opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3730 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Vocal for Local Campaign
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Jai Parkash, Shri Satpal Brahamchari

## VOCAL FOR LOCAL CAMPAIGN

## 3730. SHRI JAI PARKASH: SHRI SATPAL BRAHAMCHARI:

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

(a) whether the Government has taken any special initiative to promote the "Vocal for Local" campaign in Hisar Lok Sabha constituency of Haryana;

(b) if so, the number of local weavers, artisans, handicraftsmen and MSME units which have benefited under this campaign so far;

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  organised  exhibitions,  fairs  or  training  programmes  for  promotion, marketing and branding of local products in Hisar region and Sonipat Lok Sabha constituency; and

(d) if not, whether any schemes are likely to be implemented in future to strengthen "Vocal for Local" in Hisar and Sonipat Lok Sabha constituency?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा )

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

(a) & (b): The Ministry of Textiles enhances public awareness and promotes pride in the handloom and handicraft sectors through targeted social media campaigns and awareness programs that highlight the importance and uniqueness of the sector through its social media handles and by organizing chaupals across the country, including in Hisar, Haryana. During last three years, a total of 27 chaupals and one Hiring of Stall programme were organized in the state of Haryana, benefiting 731 beneficiaries.

(c) & (d): The Government of India, Ministry of Textiles is implementing following schemes for the promotion and development of handloom and handicraft sectors in the country, including the State of Haryana:

1. National Handloom Development Programme;
2. Raw Material Supply Scheme;
3. National Handicraft Development Programme;
4. Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme

Under the above schemes, apart from other initiatives the Government provides financial assistance for upgrading looms, accessories, and toolkits; design innovation; product development for Handloom and Handicrafts under the Cluster Development initiative; and support for marketing platforms to promote local handmade products with branding by organizing expos/events under Marketing initiatives.

These  schemes  explicitly  promote  cluster  development  to  enhance  quality,  design,  infrastructure,  and market reach of locally handmade products with the aim to empower weavers and artisans across India including  those  in  Sonipat  and  Hisar  Lok  Sabha  constituencies  to  sell  their  products  directly  to consumers.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3726 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Research Project to Improve the Quality and Yield of Custard Apple
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. Manna Lal Rawat, Shri Damodar Agrawal

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3726

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## RESEARCH PROJECT TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND YIELD OF CUSTARD APPLE

3726.  DR. MANNA LAL RAWAT: SHRI DAMODAR AGRAWAL:

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

- (a) whether  the  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  has  approved/proposed  any research project under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) to improve the quality and increase the  yield  of  Custard  Apple  in  the  Aravalli  Mountain  range  falling  under  the  Udaipur  Lok  Sabha Constituency;
- (b) if so, the details of the said proposed/approved projects;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the current status of approval of the said research project; and
- (e) the time by which the said research project is likely to be completed?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि और ककसान कल्याण राज्य मंत्री (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)

- (a) to (e): A research project entitled 'Tribal Empowerment in Rajasthan through Custard Apple Farming' has been prepared by ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru to improve  the  quality  and  increase  the  yield  of  Custard  Apple  in  Rajasthan  with  a  total  financial involvement of Rs. 225.0 Lakh. The project proposal has following four objectives:
- i.  To demonstrate improved varieties of custard apple cv. Arka Sahan for economic upliftment of Tribal beneficiaries of Rajasthan.
- ii. To rejuvenate old and declining orchards of custard apple cv. Balanagar/Arka Sahan.
- iii. To enhance capacity building on processing of custard apple.
- iv. To study the impact of IIHR interventions on socio-economic livelihood of Tribal beneficiaries of Rajasthan.

