opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3790 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Escalation of Tariffs
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Sribharat Mathukumilli

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3790 ANSWERED ON 12/08/2025

## ESCALATION OF TARIFFS

## 3790. SHRI SRIBHARAT MATHUKUMILLI

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of the recent imposition or escalation of tariffs by the United States on imports from BRICS member countries, particularly in strategic sectors such as electric vehicles, semiconductors, and green technologies, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether such measures are likely to impact India's trade balance, supply chains, or exports in any direct or indirect manner, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is evaluating opportunities for India to increase market access in the U.S. in sectors affected by tariffs on other BRICS countries and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government plans to engage diplomatically or through trade forums such as WTO, G20, or IPEF to safeguard India's trade interests while upholding its commitments to BRICS cooperation, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्यमंत्री ( श्री णिणिन प्रसाद ) (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) The US, since January 2025, has imposed additional tariffs at varying rates on imports from all  countries.  These have been imposed citing inter-alia reasons  related to  Trade deficits, illegal movement of drugs, border security etc. However, as on date no additional tariff has been imposed by the US based on any partner country's membership of BRICS.

(b)  to (d) Government continues to monitor the impact of the additional tariffs imposed by the  US  on  exports  from  India.  Government  is  engaged  with  all  stakeholders  including exporters  and  industry  for  taking  feedback  of  their  assessment  of  the  impact  from  the reciprocal  tariffs  imposed  by  the  USA.  Government  attaches  utmost  importance  to protecting and promoting welfare of farmers, workers, entrepreneurs, exporters, MSMEs and all sections of industry.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3785 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Capacity Building Training for Investigators
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Dilip Saikia

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3785

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 TH  AUGUST, 2025/ SRAVANA 21, 1947 (SAKA)

CAPACITY BUILDING TRAINING FOR INVESTIGATORS

†3785 . SHRI DILIP SAIKIA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  there  is  any  provision  for  capacity  building  and  training  of investigators  and  prosecutors  dealing  with  sexual  assault  cases  against women and children;
- (b) if so, the number of investigators and prosecutors trained so far under the said provision along with the details thereof; and
- (c)  the  total  number  of  persons  likely  to  be  trained  under  the  said provision?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI BANDI SANJAY KUMAR)

( a)  to  (c):  'Police'  and  'Public  Order'  are  State  subjects  under  the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. The responsibilities to maintain law and order, protection of life and property of the citizens including  investigation,  prosecution  of  crime  and  criminals,  and related forensic science facilities, are with the State/Union Territory concerned.

States/UTs undertake various training initiatives. However,  the Government of India supplements efforts of the States/UTs through various  Capacity  Building  Programmes  as  an  ongoing  process.  To date,  a  total  of  35,306  Investigating  Officers,  Prosecutors  and Medical Officers have been trained by the Bureau of Police Research and  Development  (BPR&D)  and  the  LNJN  National  Institute  of Criminology and  Forensic Sciences  (now  Delhi campus  of  the National  Forensic  Sciences  University)  under  the  umbrella  scheme "Safety of Women'.

***

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3783 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Decline in Silk Production
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Gaurav Gogoi

## DECLINE IN SILK PRODUCTION

## 3783. SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

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

(a) whether the Government has noticed that Kakaya, Assam's second-largest silk-producing village, is facing a severe decline in silk production post-COVID and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  whether  any  support  has  been  extended  by  the  Government  to  affected  silk  farmers  in  terms  of financial assistance, raw material procurement, or market linkages;

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  undertaken  any  assessment  of  post-pandemic  impact  on  sericulture livelihoods in Assam; and

(d)  whether the Government has any proposal plans to revive traditional silk clusters through focused schemes or collaborations with the State Government and if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर

ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा )

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

(a): As per the Directorate  of  Sericulture,  Government  of  Assam,  Kakaya  is  a  major  silk  weaving village engaged primarily in silk and cotton weaving. No specific post-COVID decline has been reported in the village.

(b): The  Government  under  Silk  Samagra-2  scheme  extends  support  for  the  development  of  the sericulture  industry  in  the  country,  including Assam.  Based  on  the  proposals  received  from  State Government  of  Assam  (including  Bodoland  Territorial  Council  and  Karbi  Anglong  Autonomous Council),  an  assistance  of  ₹78.14  crore has  been  provided  which  benefitted  around  4,000  person including silk farmers.

