opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2786 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-12
Subject: Contribution of MSMEs in Exports
Ministry: MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: Shri Tharaniventhan M S

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION No. 2786 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2024

## CONTRIBUTION OF MSMEs IN EXPORTS

2786.   SHRI THARANIVENTHAN M S:

Will the Minister of  MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Government has the details of the percentage of contribution of MSMEs in Tamil Nadu in the country's total exports during the last five years; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

- (a) & (b): As  on  30.11.2024,  the  year  wise  number  of  Micro,  Small  and  Medium  Enterprises registered on Udyam Registration Portal is 3.13 crore. Which are exporting enterprises and the value of their exports in all India and Tamil Nadu state respectively is given below:

Financial Year Wise Total Exporting MSMEs and Respective Export Values (Rs. In Crore) Reported Under Udyam Since 01/07/2020 to 30/11/2024 for All India vis-a-vis Tamil Nadu State

|                                   | All India       | All India    | Tamil Nadu      | Tamil Nadu   |
|-----------------------------------|-----------------|--------------|-----------------|--------------|
| Financial Year                    | Exporting MSMEs | Export Value | Exporting MSMEs | Export Value |
| 2020-21 (01/07/2020 - 31/03/2021) | 52,849          | 3,95,354.15  | 6,065           | 45,753.58    |
| 2021-22                           | 96,769          | 5,96,557.49  | 10,843          | 71,609.49    |
| 2022-23                           | 1,21,159        | 8,55,057.41  | 12,920          | 93,221.27    |
| 2023-24                           | 1,53,274        | 14,05,403.61 | 15,268          | 1,48,157.88  |
| 2024-25 (Till 30/11/2024)         | 1,73,350        | 12,39,770.67 | 16,980          | 1,27,090.80  |
Lok Sabha Question No. 2785 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-12
Subject: Usage of Seaplanes to Boost Connectivity
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Dr. Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2785

(To be answered on the 12 th  December 2024)

## USAGE OF SEAPLANES TO BOOST CONNECTIVITY

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

## 2785.

DR. SHASHI THAROOR

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether it is true that the Government has explored the use of seaplanes to improve connectivity across the country particularly in Kerala;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if  not,  whether the Government would consider exploring the use of seaplane operations in Kerala and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

(a) to (c): The Government has issued 'Guidelines for Seaplane Operations in India' on 22.08.2024 to provide seamless and safe seaplane operations while enabling the citizens in remote areas to benefit from air connectivity under the  RCS-UDAN scheme. The Guidelines allow operators to commence seaplane operations from water-aerodromes that have been developed in compliance with DGCA CAR Section 3 Series C Part IX "Minimum Safety Requirements for Seaplane Operations'. UDAN Round 5.5 has been launched wherein  interested  airlines,  based  on  their  assessment  of  demand  on particular routes, may submit their proposals to connect water-bodies at the time of bidding.

The Government of Kerala has proposed 14 locations, namely, Kovalam, Bolgatty, Kumarakom, Idukki Dam, Malampuzha, Banasura Sagar Dam, Kasaragod, Munnar, (Mattupetty Dam/Sengulam Dam), Karapuzha Dam, Valapattanam River, Muzhappilangad Drive in beach, Pazhassi Dam, Kakkayam Dam, Valiyaparamba back waters for inclusion in the list of waterbodies  available  for  bidding  under  round  5.5  of  the  Regional Connectivity  Scheme  -  Ude  Desh  Ka  Aam  Nagrik  (RCS-UDAN).

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2783 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-12
Subject: Upgradation of SH 69 as NH
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Abhay Kumar Sinha

## be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  criteria  for  upgrading  a  State  Highway  (SH)  to  a  National Highway (NH) and the details thereof; and
- (b) whether the Government proposes to upgrade the State Highway-69  to  a  National  Highway,  if  so,  the  time  by  which  the same would be done and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)     State roads, including State Highways (SHs), are declared as National  Highways  (NHs)  from  time  to  time  on  the  basis  of  well established broad principles, including: -
- Connecting  adjacent  countries,  National  Capitals  with  State Capitals / mutually the State Capitals, major ports, non-major
- i. ports, large industrial centers or tourist centers.
- ii.
- Roads  having  important  strategic  requirement  in  hilly  and isolated area.
- iii. Arterial roads which enable sizeable reduction in travel distance and achieve substantial economic growth.
- iv. Roads which help in opening up large tracts of backward area and hilly region.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2783

ANSWERED ON 12 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## UPGRADATION OF SH 69 AS NH

†2783.  SHRI ABHAY KUMAR SINHA:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

- v. Roads contributing towards achievement of National Highways grid of 100 km.
- vi. Synergy with PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP).

