opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5056 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Bilateral Investment Treaties
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Eatala Rajender, Smt. D K Aruna

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5056 ANSWERED ON 01/04/2025

## BILATERAL INVESTMENT TREATIES

## 5056.  SHRI EATALA RAJENDER: SMT. D K ARUNA:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मं त्री ) be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government signed Bilateral Investment Treaties (BIT) with some countries to encourage sustained foreign investment and in the spirit of 'first develop India', the current model BIT will be revamped/revived and made more investor-friendly; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and progress made since 1989 onwards to as on date, countrywise and benefit in the country?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य और उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

## (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) Yes, India has signed Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) with countries. To encourage sustained foreign investment and in the spirit of 'first develop India' BITs have been signed in the year 2024 with United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Uzbekistan. India revised its Model BIT in 2015 which  was  used  as  the  starting  point  for  renegotiations  of  existing  and  future  BITs.  However, globally  countries  are  progressively  exploring  opportunities  for  revisions  in  their  BITs  and  are negotiating new BITs. Further, almost 10 years have passed since India reviewed its Model BIT, a need was felt to review certain clauses in India's Model BIT to strike an overall balance between investor friendliness and State's regulatory power.

(b) Post 1991 economic reforms and up to 2014, India has signed Bilateral Investment Treaties with  83  countries  out  of  which  74  were  ratified  and  enforced.  Details  of  these  treaties  can  be accessed on the Department of Economic Affairs website (https://dea.gov.in/bipa). Based on the revised Model BIT in 2015, it was decided to terminate the existing treaties with countries whose initial validity period got over and re-negotiate based on the revised Model BIT. Since then, India has signed Bilateral Investment Treaties with Belarus, Kyrgyz Republic, Investment Cooperation and Facilitation Treaty (ICFT) with Brazil, UAE and Uzbekistan. Bilateral Investment Agreement has also been signed between India Taipei Association and Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre. BITs  provide  for  a  reciprocal  commitment  to  protect  the  private  foreign  investments  in  each other's  countries.  These  are  intended  to  increase  the  comfort  level  and  boost  the  confidence  of investors  by  assuring  a  level  playing  field  and  providing  conducive  investment  climate  to investors.
Lok Sabha Question No. 5055 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy

## AMBEDKAR HASTSHILP VIKAS YOJANA

## 5055. SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state :

(a) whether the Government has taken any steps towards the formation of a Producer Company for the development of the Kalamkari craft cluster under the Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana (AHVY);

(b) if so, the current status of the initiative and the timeline for its implementation;

(c)  the  specific  benefits  and  support  that  will  be  provided  to  Kalamkari  artisans  through  the Producer Company model under AHVY; and

(d) the funds allocated and utilized for the development of the Kalamkari craft cluster so far?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER )

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a): Office  of  Development  Commissioner  (Handicrafts)  under  the  aegis  of  Ministry  of  Textiles provides  support  for  formation  of  Producer  Company  (PC)  in  handicrafts  clusters.  One  Producer Company in Kalamkari Printing Craft viz. M/s Tex venue Handicrafts Producer Company ltd, Pedana, Machilipatnam,  Krishna  Dist,  Andhra  Pradesh)  has  been  formed  with  the  support  of  Office  of Development  Commissioner  (Handicrafts)  under  Ambedkar  Hastshilp  Vikas  Yojana  (AHVY)  sub component of National Handicraft Development Programme (NHDP) Scheme.

(b) & (c): The Producer company formed in FY 2020-21 has implemented various interventions till FY  2024-25  benefitting  about  500  Kalamkari  craft  persons.  The  Producer  company  was  sanctioned various  interventions  such  as  Seminar,  exhibition,  Entrepreneurship  Development  Programme,  Craft Demonstration Programmes, Design & Technical Development workshops, Distribution of 100 toolkits and Publicity & Brand Promotion amounting to Rs 60,90,300.

