opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2374 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Saansad Adarsh Gram
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Smt. Malvika Devi

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2374 ANSWERED ON 10/12/2024

## SAANSAD ADARSH GRAM

## 2374. SMT. MALVIKA DEVI:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENTbe pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken steps for better hygiene in villages, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is planning to take either new steps or make new schemes for funds allocations  in SaansadAdarsh Grams; and
- (c) the details of the steps taken by the Government to make sure that  proper  drainage  systems  are  made  and  maintained  in villages as it is a very big problem in villages?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c):   The objectives of the SansadAdarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) include  inculcating  hygienic  behavior,  encouraging  practices  and activities  for  a  clean  and  green  village  consisting  of  providing toilets in each household and in all public institutions and ensuring their proper use, universal access to basic health facilities, provision of treated piped water with household taps, development of  appropriate  solid  and  liquid  waste  management,  etc.  Village Development Plans (VDPs) are prepared and implemented in consultation  with  the  Gram  Panchayats  and  Hon'ble  Members  of Parliament  to  achieve  those  objectives.  Presently,  there  is  no proposal to make new scheme for funds allocations under SAGY.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2365 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Study on adverse impact of Climate Change on Crops
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Damodar Agrawal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2365

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## STUDY ON ADVERSE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON CROPS

2365.  SHRI DAMODAR AGRAWAL:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f"k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  study  to  understand  the  negative impact of climate change on the quality and quantity of the crops;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f"k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k jkT; ea=h (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)

(a)  &  (b):  Yes.  The  Government  through  ICAR  flagship  network  project  'National Innovations  in  Climate  Resilient  Agriculture  (NICRA)'  conducted  integrated  computer simulation modelling studies to assess the impact of climate change for major crops.

The study revealed that in the absence of adaptation measures, climate change is likely to reduce rainfed rice yields by 20% in 2050 and 47% in 2080. Irrigated rice yield reduce by 3.5% in 2050 and 5% in 2080. Wheat yield may reduce by 19.3% in 2050 and 40% in 2080. Kharif maize yield may reduce by 10-19% in 2050 and >20% in 2080.

Preliminary studies indicated that elevated CO2 and temperature caused reduction in  iron,  zinc  and  protein  content  in  certain  genotypes  of  maize.  In  rice,  elevated  CO2 influenced  grain  quality  viz.,  chalkiness,  amylose  and  protein  content,  thereby  altering grain,  mineral and nutrient composition. In wheat, heat stress caused shrivelled grains, reduced starch and protein content thereby result in lower yield, whereas, excess rains during grain filling stage cause lodging of plants and discoloration of grains.

- (c) Does not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2357 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Steps towards Decarbonisation
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri K C Venugopal, Shri Harendra Singh Malik

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2357 FOR ANSWER ON 10.12.2024

## STEPS TOWARDS DECARBONISATION

2357.  SHRI HARENDRA SINGH MALIK: SHRI K C VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  towards  de-carbonisation  and improving resource efficiency in the steel sector; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STEEL

## ANSWER

(SHRI H. D. KUMARASWAMY)

- ( a)&(b): The steps taken by Government towards decarbonisation and improving resource efficiency in the steel sector are as under:-
- (1) Ministry of Steel has released a report titled "Greening the Steel Sector in India: Roadmap and Action Plan" in alignment with the recommendations of the 14 Task Forces  constituted by this Ministry for this purpose. This report provides a comprehensive  overview  of  steel  sector,  discusses  the  various  pathways  for  the decarbonisation  of  the  steel  sector  and  chalks  out  the  strategy,  action  plan  and roadmap for the same.
- (2) Ministry  of  New  and  Renewable  Energy  (MNRE)  has  formulated  National Green Hydrogen Mission for green hydrogen production and usage. Ministry of Steel is a stakeholder in the Mission and awarded two pilot projects to produce DRI using 100% Hydrogen in vertical shaft and one pilot project to use hydrogen in existing Blast Furnace to reduce coal/coke consumption under this Mission.
- (3) Use of steel scrap as raw material reduces emissions by 58%. Steel Scrap Recycling  Policy,  2019,  formulated  by  Ministry  of  Steel  envisages  to  enhance  the availability of  domestically  generated  scrap.  Motor  Vehicles  (Registration  and Functions of Vehicles Scrapping Facility) Rules September, 2021 of Ministry of Road Transport & Highways envisages to increase availability of scrap in the steel sector.
- (4) National Solar Mission launched by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in January, 2010 promotes the use of solar energy and also helps to reduce the emission of steel industry.