(b)      The  Government  receives  proposals  from  various  State Governments  /  Union  Territories  (UTs),  including  from  the  State Government of Bihar, from time to time, for declaration / upgradation  of  State  roads,  including  SHs,  as  NHs.  Decisions  are taken based on the fulfillment of the broad principles for declaration of NHs, requirement of connectivity, inter-se priority and availability of  funds. At present, declaration of SH-69 in the State of Bihar as NH is not under consideration.

Total  length  of  NHs  in  Bihar  at  present  is  about  6,132  km. About  1,579  km  length  of  State  roads,  including  SHs,  has  been notified as NHs in the State of Bihar since April, 2014.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2782 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-12
Subject: AI in Civil Aviation Sector
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Smt. Smita Uday Wagh, Shri Vijay Baghel, Smt. Kamlesh Jangde, Shri Dineshbhai Makwana, Shri Janardan Mishra, Smt. Shobhanaben Mahendrasinh Baraiya, Shri Chandra Prakash Joshi, Shri Chavda Vinod Lakhamshi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2782

(To be answered on the 12 th  December 2024)

## AI IN CIVIL AVIATION SECTOR

## 2782. SMT SMITA UDAY WAGH

SHRI VIJAY BAGHEL

SMT KAMLESH JANGDE

SHRI DINESHBHAI MAKWANA

SHRI JANARDAN MISHRA

SMT SHOBHANABEN MAHENDRASINH BARAIYA

SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI

SHRI CHAVDA VINOD LAKHAMSHI

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- a) the details of the outcomes of the meeting between the Civil Aviation Minister and the heads of YouTube and Google regarding the integration of Artificial Intelligence (Al) in civil aviation sector;
2. (b)  the  manner in which the Government envisions the role of YouTube in
3. enhancing public awareness and knowledge about the civil aviation sector;
4. (c)  the  specific  challenges  of  the  aviation  industry  to  be  addressed  through collaboration with Google, particularly for aviation-related startups; and
5. (d) the steps likely to be taken by the Government in Chhattisgarh regarding aviation startups?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

(a) to (d): There has been no joint meeting with heads of YouTube and Google. However, meetings are held with various IT experts and companies from time to time to enable adoption of suitable IT tools and social media platforms for improving aviation and enhancing public awareness. For example, in August, 2024, there was a meeting with Asia Pacific Head of Google and CEO of Youtube. Presently, there are no initiatives under consideration in Chhattisgarh regarding aviation startups.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2780 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-12
Subject: Gas Pipeline in Sikar, Rajasthan
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Shri Amra Ram

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2780 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## Gas Pipeline in Sikar, Rajasthan

†2780. Shri Amra Ram:

## पेĚोͧलयम और Ĥाक ृ Ǔतक गैस मंğी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether gas pipeline is being laid in Sikar Parliamentary Constituency and if so, the details thereof along with the details of the survey reports;
- (b) the norms fixed for providing compensation to the farmers for utilization of their land;
- (c) the details of the farmers provided with compensation along with the amount; and
- (d) the width of space to be left on both sides of the gas pipeline for carrying out any type of private construction activities as per the guidelines of the Company?

## ANSWER पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũालय मŐ राǛमंũी ( ŵी सुरे श गोपी )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)

- (a) Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has authorized GSPL India Gasnet Limited  (GIGL)  for  laying  of  the  mainline  of  Mehsana  Bhatinda  Natural  Gas  pipeline.  The pipeline is traversing through Sikar district covering approx. 69 km pipeline length.
- (b)  Under  the  Petroleum  and  Mineral  Pipeline(Acquisition  of  Right  of  User  in  Land)    Act 1962(P&MP  Act,  1962),  compensation  is  paid  to  the  person  interested  in  land  under  which pipeline is laid, for any damage, loss or injury to such person as per the amount determined by competent authority. This determination includes enquiring the  yield of crops, trees  and fruits etc, requisition of market value of crop, timber, wood, fruit etc and getting other losses assessed from specified agency. Further, the Act also mandates payment of compensation calculated at 10% of market value of the land to the person whose right of enjoyment in any land has been affected in any manner.
- (c)  GIGL  has  deposited  about  Rs.2.61  crore  as  compensation  amount  in  the  Bank  account  of Competent  Authority,  Rajasthan  for  further  disbursing  to  about  4150  land  owners  in  the  40 villages in Sikar District, Rajasthan.
- (d) GIGL had acquired 30 meter wide RoU in which pipeline is laid. No construction work can be carried out within 30 meter RoU as per the provision of Section 9 (Restriction regarding use of Land) P&MP Act 1962.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2777 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-12
Subject: NTPC Double Pipeline from Ujani Dam
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Ms. Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2777 ANSWERED ON 12.12.2024

