opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1424 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-12
Subject: Empanelment Lists of Publications
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Dibyendu Adhikari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1424 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2023)

## 'EMPANELMENT LISTS OF PUBLICATIONS'

## 1424.  SHRI DIBYENDU ADHIKARI:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  in  recent  published  empanelment  lists  of  publications  with Directorate  of  Advertising  and  Visual  Publicity  (DAVP)  for  August,  2021  from  West Bengal  no  daily  or  weekly  newspaper  has  been  taken  into  consideration  of  Bureau  of Communication (BOC);
- (b) if so, the details of applications received since August 2021 to August, 2023 from West Bengal and the rejections of publications therein; and
- (c) the  details  of  proposal  of  the  Government  to  complete  the  fresh  empanelment  process upto August,  2023  and consideration of all daily and  weekly newspapers  from empanelment with DAVP applied from August, 2021?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS {SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR}

(a)  to  (c):  The  process  of  empanelment  of  newspapers  is  done  by  Central  Bureau  of Communication  (CBC)  (erstwhile  DAVP)  as  per  the  provisions  of  the  Print  Media Advertisement Policy, 2020. A Panel Advisory Committee (PAC) has been constituted as per the provisions of the policy and is in place in CBC for scrutiny and consideration of applications for empanelment of newspapers and periodicals.

Ten  (10)  applications  have  been  received  from  publications  of  West  Bengal  for empanelment  from  August,  2021  to  August,  2023,  out  of  which  03  applications  were received  during  August,  2021.  In  the  last  PAC  meeting,  applications  received  during August, 2021 were considered and 02 publications from West Bengal were recommended for empanelment by PAC. Empanelment of newspapers by CBC is an ongoing process and is done based on the recommendations of PAC from time to time.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1419 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-12
Subject: AP Reorganisation Act, 2014
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Srinivas Kesineni

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1419

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 TH  DECEMBER, 2023/ AGRAHAYANA 21, 1945 (SAKA)

AP REORGANISATION ACT, 2014

1419.    SHRI KESINENI SRINIVAS:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the provisions in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014,  for  ensuring  equal  opportunities  in  higher  education  for  locals  in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana;

(b) the details of the amendments made to Article 371D of the Constitution in the Act;

(c)  whether  it  is  true  that  the  existing  admission  quotas  for  locals  in educational institutions under article 371D of the Constitution shall lapse after Section 95 of the Act ceases to have effect in May 2024; and

(d) if so, the details of steps taken to prevent such an issue from arising for students in the backward regions of Andhra Pradesh?

ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): Section  95  of  the  Andhra  Pradesh  Reorganisation  (APR)  Act, 2014 provides that in order to ensure equal opportunities for quality higher education to all students in the successor States, the existing admission quotas  in  all  government  or  private,  aided  or  unaided,  institutions  of higher, technical and medical education in so far as it is provided under article 371D of the Constitution, shall continue as such for a period of ten years, during which the existing common  admission process shall continue.

Section  97  of  the  APR  Act,  2014  provides  for  following  amendments  in Article 371D:

(a)  in  the  marginal  heading,  for  the  words  'the  State  of  Andhra Pradesh',  the  words  'the  State  of  Andhra  Pradesh  or  the  State  of Telangana' shall be substituted;

(b) for clause (1), the following clause shall be substituted, namely:'(1)  The  President  may  by  order  made  with  respect to  the  State  of Andhra Pradesh or the State of Telangana, provide, having regard to the  requirement  of  each  State,  for  equitable  opportunities  and facilities for the people belonging to different parts of such State, in the matter of public employment and in the matter of education, and different provisions may be made for various parts of the States.';

(c)  in  clause  (3),  for  the  words  'the  State  of  Andhra  Pradesh',  the words 'the State of Andhra Pradesh and for the State of Telangana' shall be substituted.

