opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4920 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Scholarship for SCs, STs and OBCs in Karnataka
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Sagar Eshwar Khandre

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4920 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.04.2025

## SCHOLARSHIP FOR SCs, STs AND OBCs IN KARNATAKA

## 4920. SHRI SAGAR ESHWAR KHANDRE:

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

(a) the steps taken by the Government to provide financial assistance, scholarships and interest subsidies for students from economically weaker sections, particularly SC's, ST's and OBC's pursuing graduate courses in recognized universities and colleges in the country, particularly in the State of Karnataka; and

(b) the other steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): To provide financial assistance, scholarships and interest subsidies for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) students pursuing graduate courses in recognized universities and colleges in the country, the following Schemes are being implemented:

|   S.No | Name of the Scheme                                                       | Implementing Ministry/Department             |
|--------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|
|      1 | Post-Matric Scholarships Scheme for SC Students. (PMS-SC)                | Department of Social Justice and Empowerment |
|      2 |                                                                          | Department of Social Justice and Empowerment |
|      3 | DNT Students (PMS-OBC)                                                   | Department of Social Justice and Empowerment |
|      4 | Top Class Education in Colleges for OBC, EBC and DNT students. (TCS-OBC) | Department of Social Justice and Empowerment |
|      5 | Credit/Loan-based Scheme for education Loan.                             | Department of Social Justice and Empowerment |
|      6 | Educational Loans under Individual Loan Scheme                           | Department of Social Justice and Empowerment |
|      7 | Post Matric Scholarship for ST students. (PMS-ST)                        | Ministry of Tribal Affairs                   |
|      8 | National Scholarship for Higher Education for ST students (Top Class)    | Ministry of Tribal Affairs                   |

Apart from above, there are Schemes namely Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS), Central Sector Interest Subsidy Scheme (CSIS) and Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Educational Loans (CGFSEL) and PM-Vidyalaxmi being implemented by the Department of Higher Education. Benefits under these Schemes are also extended to students of economically weaker sections, including SCs, STs and OBCs.

The above Schemes are being implemented on pan India basis and students from any State including Karnataka can avail benefits under the Schemes.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4916 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Reviving Amritsar Textile Industry
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Gurjeet Singh Aujla

## REVIVING AMRITSAR TEXTILE INDUSTRY

## 4916. SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that Amritsar, once a leading hub for textiles and woollens, has witnessed  a  significant  decline  in  the  industry  due  to  lack  of  direct  grants,  incentives  and  industrial support, leading to businesses shifting out of Punjab;
- (b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to revive Amritsar's textile industry ensuring direct financial assistance, modernization of textile units and policy interventions to attract investment;
- (c) whether the Government has introduced a special package or dedicated textile cluster for Amritsar to restore its historical prominence, generate employment and strengthen Punjab's economy; and
- (d)  whether  the  Government  considering  Amritsar's  strategic  location  and  connectivity  will  facilitate export promotion policies and international trade support to make it a global textile hub?

उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा )

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

(a) to (d): The Government is focused on the holistic development of the entire textile value chain by focusing on high-tech & high-growth product segments, leveraging inherent strengths, developing large scale  plug  and  play  infrastructure,  keeping  sustainability  at  the  core,  while  ensuring  large-scale livelihood  opportunities,  providing  impetus  to  traditional  sectors  and  becoming  Atma-nirbhar  in  raw material  value  chain  by  implementing  various  schemes/initiatives  across  the  country  including  in Amritsar,  Punjab.  The  major  schemes/initiatives  include   PM  Mega  Integrated  Textile  Regions  and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks Scheme which seeks to create a modern, integrated , world class textile infrastructure; Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme focusing on Man Made Fibre (MMF) Fabric, MMF  Apparel and Technical Textiles to boost large scale manufacturing and enhancing competitiveness; National Technical Textiles Mission focusing on Research Innovation & Development, Promotion  and  Market  Development;  SAMARTH  -  Scheme for  Capacity  Building  in  Textile  Sector with the objective providing demand driven, placement oriented, skilling program; Silk Samagra-2 for comprehensive development of sericulture value chain; National Handloom Development Program for end to end support for handloom sector. Ministry of Textiles is also implementing National Handicrafts Development Programme and Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme for promotion of  handicraft  artisans.  Under  these  schemes,  support  is  provided  for  marketing,  skill  development, cluster development, direct benefit to artisans, infrastructure and technology support etc.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4914 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: US Trade Policy
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Sasikanth Senthil

