opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3949 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: National Food Security Mission
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Prabhakar Reddy Vemireddy

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3949

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 25 TH  MARCH, 2025

## NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY MISSION

3949. SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY VEMIREDDY:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी

- be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has renamed the National Food Security Mission; (b) if  so, details thereof and the extent to which changing name helps in achieving the nutritional goals; and the  extent  to  which  revamped  schemes  helps  in  enhancing  seed  availability  of
- (c) traditional varieties of crops, coarse cereals and millets?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) to (c): During 2024-25, the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) has been renamed as National Food Security & Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) and the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing NFSNM for increasing production of pulses, nutri cereals, rice, wheat and coarse cereals in the country. Under NFSNM, the incentives are  provided  to  the  farmers,  through  the  States/UTs,  on  crop  production  and  protection technologies, cropping system based demonstrations, production & distribution of certified seeds  of  newly  released  varieties/hybrids,  integrated  nutrient  and  pest  management techniques, capacity building of farmers through trainings during cropping season etc.

Further, the Government of India also provides flexibility to the states for state specific needs/priorities under Pradhan Mantri-Rashtirya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY). The states may promote coarse cereals and millets (Shree Anna) under PM-RKVY with approval of State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) headed by Chief Secretary of the State.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3948 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Steel Plant in Bihar
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri Sunil Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3948

FOR ANSWER ON 25.03.2025

## STEEL PLANT IN BIHAR

3948. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

(a) whether a plant of Steel Authority of India was set up in Bettiah, Bihar, if so, the current status of the same;

(b) whether the said plant has remained inoperational for some time now; and

(c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE          (SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA) MINISTRY OF STEEL

(a)to(c): Steel Authority of India Limited  (SAIL) had set up a Steel Processing Unit (SPU)  at Kumarbagh, Bettiah  in East Champaran District of Bihar for production of Pipe/Tube and Corrugated sheets. The plant / unit is not in running at present, due to operational/economic reasons.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3945 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: PMGSY in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Malaiyarasan D

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3945 ANSWERED ON 25/03/2025

## PMGSY IN TAMIL NADU 3945. SHRI MALAIYARASAN D:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the  reasons  for  delay  in  the  construction  or  upgradation  of roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram SadakYojana (PMGSY) in Tamil Nadu and the measures taken to address such delays;
- (b) whether  any  challenges  have  been  faced  in  land  acquisition, environmental clearances and other issues in the implementation of PMGSY in Tamil Nadu, if so, the steps taken to resolve such issues; and
- (c) the targets set for the completion of the scheme in Tamil Nadu and the expected timelinefor achieving these targets?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN)

(a) to (c): The State of Tamil Nadu has completed all the projects sanctioned  under  PMGSY-I  &  II.  Under  PMGSY-III,  out  of  the  total sanctioned length of 7,317.83 KM, the State has already completed 5,055 KM as on 20.03.2025. Road length of 2,235 KM is at various stages of execution.

The time-line for completion of PMGSY-III is upto March, 2025. The State has informed that the works were held up due to North East  Monsoon during November - December 2024. All the ongoing works  involve  initial  preparation  works  and  obtaining  design  mix from  a  reputed  Engineering  institute.  Hence  there  was  a  delay  in initiation of some works.

The  progress  in  PMGSY  III  works  has  been  reviewed  in Performance  Review  Committee  meetings,  Empowered  Committee meetings and special meetings from time to time to take suitable necessary action to expedite timely completion of road works under

PMGSY.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3937 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Training Programmes for Textile Workers
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri R K Chaudhary

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3937 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.03.2025

## TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR TEXTILE WORKERS

## 3937. SHRI R K CHAUDHARY:

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

- (a) the schemes undertaken by the Government to promote textile industry in Mohanlalganj;
- (b) the details of the training programmes launched by the Ministry for textile workers and weavers in Mohanlalganj;
- (c) whether financial assistance is being provided to the small and medium enterprises associated with the textile industry in this region;
- (d) the details of the schemes launched by the Government to increase the employment opportunities in the textile sector in this region; and
- (e) the manner in which the Government is providing support in the manufacturing of the cotton, silk and woollen cloth in Mohanlalganj?

