opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1430 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-29
Subject: Setting up of PACS in Hathras
Ministry: COOPERATION
Asked by: Shri Anoop Pradhan Valmiki

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF COOPERATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1430 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 th  July, 2025

## Setting up of PACS in Hathras

## 1430. Shri Anoop Pradhan Valmiki:

Will the Minister of Cooperation ( सहकारिता मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to provide/is providing any financial or technical assistance to ensure successful implementation of the setting up of a Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS) in every Panchayat at the ground level particularly in the Hathras district by the year 2029; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## THE MINISTER OF COOPERATION सहकारिता मंत्री (SHRI AMIT SHAH)

(a) and (b): The Government on 15.2.2023, approved the Plan for strengthening cooperative movement  in  the  country  and  deepening  its  reach  up  to  the  grassroots.  The  Plan  entails establishment  of  2  lakh  multipurpose  PACS  (M-PACS),  Dairy,  Fishery  Cooperative  Societies covering  all  the  Panchayats/  villages  in  the  country  over  a  period  of  five  years,  through convergence of various existing Government  of India (GoI) schemes, including Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF), National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), etc, with the support of National Bank for Agricultural and  Rural  Development  (NABARD),  National  Dairy  Development  Board  (NDDB),  National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and State Governments.

In order to ensure successful and timely implementation of the Plan, committees at various level have been constituted, including Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) under the chairmanship of

## ANSWER

Union  Minister  of  Cooperation ; National  Level  Coordination  Committee  (NLCC)  under  the chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation (GoI) at the National Level ; State Cooperative Development Committee (SCDC) under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary of the State at State Level ; District Cooperative Development Committee (DCDC) under the chairmanship of District Collector concerned at the District Level and Joint Working Committee (JWC)- a sub-committee of DCDC.

Further, the plan is being implemented by utilizing the approved outlays along with provision for training to cooperative societies' personnel, available under the existing schemes of Government of India which are being converged under the Plan across all the States/ UTs, including Hathras District in the State of Uttar Pradesh.

As per National Cooperative Database, as on 30.6.2025, a total of 516 new M-PACS including one PACS in Hathras District; 1,813 Dairy Cooperative Societies including 11 in Hathras District and 337  Fishery  Cooperative  Societies  have  been  formed  in  the  State  of  Uttar  Pradesh,  since  the approval of the plan.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1428 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-29
Subject: Bharat-Banker Program
Ministry: COOPERATION
Asked by: Smt. Mahima Kumari Mewar, Shri Bhojraj Nag, Shri Yogender Chandolia, Shri Dineshbhai Makwana, Shri Ramesh Awasthi, Shri Anurag Sharma, Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato, Shri Lumbaram Choudhary, Shri Govind Makthappa Karjol, Shri Dileshwar Kamait, Shri Vijay Baghel, Shri Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar, Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab, Dr. Nishikant Dubey, Smt. Aparajita Sarangi, Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF COOPERATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1428

## TO BE ANSWERED ON  29 th  JULY, 2025

## BHARAT-BANKER PROGRAM

## 1428. Smt. Mahima Kumari Mewar:

Shri Bhojraj Nag:

Shri Yogender Chandolia:

Shri Dineshbhai Makwana:

Shri Ramesh Awasthi:

Shri Anurag Sharma:

Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato:

Shri Lumbaram Choudhary:

Shri Govind Makthappa Karjol:

Shri Dileshwar Kamait:

Shri Vijay Baghel:

Shri Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar:

Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab:

Dr. Nishikant Dubey:

Smt. Aparajita Sarangi:

Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal:

Will the Minister of Cooperation ( सहकारिता मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of rural youth targeted under the Bharat-Banker program launched by VAMNICOM and Syngenta Foundation;
- (b) the key components of the program's curriculum and training modules;
- (c) whether the program includes certification and internship opportunities for participants; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof particularly of Durg Lok Sabha Constituency in Chhattisgarh?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF COOPERATION सहकारिता मंत्री (SHRI AMIT SHAH)