(d): Total  funds  sanctioned  for  the  development  of  Kalamkari  craft  clusters  from  FY  2020-21  to 2024-25 is Rs.1,40,23,441 under AHVY sub component of NHDP scheme.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5049 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Payment under MGNREGS
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Rajeev Rai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5049

## ANSWERED ON 01/04/2025

## PAYMENT UNDER MGNREGS 5049. SHRI RAJEEV RAI:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENTbe pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  owes  to  an  outstanding  amount  of Uttar  Pradesh  under  the  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural Employment  Guarantee  Scheme  (MGNREGS)  during  the  last five years;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- the outstanding Central share of the daily wages of MGNREGS workers in Uttar Pradesh during the last five years, year-wise;
- (c) and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## (SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN)

(a)to(d): Mahatma Gandhi National Rural  Employment  Guarantee Scheme  (Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGS)  is  a  demand  driven  wage employment Scheme. In the beginning of every financial year, due and  admissible  pending  liabilities,  if  any,  of  the  previous  financial year  are  reimbursed  by  the  Government  of  India  to  concerned States/UTs. Accordingly, due and admissible pending liability up to FY 2023-24 has already been released to the State.

During  the  financial  year  2024-25  (as  on  26.03.2025),  a  total amount of  Rs.  9,739.87  crore  has  been  released  to  Uttar  Pradesh under  the  Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGS,  which  includes  Rs.  6,585.39 crore  for  the  wage  component  and  Rs.  3154.49  crore  for  material and administrative components.

Fund  release  to  the  States/Union  Territories  is  a  continuous process  and  Central  Government  is  committed  for  making  funds available to States/UTs for the implementation of the Scheme as per demand for work on the ground.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5046 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Automobile and Auto Components Industry
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Jugal Kishore, Shri P C Mohan, Dr. K Sudhakar, Shri P P Chaudhary, Shri Bibhu Prasad Tarai, Shri Praveen Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5046

ANSWERED ON 01.04.2025

## PRODUCTION LINKED INCENTIVE (PLI) SCHEME FOR AUTOMOBILE AND AUTO COMPONENTS INDUSTRY

## 5046.  SHRI JUGAL KISHORE:

SHRI P C MOHAN:

DR. K SUDHAKAR:

SHRI PRAVEEN PATEL:

SHRI P P CHAUDHARY:

SHRI BIBHU PRASAD TARAI:

Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) the budgetary allocation made for the scheme and the amount spent till February 2025;
- (b) the financial allocation made for installing fast-chargers for e-buses and other EVs;
- (c) the number of incentive claims received and the amount disbursed to the same;
- (d) whether incremental sales have been achieved as of February 2025; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES (SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA)

- (a) to (c): Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Automobile and Auto Component Industry  (PLI-Auto  Scheme)  has  an  outlay  of  ₹25,938  crore.  During  FY  2024-25,  Four  (4) applicants submitted incentive claims & ₹322.01 crore have been disbursed to these 4 applicants. Fast chargers for e-buses and other EVs are not an approved Advanced Automotive Technology (AAT) Product as per the list of AAT Products notified by the Ministry on 09.11.2021.
- (d) & (e): Incentive under PLI-Auto scheme is applicable on determined sales value defined as the incremental eligible sales of a particular year over base year (i.e. FY 2019-20). There is no  target  for  increment  sales  as  of  February,  2025.    Till  31 st December,  2024,  cumulative determined sales is ₹15,230 crore under the PLI-Auto scheme.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5045 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Steep Tariff on Agricultural Imports
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Jagadish Shettar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5045 ANSWERED ON 01/04/2025

## STEEP TARIFF ON AGRICULTURAL IMPORTS

## 5045.  SHRI JAGADISH SHETTAR:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मं त्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) the  extent  to  which  the  Ministry  is  to  counter  the  moves  of  the  United  States  to  impose steep Tariff on Agricultural imports or on any goods from the Country;
- (b) whether  there  are  any  moves  for  negotiations  on  Trade  Agreement  with  the  US  in  this regard;
- (c) whether this act helps to leverage the situation with the US to secure favourable terms for its Exports; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य और उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) to (d) The Government of India continues to engage with the Government of United States to  achieve  enhancement  and  broadening  of  bilateral  trade  ties  in  a  mutually  beneficial  and  fair manner. Both countries have committed to negotiate a mutually beneficial, multi-sector Bilateral Trade  Agreement  under  which  the  countries  would  focus  on  increasing  market  access,  reducing tariff  and  non-tariff  barriers,  enhancing  supply  chain  integration  and  resolving  key  trade  issues bilaterally.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5044 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Kisan e-Mitra and IoT enabled Systems to improve Crop Productivity
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Adv Gowaal Kagada Padavi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5044