(d): No such proposal has been received from the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1418 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-12
Subject: Promotion of Ornamental Fishing
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Jagannath Sarkar

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1418 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## Promotion of Ornamental Fishing

## 1418.   SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR:

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

- a. whether any steps have been taken to promote ornamental fishing in the country, particularly in  West  Bengal,  given  its  negligible  share  in  the  exports  despite  having  huge  potential  to grow in the country due to conducive environment and high diversity of tropical fishes;
- b. if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- c. whether the Government has conducted any resource potential assessment to identify areas suitable for ornamental fishing, particularly in West Bengal; and
- d. if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a) and (b): Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing flagship scheme namely 'Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)' with  a  vision  to  bring  Blue  Revolution  including  Ornamental  Fisheries  development  through sustainable and  responsible development  of  Fisheries sector in India with highest ever investment  of  ₹20050  crore  in  fisheries  sector  for  a  period  of  5  years  with  effect  from  the financial  year  2020-21  to  FY  2024-25  in  all  the  States/UTs  including  Government  of  West Bengal. During the last three financial years (2020-21, 2021-22 & 2022-23) and current financial year  2023-24,  Department  of  Fisheries,  Government  of  India  has  accorded  approvals  to  the Ornamental fisheries development proposals of Government of West Bengal at a total outlay of Rs. 15.69 croes for establishment of 193 nos of Backyard Ornamental fish rearing unit, 195 nos of Medium Scale Ornamental Fish rearing unit (Fresh water),32 nos of Integrated Ornamental fish unit (breeding and rearing for fresh water fish) and 2 nos of Fresh water Ornamental Fish Brood Banks.

- (c)  and  (d):    The  Department  of  Fisheries,  GoI  through  Central  Institute  of  Fresh  water Aquaculture(CIFA)  under  PMMSY  is  implementing  a  Project  Proposal  on  Strategic  Planning and  Database  development  for  Ornamental  Fisheries  value  Chain  upgradation  in  the  Country including  west  Bengal  for  Database  Portal  development,  development  of  State  level  strategic Action plans for Ornamental Fisheries value Chain development, development of Roadmaps for sub-sectors  of  Ornamental  fisheries  and  forcasting  for  the  development  of  futuristic  sectoral technologies.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1411 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-12
Subject: Damage to Soil
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Mahesh Sahoo

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1411

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 th  DECEMBER, 2023

## DAMAGE TO SOIL

1411. SHRI MAHESH SAHOO: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ षि और षकसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state: (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  of  the  fact  that  farm  lands  are  getting polluted through various reasons and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government has conducted studies to figure out the extent of damage to soil from pollution and if so, the details of the finding, if any; and (c) if not, whether the Government will try to determine the same as the farm produces

- are consumed by the people and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ षि और षकसान कल्याण मंत्री (SHRI ARJUN MUNDA)

(a) to (c):   Information has been generated on various aspects of pollution affecting soil by several researchers. It indicates that soil resources are facing threats from deliberate use of contaminated organics, amendment materials, atmospheric depositions, spillage of  effluents  etc.  Nature  of  pollutants  varies  from  salts,  toxic  metals,  metalloids, persistent  organics  with  varying  degree  of  toxicity  and  may  be  of  both  industrial  and geogenic origins. National Institute of Plant Health conducted  a  study  on '

Management  (NIPHM),  Hyderabad  has Impact  of  Indiscriminate  use  of  Chemical  Fertilizers  and Pesticides' in 2018-19.  The study revealed that organic fertilizer and balanced use of chemical fertilizers can shape microbial composition and recruit beneficial bacteria into the rhizosphere of soil who provide a promising strategy to food crops by treatment with

organic fertilizers and IPM practices.

The  Government  is  promoting  Integrated  Nutrient  Management  (INM)  through soil testing and generating soil health card to give recommendations about judicious use of chemical fertilizers including secondary and micronutrients in conjunction with organic manures & bio-fertilizers for improving soil health and its productivity.  Government is also  providing  financial  support  to  states  under  Soil  Health  &  Fertility  scheme  for reclamation of problem soil to make the barren land fertile.

Further, the Government has also enacted 'The Environment (Protection) Act' in 1986 and the last amended in 1991 with the objective of providing for the protection and improvement of the environment including water, air and land.

