opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 327 (STARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Support for Drip Irrigation
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 327

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## SUPPORT FOR DRIP IRRIGATION

*327.  SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

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

(a) whether  any  sugarcane  clusters  in  Hatkanangale  have  received  support  for  drip irrigation  systems  under  the  Per  Drop  More  Crop  component  of Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY);

(b) the  total  acreage  covered  and  subsidy  disbursed  for micro-irrigation  in  the  last  two years; and

(c)whether a 100 percent subsidy model is under consideration for drought-prone talukas, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)

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

## STATEMENT  IN  RESPECT  OF  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION  NO.  327  TO  BE  ANSWERED  ON  12 TH   AUGUST,  2025  REGARDING 'SUPPORT FOR DRIP IRRIGATION'

- (a): As  per  the  information  received  from  State  Government  of  Maharashtra,  no sugarcane  cluster  in  Hatkanangale  taluka  of  Kolhapur  District,  Maharashtra  has  been supported under Pradhan Mantri Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana - Per Drop More Crop (PMRKVY-PDMC). However, 661 farmers have been given  financial assistance of Rs. 194.70 lakh  in  Hatkanangale  taluka  through  PM-RKVY-PDMC.  This  covers  401.2  hectare  of sugarcane area with micro irrigation.
- (b): Under PM-RKVY-PDMC Scheme, financial Assistance @ 55% and 45% of the unit cost is provided to Small & Marginal farmers and other farmers respectively for installation of Micro Irrigation Systems. Some States including State of Maharashtra are providing top up subsidy over and above the subsidy available under the scheme to encourage farmers to adopt micro irrigation. The financial assistance is available to the beneficiary up to 5 hectare. The beneficiary is eligible for subsidy again for the same land after the 7 years period.  Details of area covered under micro-irrigation and Central Assistance provided during last two years are as follows:
- (c): No proposal for 100 percent subsidy in drought-prone talukas is under consideration at present.

| Financial Year   |   Area covered under irrigation (lakh ha) |   Central Assistance released (Rs. Crore) |
|------------------|-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|
| 2023-24          |                                     11.4  |                                   2103.5  |
| 2024-25          |                                     11.19 |                                   2793.37 |
| Total            |                                     22.59 |                                   4896.87 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 325 (STARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Welfare of Scheduled Castes
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Dr. Thirumaavalavan Tholkappiyan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

## STARRED QUESTION NO.325 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.08.2025

## WELFARE OF SCHEDULED CASTES

*325. DR. THIRUMAAVALAVAN THOLKAPPIYAN:

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

- (a) whether the Funds allocated for the welfare of the Scheduled Castes are optimally/fully utilised by the Central and State Governments;
- (b) if so, the details of funds allocated and utilised during each of the last five years;
- (c) whether the funds allocated for the welfare of the Scheduled Castes are reportedly diverted for other purposes; and
- (d) if so, the details of such incidences reported/came to notice and the amount involved therein, during the said period, State-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

## LOK SABHA

:

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *325 FOR REPLY ON 12.08.2025 REGARDING WELFARE OF SCHEDULED CASTES ASKED BY DR. THIRUMAAVALAVAN THOLKAPPIYAN.

(a) & (b): The details of fund allocated and utilised for the welfare of the Scheduled Castes under Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes (DAPSC) by the Government during the last five years, are as under:

(Rupees in Crores)

| Financial Year   | Funds allocated under DAPSC (R.E)   | Utilization of funds   |   Percentage of Utilization |
|------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------|-----------------------------|
| 2020-21          | 82,707.51                           | 62,785.16              |                       75.91 |
| 2021-22          | 1,39,863.94                         | 1,23,009.63            |                       87.95 |
| 2022-23          | 1,52,110.47                         | 1,38,642.75            |                       91.15 |
| 2023-24          | 1,46,689.90                         | 1,35,178.59            |                       92.15 |
| 2024-25          | 1,38,372.79                         | 1,23,437.37            |                       89.21 |

(c): As per DAPSC guidelines issued by NITI Aayog in 2017; the diversion of funds under Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes (DAPSC) is not permissible.

