opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4952 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: EWS Category Reservation
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Matheswaran V S

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4952 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.04.2025

## EWS CATEGORY RESERVATION

## 4952. SHRI MATHESWARAN V S:

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

- (a) the details of deliberations made by the Government to arrive at annual income of Rs. 8 lakhs per annum for EWS category reservation;
- (b) the components considered by the Government to arrive at annual income of Rs. 8 lakhs per annum for EWS category reservation; and
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any study to decide the annual income limit for EWS category reservation and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI B.L.VERMA)

(a) to (c): The annual family income limit of Rs. 8.00 lakh was fixed for Economically Weaker Sections category reservation, after examination. Family included the person who seeks benefit of reservation, his/her parents and siblings below the age of 18 years as also his/her spouse and children below the age of 18 years. The income included income from all sources i.e. salary, agriculture, business, profession etc.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4947 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: CO2 Emissions of Steel Sector
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri Rajmohan Unnithan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4947 FOR ANSWER ON 01.04.2025

## CO2 EMISSIONS OF STEEL SECTOR

4947.  SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether steps are being taken to reduce the CO2 emissions of India's steel sector, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) the details of the measures taken for the transition to renewable energy in steel making in the country; and
- (c) the specific assistance being provided to Kerala's steel sector in helping it reduce its emission intensity?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE          (SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA) MINISTRY OF STEEL

(a)to(c):     The steps taken by the Government to reduce the CO2 emissions of India's steel sector including transition to renewable energy in steel making are as under:-

- i. Ministry has released the Taxonomy for Green Steel to provide standards for defining and categorizing the low emission steel.
- ii. 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 which provides the future roadmap for green steel and sustainability, towards net-zero target by 2070. The report is available on Ministry of Steel's website.
- iii. Ministry  of  Steel  has  awarded  07  pilot  projects  for  implementation  of  pilot projects for use of hydrogen in steel sector under National Green Hydrogen Mission launched by Ministry of New & Renewable Energy.
- iv. 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.

The above steps to reduce the emission intensity from steel sector have been taken for Kerala, as well.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4944 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Smt. Geniben Nagaji Thakor

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 4944 TO BE ANSWERED ON - 01.04.2025

## DEENDAYAL DISABLED REHABILITATION SCHEME

- 4944    Smt. Geniben Nagaji Thakor:

Will the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment be pleased to state:

- (a) the objectives of Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS);
- (b) whether this scheme is functional in the State of Gujarat;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the details of funds allocated for such scheme in Gujarat State;

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT (SHRI B.L. VERMA)

- (a) The  Department  of  Empowerment  of  Persons  with  Disabilities  (Divyangjan)  is implementing Central Sector schemes namely, Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS),  under  which  financial  assistance  is  provided  to  Non-Government  Organizations (NGOs)  for  various  projects  for  the  welfare/empowerment  of  Persons  with  Disabilities (PwDs)  and  District  Disability  Rehabilitation  Centres  (DDRCs)  under  which  financial assistance is  provided  to  set  up  and  operate  DDRCs  at  District  level.  The  objective  of  the scheme  is  to  create  an  enabling  environment  to  ensure  equal  opportunities,  equity,  social justice and empowerment of persons with disabilities and to encourage voluntary action for ensuring effective implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
- (b) Yes, DDRS scheme is functional in Gujarat State.
- (c) Details  of  funds  released  and  number  of  beneficiaries  benefitted  during  the  last  3 years and current year in the State of Gujarat is as follows:
- (d) Under  DDRS,  there  is  no  provision  under  the  scheme  for  state  wise  allocation  of funds.  Grant  in  Aid  (GIA)  is  released  to  NGOs  on  the  basis  of  State  Government Recommendation, Audited Accounts and Scheme Norms.

