opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 400 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-04
Subject: Samarth Scheme
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Selvam G

## 400. SHRI SELVAM G:

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

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  extended  Samarth  Scheme  for  another  two  years,  if  so,  the  details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(b) the details of the number of beneficiaries trained under the Samarth Scheme since its inception along with the placement rates and employment outcomes;

(c)  whether  Samarth  Scheme  has  contributed  to  the  growth  of  the  textile  industry  in  terms  of employment generation, exports and domestic production and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the manner in which the scheme has impacted the livelihoods of beneficiaries particularly those from marginalized communities or rural areas;

(e) whether curriculum offered under the Samarth Scheme align with latest technological advancements and emerging trends in the textile industry and if so, the details thereof; and

(f)  whether  there  are  any  specific  skill  gaps  that  the  scheme  is  prioritizing  to  address  such  as  digital skills, sustainable manufacturing practices or design innovation 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 Samarth Scheme has been extended for FY 2024-25 to FY 2025-26 to train 3 lakh persons, owing to completion of previously allocated targets.

(b) & (c): The  Samarth  scheme  is  aimed  to  provide  demand  driven,  placement  oriented  National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) compliant skilling programmes to incentivize and supplement the efforts of the industry in creating jobs in the organized textile and related sectors, covering the entire value chain of textiles, excluding Spinning and Weaving. Till 29.01.2025, 3.56 lakh beneficiaries have been successfully trained (pass), of these 2.85 lakh (80%) beneficiaries have been placed.

(d): Samarth scheme is implemented on demand driven basis across the country and preference is given to marginalized social groups such as SC, ST etc. in the training programme under the scheme. As on 29.01.2025,  a  total  of  around  1.41  lakh  beneficiaries  from  SC/ST  groups  have  been  trained  (pass) amounting to 40% of total trained (pass) beneficiaries under the Scheme.

(e) & (f): Samarth  scheme  is  broadly  aligned  with  policy  framework  for  skill  development  viz. Common  Norms,  National  Skills  Qualifications  Framework  (NSQF)  adopted  by  Ministry  of  Skill Development  &  Entrepreneurship  (MSDE)  for  standardization  of  course  curriculum  and  industry validation.  Currently,  courses  offered  under  Samarth  range  from  traditional  sector  courses  to  advance level  courses  such  as  Industrial  Engineer  (IE)  Executive,  Advance  Pattern  Maker  (CAD/CAM), Technical Textiles and Sustainability etc., for the Implementing Partners (IPs) to opt from.

## SAMARTH SCHEME
Lok Sabha Question No. 399 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-04
Subject: Status of PM KISAN in Kerala
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Adv Dean Kuriakose

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 399

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04 TH  FEBRUARY, 2025

## STATUS OF PM KISAN IN KERALA

399. Adv Dean Kuriakose: Will the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

(a) the total number of beneficiaries for PM KISAN during the last three years in Kerala State;

(b) the total funds sanctioned for the same during the said period in the State;

(c) whether the Government plans to increase the amount sanctioned for individual beneficiaries under the scheme; and

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

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) The PM-KISAN scheme is a central sector scheme launched in February 2019 by the Hon'ble Prime Minister to supplement the financial needs of land-holding farmers. Under the scheme, a financial benefit of Rs 6,000/- per year is transferred in three equal instalments, into the Aadhaar seeded bank accounts of farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.

A farmer-centric digital infrastructure has ensured the benefits of the scheme reach  all  the  farmers  across  the  country  without  involvement  of  any  middlemen. Maintaining  absolute  transparency  in  registering  and  verifying  beneficiaries,  the Government of India has disbursed over Rs 3.46 lakh Cr. in 18 installments since inception.

The instalment-wise details of the beneficiaries benefited in Kerala and amount released to them during last three years is as follows:

|   S. No. | Installment period       | No. of Beneficiaries   |   Amount (In Rs. Crore) |
|----------|--------------------------|------------------------|-------------------------|
|        1 | April, 2021- July, 2021  | 33,57,695              |                  694.42 |
|        2 | August, 2021- Nov, 2021  | 34,82,013              |                  739.32 |
|        3 | Dec., 2021- March, 2022  | 35,45,255              |                  752.43 |
|        4 | April, 2022 - July, 2022 | 34,62,020              |                  707.35 |
|        5 | August, 2022 - Nov, 2022 | 20,01,853              |                  406.79 |
|        6 | Dec, 2022 - March, 2023  | 21,29,986              |                  485.22 |
|        7 | April, 2023 - July, 2023 | 23,41,004              |                  554.16 |
|        8 | August, 2023 - Nov, 2023 | 23,50,849              |                  662.25 |
|        9 | Dec., 2023 - March, 2024 | 26,48,060              |                  689.25 |
|       10 | April, 2024 - July, 2024 | 27,57,440              |                  637.26 |
|       11 | August, 2024 - Nov, 2024 | 28,15,211              |                  597.94 |