(d): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3907 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Sambhar Salts Limited
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Hanuman Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3907

ANSWERED ON 12.08.2025

## SAMBHAR SALTS LIMITED

## †3907. SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL:

## Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken by the Government for the conservation of the lake under Sambhar Salts Limited in Rajasthan during the last four years;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to bring Sambhar Salt Limited on the global platform;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to formulate any special policy for the protection of salt traders and industries operating in the Sambhar lake area;
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the said policy is likely to be formulated; and
- (f) if not, the reasons therefor?

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

- (a) : For conservation and management of Sambhar Lake, the Government of Rajasthan has constituted  a  Sambhar  Lake  Management  Agency,  which  has  a  Governing  body  under  the Chairpersonship  of  the  Minister,  Forest,  Environment  and  Climate  Change,  Government  of Rajasthan and an Executive Body under the Chairpersonship of the Chief Executive Officer (Special Secretary, Environment and Climate Change Department, Government of Rajasthan). The  Sambhar  Lake  Management  Agency  has  prepared  a  Management  Plan  for  effective conservation and management of Sambhar Lake.
- (b): No.
- (c): Does not arise.
- (d): No.
- (e): Does not arise.
- (f): Sambhar Salts Limited has already in place a comprehensive Sales and Discounts Policy, from  time  to  time,  which inter  alia is  aimed  at  supporting  and  protecting  salt  traders  and industries operating in the Sambhar Lake region.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3893 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Cultivation of Bt Cotton
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. Ganapathy Rajkumar P

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3893

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## CULTIVATION OF BT COTTON

3893. DR. GANAPATHY RAJKUMAR P:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state: (a) whether it is true that transgenic Bt cotton is being cultivated in the country and also reports of declining Bt cotton productivity in the country due to a newly emerging disease and Tobacco Streak Virus (TSV); (b)  whether  it  is  also  true  that  there  is  demand  for  legal  use  of  HTBt  for  commercial cultivation as demanded by cotton growers during a crop-specific meeting on cotton; (c) if so, the details thereof: and (d)  the  details  of  the  decision  taken  or  proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  on

- allowing another transgenic variety-HTBt-for commercial cultivation?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Bt.  cotton  is  the  only  Genetically  Modified  (GM)  crop  approved  in  2002  by  the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for commercial cultivation in the Country. A few incidences of Tobacco Streak  Virus  were  reported  in  some  cotton  growing  regions,  however,  there  is  no significant yield loss reported. The yield of cotton for the last three years is 443 kg/ha for 2022-23, 436 kg//ha for 2023-24 and 465 kg/ha (3 rd  Advance Estimate) in the year 202425.
- (b) to (d): Seed Industry Associations and some farmers are demanding for release of HT. Bt. cotton. Developer of HTBt Cotton namely Bollgard II Roundup Ready Flex (BG-II RRF)  has  submitted  the  proposal  to  Genetic  Engineering  Appraisal  Committee  for environmental release of HTBt Cotton.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3892 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Declaration of  Cow as National Animal
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3892

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## DECLARATION OF COW AS NATIONAL ANIMAL

3892. SHRI TRIVENDRA SINGH RAWAT:

## Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to enact any law to declare cow as the national animal;
- (b) if so, the main objectives of the proposed law along with benefits of the same;
- (c) whether the Government has announced any special scheme or budget to promote the protection and rearing of cows; and
- (d) whether the Government has any proposal to coordinate with the State Governments in this regard and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  and (b) No, Sir.  As per Article 246(3) of the Constitution, under the distribution of legislative powers between the Union and the States, the preservation of animal is a matter on which the State legislature has exclusive powers to legislate.
- (c)  and (d) To support and strengthen the initiatives undertaken by States and Union Territories for  the  promotion,  protection,  and  rearing  of  cows,  the  Department  of  Animal  Husbandry  and Dairying has been implementing the Rashtriya Gokul Mission since December 2014. The mission focuses on the development and conservation of indigenous cattle breeds. The scheme was revised and realigned in July 2021 to enhance its effectiveness. In view of its successful implementation and strong  demand  from  the  States,  the  Government  further  revised  the  Rashtriya  Gokul  Mission  in March 2025, allocating an additional ₹1,000 crore. This brings the total outlay for the scheme to ₹3,400 crore for the 15th Finance Commission period (2021 -22 to 2025-26).