In  addition,  the  Government  under  National  Handloom  Development  Programme  and  Raw  Material Supply Scheme provides financial assistance to eligible handloom agencies/workers for raw materials, upgradation  of  looms  and  accessories,  solar  lighting,  work-sheds  construction,  product  diversification and  design  innovation,  technical  and  common  infrastructure,  domestic/overseas  marketing,  MUDRA loans, and social security for the overall development of the handloom sector and welfare of handloom workers  across  the  country,  including  Assam.  Also,  the  Government  of  Assam,  through  its  Muga Mission, supports 8,268 Muga silk farmers.

(c): The  Government,  through Central  Silk  Board  has  conducted  a  nationwide  (including  Assam) online study during April-May 2020 to assess COVID-19 impact across the silk value chain.

(d): Under the Cluster Development Programme, ₹102.33 crore has been released for 88 small and 2 mega handloom clusters in Assam, covering around 71,784 handloom weavers. Furthermore, the Silk Samagra-2 scheme has been implemented in collaboration with State Governments, including Assam, for the overall development of the Silk sector, which also encompasses traditional silk clusters.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3778 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Compassionate Appointments by PSUs
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri Dulu Mahato

THE MINISTER OF STEEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3778 FOR ANSWER ON 12.08.2025

## COMPASSIONATE APPOINTMENTS BY PSUS

3778.  SHRI DULU MAHATO:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government  is aware that in many  PSUs  including SAIL, compassionate appointment is allowed only in case of death due to certain particular diseases such as cancer, kidney failure etc.;
- (b)  whether  it  is  a  acceptable  fact  that  in  case  of  death  due  to  other  serious  and undefined diseases, the dependents do not get equal opportunity, due to which they have to face financial and mental difficulties;
- (c) whether the Government is considering to revise the compassionate appointment policy and give priority to social and economic impact instead of definition of cause of death; and
- (d) whether the Government is considering to issue uniform guidelines for all PSUs, so that the dependents of all deceased employees get equal opportunity, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

(SHRI H.D. KUMARASWAMY)

(a)&(b): Some Central Public Sector Enterprises(CPSEs) under Ministry of Steel including Steel Authority of India Limited(SAIL) provide compassionate appointment to the dependent family members of the deceased employee when the death occurs due to  accident  arising  out  of  and  in  the  course  of  employment.  In  addition,  SAIL provides  compassionate appointment to the dependent of the employees declared incapable due to suffering from some chronic debilitating diseases.

Some CPSEs have instituted alternative welfare measures to extend support to the families of deceased employees. These measures include financial assistance schemes, educational support for children, and continued access to select employee benefits, ensuring that bereaved families receive meaningful support even in cases where compassionate appointment may not be applicable. These efforts reflect the commitment of CPSEs to safeguard the social and financial well-being of affected families.

(c)&(d):      No such proposal is under consideration.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3777 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: National Commission for Scheduled Castes
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri S Venkatesan

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3777 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.08.2025

## NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCHEDULED CASTES

3777. SHRI S VENKATESAN:

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

- (a) the details of the mandated posts and the total number of members for National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC);
- (b) the total number of members in NCSC at present and the period for which the remaining vacancies are vacant; and
- (c) whether the vacancies which remained vacant affects the work, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)

- (a): The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) consists of a Chairperson, ViceChairperson and three Members.
- (b): At present, a Chairman and two Members are working in NCSC. Present Commission has been functioning since March 2024. The posts of Vice-Chairperson and one Member are vacant since March 2024.
- (c): The various works of NCSC are being handled by the present composition of the Commission.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3773 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Beneficiaries in Hill States under PMAY–G
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Ms Kangna Ranaut, Smt. Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah, Shri Khagen Murmu

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3773 ANSWERED ON 12/08/2025

## BENEFICIARIES IN HILL STATES UNDER PMAY-G

3773. Smt. Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah:

Ms Kangna Ranaut:

Shri Khagen Murmu:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has set any targets for the Hill States under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G) for the financial year 2024-25;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  extended  the  benefits  of  the
- scheme to all eligible beneficiaries in the Hill States; and
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. CHANDRA SEKHAR PEMMASANI)

(a) to (d): In  order  to  achieve  the  objective  of  "Housing  for  All"  in rural  areas,  the  Ministry  of  Rural  Development  is  implementing Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G) with effect from 1st April 2016  to provide assistance to 4.95 crore eligible rural households with basic amenities by March 2029. As on 7 th  August 2025, a cumulative target of 4.12 crore houses have been allotted to States/UTs out of which 3.85 crore houses have been sanctioned and 2.82 crore houses have been completed.

In  the  FY  2024-25,  a  target  of  84.45  lakhs  was  allocated  to States/UTs, out of which, a target of 92,364 houses was allocated to the  State  of  Himachal  Pradesh.  The  State  of  Uttarakhand  have already been allocated targets by the Ministry,  saturating  both its existing SECC 2011 and Awaas+ 2018 lists by FY 2023-24.

The details of the cumulative target allocated by the Ministry, houses sanctioned  by  the  States  &  houses  completed  by  the  States of Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand are as under:-

[Unit in no]

| State            | Target allocated by the Ministry   | Houses Sanctioned by the State   | Houses Completed   |
|------------------|------------------------------------|----------------------------------|--------------------|
| Himachal Pradesh | 1,21,502                           | 97,533                           | 37,418             |
| Uttarakhand      | 69,194                             | 68,534                           | 68,218             |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3771 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Training under NHDP
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Prabhakar Reddy Vemireddy

## TRAINING UNDER NHDP

## 3771. SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY VEMIREDDY:

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

(a) the aims and objectives of National Handicraft Development Programme (NHDP);

(b)  whether  any  skill  development,  training  and  financial  assistance  is  given  under  NHDP  by  the Government and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether it is true that only one artisan in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh is benefited from skill development, training, financial assistance under NHDP during the last three years i.e., 2022-23, 202324 and 2024-25;

(d) if so, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken to provide more and more artisans skill development, training and financial assistance from Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा )

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

(a): The  Office  of  the  Development  Commissioner  (Handicrafts)  under  the  aegis  of  Ministry  of Textiles implements two schemes namely National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP) and Comprehensive  Handicrafts  Cluster  Development  Scheme  (CHCDS)  for  overall  development  and promotion of handicrafts sector across the country. Under these schemes, need based financial assistance is  provided for end-to-end support to the artisans through marketing events, skill development, cluster development, formation of Producer Companies, direct benefit to artisans, infrastructural and technology support and research & development support which benefit the traditional crafts and artisans throughout the country.

(b): Under  NHDP  scheme  various  kind  of  skill  development  programmes  such  as  Guru  Shishya Hastshilp Prashikshan Programme (GSHPP), Comprehensive Skill Upgradation Programme (CSUP) and Design  and  Technology  Development  Workshop  (DTDW)  helps  to  create  skill  development  in handicrafts sector. Financial assistance @ Rs.8,000/- per month is provided to the awardee artisans in indigent circumstances.

(c)  &  (d): In  Nellore  district  of  Andhra  Pradesh  total  61  artisans  were  benefitted  under  skill development, training programmes, financial assistance under NHDP scheme during last three years i.e. 2022-23 to 2024-25.

(e): To provide skill development, training & financial assistance to more & more artisans, Office of the Development  Commissioner  (Handicrafts)  organises  Chaupals,  Workshops  and  Seminars  across  the country including the State of Andhra Pradesh to create awareness about the schemes of Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts).
Lok Sabha Question No. 3767 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Diversion of Fund under MGNREGS
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Madhavaneni Raghunandan Rao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3767

## ANSWERED ON 12/08/2025

## DIVERSION OF FUND UNDER MGNREGS

3767. Shri Madhavaneni Raghunandan Rao:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the details and number of people in Telangana benefited from the rural employment guarantee scheme;
- (b) whether there is any report that Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) funds have been diverted to other schemes; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a):  Details of workers availed employment in the State of Telangana under  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS) during the last three financial year and current year 2025-26 (as on 07.08.2025) are given below:

| Financial Year                                                  |   2025- 26 |   2024-25 |   2023- 24 |   2022- 23 |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-----------|------------|------------|
| Workers availed employment in the State of Telangana [In Lakhs] |      29.72 |     42.44 |      40.62 |      45.45 |