This Project has been submitted to Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) for funding.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3725 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Curb Caste-indicative Names of Villages/Localities
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Rakesh Rathor

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3725 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.08.2025

## CURB CASTE-INDICATIVE NAMES OF VILLAGES/LOCALITIES

$3725. SHRI RAKESH RATHOR:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that while many places are being renamed in the country, while several settlements, localities, and villages still bear caste-indicative names like 'Tiliana'. Ahirayana', "Pasiyana', 'Dhubiana', 'Guniana', 'Gadariyana', 'Bhurjiyana' etc., which publicly reveal the social identity of the concerned communities, if so, the details thereot;
- (b) whether the Government is sensitive about the social discrimination and mental distress faced by the concerned communities due to these caste-indicative names, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government proposes to carry out any survey/draft/guidelines or formulating any policy to change such caste-indicative place names, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 was enacted to prevent the commission of offences of atrocities against members of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

However, for changing the name of villages, towns etc., which may include places which reveal the social identity of a community, the concerned State Government/ UT administration is required to submit the proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which examines such proposal in consultation with the concerned agencies. Thereafter, if found appropriate, the MHA conveys its no objection to the State Government/ UT administration concerned for issuing required Gazette Notification.

- (c): MHA has issued guidelines for changing names of cities, towns etc. If any proposal is received from any State Government/ UT administration fulfilling these guidelines, it accords its "No Objection" to such change of name.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3715 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Bio-Resource Centres
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Bastipati Nagaraju, Shri Mohibbullah, Shri B K Parthasarathi, Shri Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3715

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## BIO-RESOURCE CENTRES

3715. SHRI MOHIBBULLAH:

SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU:

SHRI BASTIPATI NAGARAJU:

SHRI B K PARTHASARATHI:

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

- (a) whether the Government maintains data regarding the total number of bio-resource centres (BRCs) established in the country;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof,  State  and  district-wise  particularly  for  Uttar  Pradesh  and  Andhra Pradesh;
- (c) whether the government maintains data regarding the total number of BRC entrepreneurs in the country;
- (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof,  State  and  district-wise  particularly  for  Uttar  Pradesh  and  Andhra Pradesh;
- (e) the details of the total number of BRCs assisted by the government, year/State and districtwise particularly for Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh;
- (f)  the  details  regarding  the  amount  of  financial  assistance  sanctioned  and  released  by  the Government to BRCs, State-wise; and
- (g)  the  number  of  training  sessions  organized  by  the  Government  to  encourage  formation  of BRCs, year/State and district-wise particularly for Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Bio-input Resource Centres (BRCs) are need based cluster level enterprise to provide natural farming bio inputs to farmers. National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) has provision for  10,000  BRCs  to  be  set  up  in  State  &  UTs.  Till  07.08.2025,  States  have  reported operationalising 2039 BRCs. District wise details about BRCs are not maintained centrally.
- (b) to (f): State wise BRCs established are as follows.

| S. No.   | State/ UT        |   Number of BRC |
|----------|------------------|-----------------|
| 1.       | Andhra Pradesh   |            1713 |
| 2.       | Assam            |              10 |
| 3.       | Chhattisgarh     |               3 |
| 4.       | Himachal Pradesh |             285 |
| 5.       | Puducherry       |               4 |
| 6.       | Tripura          |               7 |
| 7.       | Uttar Pradesh    |               3 |
| 8.       | Uttarakhand      |              14 |
| Total    | Total            |            2039 |

Data of BRC entrepreneurs is maintained at state level and not centrally. Assistance for BRCs is given from funds released by centre and state for NMNF.

- (g): As reported by State Government of Andhra Pradesh 280 BRCs have been trained till date. As reported by State Government of Uttar Pradesh 11 BRCs have been trained.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3714 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Skill Upgradation of Women
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Dr. Nishikant Dubey, Shri Ramesh Awasthi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3714 ANSWERED ON 12/08/2025

## SKILL UPGRADATION OF WOMEN

## 3714. Shri Ramesh Awasthi:

Dr. Nishikant Dubey:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- whether  the  Ministry  has  formulated  any  scheme  for  skill
- (a) upgradation of women in rural and tribal areas;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the number of women have been trained since the inception of the DDU-GKY?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): Under  the  umbrella  scheme  of  Deendayal  Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), Ministry of Rural  Development  is  implementing  the  following  two  Centrally Sponsored Schemes  namely Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya  Yojana  (DDU-GKY)  &  Rural  Self  Employment  Training Institutes (RSETI) in the field of skill development for rural poor youth for their gainful employment with a view to eradicate poverty in the country. A brief on the Schemes is given as under:
- i.  Deen  Dayal  Upadhyaya  Grameen  Kaushalya  Yojana  (DDU-GKY): DDU-GKY is a placement-linked skill development program for rural poor youth in the age group of 15-35 years. It empowers the rural poor youth  with  employable  skills  and  facilitates  their  participation  in regular labour markets, thus providing them with jobs having regular monthly wages at or above the minimum wages. DDU-GKY guideline provides social inclusion of SC/ST (50%), Women (33%), and PwDs (5%).
- ii.  Rural  Self  Employment  Training  Institutes  (RSETIs):  RSETI  is  a Bank lead  -  Ministry  of  Rural  Development  (MoRD)  funded  training

