opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2629 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-19
Subject: Imparting Education in Braille
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Vijay Kumar

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

## LOK SABHA

2629. SHRI VIJAY KUMAR:

## IMPARTING EDUCATION IN BRAILLE

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

(a) whether the Government proposes to open new schools in order to impart education in Braille script for the visually impaired Divyang children;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the time by which same will be done; and

(c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) No, Sir. However, Section 31(1) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 provides  free  education  to  children  with  benchmark  disabilities  between  the  age  of  six  to eighteen years and shall have the right to free education in a neighborhood school, or in a special school of his choice.

National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD), Dehradun  is  running  a  residential  Model  School  for  the  Visually  Handicapped  (MSVH) imparting school education to children with visual impairment from preschool to class XII, in which the education is imparted in Braille.

National  Institute  for  Empowerment  of  Persons  with  Multiple  Disabilities  (NIEPMD), Chennai  is  running  Model  School  wherein  it  has  Deaf  Blind  class  providing  Braille  script  to learn and impart education.

****

Unstarred Question No.2629 To be answered on 19.12.2023
Lok Sabha Question No. 2628 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-19
Subject: Initiatives for Farmers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Badruddin Ajmal

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2628

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## INITIATIVES FOR FARMERS

2628.  SHRI M. BADRUDDIN AJMAL:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  initiatives  to  fulfil  the  demands  put  by protesting farmers as per the promise made by the Government;
- (b) if so, the details of the steps taken/being taken in coming days; and
- (c) the details of the funds allocated for execution of the steps?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी (SHRI ARJUN MUNDA)

(a) to (c): The  Farm  Laws,  namely  -  (i)  the  Farmers  (Empowerment  and  Protection) Agreement  on  Price  Assurance  and  Farm  Services  Act,  2020;  (ii)  the  Farmers'  Produce Trade  and  Commerce  (Promotion  and  Facilitation)  Act,  2020;  and  (iii)  the  Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 were repealed vide the Farm Laws Repeal Act, 2021 (No. 40 of 2021) vide notification dated 30 th  November, 2021.

The  Government  of  India  announces  Minimum  Support  Prices  (MSP)  for  22 mandated  agricultural crops based on recommendations  from the Commission  for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). The CACP takes into account various factors when suggesting MSP, including overall demand-supply conditions, cost of production, domestic and international prices, inter-crop price parity, terms of trade between agricultural and nonagricultural sectors, and the potential impact on the economy. Ensuring rational utilization of land, water, and production resources is also a key consideration.

In the Budget for 2018-19, the Government made a decision to maintain MSP at a level  of  one  and  a  half  times  the  cost  of  production  as  a  predetermined  principle. Consequently, MSPs for all mandated Kharif, Rabi, and other commercial crops have been set  with  a  margin  of  at  least  50  per  cent  over  the  all  India  weighted  average  cost  of production  since  2018-19.  The  Government  has  formed  MSP  Committee  in  July,  2022 which  consists  of  representatives  of  farmers,  Central  Government,  State  Governments, Agricultural Economists & Scientists, etc.

The  committee  is  to  make  suggestions  so  as  to  make  MSP  more  effective  and transparent;  to  promote  natural  farming,  to  change  crop  pattern  keeping  in  mind  the changing needs of the country. The meetings of the committee are being held on regular basis to deliberate on the subject matter assigned to it. So far, 35 rounds of meetings have taken place.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2623 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-19
Subject: New Regulatory Framework
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Gautham Sigamani Pon

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2623

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 19-12-2023)

## NEW REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

## 2623. DR. PON GAUTHAM SIGAMANI

- Will  the  Minister  of  INFORMATION  AND  BROADCASTING  be  pleased  to state: (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  Government  is  considering  to  bring  in  a  new  regulatory framework in keeping with the technological advancement in the broadcasting services; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c)  whether  it  is  also  true  that  the  Government  has  sought  feedback  and  comments  from stakeholders in this regard; (d)  whether  the  aim  of  the  Government  is  to  modernise  broadcasting  sector  regulatory
- frameworks replacing acts, rules and guidelines with a unified future focused approach; and (e) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a)  to  (e):  Ministry  has  prepared  the  draft  Broadcasting  Services  (Regulation)  Bill,  2023, which seeks to replace the existing Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995. The Bill streamlines regulatory processes, introduces contemporary definitions and provisions for emerging  technologies  and  seeks  to  strengthen  the  self-regulatory  regime  for  content regulation; etc.Ministry has also invited feedback and comments from stakeholders, including domain experts and the general public by placing the draft Bill on its Website on 10.11.2023. The extended deadline for furnishing comments is 15.01.2024.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2615 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-19
Subject: Survey on Beneficiaries under PMAY-G
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Hasmukhbhai Somabhai Patel, Ratansinh Magansinh Rathod