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4914 ANSWERED ON 01/04/2025

## US TRADE POLICY

## 4914.  SHRI SASIKANTH SENTHIL:

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

(a) the  details  of  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  evaluate  the  impact  of  the  recently imposed U.S. tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China on India's trade relations with these countries;

(b) the manner in which the Government plan to handle potential retaliatory tariffs from these countries that could affect Indian exports;

(c) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  address  any  economic  disruptions  caused  by increased tariffs and challenges due to US trade policies; and

(d) whether  the  Government  looking  into  other  trade  policies  or  agreements  to  protect  the industries from global trade tensions and 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) & (b) On  February  1,  2025,  USA  issued  executive  orders  imposing  a  25%  tariff  on  all goods  imported  from  Mexico  and  Canada  with  a  reduced  10%  tariff  specifically  for  Canadian energy exports, including  electricity,  natural  gas,  and  oil.  The  tariffs  were  enforced  on  March  4, 2025.  The  tariff  rate  on  Chinese  goods  was  increased  from  10%  to  20%  on  March  4,  2025. Government of India is closely monitoring the impact of these tariff announcements and that of the potential  retaliatory  tariffs  by  Mexico,  China  and  Canada  on  Indian  trade.  The  industry  is  being encouraged to identify new opportunities arising out of the impact of tariffs on the existing supply chains. Parallely,   the imports are being monitored for appropriate safeguard measures under WTO rules,  if  increased  imports  including  from  Mexico,  China,  and  Canada  cause  or  threaten  serious injury to domestic industry.

(c) & (d) The Government of India continues to engage with the Government of United States to  achieve  enhancement  and  broadening  of  bilateral  trade  ties  in  a  mutually  beneficial  and  fair manner.  Both  nations released a joint statement on February 13, 2025, reaffirming their commitment to deepening economic ties. Both countries have committed to negotiate first tranche of  a  mutually  beneficial,  multi-sector  Bilateral  Trade  Agreement  by  Fall,  2025  under  which  the countries  would  focus  on  increasing  market  access,  reducing  tariff  and  non-tariff  barriers, enhancing supply chain integration and resolving key trade issues bilaterally.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4913 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Fishing Net Industry
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Manickam Tagore B, Shri Vijayakumar Alias Vijay Vasanth

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4913 TO BE ANSWERED ON 1 st  April, 2025

## Fishing Net Industry

## 4913. Shri Vijayakumar Alias Vijay Vasanth: Shri Manickam Tagore B:

- Will the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying be pleased to state: (a)     the details and current market size of the India fishing net industry and projections for growth through 2030, including expected increase in demand for both synthetic and sustainable fishing nets; (b)   the details and the percentage increase in the use of eco-friendly materials in fishing nets over the past five years and specific measures taken to promote the use of these materials in the fishing industry; and (c)    the details of synthetic materials that have contributed to the industry's growth in recent  years  and  the  steps  taken  to  invest  in  R&D  to  keep  Indian  manufacturers
- competitive in the global market?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), Kochi under the Indian Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  has  informed  that  currently  there  is approximately 20,000 to 25,000 tonnes of total fish net production in the country, for which  growth  is  around  5%  per  annum.  The  ICAR-CIFT  has  further  informed  that synthetic fibre of Nylon contributes 45-50 % with major share by nylon monofilament and High density Polyethylene (HDPE) contributes 35-40% of the synthetic materials that have contributed to the Fishing Net Industry's growth and other synthetic fibres have 5% contribution. Standard under Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) are available for  various  fishing  gear  materials  to  keep  Indian  manufacturers  competitive  in  the global  market.  The  ICAR-CIFT,  Kochi  has  also  informed  that  the  research  and development for ecofriendly fishing materials for fishing nets is going on.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4903 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: District Resource Centres
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Dr. Rajeev Bharadwaj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †4903