(c) & (d) At present, there is no proposal under consideration.
Lok Sabha Question No. 396 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-04
Subject: Green Steel Manufacturing
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri P C Mohan, Shri Mahesh Kashyap, Shri Anup Sanjay Dhotre, Dr. Bhola Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 396 FOR ANSWER ON 04.02.2025

## GREEN STEEL MANUFACTURING

396.   SHRI ANUP SANJAY DHOTRE:

SHRI P C MOHAN:

DR. BHOLA SINGH:

SHRI MAHESH KASHYAP:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of steel manufacturers and step taken to adopt green steel production in the country;
- (b) whether any specific policy measures has the government introduced to incentivize the  adoption  of  green  steel  manufacturing  in  the  country  and  if  not,  the  reasons therefor;
- (c)  the  details  of  financial  support  or  funding  mechanisms  are  available  for  steel manufacturers looking to transition to green steel production;
- (d)  whether  there  is  any  specific  partnerships  or  collaborations  to  accelerate  the adoption  of  green  steel  technologies,  if  so,  the  details  of  Nagarnar  Plant  in Chhattisgarh;
- (e)  the  financial  assistance  provided  to  steel  manufacturers  adopting  eco-friendly production technologies;
- (f)  whether  the  Ministry  has  signed  any  Memorandum  of  Understandings  or international  collaborations  to  accelerate  green  steel  technology  adoption  in  the country; and
- (g) the estimated impact of green steel initiatives on reducing India's carbon emissions and meeting net-zero targets?

## ANSWER

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

(a)to(c)&(e):  During  2023-24,  there  were  1008  crude  steel  manufacturers  in  the country. The steps and policies adopted by Government to encourage steel industry for green transition of the sector 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.

Contd…

- iii. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has formulated National Green Hydrogen Mission for green hydrogen production and usage.
- 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.

(d) NMDC's  Nagarnar Plant in Chhattisgarh has not made  any specific partnerships or collaborations to accelerate the adoption of green steel technologies.

(f) Ministry of Steel has not signed any Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) for green steel adoption. However, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has signed MoUs to promote low carbon steel production.

(g) Hon'ble Prime Minister has announced in COP26 Summit in Glasgow that India will achieve the target of net zero by 2070. Ministry of Steel is taking all steps to reduce carbon emission in alignment with this statement.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 392 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-04
Subject: Irregularities in MGNREGS
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Sher Singh Ghubaya, Shri Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 392

## ANSWERED ON 04/02/2025

## IRREGULARITIES IN MGNREGS

392.  SHRI SHER SINGH GHUBAYA: SHRI SUKHJINDER SINGH RANDHAWA:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENTbe pleased to state:

- (a)   whether  any  complaints  have  been  received  in  September, 2024 regarding some irregularities in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Scheme  (MGNREGS)  works  in Gurdaspur, Punjab, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)   whether the Government has sent any enquiry team, if so, the details  of  shortcommings  found by  the  enquiry  team  there,  if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c)
- the  details  of  funds  released  to  Punjab  during  the  last  three years under MGNREGS?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): A complaint dated 10th September 2024 was received from Hon'ble Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), regarding alleged  irregularities  in  the  implementation  of  Mahatma  Gandhi National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Scheme  (Mahatma  Gandhi NREGS)  in  the  Dera  Baba  Nanak  and  Kalanaur  Tehsils  of  district Gurdaspur, Punjab. The complaint referred to the misuse of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS funds and violation of scheme guidelines in some panchayats of the two Tehsils. It has been decided to send a Central Enquiry team to Gurdaspur district for further enquiry.