उत्तर

## ANSWER )

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा

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

(a) to (e): The Government of India is implementing various schemes/initiatives aimed at promoting  the  textile  sector  pan  India.  The  major  schemes/initiatives  include  PM  Mega  Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks Scheme which seeks to create a modern, integrated large  scale,  world  class  industrial  ecosystem,  which  will  help  in  attracting  investments  and  boosting employment; Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme focusing on Man Made Fibre & Apparel, and Technical  Textiles  to  boost  large  scale  manufacturing  and  enhancing  competitiveness;  National Technical Textiles Mission focusing on Research Innovation & Development, Promotion and Market Development, Skilling and Export Promotion; SAMARTH - Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector with the objective providing demand driven, placement oriented, skilling program; ATUFS to incentivize technology upgradation and modernization through capital investment subsidy for eligible investment  in  benchmarked  textile  machinery;  Silk  Samagra-2  for  comprehensive  development  of sericulture value chain; Integrated Wool Development Programme (IWDP) to support small, medium and  large  scale  wool-producing  units ; National  Handloom  Development  Program  and  National Handicraft Development Program for end to end support for handloom and handicraft sectors etc.

In addition to the above, the role of the Government is to ensure conducive policy environment, facilitating  in  creating  enabling  conditions  for  the  industry  and  private  entrepreneurs  to  set  up  units through its various policy initiatives and schemes. Due to these interventions a number of handloom, powerloom,  readymade  garments,  synthetic  yarn  and  hosiery  manufacturing  units  have  been  setup across the country including Mohanlalganj.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3934 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Quantity of Groundnut procured in Gujarat and Karnataka
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Jashubhai Bhilubhai Rathva, Dr. Vinod Kumar Bind, Dr. M P Abdussamad Samadani, Shri Rajesh Naranbhai Chudasama, Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3934

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 25 TH  MARCH, 2025

## QUANTITY OF GROUNDNUT PROCURED IN GUJARAT AND KARNATAKA

3934.  SHRI RAJESH NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA: SHRI JASHUBHAI BHILUBHAI RATHVA: SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI: DR. VINOD KUMAR BIND: DR. M P ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

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

- (a) the details of the quantity of groundnut that has been procured during the extended period in Gujarat and Karnataka;
- (b) the details of the impact of the procurement extension that has on the market price of groundnuts in these States; and
- (c) whether there are any specific measures taken by the Government to support small and marginal farmers during the extension, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कã याण राÏय मंğी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

- (a): The details of quantity of groundnut for Kharif 2024-25 season procured and number of  farmers  benefitted  during  the  extended  period  under  Price  Support  Scheme  (PSS)  in Gujarat and Karnataka is as under:-

|   S. No. | State     | Extended period          | Quantity procured (in MT)   | No. of farmers benefitted   |
|----------|-----------|--------------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
|        1 | Gujarat   | 09.02.2025 to 14.02.2025 | 25,837.00                   | 7,517                       |
|        2 | Karnataka | 10.02.2025 to 15.02.2025 | 1,407.07                    | 1,650                       |

(b) & (c): The  overall  market  forces  respond  positively  to  the  intervention of the Government in organizing procurement operations of notified Pulses and Oilseeds & Copra at MSP under PSS. Under the PSS, a farmer can sell his produce to a maximum of 40 quintals per  day  at  the  procurement centre  that  is  meant  to  protect  the  interests  of  the  small  and marginal farmers. A system has been put in place for Aadhar Based registration of farmers on  the  portals  like  eSamriddhi  Portal  of  National  Agricultural  Cooperative  Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) and eSanyukti portal of National Co-operative Consumers' Federation of India Ltd. (NCCF) and the portals of the State for selling their produce. The farmers are informed via SMS and Whatsapp to make them aware about the procurement operation to be undertaken by the central nodal agencies of the Govt. namely NAFED and NCCF.  The payments to the farmers are being released to their individual bank accounts though RTGS or NEFT within three days from actual delivery by the procuring agency.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3932 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Livestock Insurance Scheme
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Azad Kirti Jha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 3932 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 TH MARCH 2025

## LIVESTOCK INSURANCE SCHEME

## 3932. SHRI AZAD KIRTI JHA:

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

- (a) the number of livestock that are currently covered under the livestock insurance scheme of the National Livestock Mission;
- (b)  whether  the  government  has  any  proposal  to  increase  the  budget  allocation  for  the livestock insurance scheme to ensure wider insurance coverage for cattle and other livestock, and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number of people in the country who are dependent on livestock and animal husbandry for their livelihood; and
- (d) the measures are being taken to address the risks faced by individuals engaged in animal husbandry activities due to insufficient insurance coverage?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (PROF. S.P. SINGH BAGHEL)