(5) Perform,  Achieve  and  Trade  (PAT)  scheme,  under  National  Mission  for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, incentivizes steel industry to reduce energy consumption.

(6) National Steel Policy, 2017 issued by Ministry of Steel emphasizes adoption of technologies which are conducive to effective and efficient domestic resources with minimum  damage  to  environment  and  production  of  high-end  and  special  steel required for sophisticated industrial and scientific applications.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2353 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: National Mobile Monitoring Software for MGNREGS
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Pradyut Bordoloi

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2353

## ANSWERED ON 10/12/2024

## NATIONAL MOBILE MONITORING SOFTWARE FOR MGNREGS

## 2353. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a specific Grievance Redressal Mechanism has been set up for workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) to register complaints  through  the  National  Mobile  Monitoring  Software (NMMS), if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of languages the NMMS application is available in and  whether  there  are  plans  to  expand  the  same  to  include more languages;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any steps to ensure that all MGNREGS workers have access to mobile phones which can support the NMMS application, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government has conducted an on-ground review of  the  working  of  the  NMMS  application,  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a): National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) is used for capturing real time attendance of the Mahatma Gandhi NREGS workers  twice  a  day  for  all  the  works  (except  individual beneficiary works) to ensure more transparency in the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS).

Mahatma  Gandhi NREGS  beneficiaries can register their grievances  through  CPGRAM  portal.  In  addition  to  this  there  are

other means through which grievances are received and addressed under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS, which includes conduct of regular social audit, registering of Grievances with Ombudsperson and registering   complaint  in  Complaint  register  maintained  at  G.P level. Further in the JANMANREGA Mobile App a new option 'Raise Your Concern' has been introduced for capturing of grievances.

(b): The NMMS mobile application is currently available in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam.

(c): Attendance is captured by Mates/Gram RojgarSahayak through NMMS application.

(d):  The  Ministry  regularly  reviews  the  implementation  of  NMMS. Technical  challenges  if  any,  faced  by  the  States/UTs,  while  using the application are immediately resolved by the Ministry. Additionally, the Ministry schedules training sessions, as needed, to ensure that States/UTs remain updated on the NMMS app's usage.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2351 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Enhanced Financial Assistance for the Local Bodies
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Thiru D M Kathir Anand

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2351 ANSWERED ON 10.12.2024

## ENHANCED FINANCIALASSISTANCE FOR THE LOCALBODIES

## 2351. THIRU D M KATHIR ANAND:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has plans to provide enhanced financial assistance for the Local bodies both urban and rural corresponding to the income generation and contribution to exchequer, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government is providing any compensation for the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) due to the implementation of GST and if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the steps taken by the Government to provide adequate funds for the development and welfare of best performing ULBs and RLBs in the country, especially in Tamil Nadu?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ

(PROF. S.P. SINGH BAGHEL)

(a) & (b) Article 280 of the Constitution of India provides the basis for the Central Finance Commissions to assess the status of finances of the Union, States and their respective local bodies and recommend sharing of taxes which includes GST & grants for various purposes to the States, Panchayats & Municipalities. Accordingly, the Government has constituted the Sixteenth Finance Commission to make recommendations for supplementing the resources of the Panchayats and Municipalities and other measures needed to improve the financial position of the Panchayats and Municipalities.

(c) The Government of India has undertaken various initiatives to ensure adequate funding and development of Local Government Bodies.

Key initiatives for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) include performance-linked schemes such as the Million Plus Cities Challenge Fund under 15th Finance Commission and the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24. Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) have also benefited from schemes like the Million Plus Cities Challenge Fund, with Tamil Nadu receiving ₹1,264.20 Crore for its four Million Plus Urban Agglomerations namely Coimbatore, Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, and Madurai between FY 2021-22 and FY

2023-24.