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01/04/2025

## DISTRICT RESOURCE CENTRES

†4903. DR. RAJEEV BHARADWAJ:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to set up District Resource Centres in Himachal Pradesh under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA);
- (b) if so, the districts in which the said centres are proposed to be set up in Himachal Pradesh; and
- (c) the details and the total amount of funds proposed to be allocated for setting up the said centres along with the district-wise details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ

(Prof. S.P. SINGH BAGHEL)

(a) to (c) Yes Sir. The Ministry is implementing Revamped Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) w.e.f. financial year 2022-23 with the main objective for strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs) through imparting training to all the Elected Representatives (ERs) and other stakeholders to develop their governance capabilities for leadership roles to enable the Gram Panchayats to function effectively. Ministry under the scheme of RGSA also providing support to the States/ UTs to establish institutional mechanism for the Capacity Building & Training including District Panchayat Resource Centre (DPRCs). Under the scheme, construction of 2 DPRCs has been approved for Chamba and Lahaul Spiti districts of Himachal Pradesh amounting to Rs. 2 crore each as per cost norms of RGSA scheme.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4901 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Setting-up of Mega Vegetable Market and Agro Markets
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Vijay Baghel

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4901

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 01 ST  APRIL, 2025

## SETTING-UP OF MEGA VEGETABLE MARKET AND AGRO MARKETS

4901.  SHRI VIJAY BAGHEL:

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

- (a) whether there is a lack of a mega vegetable market and agro markets for sale of agro products, dairy products, fisheries and meat products of farmers and other producers due to which farmers have to face extreme incovenience in sale and purchase of their produces in the  vicinity  of  the  Mega  Steel  Plant  and  other  allied  undertakings  situated  at  Bhilai parliamentary constituency which generates lakhs of employment opportunities for people;
- (b) whether there is any proposal for setting up a mega vegetable and agro markets in view of providing infrastructural facility for the people in the above area; and
- (c) if so, the time by which a mega vegetable and agro market are likely to be set up at a vacant land in front of Ward no. 33, Novai colony, Municipality of Risali District, Durg?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): Agricultural  Marketing  is  a  State  subject  and  Agricultural  Produce  Market Committees  (APMCs)  are  regulated  under  respective  State  Agricultural  Produce  Market Committee Act of the State. States, after assessing the requirement, based on production, marketable surplus & existence of traders etc. establish markets.

As per the information received from Chhattisgarh State Agricultural Marketing Board, there are two fruits and vegetable markets established in campus of Krishi Upaj Mandi Samiti, Durg and at Dhamdha block in the District Durg. Further, one fruits and vegetable market is under construction at Kumhari.  It was further informed by the State Board that there is no plan or scheme for setting up of mega vegetable and agro market at a vacant land in front of Ward No. 33, Novai colony, Municipality of Risali in Durg district.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4893 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Impact on Tea Gardens
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Jagannath Sarkar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4893 ANSWERED ON 01/04/2025

## IMPACT ON TEA GARDENS

## 4893.  SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR:

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

(a) whether the Ministry is aware of the adverse impact on tea gardens and local communities in West Bengal's Kalchini block due to pollution from Bhutan's Pasakha Industrial Estate;

(b) the  steps  taken  by  the  Ministry  to  coordinate  with  Bhutan  to  ensure  adherence  to international environmental standards, particularly in industrial areas close to the Indian border;

(c) the  assistance  extended  by  the  Ministry  to  affected  tea  estates  and  other  industries  in Kalchini to mitigate the environmental damage caused by industrial pollution from Bhutan;

(d) the  specific  outcomes  of  discussions  with  Bhutan  during  the  Commerce  Secretary  Level Meeting held in September 2024 concerning this issue; and

(e) whether  the  Ministry  is  planning  any  further  site  visits  or  joint  inspections  involving Bhutanese  authorities  and  Indian  experts  to  address  this  matter  comprehensively  and  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) to (e) Government is aware of the reports regarding pollution from industrial activities in Bhutan's Pasakha Industrial Estate affecting tea gardens in West Bengal. The issue was taken up with the Bhutanese side, and in August 2018, a joint delegation led by the Tea Board of India and the  Department  of  Trade  from  the  Bhutanese  side,  undertook  a  site  visit.  The  delegation recommended  a  separate  visit  to  the  Pasakha  Industrial  Area  to  be  undertaken  jointly  by  the Environment  Commission  of  Bhutan,  Tea  Board  of  India,  Ministry  of  Jal  Shakti  and  other environmental experts.