- (a) As per data received from the States and insurance companies a total of 21.01 lakh nos. of livestock have been insured in the current financial year.
- (b) The Livestock Insurance activity under the National Livestock Mission (NLM) scheme operates on a demand-driven basis. The Department is encouraging the States to send proposals of Livestock Insurance scheme so that more livestock may be covered.
- (c) The Department does not maintain any data on the number of people in the country who are dependent on livestock and animal husbandry for their livelihood. However, as per 19 th Livestock Census, there are 10.08 crore households having livestock and/ or poultry.
- (d) To promote the Livestock Insurance activity among the farmers, the beneficiary share of premium for all categories and areas has been reduced to 15% instead of existing 20 50%; rest will be borne by Central as well as State Government in the ratio of 90:10 for Hilly and North-eastern states, 60:40 for states other than Hilly and North-eastern states and 100% for the UTs. Moreover, the Department is conducting extensive awareness like seminars and camps, publicity, video Conferences to promote the activity, for which the Department  of  Animal  Husbandry  and  Dairying  is  providing  assistance  to  the  State Governments to create awareness. 100% central assistance is provided to the States for awareness  and  publicity  under  the  NLM  scheme.  Besides,  during  Regional  Review Meetings,  instructions  are  also  given  to  the  States  for  increasing  insurance  coverage. Additionally, the Department is developing a dedicated online portal to ensure transparent and efficient implementation of the livestock insurance program.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3927 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Persons with Disabilities
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

## LOK SABHA

## 3927. SHRI HIBI EDEN:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that Kerala has only 11 clinical psychologists for UDID card issuance, causing significant delays for persons with disabilities;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to provide financial and administrative support to the Kerala Social Justice Department to recruit more clinical psychologists in all districts;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that the Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) funds for special schools in Kerala have been pending for the last four to five years;
- (d) whether the Government has taken by steps to clear these arrears and ensure the timely allocation of funds in the future; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

## (SHRI B.L. VERMA)

- (a) The  State  Governments  are  the  nodal  authority  to  appoint  medical  professionals responsible for issuance of disability certificate in their respective states. The Department has notified the revised disability assessment guidelines in collaboration with Directorate General of Health  Services  (DGHS),  Government  of  India  on  12.03.2024.  In  order  to  cater  the  need  of shortage of medical professionals and to reduce delay in issuance of disability certificates and UDID  cards  across  the  country,  a  provision  to  include  a  private  practitioner/Doctor  in  the medical assessment board with the Government Doctor as a Head of the Board has been made.
- (b) No such proposal is under consideration in the Ministry.
- (c), (d) and (e) Department  release  funds  to  Voluntary  Organization  as  per  Deendayal  Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS). The details of Grant in Aid(GIA) released in the last 5 years including the current financial year to Voluntary organization for running the projects under the DDRS in Kerala is given below-

| Year               |   2020-21 |   2021-22 |   2022-23 |   2023-24 |   2024-25 (as on 20.03.2025) |
|--------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|------------------------------|
| GIA (in Crore Rs.) |      6.28 |      7.25 |      7.62 |      4.55 |                        16.61 |

The Department has been releasing the GIA to Voluntary Organization in the State of Kerala regularly.

******

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3927 TO BE ANSWERED ON-25.03.2025

## PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Lok Sabha Question No. 3926 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Fund for MGNREGS
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Mr Pathan Yusuf

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3926 ANSWERED ON 25/03/2025

## FUND FOR MGNREGS

## 3926. MR PATHAN YUSUF:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the funding for social welfare schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme  (MGNREGS)  has  not  been adequately addressed, if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) the  manner  in  which  the  Government  plans  to  support  these schemes that provides a safety net for the rural poor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN)

(a)&(b):  For the financial year 2024-25, budget allocation of ₹86,000 crore has been made for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS),    which is  the  highest  ever  allocation  for  scheme  at  the  Budget  Estimate (BE)   stage  since  inception.  In  the  financial  year  2025-26,  the Government has retained this allocation at ₹86,000 crore, ensuring continued support for rural employment.