Grants of ₹2,10,862.42 crore during FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25 have been released nationwide as per the allocations of the 15th Finance Commission to Rural Local Bodies (RLBs), including ₹13,303.50 crore released for RLBs in Tamil Nadu.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2349 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Integrating AI to improve Agriculture
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Basavaraj Bommai

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2349

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 th DECEMBER, 2024

## Integrating AI to improve Agriculture

2349. Shri Basavaraj Bommai:

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

- (a) whether the Government is planning to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into irrigationpractices to optimize water usage, improve cropproductivity and reduce water wastage in agriculture;
- (b) if so, the details of specific AI-driven initiatives or schemes being considered or implemented in irrigation systems across the country;
- (c) whether the Government has initiated any pilot projects or collaborations with States orresearch institutions to test AI-based irrigation models; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR) (a)  to  (d):  The  Government  has  employed  Artificial  Intelligence  (AI)  methods  to address  various  challenges  in  the  agricultural  sector  to  aid  farmers.  Some  of  the

- initiatives are given below:
- I. 'Kisan e-Mitra'  an AI-powered chatbot to assist farmers with queries about the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. This solution supports multiple languages and is evolving to assist with other government programs.
- II. National Pest Surveillance System for tackling the loss of produce due to climate change.  This  system  utilizes  AI  and  Machine  Learning  to  detect  crop  issues, enabling timely intervention for healthier crops.
- III. AI based analytics using field photographs for crop health assessment and crop health monitoring using Satellite, weather & soil moisture datasets for rice and wheat crop.

Further, Government is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) in the Country from 2015-16. PDMC focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at farm level through Micro Irrigation namely Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation  Systems.  The  Micro  Irrigation  helps  in  water  saving  as  well  as  reduced fertilizer  usage  through  fertigation,  labour  expenses,  other  input  costs  and  overall income enhancement of farmers. The Government provides financial assistance @ 55% for small and marginal farmers and @ 45% for other farmers for installation of Drip  and  Sprinkler  systems  under  the  PDMC.  Additionally,  Indian  Council  of Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  has  also  developed  IoT  based  irrigation  system  and tested it in the field for selected crops.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2341 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Punjab New Capital (Periphery) Control Act, 1952
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Manish Tewari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2341

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 TH  DECEMBER, 2024/ AGRAHAYANA 19, 1946 (SAKA)

PUNJAB NEW CAPITAL (PERIPHERY) CONTROL ACT, 1952

2341.     SHRI MANISH TEWARI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Union Government plans to amend laws like the Punjab New Capital (Periphery) Control Act, 1952, to make  it  more  relevant  to current urban realities;
- (b)  the  extent  to  which  does  the  Government  justify  applying  Lal  Dora regulations  to  22  villages  now  under  the  Municipal  Corporation  of Chandigarh, given Lal Dora rural is a rural revenue concept to distinguish between populated areas and agricultural land in a village;
- (c) the steps are being taken to ensure uniform infrastructure development across Chandigarh, irrespective of Lal Dora demarcations;
- (d) the manner in which the continuation of the Lal Dora concept aligns with Chandigarh's urban planning and objectives of the Master Plan 2031; and
- (e) the measures are being taken to provide water and sanitation facilities to residents in areas outside the Lal Dora, particularly in light of the recent disconnection of water connections?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) There is no such proposal.
- (b) to (d) The development outside Lal Dora is regulated by Chandigarh

Master Plan, 2031 which has been notified in exercise of powers under 'The Capital of Punjab (Development & Regulation) Act, 1952' and 'The Punjab New Capital (Periphery) Control Act, 1952'.  Construction within Lal Dora is  governed by 'Chandigarh Rural Inhabitations (Area within Red Line of Revenue Estates, Abadi Areas) Construction and Reconstruction Building Bye Laws for villages (both within and outside Municipal Limits) falling in Union  Territory  of  Chandigarh,  2017'  which  provides  for  permissible commercial  activities.  Construction  outside  Lal  Dora  is  governed  by 'Chandigarh Building Rules (Urban)-2017'.  As per 'The Punjab New Capital (Periphery) Control Act, 1952', no person is allowed to erect or re-erect any building  in  area  outside  Lal  Dora  without  previous  permission  of  the Competent Authority.

(e)   The release of water connection is governed by the 'Chandigarh Water Supply  Bye  Laws,  2011'  wherein  the  Municipal  Corporation  can  release water  connections  only  within  the  red  line/  Lal  Dora.  Disconnection  of unauthorized water connections is a continuous process and is undertaken by  Municipal  authorities  from  time  to  time.  Sanitation  facilities  are provided by the Municipal Corporation throughout the city.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2339 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Free Trade Agreement
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Smt. Anita Subhadarshini

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2339 ANSWERED ON 10/12/2024

## FREE TRADE AGREEMENT

## 2339.  SMT. ANITA SUBHADARSHINI:

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

(a) whether India has signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with United Arab Emirates (UAE) to boost trade between two countries;

- (b) if so, the details of the products identified by both the countries under FTA;
- (c) whether any target has set by both the countries in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## 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) Yes, India signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 18 February 2022. The India-UAE CEPA came into force on 1 May 2022.