## NTPC DOUBLE PIPELINE FROM UJANI DAM

2777. MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) whether the proposal sent by the Solapur Municipal Corporation to use one of the double pipelines of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) from Ujani Dam  for  supply  of  drinking  water  to  Solapur  city  on  the  lines  of  the  Nagpur Municipal Corporation was rejected by the Solapur NTPC; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## A N S W E R

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a) to (b) :   Thermal Power Plant of NTPC Ltd., Solapur has designed and built 2 pipelines of 72 MLD capacity each from Ujani reservoir to NTPC-Solapur to meet water  requirements  for  its  2  X  660  MW  capacity  power  plant  for  power generation. A request from District Administration, Solapur has been received for sparing  one  among  the  two  pipelines  for  supplying  water  to  Solapur  Municipal Corporation(SMC).  Non-availability of one  pipeline will impact  the reliable generation of power from NTPC Solapur as both pipelines are required to meet the  normative water  requirement  of  the  plant.  Further,  in  case  of  single  longdistance pipeline, outage of the same will lead to complete stoppage of water supply to the plant.

However,  for  supply  of  drinking  water  to  Solapur  city  and  neighbouring project affected villages (PAVs), an agreement was made with Solapur Municipal Corporation (SMC) on 28.09.2016. As per agreement, NTPC committed to pay Rs. 250  Crores  in  phased  manner  for  augmentation  of  water  supply  infrastructure including pipeline from Ujani Dam. NTPC has already paid Rs. 240.07 Cr. till date.

*************
Lok Sabha Question No. 2776 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-12
Subject: Consultation with MSME Associations
Ministry: MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: Shri Azad Kirti Jha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  2776 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2024

## CONSULTATION WITH MSME ASSOCIATIONS

2776. SHRI AZAD KIRTI JHA:

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the various MSME Associations have been consulted for identifying the various difficulties faced by them, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (b) whether  any  action  has  been  taken  on  the  suggestions/concerns  raised  by  any  such MSME Associations and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

(a) & (b): The  MSME  Associations  are  consulted  from  time  to  time  for  various  issues, including  the  difficulties  faced  by  the  MSMEs.  Chapter-II  of  the  Micro,  Small  and  Medium Enterprises  Development  Act,  2006,  has  provisions  to  include  representation  of  MSME Associations in the National Board for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Recently, based on  the  suggestions  of  stakeholders,  including  Associations,  Government  of  India,  through Notification dated 07.11.2024 reduced the turnover threshold of buyers for mandatory onboarding on Trade Receivables  Discounting System (TReDS) Platform from Rs. 500 crore to Rs. 250 crore.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2766 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-12
Subject: Energy Conservation Programmes
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Dr. Nishikant Dubey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2766 ANSWERED ON 12.12.2024

## ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAMMES

2766. DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) whether the performance of the country with regard to energy conservation is satisfactory as compared to other countries of the world;

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

(c) the details of energy conservation programmes being implemented by the Government; and

(d) the  extent  to  which  success  has  been  achieved  in  meeting  the  set targets?

## A N S W E R

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a) & (b) : The performance of the country with regard to energy conservation is one of the best when compared to other countries of the world.  As per the estimates  of  International  Energy  Agency,  the  improvement  of  global  energy intensity during the period from 2010-19 was 2% whereas same for India was 2.5%. During the period from 2021-24, the global energy intensity improved by 1.3% whereas, India's energy intensity improved by 1.6%.  It is estimated that in 2024 itself the global energy intensity is expected to improve by around 1% in 2024 whereas, India's energy intensity is expected to improve by 2.5%.  (Energy intensity  has  been  measured  in  terms  of  Mega  Joule/USD  at  2015  Purchasing Power Parity in the above estimations.)

………2.

(c) to (d) : The major Energy Conservation programmes being implemented by Government include Perform, Achieve and Trade for industries, Standards and Labelling scheme for appliances, Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) scheme, Energy Conservation Building Code and adoption of electric mobility.