institutions established by the Sponsoring Banks in their Districts, to provide  training  for  skill  and  entrepreneurship  development.  MoRD extends financial support for the construction of RSETI building and also  bears  the  cost  of  training  the  'rural  poor'  candidates.  Any unemployed youth in the age group of 18-50 years having an aptitude to  take  up  self-employment  or  wage  employment  can  undergo training  at  RSETI.  Some  of  the  trained  candidates  may  also  seek regular salaried jobs / wage employment.

(c): Under  DDU-GKY,  a  total  of  17.51  lakh  candidates  have  been trained, out of which 9.05 lakh women  (51.7%) have been trained, since inception till June 2025.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3712 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Global Promotion of Assam Tea
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Md. Rakibul Hussain

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3712 ANSWERED ON 12/08/2025

GLOBAL PROMOTION OF ASSAM TEA

3712.   MD. RAKIBUL HUSSAIN

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

- (a) whether the Assam tea is renowned worldwide, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the steps taken by the Government to increase Assam tea's international market share and promote its unique qualities globally; and
- (c) the manner by which the concerns about weak marketing strategies and challenges in meeting international quality standards impact the global promotion of Assam tea?

## ANSWER

वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्यमंत्री ( श्री णिणिन प्रसाद )

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

- (a):  Assam  tea  is  internationally  acclaimed  for  its  distinct  flavor,  bright  liquor,  and  strong briskness, making it one of the most sought-after black teas globally. The "Assam Orthodox" tea has been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status, further reinforcing its identity as a premium tea with unique origin-linked attributes.
- (b) & (c): Tea Board regularly promotes Indian tea, including Assam Tea, in both domestic and international markets. Generic promotion of Indian Tea, including Assam Tea, is carried out  by  Tea  Board  through  participation  in  various  domestic  and  international  promotional events, fairs, and exhibitions, branding, tea tasting and tea sampling activities and through various  Indian  Missions  abroad.  In  addition,  Tea  Board  regularly  publishes  the  Plant Protection Code (PPC) and also conducts regular visits & inspections of manufacturing units & warehouses for quality compliance.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3710 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Measures to Safeguard the Domestic Steel Industry
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato, Shri Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar

THE MINISTER OF STEEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3710 FOR ANSWER ON 12.08.2025

## MEASURES TO SAFEGUARD THE DOMESTIC STEEL INDUSTRY

## 3710.  SHRI CHHATRAPAL SINGH GANGWAR: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

(a) the measures taken to ensure fair competition for domestic manufacturers through the recently issued The Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order;

(b) the provisions implemented to ensure the quality of finished steel products in case the intermediate components of the said products do not conform to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS);

(c) the protective measures taken by the Government to safeguard the domestic steel industry and associated jobs from cheap steel dumping through the recently issued clarifying order; and

(d)  the  manner  in  which  the  said  policy  is  likely  to  promote  the  necessary  capital investment and capacity expansion in the steel industry keeping in view the estimated demand of steel in the country till the year 2035?

## ANSWER

(SHRI H.D. KUMARASWAMY)

(a)&(b): The recently  issued  Steel  and  Steel  Products  (Quality  Control)  Order seeks to eliminate consumption of sub-standard steel in the country and ensure fair competition for domestic manufacturers and bring parity of foreign manufacturers and domestic manufacturers.

(c)&(d): The  government  has  taken  several  measures  to  safeguard,  promote capital investment and capacity expansion in the domestic steel industry, such as the following: -

- i. Implementation of Domestically Manufactured Iron & Steel Products (DMI&SP) Policy for promoting 'Made in India' steel for Government procurement.
- ii. Launch of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Specialty Steel to promote the manufacturing of 'Specialty Steel' within the country and reduce imports by attracting capital investments.
- iii. Thrust in the Union Budget to infrastructure expansion.