## *******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1409 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-12
Subject: Legal Gurantee to MSP
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Manish Tewari

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1409

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## LEGAL GURANTEE TO MSP

## 1409.     SHRI MANISH TEWARI:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state: (a)  whether  it  is  true  that  despite  multiple  assurances  the  Government  has  failed  to  make Minimum Support Price (MSP) a legal guarantee to the farmers; (b) whether there has been any discussions of the MSP Committee in furtherance of making MSP alegal guarantee and if so, details thereof; and

- (c) the causes for the delay in making MSP alegal guarantee despite repeated assurances?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी (SHRI ARJUN MUNDA) (a)  to  (c):Each  year,  Government  fixes  Minimum  Support  Prices  (MSP)  for  22  mandated agricultural crops, on the basis of the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs  and  Prices  (CACP),  after  considering  the  views  of  State  Governments  and  Central Ministries/Departments concerned. Further,  Government  in  its  Union  Budget  for  2018-19  had  announced  the  pre- determined principle to keep MSP at levels of one and half times of the cost of production. Accordingly,  Government  has  increased  the  MSP  for  all  mandated  Kharif,  Rabi  and  other commercial crops with a margin of at least 50 per cent over all India weighted average cost of production from the agricultural year 2018-19 onwards.

To realize the objectives of MSP Policy, Government extends price support for paddy and wheat through the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and State Agencies. Under this policy food grains offered by farmers within the stipulated period & conforming to the specifications prescribed by Government are purchased at MSP by the State Government agencies and FCI for Central Pool. Additionally, Oilseeds, pulses and copra of Fair Average Quality (FAQ) are procured from registered farmers under Price Support Scheme under Umbrella Scheme of  PM-AASHA,  as  per  its  guidelines  at  MSP  in  consultation  with  the  concerned  State Governments, when market price of these produce fall below the MSP. Cotton and Jute are also  procured  by  Government at MSP through Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) and Jute Corporation of India (JCI), respectively.

Moreover, the Government has constituted a Committee, which consists of representatives of farmers, eminent Agriculture Economists & Scientists and senior officers of Central  Government.  The  Committee  is  to  make  suggestions  so  as  to  make  Minimum Support Price (MSP) more effective and transparent; to promote natural farming; to change crop pattern keeping in mind the changing needs of the country.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1407 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-12
Subject: Promoting Agriculture through R&D
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Jual Oram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1407

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 th  December, 2023

## PROMOTING AGRICULTURE THROUGH R&D

## 1407. SHRI JUAL ORAM:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि और ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is laying greater emphasis on Research and Development (R&D) in the agricultural production;
- (b) if so, the details of the programmes prepared for the States in that direction; and
- (c) whether any education and training is proposed to be provided to the farmers to acquire adequate knowledge to promote agriculture in the States and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि और ककसान कल्याण मंत्री (SHRI ARJUN MUNDA)

- (a  &  b): Yes  Sir,  the  Government  is  promoting  Research  and  Development  (R&D)  in  the agricultural sector through Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and State Agricultural Universities  (SAUs)  for  increasing  agricultural  production.  The  budget  of  Department  of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE) has increased from Rs. 7846.17 crores in 2019-20 to Rs. 9504 crores in 2023-24.

ICAR together with SAUs continuously engaged in agricultural research and development for providing solutions to the existing constraints in the farming sector. ICAR undertakes various programmes for promotion of agricultural production through Seed Hub projects, promotion of pulses  and  oilseeds,  nutri-gardens,  Climate  Resilient  Agriculture  Initiative  and  Management  of Natural Resources. All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs) of ICAR are responsible for development/testing/identification of technologies through multi-location trials while Agricultural Technology Application Research Institutes (ATARIs) work in the area of planning, monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the ICAR sponsored transfer of technology projects implemented through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).