| Year                       |   Fund released (Rs. in lakh) |   Number of beneficiaries |
|----------------------------|-------------------------------|---------------------------|
| 2021-22                    |                        120.66 |                       447 |
| 2022-23                    |                         72.77 |                       437 |
| 2023-24                    |                         95.19 |                       187 |
| 2024-25 (as on 27.03.2025) |                        124.09 |                       215 |
Lok Sabha Question No. 4943 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Ban on Heat-Not-Burn Tobacco Products
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Appalanaidu Kalisetti, Shri Tangella Uday Srinivas

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED ADMITTED QUESTION NO. 4943 ANSWERED ON 01/04/2025

## BAN ON HEAT-NOT-BURN TOBACCO PRODUCTS

## 4943. SHRI TANGELLA UDAY SRINIVAS: SHRI APPALANAIDU KALISETTI:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ( )  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) whether  Government  is  considering  a  review  of  the  ban  on  Heat-Not-Burn  tobacco products in light of global regulatory trends;
- (b) whether any representations have been received from industry stakeholders, international regulatory bodies, or health experts regarding the potential regulation and controlled sale of HNB products in India and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted or plans to conduct any comparative studies on the economic and trade impact of banning HNB products versus allowing their regulated sale, and if so, the findings thereof;
- (d) whether  the  ban  on  HNB  products  has  led  to  an  increase  in  illegal  imports  and unregulated sales and if so, the estimated scale of the issue and the steps taken to address it; and
- (e) whether the Government is considering a framework for controlled regulation of HNB products instead of a blanket ban and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## (

## )

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

(a) to (e) No  such  proposal  is  under  consideration.  However,  The  Government  of  India remains  committed  to  protecting  public  health,  particularly  from  the  harms  of  tobacco.  The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019 (PECA 2019) prohibits the manufacture, sale and advertisement  of  electronic  cigarettes  and  similar  products,  including  Heat-Not-Burn  (HNB) tobacco products.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4939 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Sahakar Mitra Internship Yojana
Ministry: COOPERATION
Asked by: Smt. Vijaylakshmi Devi, Shri Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COOPERATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4939 TO BE ANSWERED ON 1 st  APRIL, 2025

## Sahakar Mitra Internship Yojana

## 4939. Smt. Vijaylakshmi Devi: Shri Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar:

Will the Minister of Cooperation ( सहकारिता मंत्री) be pleased to state: (a) the steps being taken to enable students from rural and economically weaker section to avail opportunities of internship under the scheme; (b) whether there is any proposal to increase internship seats based on demands from students particularly belonging to rural and  agricultural sectors; (c) if so, the details thereof; (d) whether any partnership has been signed for strengthening cooperative sector between the Sahkar Mitra Internship Yojana and other major programmes of the Government like the Startup India, AtmaNirbhar Bharat or the digital India; and (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF COOPERATION सहकारिता मंत्री (SHRI AMIT SHAH)

(a) National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), a statutory corporation under the  administrative  control  of  Ministry  of  Cooperation,  launched  Sahakar  Mitra  Internship Scheme with the objective to provide work related learning experience in the core and special fields of functioning of NCDC to students of professional courses and to project contribution and  achievements  of  NCDC  in  the  development  of  cooperative.  The  scheme  is  open  to students of all background.

(b)&(c) Considering the requirement of the NCDC, the present intake capacity of intern under the scheme is 180 in a year. The requirement is reviewable from time to time as per need.

(d)&(e) The Sahakar Mitra Internship Scheme contributes significantly to the development of the cooperative sector in the country in several ways. It helps promote and enable young professional  graduates  to  take  on  leadership  and  entrepreneurial  roles  within  Farmers

Producer  Organizations  (FPOs)  organized  under  the  Cooperative  Act.  The  scheme  also orients these graduates to the cooperative business model, encouraging them to engage in the establishment of start-up cooperatives. Additionally, the scheme provides valuable assistance to  cooperatives  in  need  by  helping  them  prepare  business  plans  and  projects,  thereby strengthening their operational capacities and fostering growth within the sector. There has been no partnership so far.