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3890 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: SAMARTH Scheme
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Navaskani K, Shri Selvam G, Shri C N Annadurai

## SAMARTH SCHEME

## 3890. SHRI SELVAM G: SHRI NAVASKANI K: SHRI C N ANNADURAI:

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

(a) the number of women, Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and rural youth trained in Tamil Nadu  under  the  Scheme  for  Capacity  Building  in  Textile  Sector  (SAMARTH)  scheme  since  its inception;

(b)  whether  the  Government  has  partnered  with  industry  associations,  textile  manufacturing  units  or training providers in Tamil Nadu for effective implementation of the SAMARTH scheme;

(c) if so, the details of the partnering institutions or agencies, the number of training centres established and the results achieved through such partnerships in the State;

(d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  expand  the  SAMARTH  scheme  to  cover  emerging  textile clusters and backward districts in Tamil Nadu;

(e) if so, the details of the action plan, budgetary provisions, targets fixed for training and placement in these districts and the timeline for implementation; and

(f) the steps being taken to ensure post-training employment linkage and entrepreneurship development in rural Tamil Nadu under the scheme?

उत्तर

## ANSWER )

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा

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

(a) to (c): Ministry of Textiles is implementing Samarth (Scheme for Capacity Building in Textiles Sector)  with  the  objective  of  providing  demand  driven,  placement-oriented  skilling  programmes  to supplement  the  efforts  of  the  industry  in  creating  jobs  in  the  organized  textile  and  related  sectors, covering the entire value chain of textiles, excluding Spinning and Weaving in organized sector. Samarth scheme is implemented on pan India basis. The scheme is extended up to March, 2026.

Currently  in  Tamil  Nadu,  63  Implementing  Partners  with  729  active  training  centre,  which include  textile  industry  &  textile  associations  are  working  in  entry  level  and  upskilling  training programme. As on 07.08.2025, out of total 87,853 trained (pass), 80,034 are women, 24,616 are SC and 10,006 are ST beneficiaries in the State of Tamil Nadu.

(d) to (f): Samarth is a demand driven scheme which is implemented on pan India and there is no state-wise  allocation  of  target.  Implementing  Partners  are  allocated  training  target,  and  the  scheme permits opening or establishing training centers across India. The Scheme provisions for placement for a minimum  of  70%  &  90%  of  trained  (pass)  beneficiaries  under  entry  level  training  programme  & upskilling programme respectively. To ensure post training employment linkage guidelines provides for six-month retention period in organized sector.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3878 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Farmers Registered under PMFBY from Sheohar
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Lovely Anand

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3878

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## FARMERS REGISTERED UNDER PMFBY FROM SHEOHAR

3878. SMT. LOVELY ANAND:

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

(a) the number of farmers registered under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana during the last three years;

(b) the number of registered farmers, who often affected by natural calamities like floods, in Sheohar Lok Sabha Constituency;

(c) the number of claims settled and the amount paid to farmers for crop loss during this period in Sheohar;

(d)  whether  the  Government  is  using  modern  technology  like  drones  to  assess  crop damages so the claims are settled faster; and

(e) if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) : Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) introduced in the country from Kharif 2016 season is voluntary for States as well as for farmers.   State Government of Bihar initially  implemented  the  scheme  for  two  years  i.e.  2016-17  and  2017-18  and  is  not implementing the scheme thereafter.  However, they are implementing their own scheme, 'Bihar Rajya Fasal Sahayata Yojana', which is a non-insurance, relief assistance scheme.

O.I.H

Under  PMFBY,  at  national  level,  total  3,539  lakh  farmer  applications  have  been enrolled during last three years i.e. from 2022-23 to 2024-25 (Upto Kharif 2024).