During  the  Commerce  Secretary  Level  Meeting  (CSLM)  held  in  November  2021,  Indian  side requested Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) to facilitate this visit.  However, due to COVID pandemic, the visit could not take place. This matter was again discussed by the Indian side with RGoB during Border District Coordination Meetings between Bhutan and the State Government of West Bengal. This matter has been raised most recently with the Bhutanese side in the CSLM held in September 2024, during which, RGoB has informed that it would further contact stakeholders in this regard.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4892 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Arun Kumar Sagar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4892

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.04.2025

## SUGAMYA BHARAT ABHIYAN

4892. Shri Arun Kumar Sagar :

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

- (a)  whether  work  is  being  carried  out  and  the  current  status  in  the  country  particularly  in Shahjahanpur Parliamentary Constituency of Uttar Pradesh under Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan; and (b) the total funds allocated and utilized in this regard during the last three years as on date, State and year-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT

(SHRI B. L. VERMA)

(a) to (b): Under the Accessible India Campaign, the Union Government has released Grant-inAid to State/UT Governments, including the State of Uttar Pradesh, for the retrofitting of 1,314 identified buildings across 49 cities. Shahjahanpur Parliamentary Constituency was not included in  the  list  of  identified  cities  of  the  campaign.  Funds  are  not  allocated  but  released  as  per proposals  received  from  States/UTs  under  the  Accessible  India  Campaign  sub-scheme  of  the Scheme for Implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The States/UTs, whose proposals were received and their year-wise status of Grant-in-Aid released during the last three years is provided below:

(₹ in Lakh)

|   S.No. | State/UT/Years    |   2021-22 |   2022-23 |   2023-24 |
|---------|-------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
|       1 | Arunachal Pradesh |    734.42 |      0    |      0    |
|       2 | Assam             |      0    |    542.34 |     80.16 |
|       3 | Goa               |      0    |     99.21 |      0    |
|       4 | Gujarat           |    477.95 |      0    |      0    |
|       5 | Madhya Pradesh    |   2074.06 |      0    |      0    |
|       6 | Manipur           |   1379.15 |    208.61 |      0    |
|       7 | Meghalaya         |   1320.82 |      0    |      0    |
|       8 | Nagaland          |      0    |      0    |     95.65 |
|       9 | Tamil Nadu        |    648.69 |      0    |      0    |
|      10 | West Bengal       |    297.5  |      0    |      0    |
Lok Sabha Question No. 4887 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Schemes for Handlooms
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Ananta Nayak

## SCHEMES FOR HANDLOOMS

## 4887. SHRI ANANTA NAYAK:

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

- (a)  the  details  of  annual  production  of  raw  silk  in  the  financial  year  2024-25  and  2014-15  and  the contribution of Odisha thereof;
- (b) the details of total estimated employment generation till February 2025 in the year 2024- 25;
- (c) the number of weavers and workers of Odisha benefited directly or indirectly during the said period;
- (d) whether the Government is implementing any special scheme to promote Handloom and silk industry in Odisha which can help tradition weavers; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  is  formulating  any  new  plan  to  increase  textile  parks,  silk  clusters  and financial assistance for weavers in Odisha and if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा ) THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES

## (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

- (a): The  raw  silk  production  for  FY  2024-25  (till  January,  2025)  and  corresponding  period  in  FY 2014-15 is given below:
- (b): The estimated total employment generation in silk sector till January-2025 is 80.90 Lakh persons.
- (c) to (e): The  Government  through  central  sector  schemes  such  as  Silk  Samagra-2,  National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) and Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS) is promoting Handloom and silk industry in the country including Odisha . Under these schemes, 31,077 handloom workers have benefitted till February 2025 under NHDP and RMSS while   support has been provided to around 500 silk reelers/artisans and training has been provided to 200 silk reelers & 143 silk handloom weavers under Silk Samgra-2.

| Period                          | 2024-25 Actuals (till Jan-2025)   | 2014-15 Actuals (till Jan-2015)   |
|---------------------------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| Raw silk production (MT)        | 34,042                            | 24,299                            |
| Raw Silk production Odisha (MT) | 81                                | 98                                |

****