placed before the Philatelic Advisory Committee in its meeting held on 25.07.2022 and was not approved. A total of 243 proposals were placed before the Committee and 47 proposals were approved by the Committee. The date for the next meeting of aforementioned Committee has not been fixed.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1089 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-08
Subject: Doubling of Pune-Miraj-Londa Railway Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1089 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2023

## DOUBLING OF PUNE-MIRAJ-LONDA RAILWAY LINE

## 1089. SHRI SHRINIWAS PATIL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  status  of  the  Pune-Miraj-Londa  railway  line  doubling  and electrification work in Satara district of Maharashtra;
- (b) the  total  area  of  land  acquisition  completed  till  date  and  still pending in Satara district for the above project; and
- (c) the total amount of compensation paid till date and the amount still pending to be paid?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1089 BY SHRI SHRINIWAS PATIL TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 08.02.2023 REGARDING DOUBLING OF PUNE-MIRAJ-LONDA RAILWAY LINE

(a): Railway has taken up construction work of Pune - Miraj - Londa (466  km)  doubling  project.    Cost  of  the  project  is  ₹4028  crore.  An expenditure of ₹2317 crore has been incurred upto March, 2022 and an  outlay  of  ₹1567  crore  has  been  provided  for  the  project  for financial year 2022-23.

So  far,  total  233  km  doubling  has  been  completed.  Work  has been taken up in balance section in available land.

In  Pune-Miraj-Londa section, Pune-Miraj (279 km) and KudachiGhatprabha  (48  km)  sections  have  been  electrified.  Electrification works  on  Miraj-Kudachi  (32  km)  and  Ghatprabha-Londa  (109  km) sections are in different stages of execution.

(b): Total  land  required  in  Satara  district  is  85.8  hectares,  out  of which  66.46  hectares  land  have  been  acquired  till  date  and  land acquisition of balance 19.34 hectares land has been taken up.

- (c): Railway  acquires  the  land  through  State  Government.  State Government  assesses  the  compensation  amount  and  advises  to Railway.  On  receipt  of  demand  from  State  Government,  Railway deposits compensation amount with concerned District Land acquisition Authority. For this project, Railway has made payment of ₹77.30  crore  in  Satara  district.  Process  for  deposition  of  balance compensation  amount  demanded  by  District  Authorities  has  been taken up.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1088 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-08
Subject: Northern Railway Central Hospital
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dipsinh Shankarsinh Rathod, Mohanbhai Kalyanji Kundariya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1088 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2023

## NORTHERN RAILWAY CENTRAL HOSPITAL

1088. SHRI DIPSINH SHANKARSINH RATHOD: SHRI MOHANBHAI KALYANJI KUNDARIYA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Northern  Railway  Central  Hospital  (NRCH)  is  functioning more as a referring hospital than as a full-fledged hospital;
- (b)  if  so,  the  expenditure  incurred  on  referrals  to  private  empanelled hospitals  vis-à-vis  setting  up  of  in  house  facilities  for  tertiary  care  i.e. super speciality care;
- (c) whether there has been exodus of recently appointed Super Specialists from railway hospitals; and
- (d) if so, the steps taken by the Government to make NRCH Atmanirbhar in
- tertiary treatment as per Sanyal Committee report?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a),  (b)  and  (d):  No,  Sir.  Northern  Railway  Central  Hospital  is  full  fledged tertiary care Hospital. Secondary care treatment in specialities of General Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Medicines,  Eye, Plastic Surgery, Ear Nose Throat (ENT), Paediatrics, Orthopaedics, Psychiatry & Super specialties (tertiary care) of  General Surgery, Oncology etc. are available in-house. Only in cases, where specialized treatment/investigations are not available  in-house,  are  referred  to  empanelled  Hospitals  based  on  need basis.