(c): Mahatma Gandhi National Rural  Employment  Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS) is a demand-driven wage

employment  Scheme.  Details  of  funds  released  to  the  State  of Punjab  under  Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGS  in  the  last  three  financial years from 2021-22 to 2023-24 are given below:

| Financial Years                                             |   2021-22 |   2022-23 |   2023-24 |
|-------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Central fund released to the State of Punjab (Rs. in crore) |   1257.59 |   1182.13 |   1166.55 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 391 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-04
Subject: Artificial Intelligence for Farming
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Ms. Mahua Moitra

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 391 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 4 TH  FEBRUARY, 2025

## ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR FARMING

## 391. Ms Mahua Moitra:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has considered using and piloting artificial intelligence for improving farming outcomes; (b) if so, the details thereof and the concrete action taken in this regard; and

- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- i. 'Kisan e-Mitra', an AI-powered chatbot, has been developed to assist farmers with responses to the queries about the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. This solution supports multiple languages and is evolving to assist with other government programs.
- ii. National  Pest  Surveillance  System,  for  tackling  the  loss  of  produce  due  to climate change, utilizes AI and Machine Learning to detect pest infestation in crop issues, enabling timely intervention for healthier crops.
- iii. AI based analytics using field photographs for crop health assessment and crop health  monitoring  using  Satellite,  weather  &  soil  moisture  datasets  for  rice  and wheat crop.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 382 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-04
Subject: R&S Projects
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 382 FOR ANSWER ON 04.02.2025

## R&D PROJECTS

## 382.   SHRI SUKANTA KUMAR PANIGRAHI:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  R&D  projects  undertaken  by  the  Ministry  of  Steel  to  promote innovation and technological advancement in the sector and the funds allocated and utilized for these R&D projects during the last three years; (b) whether the Government has initiated any schemes or policies to support startups in the steel sector; (c) if so, the details of the schemes, including financial and technological assistance provided to startups; (d) whether the Ministry is taking any steps to collaborate with academic and research institutions like IITs and NITs for developing advanced steel technologies; and (e) if so, the details thereof and the expected impact of such collaborations on the
- domestic incomplete matter?

## ANSWER

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

(a),(d)&(e): Ministry of Steel is providing financial assistance to the stakeholders viz. steel  industry,  CSIR  laboratories  &  academic  institutions  like  IITs,  for  carrying  out research in the iron & steel sector, under the scheme viz. 'Promotion of Research & Development in Iron &  Steel  Sector'.  In  case  of  Academic  Institutions  &  National/ Regional  Research  Laboratories,  financial  assistance  of  upto  70%  is  permissible. Preference is given to collaborative research with R&D project having tie-up with user industry.  The  thrust  areas  covered  under  the  scheme  include  research  to  develop innovative processes & technologies to address common issues faced by the steel sector such as utilisation of  wastes,  improving efficiency  &  productivities,  reducing energy consumption & reducing emissions etc. This initiative is expected to promote improvement in the efficiency, productivity of the steel sector and also to address the climate change by reduction in energy consumption & GHG emission.

Contd….

The details of the fund allocated and fund utilized in R&D projects approved & funded under the scheme by Ministry of Steel during the last three years (FY2021-22, FY2022-23 & FY2023-24) are given below: -

|                       |   FY 2021-22 (in Rs crore) |   FY 2022-23 (in Rs crore) |   FY 2023-24 (in Rs crore) |
|-----------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------|
| Budget Allocated (RE) |                       4.81 |                       4.49 |                       5    |
| Fund Utilised         |                       4.81 |                       4.49 |                       2.94 |

(b)&(c): Ministry of Steel does not have any schemes to support startups.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 381 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-04
Subject: HMT Tractor Division, Pinjore
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Varun Chaudhry

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 381

ANSWERED ON 04.02.2025

## HMT TRACTOR DIVISION, PINJORE

## 381. SHRI VARUN CHAUDHRY:

Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the Government is aware of the financial challenges faced by the HMT Tractor Division  in  Pinjore,  which  eventually  led  to  its  closure  and  delays  in  salary  payments  to employees;

(b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to address the financial and operational restructuring of HMT Pinjore prior to its closure;

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  considered  options  such  as  public-private  partnerships  or repurposing the unit into a skill development centre for local youth, and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the measures undertaken by the Government to ensure the disbursement of statutory dues, pension arrears, and pending salaries to the former employees of the HMT Tractor Division; and

(e) whether the Government has proposed any financial assistance or rehabilitation schemes for employees affected by the closure, and if so, the timeline for their implementation?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES (SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA)

(a) & (b): Government  of  India  was  aware  of  financial  challenges  faced  by  the  HMT Tractor Division, Pinjore and considering that Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA) in its meeting dated 27.10.2016 approved the closure of operations of HMT Tractor Division. Prior to its closure, a Revival Plan was approved for HMT Limited in 2013 with measures to reenergize the Tractor Division with fiscal support for working capital, technology upgradation and plant modernization, however, this had not helped in arresting the decline in performance.