- (c) The Government implements Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) scheme in different States of the Country with mandate of technology assessment and demonstration for its use and capacity development. As part of its activities, the KVKs impart training to the farmers, farm women and rural  youth on different aspects of agriculture and allied sectors. The KVKs trained 19.53 lakh farmers and conducted 2,98,932 Front Line Demonstrations on Crop Production, Horticulture, Soil Health and Fertility Management, Livestock Production and Management, Home Science/Women empowerment,  Agricultural  Engineering,  Plant  Protection  and  Fisheries  during  2022-23  for updating their knowledge and skill.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1406 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-12
Subject: National Index for Villages
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Dhal Singh Bisen

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1406 ANSWERED ON 12/12/2023

## NATIONAL INDEX FOR VILLAGES

## 1406. DR. DHAL SINGH BISEN:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to prepare a National Index for development of villages and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the provision for selection of villages under the National Index and the details of the works to be done for the development of villages under the said scheme in the country; and
- (c) the number of villages which have been or proposed to be
- covered under the said scheme?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## ANSWER (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a) to (c):  The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) has released a report on  Panchayat  Development  Index  (PDI)  to  assess  and  measure  the progress made by Grassroots level Institutions in achieving Localized Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and thereby attaining Sustainable   Development  Goals  by  2030,  adopting  9  themes.  The mechanisms for computation of PDI based on the local indicators of 9 themes  is  illustrated  in  the  said  report  and  details  are  available  on https://pdi.gov.in/.  Thematic  scores  across  nine  themes  of  Localised SDGs and the composite PDI score of the Gram Panchayats will help in monitoring  of  their  progress  in  achieving  localized  SDGs  in all  Gram Panchayats  in the country.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1405 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-12
Subject: Fact-Checking Units
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Janardan Singh Sigriwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1405 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2023

## FACT-CHECKING UNITS

## 1405. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has defined 'fake news' in light of Fact-Checking Units (FCUs) under the Ministry taking down information;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  use  Artificial  Intelligence  in  order  to determine fake news and deepfake;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the other measures being taken by  the Government to check fake news and deepfake?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

(a) to (b) A Fact Check Unit (FCU) has been set up under Press Information Bureau under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in November, 2019 which takes cognizance of fake news relating to the Central Government both suo-motu and by way of queries sent by citizens on  its  portal  or  through  e-mail  and  social  media  and,  posts  correct  information  on  its  social media platforms.

For the purpose of fact checking, the FCU treats any news as fake/false news, which is found to be factually incorrect after its verification from relevant authorised sources.

(c)  to  (e):  The  Central  Government  has  notified  the  Information  Technology  (Intermediary Guidelines  and  Digital  Media  Ethics  Code)  Rules,  2021  which  cast  specific  obligation  on intermediaries  or  platforms  to  observe  due  diligence  by  way  of  making  reasonable  efforts  to cause the user of its computer resource not to host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, etc  any  illegal  information  that  deceives  or  misleads  the  addressee  about  the  origin  of  the message or knowingly and intentionally communicates any information which is patently false and untrue or misleading in nature, to enjoy the safe harbour protection under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

To  prevent  the  harms  caused  by  misinformation  through  deepfakes,  the  Ministry  of Electronics and Information Technology has issued advisories dated 06.11.2023 and 07.11.2023 to  significant  social  media  intermediaries  and  platforms  directing  them  to  take  all  reasonable measures to remove or disable such content on their platforms.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1402 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-12
Subject: Annual Income Criteria for OBCs
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Manickam Tagore B

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1402 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2023

## ANNUAL INCOME CRITERIA FOR OBCs

## 1402. SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B:

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

(a) whether the DoPT order dated & September, 1993 excludes *salary' and *agricultural income' to arrive at whether fall under the creamy layer, if so, the details thereof; they

(b) whether while computing the annual income of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) employees working in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and banks, the Government is taking into account 'salary' as well as agricultural income' together to arrive at whether they fall under the creamy layer in contravention of above DoPT order and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the reasons for following different yardsticks for different categories of employees resulting in denial of benefits to the wards of those working in PSUs banks; and and the steps taken to rectify this anomaly?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SUSHRI PRATIMA BHOUMIK)

(a) to (d): Detailed criteria has been laid down for exclusion of Creamy Layer amongst OBCs vide DoPT OM dated 08.09.1993. As per the Schedule attached to this OM, explanation No.(i) given in Category VI (Income and Wealth Test) provides that income from salaries o agricultural land banks etc is done as per the extant guidelines issued by DoPT vide O.M. dated 8.9.1993 together with the Department of Public Enterprises O.M. dated 25.10.2017 and Department of Financial Services O.M. dated 6.12.2017.

*****