The Sahakar Mitra Internship Scheme  aims to support the socio-economic development  of  the  country  by  enabling  cooperative  institutions  to  benefit  from  the innovative  ideas  of  young  professionals  while  providing  interns  with  valuable  field experience.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4934 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Indian Steel Industry
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri Aditya Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4934 FOR ANSWER ON 01.04.2025

## INDIAN STEEL INDUSTRY

4934. SHRI ADITYA YADAV:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any initiatives to ensure that the Indian steel industry has developed capabilities of producing a wide range of value added steel at par with global best practices addressing diverse needs of end user industries; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE          (SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA) MINISTRY OF STEEL

(a)&(b):          Production  Linked  Incentive  (PLI)  Scheme  for  'Specialty  Steel'  was launched  with  an  overall  budget  of  Rs.6,322  crore  in  July,  2021  to  promote  the manufacturing of 'Specialty Steel' within the country and reduce imports by attracting capital investments. The current status of key indicators in PLI Scheme for specialty steel are as follows:-

|                                                                               | Commitment during scheme tenure by selected companies                         | Actual achievement up to February, 2025                                       |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Investment (Rs. Cr)                                                           | 27,106                                                                        | 19,850                                                                        |
| Production (in '000t)                                                         | 7,940                                                                         | 1,950                                                                         |
| Employment (in Nos.)                                                          | 14,760                                                                        | 9,259                                                                         |
| Incentive Disbursement(Rs. Cr.)                                               | 2,033 #                                                                       | 48 *                                                                          |
| Note: # Estimated during the scheme tenure * Disbursement claim in FY 2024-25 | Note: # Estimated during the scheme tenure * Disbursement claim in FY 2024-25 | Note: # Estimated during the scheme tenure * Disbursement claim in FY 2024-25 |

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4933 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: National Commission for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Pradyut Bordoloi

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4933 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.04.2025

## NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR DENOTIFIED, NOMADIC AND SEMI-NOMADIC TRIBES

## 4933. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

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

- (a) whether the Government plans to implement the recommendations of the National Commission for Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes and if so, the detailed timeline of implementation and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) the steps being taken by the Government to classify DNT, NT and SNT communities that have not been classified as OBC, SC and ST yet;
- (c) whether all States in the North Eastern Region have set up district level complaint committees for DNTs, NTs and SNTs; and
- (d) the details regarding the funds disbursed and beneficiaries under the Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED) since it was launched in 2022, year-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI B.L.VERMA)

- (a): Based on the recommendation of National Commission for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, the Government has constituted a Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi Nomadic Communities (DWBDNCs) in February, 2019. Further, Scheme for Economic Empowerment of De-notified and Nomadic Tribes (SEED) has been initiated and is being implemented by DWBDNCs.
- (b): A committee under chairmanship of Vice chairman, NITI Aayog is constituted for classification of 268 communities which have not been classified so far.
- (c): No, Sir.
- (d): Rs. 15.00 Cr. was released in Financial Year 2023-24 and Rs. 32.43 Cr. in Financial Year 2024-25 under the Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED) covering 32,936 beneficiaries under the livelihood component, 551 beneficiaries under free coaching component and 2608 beneficiaries under health insurance component.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4927 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Protection of Farmers from Private Loan Lenders
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4927

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01 ST  APRIL, 2025

## PROTECTION OF FARMERS FROM PRIVATE LOAN LENDERS

4927. SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether only 40 percent of the farmers of the country are taking advantage of the loan facility and the rest of the farmers are trapped in the clutches of private lenders;
- (b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether the Government has taken or proposed to take any action against private lender charging high interest from farmers; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) & (b):  As per the NABARD All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey (NAFIS) 2021-22, the  share  of  agricultural  household  taking  loans  only  from  institutional  sources  rose  from 60.5% in 2016-17 to 75.5% in 2021-22, while those borrowing only from non-institutional sources declined from 30.3% to 23.4% in the same period.  This reflects a significant shift towards  formal credit,  countering  the  perception  that  most  farmers  remain  dependent  on private moneylenders.