- (c): No.

(d) & (e): While  approving  the  closure  of  the  Tractor  Division,  CCEA  had inter  alia approved the Budgetary Support for payment of outstanding salary/wages and other statutory dues, with offer of attractive and improved VRS/VSS package to allow ex-gratia and terminal benefits to all the employees of Tractor Division based on 2007 notional pay scales, in relaxation of Government of India, Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) guidelines disallowing pay revision of sick / loss-making CPSEs, as against the then applicable pay scales of 1997.  Funds amounting to Rs. 718.72 Crore for the said VRS/VSS with ex-gratia and terminal benefits based on 2007 notional pay scales for all employees of the Tractor Division were provided as interest free  loan.  In  pursuance  of  the  above  budgetary  support  provided  by  the  Government,  the payments due were made by HMT Ltd.  to all the employees of HMT Tractor Division.  Hence, there are no pending statutory dues, pension arrears and pending salaries to former employees of HMT Tractor Division except the case(s) under litigation.

***********
Lok Sabha Question No. 379 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-04
Subject: Progress on First Industrial Node in Bihar
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 379. TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, THE 04 TH  FEBURARY, 2025.

## PROGRESS ON FIRST INDUSTRIAL NODE IN BIHAR

## 379. SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) the details of progress made on the first industrial node being developed under industrial corridors in Bihar;
- (b) the financial allocation made by the Government for the development of this node, along with the details of funds sanctioned and utilized so far;
- (c) whether there are any delays in the completion of the project, and if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the expected employment potential and economic benefits anticipated from the development of this node for the State of Bihar?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री णिणिन प्रसाद ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

- (a) to (d): The Integrated Manufacturing Cluster (IMC) at Gaya in state of Bihar has been approved  for  development  by  the  Cabinet  Committee  on  Economic  Affairs (CCEA), Government of India in August 2024 as part of the Amritsar Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC).

The development of IMC Gaya has been approved for a total project cost of Rs. 1,339 crore. Government of India's contribution has been approved for Rs. 462 Crore as equity and Rs. 345 crore towards debt.

The  project  is  expected  to  create  approximately  1  lakh  jobs  and  bring  in investment potential of about INR 16,500 crore, as per the approved Detailed Project Report.

For the implementation of the project, State Support Agreement (SSA) between Government of Bihar, BIADA, & National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT), and Shareholder Agreement (SHA) between BIADA and NICDIT has been executed. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) Bihar  Integrated  Manufacturing  City  Gaya  Limited  (BIMCGL)  has  also  been formed. There are no delays in the project, and pre-construction activities have been taken up.

********

be pleased to state:
Lok Sabha Question No. 378 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-04
Subject: National Institute of Locomotor Disabilities
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Jagannath Sarkar

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

## LOK  SABHA

*****

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-378

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 04/02/2025

## NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF LOCOMOTOR DISABILITIES

## 378. SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Ministry  withholding  approval  for  the  construction  of  a  new  state-of-the-art building  (Basement  +  Ground  +  6  floors)  for  National  Institute  for  Locomotor  Disabilities (NILD); Kolkata, and if so, the reasons for the delay;
- (b)  whether  the  Ministry  is  aware  of  the  outdated  and  flood-prone  infrastructure  at  NILD, Kolkata,  and  the  hardships  it  causes  to  staff  and  patients  and  if  so,  the  steps  being  taken  to address this issue;
- (c) whether the Ministry has considered allocating funds for the procurement of an MRI machine for  NILD,  Kolkata,  to  enhance  its  diagnostic  and  treatment  capabilities  for  individuals  with locomotor disabilities and if so, the estimated timeline for its procurement and installation; and
- (d) whether the Ministry intends to restore the Institute's original name as 'Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee  National  Institute  for  Locomotor  Disabilities'  pending  for  over  20  years,  and  the current status and the steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF  STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

(SHRI  B.L. VERMA)

- (a) No. The proposal for the construction of a new building at National Institutes and Composite Regional  Centres  is  processed  as  per  the  prescribed  procedures  and  in  accordance  with  the guidelines of the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, on the appraisal and approval of public-funded schemes/projects.
- (b) The Department is cognizant of the infrastructural challenges at NILD. Proposals received from the institute for addressing these challenges are carefully considered, and immediate actions are taken to resolve any serious concerns brought to attention.
- (c) No duly approved proposal, in this regard, has been received from the institute.
- (d) This issue is under examination.