(b) The  India-UAE  CEPA  is a  comprehensive    agreement,  which covers, inter-  alia, Trade  in  Goods,  Rules  of  Origin,  Trade  in  Services,  Technical  Barriers  to  Trade  (TBT), Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, Dispute Settlement, Movement of Natural Persons, Customs Procedures and Pharmaceutical products.

The CEPA between India and the UAE covers almost all the 8-digit Harmonized System (HS) tariff  lines  on  goods  of  India  (11,908)  and  the  UAE (7,581).  India  benefits  from preferential market access provided by the UAE on over 97 % of its tariff lines which account for 99% of Indian exports to the UAE in value terms.

As regards trade in services, while India has committed around 100 sub-sectors, the UAE has committed  around  111  sub-sectors  from  the  11  broad  service  sectors  such  as  'business services', 'communication services', 'construction and related engineering services', 'distribution  services',  'educational  services',  'environmental  services',  'financial  services',

'health related and social services', 'tourism and travel related services', 'recreational cultural and sporting services' and 'transport services'.

(c) to (d) The  Agreement  provides  significant  benefits  to  Indian  and  UAE  businesses, including  enhanced  market  access  and  reduced  tariffs.  Since  entering  into  force  of  CEPA, bilateral merchandise trade has increased to $ 83.65 billion in 2023-24 from $ 72.88 billion in 2021-22.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2332 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Beneficiaries under PMAY-G
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Datt Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2332 ANSWERED ON 10/12/2024

## BENEFICIARIES UNDER PMAY-G

## 2332. SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENTbe pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is implementing MantriAwaasYojana-Gramin in Madhya Pradesh;
- Pradhan
- (b) if so, whether the Government has provided financial assistance  and  subsidy  on  interest  rates  on  home  loans  to benificiaries in the districts of Panna, Katni and Khajuraho of Chhatarpur district, if so, the details thereof; and .
- (c)
- if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):       Yes, the Ministry of Rural Development is implementing the Pradhan MantriAwaasYojana- Gramin (PMAY-G) w.e.f. 1st April, 2016 to  construct  2.95  crore  houses  by  providing  assistance  to  eligible rural households with basic amenities in the country including the State of Madhya Pradesh. The Union Government has approved an additional 2 crore rural houses under PMAY-G to be constructed in the  next  five  years  from  FY  2024-25  to  FY  2028-29  to  meet  the additional  housing  requirements  due  to  increase  in  the  number  of
- families in rural areas across the country.

The  State  of  Madhya  Pradesh  has  been  allocated  a  cumulative target  of  41,68,046  houses,  out  of  which  41,50,711  houses have been sanctioned and 36,76,412 have been completed as on 06.12.2024.

- (b) & (c): The Central share under PMAY-G is released directly to the  State/Union  Territory  (UT),  considering  the  State/UT  as  a  unit, on  the  basis  of  balance  targets,  liabilities  and  unspent  balance available.  Further,  release  of   funds  to  beneficiaries  in  various districts is done by the respective State/UT. The total central share released to the State of Madhya Pradesh  since 2016-17 under the PMAY-G is Rs. 30372.16 crores.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2331 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Development of Steel Clusters
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2331

FOR ANSWER ON 10.12.2024

## DEVELOPMENT OF STEEL CLUSTERS

2331. SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

(a)  the  details  of  the  progress  made  so  far  on  the  Draft  Framework  Policy  on Development of Steel Clusters in the country;

(b)  whether  there  were  any  number  of  clusters  established,  funds  allocated,  and utilized since Financial Year 2020-21;

(c) if so, the details thereof, if not the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the State of Andhra Pradesh has been considered for the setting up of a steel cluster; and

(e) if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STEEL (SHRI H. D. KUMARASWAMY)

(a) The Draft  Framework Policy on Development of  Steel Clusters  in  the country of Ministry of Steel was withdrawn in October, 2021.

(b)to(e): Does not arise.

*****