(As per NREGASoft)

(b) & (c):  No specific instances of diversion of funds released under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS to other schemes have come to the notice of the Ministry.  In this regard it is mentioned that, under the scheme, wage  payment  is  directly  credited  by  the  Ministry  into  the  bank accounts of workers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) protocol. In case of Material and Admin component, funds are now released to the States/UTs through SNA-SPARSH.  Here it is also mentioned that whenever any specific instance of misuse of fund comes to the notice of Ministry then same is got inquired into through the State or Central Teams and necessary remedial action is taken.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3764 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Rubber Import
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Shafi Parambil

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3764

## LOK SABHA ANSWERED ON 12/08/2025

## RUBBER IMPORT

## 3764.  SHRI SHAFI PARAMBIL

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the low price of rubber that affects a large number of rubber farmers in the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the reasons for the consistent decline in the price of rubber in the country;
- (c) the details of the natural rubber imported to India for the last three years;
- (d) whether the Government has any plan to announce MSP for the farmers; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्यमंत्री ( श्री णिणिन प्रसाद )

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

- (a) & (b) The average price of natural Rubber (RSS 4 grade) in Kottayam, Kerala during the year 2024-25 was ₹199.85 per kg as compared to an average price of ₹155.72 per kg  during 2023-24, an increase of 28.33 %.
- (c) The quantity of natural rubber imported into India for the last three years is provided below:

| Import of Natural Rubber   | Import of Natural Rubber   |
|----------------------------|----------------------------|
| Year                       | Quantity (Tonne)           |
| 2022 - 2023                | 528,677                    |
| 2023 - 2024                | 492,682                    |
| 2024 -2025                 | 550,918                    |

(d)  &  (e)  The  Government  fixes  Minimum  Support  Prices  (MSP)  for  22  mandated agricultural crops on the basis of the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs & prices (CACP) after considering the views of State Governments and Central Ministries/Departments concerned. The 22 mandated crops include 14 Kharif crops viz., paddy,  jowar,  bajra,  maize,  ragi,  tur(arhar),  moong,  urad,  groundnut,  sunflower  seed, soyabean, sesamum, nigerseed, cotton, and  6 Rabi crops viz., wheat, barley, gram, lentil (masur), rapeseed/mustard, safflower  and two commercial crops viz., jute and copra.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3763 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: NIRYAT DISHA Initiative
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Smt. Mahima Kumari Mewar, Shri Khagen Murmu, Smt. Smita Uday Wagh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3763 ANSWERED ON 12/08/2025

## NIRYAT DISHA INITIATIVE

3763.    Smt. Smita Uday Wagh: Smt. Mahima Kumari Mewar: Shri Khagen Murmu:

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

- (a) whether the Government has conducted any evaluation of the operational effectiveness  and  market  outreach  capacity  of  the  'Driving  International  Holistic  Market Access' (NIRYAT DISHA) initiative since its launch;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the key achievements of the initiative and specific instances  where  it  has  enabled  Indian  businesses,  especially  MSMEs,  to  expand  into international markets and boost exports, with examples from Maharashtra;
- (c) the  measures  being  undertaken  to  enhance  NIRYAT  DISHA's  capabilities  through integration of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, blockchain and real-time trade intelligence systems;
- (d) the  total  number  of  businesses  that  have  benefitted  under  the  initiative,  including those from Jalgaon Lok Sabha constituency, and the type of market access support provided; and
- (e) the  safeguards  in  place  to  ensure  data  privacy,  prevent  misuse  of  trade-related information, and maintain the integrity of exporters' business data?

## 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 (e) The NIRYAT DISHA is a sub-scheme under the proposed Export Promotion Mission  (EPM)  Scheme,  which  is  currently  at  the  proposal  stage  and  has  not  yet  been formally launched. Thus the question of its evaluation regarding the operational effectiveness and market outreach capacity does not arise.