opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4863 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Awareness about Pre-Matric SC Scholarship Schemes
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Dayal Ram

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4863 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.04.2025

## AWARENESS ABOUT PRE-MATRIC SC SCHOLARSHIP SCHEMES

4863. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken adequate steps to publicize Pre-Matric SC Scholarship Schemes and no expenditure was incurred on advertising in newspapers or other media between 2019-2022;
- (b) if so, the details of such publicity efforts, including campaigns conducted at the school level; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor and the corrective steps being planned to improve awareness among eligible students?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): Under Pre-Matric Scholarships Scheme, the steps being taken to promote outreach and increase awareness by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) through newspapers and other media between 2019-2022 are as under:- .
- Advertisements are being published in national and regional newspapers in Hindi, English and regional languages.
- iii. Scheme details are uploaded on social media platforms.
- ii. Awareness through Radio-programs

The details of expenditure between 2019-2022 under the above said Scheme is as follows:

|                          | Amount (in Rs.)   |
|--------------------------|-------------------|
| Through Radio Program    | 36,86,415         |
| Newspaper advertisements | 39,94,848         |
| Total                    | 76,81,263         |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4858 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Tea Promotion Worker
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato, Smt. Kamlesh Jangde, Shri Dineshbhai Makwana

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4858 ANSWERED ON 01/04/2025

## TEA PROMOTION WORKER

## 4858.  SHRI DINESHBHAI MAKWANA:

SMT. KAMLESH JANGDE:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

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

(a) the number of tea plantation worker beneficiaries under the various schemes of the Ministry up to February 2025;

- (b) the objectives and key focus areas of the schemes; and

(c) the names of States including North-Eastern States which are likely to be benefited under these schemes?

## 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 (c) The  working  condition  of  tea  garden  workers  in  the  country  are  governed  by  the Plantation Labour Act, 1951, which is implemented by the respective State Governments.

Tea  Board  through  its  'Tea  Development  &  Promotion  Scheme  (TDPS)'  undertakes  the  following activities for the welfare of tea workers

- i. Health awareness camps for workers
- ii. Educational support and award for meritorious students (for Class X and XII) to the wards of big tea garden workers and small tea growers (upto 1.00 ha),
- iii. Book and uniform grants to wards of workers of closed tea estates and big tea estates affected by natural calamities
- iv. Assistance for disabled  and critically  ill  dependents  of  workers  (kidney,  heart,  liver  diseases and cancer) in closed tea gardens

The abovementioned activities of the Tea Board are supplementary to the welfare measures provided under the Plantation Labour Act, 1951

Under its scheme, the Tea Board has provided assistance to 28348 beneficiaries from the year 2017-18 to 2024-25 (upto February).  The 'Tea Development & Promotion Scheme' is implemented across the country, including in all North Eastern States.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4856 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Operation of Swadeshi Cotton Mills
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Rajeev Rai

## OPERATION OF SWADESHI COTTON MILLS

## 4856. SHRI RAJEEV RAI:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  closed  the  operation  of  Swadeshi  Cotton  Mills  at  Mau  for  over  a decade;
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government is considering any proposal for its revival and re-opening in the near future, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) if not, whether the Government is considering establishing any alternate industry on this land located at the heart of Mau city; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the details regarding the Government intention to make productive use of this asset in the betterment of Mau region?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा )

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

(a) to (c): Swadeshi Cotton Mill at Maunath Bhanjan was Nationalized and brought under National Textile Corporation Ltd. (NTC) through The Swadeshi Cotton Mills Company Limited (Acquisition and Transfer  of  Undertakings)  Act,  1986.  On  account  of  technical  obsolescence,  excess  manpower,  poor productivity, etc., the net worth of NTC mills got totally eroded by early 1990s, necessitating reference to  Board  for  Industrial  and  Financial  Reconstruction  (BIFR)  under  the  Sick    Industrial  Companies (Special Provisions) Act in the year 1993-94 and subsequently NTC was declared sick. As per the BIFR approved  revival  scheme  of  NTC,  Swadeshi  Cotton  Mills  at  Maunath  Bhanjan  was  slated  for modernization  through  Joint  Ventures  (JV)  route.  Accordingly,  NTC  signed  a  Memorandum  of Understanding (MoU) for the modernization of Swadeshi Cotton Mills at Maunath Bhanjan along with another 10 mills through JV route. The said MoU was cancelled on 14.09.2010 due to non-execution of various transaction documents by Strategic Partners within stipulated time of 240 days. Presently, the matter is sub-judice before the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi.