- (a) Under the Bharat-Banker Programme, launched by Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM),  Pune, in collaboration with Syngenta Foundation India, a total of 25,000 rural youth are targeted to be trained across India.
- (b) The key components of the program are as follows:
- (i) Two weeks of instructor-led classroom sessions, involving lectures, case studies, group discussions, role-plays, and skill-building exercises focused on rural banking, cooperative finance, digital technologies, and PACS operations.
- (ii) One-month  internship,  during  which  trainees  apply  classroom  knowledge  in  either PACS/Cooperative banks/Common Service Centers (CSCs) and other cooperatives under the guidance of experienced mentors.
- (c) Yes, the programme includes certification and internship opportunities for participants.
- (d) The programme is under preparatory phase and implementation has not yet begun.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1425 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-29
Subject: Support for Electric Bus Fleet Expansion in Telangana
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Dr. Kadiyam Kavya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1425

ANSWERED ON 29.07.2025

## SUPPORT FOR ELECTRIC BUS FLEET EXPANSION IN TELANGANA

## 1425.  DR. KADIYAM KAVYA:

Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has received a proposal from Telangana for the deployment of 2,800 electric buses under the PM e-Drive Scheme;

(b) whether the State has requested permission to adopt a Hybrid GCC model, where buses are provided  by  OEMs  but  operated  and  maintained  by  TGSRTC  staff  to  safeguard  existing employment;

(c) whether the Ministry is considering this employment-preserving model for approval under national EV incentive schemes; and

(d)  whether  the  Government proposes to extend support for EV retro-fitment initiatives and allow TGSRTC access to the Payment Security Mechanism to ensure financial viability?

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

(a): Yes,  the  Government  has  received  a  proposal  from  Telangana  for  the  deployment  of  2,800 electric buses under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme.

- (b) & (c): Under PM E-DRIVE, support for e-buses will be provided through State/ city transport undertakings (STUs) on operational expenditure (OPEX)/ gross cost contract (GCC) model. Procurement of  e-buses  on  aggregation  model  through  competitive  bidding  shall  be  done  by  CESL.  The  State  of Telangana has conveyed its intent to explore a Hybrid GCC model.   However, currently, the model is not being considered under the current framework of PM E-DRIVE Scheme.
- (d): EV retro-fitment is not covered under PM E-DRIVE scheme, therefore, the question of access to PSM does not arise.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1420 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-29
Subject: Needs of Elderly People
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Dr. Shivaji Bandappa Kalge, Shri Bhumare Sandipanrao Asaram, Shri Gyaneshwar Patil

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

UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.1420

TO BE ANSWERED  ON 29,07.2025

## NEEDS OF ELDERLY PEOPLE

## TI42O.  SHRI BHUMARE  SANDIPANRAO ASARAM:

SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL:

DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA I(ALGE:

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

- (a) whether  the Government proposes to introduce a new policy to meet the changing  needs of the elderly population in the various States  of the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to amend the Maintenance and Welfare  of Parents and Senior Citizens  Act,2007,  if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to set up a task force to study the best global  practices comprehensively  in the field of elderly care; and
- (d) if so, the details  thereof particularly for Maharashtra  and Madhya Pradesh  and the details  of the timeline for implementation of the new policy?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE  AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI B.L.VERMA)

(a) to (d): The National Policy on Older Persons, 1999 envisages State support to ensure financial and food security,  healthcare,  shelter,  protection  and other needs of older persons to improve the quality of their lives. With the passage of time there is a need to bring in a new policy. The Maintenance and Welfare  of Parents and Senior Citizens  (Amendment)  Bill, 2019 was introduced  in the Lok Sabha on I I .12.2019. The Bill lapsed after dissolution of Lok Sabha.  A Committee  on 'Strengthening the Care Economy in India' headed by Member, NITI Aayog, comprising  representatives  from the stakeholder  Ministries, StatesfuTs,  academic institutions, senior care organizations  and industry  has been constituted  to recommend a strategic framework for holistic care and welfare of the senior citizens.

*  ,1.  {< X(  *.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1419 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-29
Subject: Tariff Hike
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri V K Sreekandan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1419

ANSWERED ON 29.07.2025

## TARIFF HIKE

## 1419. SHRI V K SREEKANDAN:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य और उद्योग मंत्री )  be pleased to state :-

- (a) whether it is a fact that the 26% tariff hike announced by the U.S. government on goods from India will have an immediate impact on Indian seafood exports, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is also true that the impact on Indian seafood exports to the U.S. will be significant considering that India is the largest exporter of seafood to the U.S. having 35% share in the U.S. market, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also a fact that India's closest rival in the seafood export to the U.S., Ecuador has been slapped with a 10% tariff and this difference of 17% tariff is a cause for worry for the Indian seafood business; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  steps  taken  by  the  government  to safeguard Indian seafood business?