(c) & (d): Several schemes/ programmes of the Government of India are designed to provide agriculture credit to farmers at low interest rate such as Kisan Credit Card(KCC) Scheme, Modified Interest  Subvention Scheme  (MISS),  Agriculture Infrastructure Fund  (AIF), Promotion of FPOs etc to prevent them going to private lenders.

As per priority Sector Landing (PSL) regulation, RBI has mandated that the Scheduled Commercial Banks will provide 18% of Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) or Credit Equivalent of Off-Balance Sheet Exposure (CEOBE), whichever is higher to the agriculture sector; out of which a sub limit has been fixed for small and marginal farmers which at present is 10%. This provision ensures availability of easy and affordable agriculture credit to the farmers.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4922 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Goal of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri P V Midhun Reddy

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4922 TO BE ANSWERED ON 1 ST  APRIL, 2025

## Goal of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana

## 4922.   Shri P V Midhun Reddy:

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the goals of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana;
- (b) whether it is a fact that in 2021-22, there were zero women beneficiaries in Andhra Pradesh, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any move has been made to rectify this in recent times and improve the functioning of the scheme in the State;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI GEORGE KURIAN)

- (a) :  The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has been implemented with effect from the financial year 2020-21 with the following goals:
- (i) Harnessing  of  fisheries  potential  in  a  sustainable,  responsible,  inclusive  and equitable manner.
- (ii) Enhancing of fish production and productivity through expansion, intensification, diversification and productive utilization of land and water.
- (iii) Modernizing and strengthening of value chain - post-harvest management and quality improvement.
- (iv) Doubling fishers and fish farmer's incomes and generation of employment.
- (v) Enhancing contribution to Agriculture GVA and exports.
- (vi) Social, physical and economic security for fishers and fish farmers.
- (vii) Robust fisheries management and regulatory framework.

(b) to (d) : The Government of Andhra Pradesh has reported that during the FY 202122, three components with a total 403 units were sanctioned to women beneficiaries under the  Pradhan  Mantri  Matsya  Sampada  Yojana  (PMMSY).  The  components  and  units sanctioned for women beneficiaries during 2021-22 include 191 fish kiosks, 7 fish retail outlet and  205  Sagar  Mitras.  The  Government  of  Andhra  Pradesh  has  further  reported  that under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) units have been allocated for women category every year and 38 activities with 20050 units have been sanctioned during the  last  four  years  (2020-21  to  2023-24)  and  current  year  (2024-25)  under  the  Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4921 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: National Dairy Development Board
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri  Selvaganapathi T.M.

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4921 TO BE ANSWERED 1 ST  APRIL ON 2025

## NATIONAL DAIRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD

## 4921. SHRI SELVAGANAPATHI T.M.:

## Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the National Dairy Development Board is planning to organize small cooperative at the level of villages to process skin and bones of cattle, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is also a fact that the Government has directed cooperatives to help private dairies in the process of dung and producing biogas, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken to encourage cooperative units to produce machineries that are used in the dairy sector and export them abroad?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) &  (b)  The  Department  of  Animal  Husbandry  and  Dairying  (DAHD)  organised  a Workshop on Sustainability and Circularity in the Dairy Sector on 3 rd March 2025 in Delhi. Various topics were discussed in the workshop, which included biogas models, manure  management,  processing  of  skin  and  bones  from  deceased  animals,  and promoting circularity through dairy cooperatives and private dairies. While cooperatives fall under the jurisdiction of respective State Cooperative Act, as cooperative societies are a State subject, the DAHD is actively implementing Dairy Development Schemes. These schemes are designed to complement and support State Governments  in  enhancing  and  strengthening  dairy  infrastructure  while  fostering circularity within the livestock sector.
- (c) The Government of India has been actively promoting the 'Make in India' initiative to encourage the local production of dairy machinery and equipment. This initiative aims not only to reduce reliance on imports but also to enhance India's dairy infrastructure and  boost  exports  globally.  Dairy  cooperatives  can  significantly  contribute  to  this effort by prioritizing the use of domestically manufacture dairy machinery.

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