Total expenditure on referred cases and the cases where patients took treatment by admitting themselves in emergency without referral, for the  period  January  to  December  2022,  is  approximately  Rs.  60  crores. Further, up-gradation of railway hospitals is an on-going process based on developments  taking  place  in  scientific  and  medical  sector,  subject  to availability of funds.

(c) : No, Sir.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1087 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-08
Subject: Increase in Prices of Edible Oils
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Supriya Sadanand Sule, Sunil Dattatray Tatkare, Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Kuldeep Rai Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1087 To BE ANSWERED ON 8TH FEBRUARY, 2023

## INCREASE IN PRICES OF EDIBLE OILS

1087 . DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE: SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE: SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE: DR: AMOL RAMSING KOLHE: SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER FOOD AND be

AFFAIRS, PUBLIC pleased to state:

- (a) whether the prices of edible oils are increasing continuously putting the common man in hardship;
- (b) if so, the reasons for the failure of the Government to control the increase of prices of edible oils;
- (c) whether the Government has called a meeting with leading Edible Oil Association to discuss on how to bring down the prices of edible oils;
- (d) if so, the issues discussed in the meeting and the decision taken thereon;
- (e) whether the Government's attention is also drawn that distributors are not giving benefit of reduction in prices by manufacturers and refiners to consumers, the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard; and
- the other steps taken by the Government to bring down the prices of edible oils for the benefit of people in the country?

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

(a): Sir. The prices of edible oils are showing a significant decreasing trend providing relief to the common man: No,

- (b): Does not arise.
- (c), (d) & (e): The Government has been holding several meetings from time to time with leading Edible Oil AssociationlIndustry to keep a control on the domestic prices of edible oils in the country: As a result of the meetings, the leading edible oil industries have reduced their Maximum Retail Price (MRP) on edible oils  thereby passing on the benefits to the consumers-
- (f): In a bid to bring down the prices of edible oils, Government has taken the following steps:
- The Central Government has cut the basic duty on Crude Palm Crude Soyabean Oil and Crude Sunflower Oil from 2.5% to Nil; The Agri-cess on these Oils has been brought to 5%. This duty has been extended upto 31s March, 2024. Oil,
- The Government has extended the free import of Refined Palm Oils till further orders.
- The basic duty on Refined Soyabean oil and Refined Sunflower Oil has been reduced to 17.5% from 32.5% and the basic duty on Refined Palm Oils has been reduced from 17.5% to 12.5%. This duty has been extended upto 31st March, 2024.
- The Government has issued Notification for allocation of Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) for import of 20 LMT of Crude Soyabean Oil and 20 LMT of Crude Sunflower Oil for the financial year 2022-23 and 20 LMT of Crude Sunflower Oil for the financial year 2023-24 at zero import duty and zero AIDC.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1084 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-08
Subject: Reduction in Procurement of Foodgrains from Punjab
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Harsimrat Kaur Badal

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

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1084

## REDUCTION IN PROCUREMENT OF FOODGRAINS FROM PUNJAB

## 1084. SHRIMATI HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER FOOD AND

AFFAIRS, PUBLIC be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government plans to reduce quantity of procurement of foodgrains from the State of Punjab;
- (b) if so, whether the decision of the Government to cap procurement from each district has capped overall  procurement from the State of Punjab; and
- (c) if so, the rationale behind imposing district-wise cap?

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

- (a): No, Sir. There exists a transparent and uniform policy for procurement of wheat and paddy by Government Agencies across the country: State Government agencies and Food Corporation of India (FCI) purchase wheat & paddy within the stipulated period with prescribed Fair Average Quality (FAQ) specification at Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Central Pool:

The estimates for procurement of wheat and paddy are finalized by Government of India in consultation with State Governments and Food Corporation of India, before the commencement of each marketing season based upon estimated production, marketable surplus and agricultural crop pattern: Increase or decrease of procurement estimate is decided on the basis of estimated production, marketable surplus and agricultural crop pattern:

(bJand(c):

Do not arise in view of (a) above:

*****