- iv. Calibration of Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on input materials such as scrap, ferro-nickel, etc.
- v. Imposition  of  Anti-Dumping  Duty  (ADD)  and  Counter-Vailing  Duty  (CVD) based on investigation by DGTR.
- vi. Imposition of a provisional safeguard duty at the rate of 12% (twelve percent) ad valorem for 200 days on imports of certain Non-Alloy and Alloy Steel Flat Products.
- vii. Revamping Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) for monitoring of imports to provide granular details on imports to the domestic steel industry.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3708 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Small Livestock Institute in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan, Dr. Ganapathy Rajkumar P

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

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3708

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## SMALL LIVESTOCK INSTITUTE IN TAMIL NADU

3708.   THIRU THANGA TAMILSELVAN: DR. GANAPATHY RAJKUMAR P:

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

## मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री

be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the Union Government has any proposal to set up a "Small Livestock Institute" in Lok Sabha Constituencies Theni and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu a Sub-Mission on Breed Development of Livestock  and  Poultry  under  the  National  Livestock  Mission  to  focuses  on  entrepreneurship development and breed improvement in poultry, sheep, goat, and cattle etc.;

and

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

## ANSWER

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

(a)  Union  Government  has  no  proposal  to  set  up  a  "Small  Livestock  Institute"  in  Lok  Sabha Constituencies Theni and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu under Sub-Mission on Breed Development of Livestock and Poultry under the National Livestock Mission (NLM).

- (b) In view of above, question does not arise.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3702 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Special Accredited Institutions for Education of the Divyangjans
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Bhojraj Nag, Shri Chavda Vinod Lakhamshi, Dr. Rajesh Mishra, Shri Manoj Tiwari, Shri Kanwar Singh Tanwar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (DIVYANGJAN)

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No- 3702 TO BE ANSWERED ON- 12/08/2025

## Special Accredited Institutions for Education of the Divyangjans

3702.   Shri ChavdaVinod Lakhamshi:

Shri Bhojraj Nag:

Shri ManojTiwari:

Dr. Rajesh Mishra:

Shri Kanwar Singh Tanwar:

Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  manner  in  which  Special  Accredited  Institutions  for  Education  of  the  Divyangjans (SAIEDs) set up by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) are likely to expand educational opportunities for divyangjans;
- (b)  the  specific  measures  proposed  to  be  implemented  by  the  National  Institute  of  Open Schooling  (NIOS)  to  ensure  necessary  accommodations  and  concessions  for  divyang students;
- (c) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government under 'Project Inclusion'; and
- (d)  the  details  of  the  efforts  made  to  provide  quality  education  to  divyangs  in  Sidhi Parliamentary Constituency ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

(SHRI B. L. VERMA)

- (a)  National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) has entered in a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding  (MoU)  with  Department  of  Empowerment  of  Persons  with  Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India & National Council of  Educational  Research  and  Training  (NCERT)  on  18.06.2025  for  accrediting  NGOs/ Special  Schools proposed  by  the  DEPwD,  under  the  Deendaya  lDivyangjan  Rehabilitation Scheme  (DDRS) as  'Special  Accredited  Institutions  for  Education  of  the  Divyangjans (SAIEDs)'. The MoU provide broad access to education of Divyangjan through the network of NGOs working under DDR Scheme assisted by academic and technical support from the NIOS.
- (b) NIOS offers education through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Mode and hence do not provide accommodation to the learners. However, Divyang Learners enrolled with NIOS are given concessions in online admission fee.
- (c) The Government through Project Inclusion,strengthen the inclusive education ecosystem as per the  RPwD  Act,  2016  by  empowering  teachers, especially General teachers,

professionals  and  other  stakeholders  through  training  and  sensitization  through  the  Project Inclusion App by Sri Aurobindo Society. (d)  The Government, through the provisions laid down in Sections 16 and 17 of the Rights of Persons  with  Disabilities  (RPwD)  Act,  2016  outlines  measures  to  facilitate  inclusive education  for  children  with  disabilities.  These  provisions  are  applicable  across  all  regions, including the Sidhi Parliamentary Constituency.

*****