- (d) & (e): No such proposal is under consideration at this stage as the matter is sub-judice.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4850 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: E-GramSwaraj Portal for PRIs
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Shri Arvind Dharmapuri

## GOVERNMENTOF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4850 ANSWERED ON 01.04.2025

## E-GRAMSWARAJ PORTALFOR PRIS

## 4850. SHRI ARVIND DHARMAPURI:

## Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to State:

(a) whether the Government has integrated Bhashini with the e-GramSwaraj portal to enhancemultilingual accessibility for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of the languages currently supported under this integration;

(c) the impact of this integration on Panchayat-level governance and citizen participation;

(d) the total number of Panchayats in Telangana utilising the e-GramSwaraj portal withBhashini integration, district-wise along with the details of its adoption in Telangana;

(e) whether the Government has evaluated the impact of integrating Bhashini with eGramSwarajPortal on Panchayati Raj governance; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ

## (PROF. S.P. SINGH BAGHEL)

(a) Yes sir, the Government has integrated Bhashini with the e-GramSwaraj portal to enhance multilingual accessibility for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). This integration aims to provide seamless language translation for the portal, enabling Panchayat functionaries and citizens to access information in their preferred regional language. The initiative aligns with the Government's vision of leveraging AI-based language technology for inclusive governance.

(b) The Bhashini integration currently supports 22 scheduled languages of India through Bhashini's AI-powered translation, making local-language accessibility a reality for users across India.

(c), (e) & (f) The integration of Bhashini with e-GramSwaraj is expected to improve Panchayat-level governance by reducing language barriers and enhancing accessibility, its specific impact is yet to be formally assessed. However, as on 27th March 2025, in the last 30 days, the Bhashini translation plugin on the e-GramSwaraj portal has facilitated approximately 0.638 croretranslations, and over the last six months, the number stands at 8.63 crore translations, indicating significant adoption and usage.

(d) The Ministry does not maintain such information on the number of Panchayats in Telangana utilizing the e-GramSwaraj portal with Bhashini integration.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4849 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Video Relay Service
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Chandan Chauhan, Shri Vijay Baghel

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

## LOK SABHA

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

(SHRI B.L.VERMA)

(a)  The  Video  Relay  Service  (VRS)  is  already  accessible  across  India  for  individuals  with hearing  impairments  through  QR  code  on  National  Disability  Information  Helpline  Service (14456). This service is  operated with the support of the  Indian Sign  Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), a national institute under the administrative control of Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan).

- (b) and (c) No sir.

- (d) and (e) No sir

*****

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4849

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.04.2025

## VIDEO RELAY SERVICE

## 4849.   SHRI CHANDAN CHAUHAN SHRI VIJAY BAGHEL

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

- a. The steps being taken by the Government to enable deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals to get information by Video Relay Service (VRS) under the National Helpline Number in the rural remote areas;
- b. whether the Government proposes to link VRS to other emergency and essential services like  police,  health  service  and  disaster  management  so  that  deaf  or  hard-of  hearing individuals could get immediate help;
- c. if so, the details thereof;
- d. whether the Government is cooperating with private telecommunication companies, Non Governmental  Organizations  (NGOs)  or  other  stakeholders  to  improve  the  access  and efficiency of VRS; and
- e. if so, the details thereof?
Lok Sabha Question No. 4848 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Datt Sharma

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4848 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.04.2025

## TECHNOLOGY UPGRADATION FUND SCHEME

## 4848. SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  implementing  the  Technology  Upgradation  Fund  Scheme  (TUFS)  to modernize heavy industries in the country, especially in Madhya Pradesh;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  has  extended  financial  assistance  under  TUFS  to  industries  in  the districts of Katni, Panna, and the town of Khajuraho in the Khajuraho Lok Sabha Constituency;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and also the measures taken to make the scheme more effective; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor and also the steps being taken to address the issue?

उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा )

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

(a) to (d): With  a  view  to promote  technology  upgradation  in  the textile  sector,  Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS) was launched in January 2016 which was valid till 31 st March, 2022. Currently, only committed liabilities being cleared under ATUFS for UIDs generated till 31.03.2022. To improve the effectiveness of the scheme, various steps are being taken which include administering  and  reviewing  with  a  two  stage  monitoring  mechanism  i.e.  Technical  Advisory-cumMonitoring  Committee  (TAMC)  and  Inter-Ministerial  Steering  Committee  (IMSC),  incentivizing machineries with above benchmarked technologies only, web based tracking through iTUF Portal, etc.

In  the  state  of  Madhya  Pradesh,  no  proposal  from  the  districts  of  Katni,  Panna,  and  Khajuraho  is currently pending with the Ministry under ATUFS.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4840 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Land Acquisition Act, 2013
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Harish Chandra Meena

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4840

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.04.2025

## Land Acquisition Act, 2013

## †4840. Shri Harish Chandra Meena:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the proceedings of land acquisition shall be deemed to be lapsed as per  Section  24  (2)  of  the  Right  to  Fair  Compensation  and  Transparency  in  Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, where an award under Section 11 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 was made five years or more prior to 01.01.2014;
- (b) if  so,  the  likely  date  of  commencement  of  the  new  Act,  2013  and  whether  physical possession of the acquired land was not taken and compensation was not paid, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is a fact that the proceedings of land acquisition shall be deemed to be lapsed under  Section  24(1)(A)  of  the  Right  to  Fair  Compensation  and  Transparency  in  Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013; and
- (d) if so, whether the award has been passed but physical possession has not been taken and compensation is not paid for a period of five years or more after the passing of the award, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d) As  per  Section  24(1)  of  the  Right  to  Fair  Compensation  and  Transparency  in  Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (RFCTLARR Act, 2013) read alongwith Section 24(2) of the said Act and the Supreme Court's judgments on the subject, the proceedings of land acquisition lapse if an award under Section 11 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, was made five years or more before commencement of the RFCTLARR Act, 2013 on January 1, 2014 , and both physical possession has not been taken and compensation has not been paid. If either condition is met i.e. possession taken or compensation tendered, then the proceedings of land acquisition initiated under Land Acquisition Act, 1894 does not lapse.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4834 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Impact of US Reciprocal Tariffs
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Manish Tewari

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4834 ANSWERED ON 01/04/2025

## IMPACT OF US RECIPROCAL TARIFFS

## 4834.  SHRI MANISH TEWARI:

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

(a) whether the Union Government is aware of the recent announcement by the US Government regarding the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on countries including India, if so, the details thereof;

(b) details of the sectors of the Indian economy that are likely to be impacted by these reciprocal tariffs, along with an assessment of the potential economic loss to Indian industries and exporters;

(c) whether  the  Government  has  undertaken  any  negotiations  or  diplomatic  engagements  to mitigate the adverse effects of these tariffs on Indian trade and commerce, if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  proposed  US  tariffs  could  lead  to  a  0.1  to  0.6  percentage  point reduction in India's GDP growth as reported by Goldman Sachs; and

(e) what measures are being implemented by the Government to prevent similar trade disruptions in the future?

## 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) & (b) The U.S. has issued Memorandum on Reciprocal Trade and Tariffs on February 13, 2025,  wherein  the  Secretary  of  Commerce  and  United  States  Trade  Representative  are  to  take necessary actions to investigate harm to U.S. from any non-reciprocal trade arrangements adopted by trading partners and provide a report with detailed proposed remedies for each trading partner, based on which, US action against relevant trading partner could, thereafter be undertaken under any of the relevant US legislations. As on date, reciprocal tariffs have not been applied by U.S. on India. 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.