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 01 ST  APRIL, 2025

## KISAN E-MITRA AND IOT ENABLED SYSTEMS TO IMPROVE CROP PRODUCTIVITY

5044. Adv Gowaal Kagada Padavi:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE ( क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has implemented the Kisan e-Mitra and IoT-enabled systems to improve crop productivity, sustainability and farmer livelihoods, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the manner in which Artificial Intelligence (AI) helped in solving agrarian crisis, crop health monitoring, water optimization, crop rotation and harvesting methods, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  details  of  other  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  strengthen  the development of Artificial Intelligence in Agricultural Sector for India and particularly in the State of Maharashtra?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) to (c): The government has employed Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods and IoTenabled systems to improve crop productivity, sustainability and farmer livelihoods and to  address  various  challenges    in  the  agricultural  sector  to  aid  farmers  etc.  Some initiatives including Kisan e-Mitra are given below:

- I.  'Kisan e-Mitra', is a voice-based AI-powered chatbot, developed to assist farmers with  responses  to  their  queries  on  PM  Kisan  Samman  Nidhi  scheme.  This solution  supports  11  regional  languages  and  is  evolving  to  assist  with  other government programs. At present, it handles over 20,000 farmer queries daily and so far, more than 92 lakh queries have been answered.
- II.  The National Pest Surveillance System, for tackling the loss of produce due to climate change, utilizes AI and Machine Learning to detect pest infestation in crop issues, enabling timely intervention for healthier crops. This tool, currently used by over 10,000  extension workers, allows farmers to capture images of pests to help them mitigate pest attacks and reduce crop losses. At present, it currently supports 61 crops and over 400 pests.
- III.  AI-based  analytics  using  field  photographs  for  satellite  based  crop  mapping being used in Crop-weather matching monitoring of crops sown.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5041 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: New Criminal Laws in J&K
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Tapir Gao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5041

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 01 ST  APRIL, 2025/ CHAITRA 11, 1947 (SAKA)

NEW CRIMINAL LAWS IN J&K

5041.     SHRI TAPIR GAO:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the measures taken to ensure the full implementation of the three new criminal laws in Jammu and Kashmir by April 2025;
- (b)  the  steps  being  taken  to  train  police  personnel,  judicial  officers  and administrative staff on the new criminal laws and how many officers have been trained so far; and
- (c) the mechanism has been established to monitor the progress of the new criminal laws on a weekly and monthly basis and will the reports from these reviews be made public?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): The Government has taken measures to ensure the full implementation of the three new criminal laws in Jammu and Kashmir such as:
- i. A Steering Committee under the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir and an Empowered Committee under Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir has been formed.

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 5041 FOR 01.04.2025

- ii. The training programs are conducted at the Police Academy, Police Training Institutes, District Police Lines and Battalion Training  Centres.  Translation  of  new  criminal  laws  in  Urdu, Dogri and Kashmiri languages have been completed.
- iii. Jammu and Kashmir Police along with other departments of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir is organizing joint awareness  programmes  at  all  282  blocks  in  the  second  and fourth week of every month.
- iv. All the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS) patches including e-Sakshya (audio-video recording application) for  the  IOs  of  Jammu  and  Kashmir  Police,  sending  of  esummons/SMS/emails have been made functional.
- v. All the required Rules, Notifications and Administrative Orders in respect of three criminal laws have been issued.
5. (b):   Regular training on three new criminal laws is provided. So far 975 Gazetted  Officers,  60,890  police  personnel  under  Jammu  and  Kashmir Police  and  254  Judicial  Officers  have  been  trained.  Additionally,  191 Master Trainers  under  the  Training  of  Trainers  (ToT)  program  and  118 personnel have been trained at NFSU, Gandhinagar. J&K Police also use

the iGoT Karmayogi platform, with 50,984 personnel onboard, completing 1,21,000 courses, including 1,10,773 on new criminal laws.

(c): To  monitor  the  implementation  of  new  criminal  laws,  review meetings are held fortnightly by the Chief Secretary and weekly by the Principal  Secretary  (Home),  DGP  and  top  police  officials.  The  reports thereof are for internal circulation of the Government.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5037 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Interest Equalisation Scheme
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Dr. Mallu Ravi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5037 ANSWERED ON 01/04/2025

## INTEREST EQUALISATION SCHEME

## 5037.    DR. MALLU RAVI:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ( )  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) whether  the  Interest  Equalisation  Scheme  has  provided  substantial  financial  support  to exporters during the last financial year; and
- (b) if  so,  the details thereof, including the sectors and regions that have benefited the most particularly in the State of Telangana?