As  Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGS  is  a  demand-driven  scheme,  the Central  Government  is  committed  to  making  funds  available  to States and Union Territories based on the demand for work on the ground.  The  Ministry  of  Rural  Development  closely  monitors  this demand and seeks additional funds from the Ministry of Finance as and when required to meet the demand for work on the ground.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3922 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Blocking of Steel Consignments
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri Gaurav Gogoi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3922

FOR ANSWER ON 25.03.2025

## BLOCKING OF STEEL CONSIGNMENTS

3922. SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

- Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state: (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  reports  indicating  the  blocking  of  steel consignments at Indian ports, specifically affecting shipments from Japan and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons behind this blockage; (b) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to expedite the clearance of these steel consignments and resolve any trade disruptions with Japan; (c)  the  manner  in  which  these  port  blockages  has  impacted  domestic  industries especially steel manufacturers along with the estimated financial loss incurred as a result thereof; (d) the specific measures taken to prevent such issues from recurring, and to ensure smoother and more efficient port operations for international trade; and (e) the time by which the Government expect this issue to be fully resolved along with the  long-term  solutions  being  implemented  to  avoid  similar  trade  disruptions  in  the
- future?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE          (SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA) MINISTRY OF STEEL

(a)to(e):  The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), in collaboration with the Ministry of Steel, is working to ensure that only quality steel conforming to relevant standards is produced  and  imported  into  India.  In  this  direction,  151  BIS  standards  have  been notified  and  covered  by  Quality  Control  Order  (QCO)  by  Ministry  of  Steel,  which mandates that both domestically produced and imported steel meets the relevant BIS standards and ensure that only quality steel is made available to the end users. Any import of steel from outside can be done with a BIS license. However, some steel grades, which are not yet covered by BIS Standards/ QCO, can be imported with a No Objection Certificate (NoC) from Ministry of Steel.

The NoC is issued in advance based on the intended quantities to be imported for  the  next  six  months.  The  procedure  for  submission  of  the  applications  by  the importers  have  been  made  online  and  are  processed  by  the  Ministry  as  per  the guidelines set for the purpose. All applications for advance NoC from the importers, including from Japanese producers, are processed and decided on regular basis as per the prescribed guidelines.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3915 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Micro Irrigation Support to Farmers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3915

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 25 TH  MARCH, 2025

## MICRO IRRIGATION SUPPORT TO FARMERS

## 3915.  SHRI GURMEET SINGH MEET HAYER:

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

- (a) the  steps  that  has  been  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote  micro-irrigation  in Punjab's Malwa region to address groundwater depletion as the region, including districts of Sangrur and Malerkotla, faces severe groundwater depletion and Micro-irrigation (drip &  sprinkler  systems)  can  help  conserve  water  and  improve  efficiency,  especially  for vegetable and horticulture farming;
- (b) whether there  are  any subsidies  or  financial  incentives  for  farmers  to  adopt  drip and sprinkler irrigation, particularly for vegetables and horticulture;
- (c) the details of the current coverage of micro-irrigation in the region and the details of the future targets; and
- (d) whether there are any specific initiatives for Sangrur and Malerkotla, considering its  significant  vegetable  and  horticulture  production  and  high water demand,  if  so,  the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Per  Drop  More  Crop  (PDMC)  Scheme  is  under  implementation  in  the  country including  State  of  Punjab  since  2015-16.  PDMC  focuses  on  enhancing  water  use efficiency  at  farm  level  through  Micro  Irrigation,  namely,  drip  and  sprinkler  irrigation systems.    The  scheme  is  being  implemented  in  all  districts  of  Punjab  including  Malwa region.
- (b): Under PDMC Scheme, financial assistance is provided to farmers for installation of micro irrigation systems @ 55% and 45% of the unit cost to small &  marginal  farmers and  other  farmers  respectively  in  various  crops  including  vegetables  and  horticulture crops.  Apart  from  this,  the  State  Government  of  Punjab  is  providing  additional  top-up subsidy to encourage farmers to adopt micro irrigation.
- (c): As  reported  by  State  Government  of  Punjab,  since  2015-16  till  February,  2025, 26,104  hectares  has  been  covered  under  Micro-irrigation  through  PDMC  scheme  in Malwa region.
- (d): As reported by State Government of Punjab, in order to meet high water demand for cultivation of various crops including vegetable and horticulture crops in Sangrur and Malerkotla  districts,    State  Government  of  Punjab  is  providing  financial  &  technical assistance for laying of underground pipeline from canal outlets for irrigation of tail-end and far-flung areas.

****