## 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) While  the  US  had  announced  reciprocal  tariff  of  26%  on  certain  Indian exports, including seafood, to the US, the same has not been  implemented. Currently, the US has imposed an additional 10% duty on seafood imports irrespective of country of origin including on imports from India and Ecuador. During the year 2024, India's share in the total seafood imports of US was 26.5%. (Source: ITC Trademap)

The  Government  of  India  remains  committed  to  supporting  its  seafood  business through sustained diplomatic engagement and policy support. India US bilateral Trade Agreement  (BTA)  negotiations  were  launched  in  March  2025.  Five  rounds  of negotiations have been held, the last being from July 14-18 th , 2025 at Washington DC, USA.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1418 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-29
Subject: Objectives of Green Steel Taxonomy
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri Yaduveer Wadiyar, Shri Damodar Agrawal, Shri P P Chaudhary, Shri Chintamani Maharaj, Shri Bibhu Prasad Tarai, Shri Suresh Kumar Kashyap, Smt. Shobhanaben Mahendrasinh Baraiya, Shri Dineshbhai Makwana

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1418 FOR ANSWER ON 29.07.2025

## OBJECTIVES OF GREEN STEEL TAXONOMY

1418.  SHRI SURESH KUMAR KASHYAP:

SHRI BIBHU PRASAD TARAI:

SHRI P P CHAUDHARY:

SHRI DAMODAR AGRAWAL:

SHRI CHINTAMANI MAHARAJ:

SMT. SHOBHANABEN MAHENDRASINH BARAIYA:

SHRI DINESHBHAI MAKWANA:

SHRI YADUVEER WADIYAR:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) the key objectives of the Green Steel Taxonomy, the manner in which the said system sets standards for low-carbon steel production; (b) the response received from the stakeholders to the said pioneering structure as a driver of sustainable investments in the steel sector; (c) the manner in which the major producers of India have aligned their processes and technologies to meet the emission norms of the said taxonomy; and (d) the details of the early achievements or indicators which show progress towards global
- the taxonomy's goals of reducing carbon intensity and increasing competitiveness?

## ANSWER

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

(a)to(d): The objectives of Green Steel Taxonomy is to define the 'Green Steel' and to develop a framework for encouraging steel industries to produce green steel, by adopting energy efficient technology and non-fossil fuel, for example, renewable energy etc.  It was finalized after having series of consultations and deliberations with various stakeholders. Green Steel Certificates will be issued to those plants whoever apply and meet the emission intensity level as per Taxonomy of Green Steel. National Institute of Secondary Steel Technology (NISST), a training institute under Ministry of Steel, is the nodal agency for Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) as well as for issuing green steel certificates and star ratings for steel. Till now, 39 iron and steel producers have applied for green steel certificates.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1412 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-29
Subject: Processing Margins in Milk
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Dr. Amol Ramsing Kolhe

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1412 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 th  JULY 2025

## PROCESSING MARGINS IN MILK

## 1412. DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

## Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that dairy farmers in the country receive around 32 per litre while consumers pay 60 or more, creating an 87.5% price gap;
- (b) whether the Government is monitoring the margins of private dairies  and intermediaries between dairy farmers and consumers;
- (c) whether the Government has assessed the impact of inflated processing margins, tampered milkometers, and lack of benefit from global milk powder price drops on farmer incomes;
- (d) whether there is a central mechanism exists to regulate the for price or quality regulation of milk procurement and if not, the Government plans to strengthen oversight of private dairies;
- (e) whether the Government is aware that violations of minimum procurement prices by private unions and proposes policy guidelines to prevent such practices; and
- (f) whether the Government has any proposals to establish a national milk pricing framework or board, and issue enforcement guidelines on adulteration checks and pricing compliance?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

(PROF. S.P. SINGH BAGHEL)