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

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2615 ANSWERED ON 19/12/2023

## SURVEY ON BENEFICIARIES UNDER PMAY-G

## 2615. SHRI PATEL HASMUKHBHAI SOMABHAI: SHRI RATANSINH MAGANSINH RATHOD:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the survey on the remaining beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G) has been conducted by the Government;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the step taken by the Government for the remaining beneficiaries of PMAY-G?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a)  to  (c)  In  order  to  achieve  the  target  of  'Housing  for  All'  in  rural areas,  the  Ministry  of  Rural  Development  is  implementing  Pradhan Mantri  Awaas  Yojana-  Gramin  (PMAY-G)  with  effect  from  1st  April, 2016 to construct 2.95 crore houses by providing assistance to eligible rural households with basic amenities by March, 2024. The identification of beneficiaries under PMAY-G is based on the housing deprivation parameters and exclusion criteria prescribed under Socio Economic  Caste  Census  (SECC)-2011  and  due  verification  by  the respective  Gram  Sabhas  and  completion  of  an  Appellate  Process. These  parameters/criteria  was  applied  on  SECC  2011  database  to identify eligibility of beneficiary under PMAY-G.

Further,  the  Government  conducted  Awaas+  survey  during  January 2018 to March 2019 to identify those beneficiaries which claimed to have been left out under the SECC 2011 survey and thus prepared an additional  list  of  potentially  eligible  beneficiaries.  During  Awaas+ survey,  a  total  of  3.90  crore  potentially  eligible  households  were registered by the States/UTs and after remanding/verification by Gram Sabhas,  a  total  of  2.79  crore  were  found  potentially  eligible  by  the States/UTs. Of the overall mandate of 2.95 crore households, 2.04 crore beneficiary  households  have  been  identified  from  SECC  2011  survey database and to fill the gap of 91 lakh households (2.95-2.04), Awaas+ survey  database  is  being  utilized  after  following  due  verification process by Gram Sabhas and Appellate Process thereafter. As of  now  under PMAY-G out of  the  overall  mandated  target  of  2.95 crore  houses allocated  to  States/UTs,  more  than  2.94  crore  houses have already been sanctioned to the beneficiaries and over 2.51 crore houses have already been completed as on 14.12.2023 At present there is no proposal under consideration of the Ministry for starting the next phase of PMAY-G beyond March, 2024.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2613 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-19
Subject: Digital Advertisement Policy
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Manish Tewari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2613 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.12.2023)

## 'DIGITAL ADVERTISEMENT POLICY'

## 2613. SHRI MANISH TEWARI:

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

- a) the details of the Digital Advertisement Policy of the Government;
- b) whether the Ministry has conducted any evaluation regarding the efficacy, reach  and impact of Digital Advertisements and if so, the details thereof;
- c) whether the Ministries/ Departments of the Government have any discretion concerning the  platforms  on  which  advertisements  shall  be  placed  or  will  the  Central  Bureau  of Communications (CBC) have control over these choices;
- d) if so, the details thereof;
- e) whether  the  Ministries/  Departments  concerned  have  any  discretion  on  the  shows/ programmes they wish to advertise or not advertise on the Over-the-Top (OTT)/ Audio/ Video on Demand Platform and if so, the details thereof;
- f) the manner  in which any possible disputes between the  CBC  and  the  OTT/ Audio/Video on Demand Platform will be resolved; and
- g) whether  the  Ministry  is  considering  creating  any  rules  to  facilitate  an  easy  dispute resolution mechanism and if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to  (g):  The  Central  Bureau  of  Communication  (CBC)  under  the  Ministry  of Information and Broadcasting undertakes awareness campaigns for dissemination of information about schemes, policies and programmes of Government of India as per the nature of messaging, target audience, availability of budget, etc. indicated by the client Ministries/ Departments of Government of India.