(d) & (e) :   Following technologies have also been implemented recently w.e.f. 2023-24 under  the  scheme  to  facilitate  fair,  transparent  and  objective  Crop  Damage  &  Loss Assessment:

- i. YES-TECH  (Yield  Estimation  System  Based  on  Technology) envisages  for gradual migration to Remote-Sensing based yield estimation to help assess yields as well as fair and accurate Crop Yield Estimation . This initiative has been launched for paddy & wheat crops from Kharif 2023 wherein 30% weightage to yield estimation will mandatorily be assigned to YES-TECH derived yield. Soybean crop has been added from Kharif 2024 season.
- ii. WINDS (Weather Information Network and Data System) envisages setting up of Network of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) & Automatic Rain-Gauges (ARG) to the tune of 5 times of existing  network for collecting hyper-local weather data at Gram  Panchayat  &  Block  level.    This  will  be  fed  into  a  National  database  with interoperability & sharing of data in coordination with India Meteorological Department  (IMD).    WINDS  provides  data  not  only  for  YES-TECH  but  also  for effective drought & disaster management, accurate weather prediction and offering better parametric insurance products.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3876 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: National Trade Policy for Small Traders
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Praveen Khandelwal

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3876.

TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, THE 12 TH  AUGUST, 2025.

## NATIONAL TRADE POLICY FOR SMALL TRADERS

## 3876.  SHRI PRAVEEN KHANDELWAL:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  frame  a  National  Trade  Policy  with specific provisions for small and micro traders;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken to consult trader bodies and market associations in cities like Delhi; and
- (c) whether any inputs from traditional market hubs like Chandni Chowk have been incorporated and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): A draft National Retail Trade Policy has been prepared. Consultations  have been held with various stakeholders including Central  Ministries/Departments, State Governments and major Industry/trade associations. The Draft National Retail Trade Policy focuses on preparing strategies for overall development of retail trade through targeted efforts to promote ease of doing business in retail sector through several measures to reduce compliance burden, enhance ease of access to credit and decriminalization of minor offences for all formats of retail  trade.  Special  emphasis  is  placed  on  assessing  the  requirement  of licenses, removal of renewal requirement, inspection reforms, facilitating public service delivery, creation of single window facilitation mechanism etc.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3870 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: e-NAM platform for Auctioning Cardamom
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Adv Dean Kuriakose

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3870

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## e-NAM PLATFORM FOR AUCTIONING CARDAMOM

3870.  ADV DEAN KURIAKOSE:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण

मंũी be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has received a proposal from the Spices Board of India to include cardamom to be auctioned using the e-NAM platform; and (b) if so, the details thereof and by the time when this inclusion will take place along with the time period thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b):  Presently, 238 commodities including cardamom are notified for online auction on the e-NAM platform. First auction of cardamom was held on e-NAM platform in the month of November, 2021.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3866 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Reservation for EWS Groups
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri T R Baalu

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3866 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.08.2025

## RESERVATION FOR EWS GROUPS

3866. SHRI T R BAALU:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the strong demand for including the Economically Weaker Sections of the OBC and SC people within the ambit of the reservation of 10 per cent for EWS group, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the reasons for not acceding to this fair and just demand of the backward classes of the society; and
- (c) whether the Government has taken note of the fact that in a number of recruitments and the prescribed standard for selection for EWS is less than SC/OBC, if so, the corrective measures adopted to address the issue?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

(SHRI B.L.VERMA)

- (a) & (b): The Constitution (One Hundred and Third Amendment) Act, 2019 inserted Clause (6) in Articles 15 and 16 to enable the State to make special provisions for the advancement of Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) of citizens other than those covered under existing reservations for SC, ST and OBC. This includes up to 10% reservation in appointments to civil posts under the Government of India and admission to educational institutions. The Government is committed to implement EWS reservation, in accordance with constitutional provisions and applicable guidelines.
- (c): Data relating to EWS appointments is not maintained by this Department.

*****