As per the report of Bureau of Energy Efficiency, a statutory body under Ministry  of  Power,  the  implementation  of  various  energy  efficiency  schemes/ programmes have led to an overall energy savings of 53.60 Million tonnes of Oil equivalent (MTOE) which is about  5.89% of the total primary energy supply of the country for the year 2023-24.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 237 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Criteria for Inclusion of Districts under PM-KUSUM
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Anand Bhadauria

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 237

ANSWERED ON 11/12/2024

## CRITERIA FOR INCLUSION OF DISTRICTS UNDER PM-KUSUM

## *237. SHRI ANAND BHADAURIA

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

- (a) the criteria laid down for inclusion of a district under PM-KUSUM scheme;
- (b) the number of districts in the country which are not covered under PM-KUSUM, Statewise;
- (c) whether Government proposes to cover Sitapur and Lakhimpur Kheri districts in Uttar Pradesh under the scheme; and
- (d)if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, & FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

- (a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

## STATEMENT

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 237 FOR ANSWER ON 11.12.2024

(a)  to (d) The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) is a demand driven Scheme and the capacities are allocated based on demand received from the States. The scheme is being implemented in all districts of the country, including in Sitapur and Lakhimpur Kheri districts of the State of Uttar Pradesh. As per information received from the State Implementing Agency, under the PM KUSUM scheme, as on 30.11.2024, a total of 1132 solar pumps have been installed in Lakhimpur Kheri and 1158 solar pumps have been installed in Sitapur districts of Uttar Pradesh.
Lok Sabha Question No. 233 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: BharatNet Project in Madhya Pradesh
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Datt Sharma

## PGOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 233 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## BHARATNET PROJECT IN MADHYA PRADESH

## *233. SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has launched BharatNet project in Madhya Pradesh to connect all Gram Panchayats and villages with broadband;

(b) if so, the number of Gram Panchayats and villages in Madhya Pradesh and particularly in the districts of Panna, Katni and Khajuraho of district Chhatarpur provided with broadband, Wi-Fi and FTTH Services; and

- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)

(a) to (c) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 233 FOR 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2024 REGARDING 'BHARATNET PROJECT IN MADHYA PRADESH.'

(a) to (c) BharatNet  is  being  implemented  in  a  phased  manner  to  provide  broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country, including Madhya Pradesh. Till Oct' 2024,  17,850  GPs  in  Madhya  Pradesh  have  been  made  service  ready.  In  Madhya  Pradesh,  total 57,683 fibre to the home (FTTH) connections have been provided under BharatNet. Wi-Fi service is supported by equipment installed at many GPs.

The details for districts of Panna, Katni, and Chhattarpur are as follows:

| District                        |   Panna |   Katni |   Chhattarpur |
|---------------------------------|---------|---------|---------------|
| No. of Villages (including GPs) |    1443 |    1360 |          1808 |
| No. of GPs                      |     395 |     407 |           558 |
| No. of GPs made Service Ready   |     390 |     115 |           225 |
| No. of FTTH connections         |     901 |     339 |           650 |

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 229 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Jan Poshan Kendra
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri E T Mohammed Basheer

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO.229 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH DECEMBER, 2024

## JAN POSHAN KENDRA

## 8229. SHRI ET  MOHAMMED  BASHEER:

Will  the Minister of  CONSUMER AFFAIRS. FOOD AND  PUBLIC  DISTRIBUTION WItUT WIg, umar €rT+xfjq fa6WT ddt be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has launched a new pilot  project named as Jan Poshan Kendras to upgrade the income of retail dealers;
- (b) if  so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has limited  the project to Gujarat, Rajasthan,  Telangana and Uttar Pradesh;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to extend the pilot  project to Kerala; and
- (e) if  so, the details thereoP

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION AND MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a) to (e):

A  statement is laid  on the Table of the House

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE STARRED QUESTION NO. 229 (9th Position) FOR ANSWER ON 11.12.2024 IN THE LOK SABHA.

(a) to  (b): The Department of Food and Public  Distribution  has launched a pilot  study to transform the 60 Fair Price Shops (FPSs) into Jan Poshan Kendra on 20th August, 2024.

This pilot  study has been launched in the states/districts of Gujarat  (Ahmedabad),  Telangana (Hyderabad), Rajasthan (Jaipur)  and Uttar  Pradesh (Ghaziabad).

The Government of India has undertaken this pilot  study to enhance the financial  viability of FPS dealers while focusing on improving nutritional outcomes of the beneficiaries. The Government of India, in association with respective States, has been providing  handholding assistance to  these FPS shops by  partnering with  Small Industries Development Bank  of India (SIDBI)  for provision of  working capital in  the form of  invoice financing and B2B online wholesale aggregators for sale of non-PDS items with  particular focus on nutritionaldense items.

Further, to  address the skill  development challenges, the depar{ment has imparted capacity building training through the Ministry  of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship  (MSDE) to boost the  confidence  of  FPS owners  and equip  them  with  the  essential entrepreneurship skills required for venturing into new business avenues.

- (c) to (e): States would be encouraged to scale up the JPK model within their states to any number they deem necessary.

# # # 8 :b