In order to enhance the reach of such campaigns and leverage digital advertisement platform's capabilities, the Government has approved a Digital Advertisement Policy, 2023  which  inter-alia provides  for  empanelment,  etc.  of various digital  media platforms such as OTT platforms, podcasts, internet websites and mobile applications, etc. for release for awareness/ publicity campaigns on these platforms.

The policy also provides for mechanism of resolution of any possible dispute between CBC and a digital media platform. The policy is available on the website of CBC i.e. www.davp.nic.in.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2608 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-19
Subject: Complaints under Section 27 of MGNREGA
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: A.K.P. Chinraj

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2608 ANSWERED ON 19/12/2023

## COMPLAINTS UNDER SECTION 27 OF MGNREGA

2608. SHRI A.K.P. CHINRAJ:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry has received any complaint under Section 27 of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) against the Government of West Bengal from 2014 to till date and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) the details of directions issued by the Union Government to the Government of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu under Section 27 of the said Act?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a)  & (b):     Funds under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee  Scheme  (Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGS)  to  the  State  of  West Bengal  have  been  stopped  since  09 th   March,  2022  as  per  provisions under  section  27  of  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment Guarantee  Act,  2005  due  to  non-compliance  of  directives  of  Central Government.

No direction  have  been  issued  under  section  27  of  Mahatma  Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 to the State of Tamil Nadu.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2600 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-19
Subject: NSAP in Kerala
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Kumbakudi Sudhakaran

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2600 ANSWERED ON 19/12/2023

## NSAP IN KERALA

## 2600. SHRI KUMBAKUDI SUDHAKARAN:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the total funds allocated for Kerala under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for the financial year 2021-22, including a breakdown of the allocation for each specific component such as Old Age Pension, Widow Pension, Disability Pension etc.; and
- (b) the fund allocation and actual amount released to the State of Kerala under NSAP during the fiscal years 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24, specifying the disbursement for each component?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a)  to  (b)  Funds  under National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) schemes are released to States/UTs on the basis of (i) submission of proposal, complete  in all respect, as per NSAP  Guidelines; (ii) compliance  of revised procedure  for release of funds issued by Ministry of Finance, from time to time; and (iii) submission of requisite undertakings signed by the Competent Authority of the State/UT, etc. Non-compliance  of  these  norms  by  any  State/UT  may  lead  to  nonrelease of funds to that State/UT. In the case of Kerala, no funds could be released during FY 2021-22 and 2022-23 due to non-compliance of the  requisite  norms.  However,  funds  amounting  to  Rs.60,213.92  lakh has been released to the State during current financial year, including pending liability of previous years.

Details of funds allocated for the State of Kerala and funds released to the State under pensions schemes of NSAP i.e. Indira Gandhi National Old  Age  Pension  Scheme  (IGNOAPS),  Indira  Gandhi  National  Widow Pension  Scheme  (IGNWPS)  and  Indira  Gandhi  National  Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS), during financial year 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 (as on 13.12.2023) are as under:

(Fig. in lakh rupees)

| Year                         | IGNOAPS           | IGNOAPS           | IGNWPS            | IGNWPS            | IGNDPS            | IGNDPS            |
|------------------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
|                              | AllocationRelease | AllocationRelease | AllocationRelease | AllocationRelease | AllocationRelease | AllocationRelease |
| 2021-2022                    | 14329.60          | 0.00              | 7758.47           | 0.00              | 1109.99           | 0.00              |
| 2022-2023                    | 14836.40          | 0.00              | 7758.47           | 0.00              | 1109.99           | 0.00              |
| 2023-2024 (as on 13.12.2023) | 13691.96          | 36666.45          | 9859.85           | 20429.58          | 2180.88           | 3117.89           |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2592 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-19
Subject: Pensioners under National Social Assistance Programme
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Arjunlal Meena