## ANSWER

## ( ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) to (b) Yes.  An amount of ₹3699.9 crore was disbursed as financial support to exporters throughout  the  country  under  Interest  Equalisation  Scheme  (IES)  during  the  financial  year 2023-24.

The  major  sectors  that  have  derived  maximum  benefit  from  the  scheme  in  the  State  of Telangana  are  as  following: extracts,  essences  and  concentrates  of  coffee,  tea  or  mate  and related preparations; roasted chicory and other roasted coffee substitutes; pepper and dried or ground  fruits  of  the  genus Capsicum or Pimenta ;  jute  and  other  textile  bast  fibres  (excluding flax, true hemp, and ramie), raw or processed; medicaments for therapeutic or prophylactic use; structural  components  and  parts  (excluding  prefabricated  buildings);  machine  parts  without electrical  features;  rice;  granite,  sandstone,  and  other  monumental  or  building  stones  cut  into blocks  or  slabs;  nails,  tacks,  staples,  and  similar  iron  or  steel  articles  (excluding  those  with copper heads); and electrical transformers, static converters, and inductors.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5035 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: MoU in Indian Startups
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Smt. Aparajita Sarangi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5035. TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, THE 01 ST  APRIL, 2025.

## MOU IN INDIAN STARTUPS

## 5035.  SMT. APARAJITA SARANGI:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) the manner in which the Government plan to ensure that this MoU serves the interest of Indian startups;
- (b) whether any mechanisms in place to ensure that startups from Tier-2 and Tier3 cities also get access to the benefits under this initiative;
- (c) whether the DPIIT plan to expand similar collaborations with other fintech or manufacturing firms in the future; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री णिणिन प्रसाद ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

- (a) to (d): The  Government,  with  an  intent  to  build  a  strong  ecosystem  for  nurturing innovation, startups and encouraging investments in the startup ecosystem of the country launched the Startup India initiative on 16th January 2016.

For effective implementation of Startup India initiative across the country, the Government unveiled Startup India Action Plan comprising of schemes and incentives envisaged to create a vibrant startup ecosystem in the country. The Action  Plan  comprises  of  19  action  items  spanning  across  areas  such  as 'Simplification and  handholding', 'Funding support and  incentives'  and 'Industry- academia partnership and incubation'.

In order to promote partnerships and collaborations between the industry and startups to encourage innovation-led growth in sectors like manufacturing, the Department  for  Promotion  of  Industry  and  Internal  Trade  (DPIIT)  is  signing Memorandum of Understanding  (MoUs)  with  various  stakeholders  including fintech and manufacturing firms for the specific purpose, inter alia, of mentoring, providing access to infrastructure, sharing resources and knowledge, assisting in market linkages and connecting to funding networks for startups across the country including from tier 2 and tier 3 cities.

*****

be pleased to state:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5034 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Advisory on Litchi Pest Infestation
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Ujjwal Raman Singh

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5034

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01 ST  APRIL, 2025

## ADVISORY ON LITCHI PEST INFESTATION

5034 .  SHRI UJJWAL RAMAN SINGH: Will the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare/ क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has issued any advisory for litchi farmers in view of the pest infestation in litchi farming; (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reason therefor; and (c) the measures being taken by the Government to protect litchi orchards in view of the possibility of infestation of litchi stink bug, dahiya insect and litchi mite during the litchi season?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAM NATH THAKUR)

(a) to (c) Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Research Center on Litchi (ICAR-NRCL), Muzaffarpur has issued advisories to assist litchi farmers in managing pest  infestations.  These  advisories  focus  on  integrated  pest  management  (IPM) strategies  to  manage  common  pests  such  as  the  litchi  fruit  and  shoot  borer ( Conopomorpha  sinensis ), litchi  stink  bug,  and  litchi  mite.  The  advisories  are available  on  ICAR-NRCL Institute's  website and also disseminates through  various modes like newspapers, TV channels, WhatsApp group, Facebook page, other social media platforms. Farmers Scientist monthly interaction meeting, Field days, Farmers training  programmes  were  also  organized  and  being  organized  by  the  institute  to spread awareness among the litchi growers for management of insect's pests (litchi stink bug, dahiya insect, and litchi mite) of litchi.

Further,  advisories  are  also  being  issued  to  Krishi  Vigyan  Kendra  (KVKs)  and Department  of  Agriculture  of  different  State  Government  Officials  and  training programmes are also being organized for farmers as well as field staff of Government of Bihar regarding insect pest and disease management of litchi.

****