- (a) Department  of  Animal  Husbandry  &  Dairying  (DAHD),  Government  of  India  regularly monitors the milk situation in the country in consultation with State milk federations/stakeholders to review the milk situation the country. As per the Milk Situation Report provided by the State Milk Federation/ Unions, the average procurement price of milk paid  to  the  farmers  during  the  month  of  June  2025  was  about  Rs.  47.70  per  kg  of  milk containing 6% fat and 9% solids-not-fat (SNF) and the sale price for milk containing 6% fat and 9% SNF is Rs 65.04 per litre, which implies that about 73% of consumer prices is directly returned to the farmers in terms of procurement price.
- (b) DAHD does not regulate procurement and sale prices of milk in the country Prices of milk are decided by the cooperative and private dairies based on their cost of production, stocks of  dairy  commodities  (White  Butter,  Skimmed  Milk  Powder  (SMP)  etc.)  and  prevalent market forces at domestic and international level.
- (c) Does not arise in view of (a) and (b) above.
- (d) to (f) Does not arise in view of (a) and (b) above with respect to milk procurement and milk price. As regards the quality of milk, Food safety Standards for milk and milk products comes under the preview of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1408 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-29
Subject: Crop destroyed by Wild Animals
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Bajrang Manohar Sonwane

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1408

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 29 TH  JULY, 2025

## CROPS DETROYED BY WILD ANIMALS

## 1408   SHRI BAJRANG MANOHAR SONWANE

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

- (a) whether crops are being destroyed in huge quantities by wild animals- deer and wild boar (Ran dukkar) in Beed district in Maharashtra;
- (b) if so, the measures  taken by the Government  so  far to prevent the loss;
- (c) whether the Government is contemplating to implement a special scheme, compensation system or fencing scheme to protect the crops from these wild animals in Beed district; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) provides for comprehensive risk insurance against crop damage due to non-preventable natural risks from pre-sowing to post-harvest for the crops/areas notified by the concerned State Government.   The losses to  crops  due  to  wild  animals,  being  preventable  in  nature,  were  therefore  not  covered earlier.  However, at the request of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and State Governments, States have been allowed to notify the losses by wild animals on individual assessment as add on cover at the cost of State Government.  Detailed protocol for  such  coverage  has  been  given  in  the  Operational  Guidelines  of  the  scheme.      As informed by the State Government, Government of Maharashtra has never notified this add on cover under the PMFBY.

(c) & (d): The  Central  Government  provides  financial  assistance  to  States/  Union Territories  under  the  Centrally  Sponsored  Schemes  'Development  of Wildlife  Habitats', 'Project  Tiger'  and  'Project  Elephant'  for  management  of  wildlife  and  its  habitat  in  the country.    The  activities  supported  under  the  scheme  include  construction/erection  of physical barriers such as barbed wire fence, solar powered electric fence, bio-fencing using cactus, boundary walls etc. to prevent the entry of wild animals into crop fields.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1407 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-29
Subject: Fake Gem and Jewellery Testing Labs
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri M K Raghavan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1407

ANSWERED ON 29.07.2025

## FAKE GEM AND JEWELLERY TESTING LABS

## 1407.  SHRI M K RAGHAVAN

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य और उद्योग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the increasing number of fake gem and jewellery testing laboratories operating in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, including the number of such labs identified and action taken during the last five years, State/UT-wise;
- (c) whether there is a regulatory authority responsible for accrediting gem testing laboratories in India;
- (d) if so, the details of the accreditation process and whether the Government is taking steps to strengthen it to prevent fraudulent labs from operating;
- (e) whether the Government has data regarding the authorised gem and jewellery testing laboratories operating in the country; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof in respect of Kerala, including both public and private sector laboratories?

## 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) and (b) No incidence of fake gems and jewellery testing laboratories operating in the country has been brought to the notice of this Ministry.

(c)  and  (d)  National  Accreditation  Board  for  Testing  and  Calibration  Laboratories (NABL), an autonomous body under Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade  (DPIIT)  under  this  Ministry,  is  an  accreditation  body,  and  not  a  regulatory authority,  with  the  mandate  to  provide  accreditation  to  testing  laboratories  in  the country  that  includes  Gems  and  Jewellery  Laboratories.  NABL  accreditation  is voluntary in nature.

The process for accreditation by NABL includes steps such as review of application document, checking technical competency and pre-assessment.   Non-conformity, if any,  is  informed  to  the  applicant  and  sufficient  time  is  given  for  taking  corrective action. Based on outcomes, decision is made regarding the grant of accreditation.

(e) and (f) There are three NABL accredited Gem testing laboratories in the country as on 22.07.2025, out of which two labs are located in Mumbai, and one in New Delhi.

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