(c) to (e) The Government of India continues to engage with the Government of United States 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. 4832 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Pending Issues with States
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4832

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

PENDING ISSUES WITH STATES

4832.     SHRI CHAMALA KIRAN KUMAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  of  Telangana  sent  any  proposal  to  clear Pending  issues  between  two  States  of  Andhra  Pradesh  and  Telangana including division of Schedule IX -Government Companies and Corporations (Section 53, 68, 71 of Act);

(b) the dispute regarding Schedule X Institutions (Section 75 of Act);

(c) the division of AP Bhavan (Section 48(1) of Act);

(d) the claim of Andhra Pradesh for apportionment of assets of institutions not mentioned anywhere in the Act; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): A reference was received from the Government of Telangana for resolving  the  pending  issues  between  States  of  Andhra  Pradesh  and

Telangana related to division of Schedule IX Government Companies and

Corporations,  Schedule  X  Institutions  and  apportionment  of  assets  of institutions not mentioned anywhere in the Act.

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 4832 FOR 01.04.2025

There is disagreement between States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana regarding apportionment of assets and liabilities of Schedule IX Companies/Corporations,  Schedule  X  Training  Institutions/Centres  and Institutions not mentioned anywhere in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014.

The  approach  of  the  Central  Government  has  consistently  been  that bilateral issues can be resolved only with the cooperation of the State Governments  concerned  and  that  the  Central  Government  acts  as facilitator  for  amicable  settlement of  the  disputes in  a  spirit  of  mutual accommodation and understanding. The Ministry of Home Affairs reviews the progress of implementation of the various provisions of the Act from time to time with Ministries/Departments concerned as well as representatives  of  Government  of  Andhra  Pradesh  and  Government  of Telangana. So far, 36 such review meetings have been held.

The division of properties of Andhra Pradesh Bhavan, New Delhi between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana has been resolved.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 420 (STARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Expansion of Capacity of Ports
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Y S Avinash Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *420

ANSWERED ON 28.03.2025

## EXPANSION OF CAPACITY OF PORTS

- *420.  SHRI Y S AVINASH REDDY:

Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state: पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

- (a) whether the Government proposes to expand the capacity of ports in the country;
- (b) if so, the number of ports of the country selected under this scheme;
- (c) the total percentage increase achieved in the capacity of the selected ports;
- (d) whether any ports in the State of Andhra Pradesh have been selected under this scheme; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

- (a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 420 ANSWERED ON 28 TH  MARCH, 2025 RAISED BY SHRI  Y  S  AVINASH  REDDY  REGARDING  'EXPANSION  OF  CAPACITY  OF PORTS' (a)  to  (c)  Yes.  The  cargo  handling  capacity  of  12  major  ports  has  grown  from  871.5 Million  Tonne  Per  Annum  (MTPA)  in  FY  2014-15  to  1629.8  MTPA  in  FY  2023-24, resulting in increase by about 87%. (d)  &  (e)  Yes.The  cargo  handling  capacity  of  Visakhapatnam  Port,  which  is  a  major port, has increased by 53.14% in the last 10 years.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 418 (STARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Ship Registration Process
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Rajesh Ranjan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No.*418

ANSWERED ON 28/03/2025

## SHIP REGISTRATION PROCESS

- *418. SHRI RAJESH RANJAN:

Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state: पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

- (a) whether the complexity of the ship registration process and its associated rules deters  many  shipping  companies  from  registration  in  the  country  which  negatively impacts revenue and employment opportunities;
- (b) if  so,  the  details thereof alongwith the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to simplify and streamline the ship registration process;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  introduced/proposes  to  introduce  digital  process and single window system for registration; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

- (a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (d) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. *418 for 28.03.2025 raised by Shri Rajesh Ranjan regarding Ship Registration Process.

(a) to (d) No  Sir.  The  Ship  Registration  process  in  India  is  in  accordance  with Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. The process is non-complex and efficiently implemented with registration of Merchant Shipsunder Part V of Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, being done in 24 hours within receipt ofapplication subject to physical verification of carving and marking on board ships.

****