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2592 ANSWERED ON 19/12/2023

## PENSIONERS UNDER NATIONAL SOCIAL ASSISTANCE

## PROGRAMME

## 2592. SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to increase the number of pensioners in the State in the Indira Gandhi National Pension Schemes under National Social Assistance Programme;
- (b) if so, the time by which it will be increased;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to increase the amount of Central contribution determined according to age group of National Pension Schemes; and
- (d) if so, the time by which it will be increased and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a)  to  (d):   No,  Sir.  While  considering  the  continuation  of  National Social  Assistance  Programme  (NSAP)  schemes  for  the  15th  Finance Commission cycle (2021-26), the revision in beneficiary coverage and rate of assistance under the schemes  was  considered by the Government. However, considering the available financial space, the Government  has  approved  continuation  of  NSAP  schemes  in  its present form. Therefore, no proposal for revision in beneficiary coverage  or  rate  of  assistance  under  pension  schemes  of  NSAP  is under consideration at present.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2589 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-19
Subject: District Agriculture Contingency Plan
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Dileshwar Kamait

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2589

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 th  December, 2023

## DISTRICT AGRICULTURE CONTINGENCY PLAN

## 2589.   SHRI DILESHWAR KAMAIT:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the Food Policy Research Institute's Global Food Policy Report, 2022 which has warned that climate change may push 90 million Indians towards hunger by 2030;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  the  mechanisms  and  scientific  interventions  planned  to  be adopted by the Government to tackle the issue;
- (c)  whether  the  District  Agriculture  Contingency  Plan  (DACP)  formulated  for  650 districts  to  mitigate  the  impact  of  weather-related  challenges  is  introduced  in  the country, especially in the State of Bihar; and
- (d) if so, the details of the districts where it has been introduced and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to (b): As per the Global Food Policy Report 2022 of the  International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington DC, climate change will slow progress towards hunger reduction in India. The Government under network project on National Innovations  in  Climate  Resilient  Agriculture  (NICRA)  has  planned  to  develop  and promote climate resilient agriculture to address vulnerable areas of the country and help the districts and regions to cope up with extreme weather conditions like droughts, floods,  frost,  heat  waves,  etc.  It  has  three  components viz. strategic  research, technology  demonstration  and  capacity  building.  The  main  thrust  areas  include  (i) identification of the most vulnerable districts/regions, (ii) development of crop varieties and  management  practices  for  adaptation  and  mitigation  and  (iii)  assessment  of climate change impacts on livestock, fisheries and poultry vis-a-vis identification of adaptation strategies.

(c) to (d): Yes, Sir. The District Agriculture Contingency Plans for all the districts of Bihar have been prepared and available at https://agricoop.gov.in/en/AgricultureContigencyPlan/Bihar

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2587 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-19
Subject: Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Sudheer Gupta, Sambhajirao Mane Dhairyasheel, Prataprao  Jadhav, Shrirang Appa Barne, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2587

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.12.2023)

## 'VIKSIT BHARAT SANKALP YATRA'

## 2587.  SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI SANJAY SADASHIVRAO MANDLIK:

- Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state: (a) whether  the  Government  has  started  Viksit  Bharat  Sankalp  Yatra  (VBSY)  campaign recently; (b) if so, the details thereof and the salient features and highlights of the said VBSY; (c) the details of the aims and objectives of conducting VBSY in the country; (d) the details of the names of the places from where this campaign has been started initially and the duration of the said campaign, district-wise; (e) the total amount of expenditure incurred and likely to be incurred on such VBSY; and the  details  of  the  programmes  organized  and  likely  to  be  organized  during  the  said
- (f) campaign?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (f):  The  Government  of  India,  with  participation  of  States  and  Union  Territories,  is actively engaged in the mission of saturation through its flagship schemes for providing basic amenities  like  sanitation  facilities,  essential  financial  services,  access  to  LPG  connections, housing for the poor, food security, proper nutrition, reliable healthcare, clean drinking water, quality  education  etc.  and  making  required  services  accessible  to  all  targeted  and  eligible beneficiaries.  Another  step  in  this  direction  would  be  to  ensure  awareness  of  benefits  and various facilities available to citizens so as to facilitate the last mile delivery. With this aim, a nationwide campaign for saturation through creating awareness and enrolment of beneficiaries named 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra', has started on 15.11.2023 and has covered 65,399 Gram panchayats as on 15.12.2023.

This awareness outreach campaign is being undertaken through budget available with different Ministries/ Departments  for  creating  awareness  about  the  schemes/  programmes  by  the concerned Ministries/ Departments.

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