opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2807 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-18
Subject: Livelihoods of Tussar Silkworm Rearers
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Smt. Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2807 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2025

## LIVELIHOODS OF TUSSAR SILKWORM REARERS

## 2807. SMT. SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO:

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

(a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  Odisha  is  prone  to  frequent  cyclones  and  floods,  which severely impact the livelihoods of Tussar silkworm rearers;

(b) if so, whether the Government has taken any steps to include standing silkworm crops on Tussar host trees under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) norms for immediate relief assistance; and

(c)  the  details  of  any  proposal  under  consideration  to  provide  financial  support  for  Tussar  silkworm rearers affected by natural disasters?

उत्तर

ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा )

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

(a) to (c): The  existing  guidelines  of  National  Disaster  Response  Fund  (NDRF)  &  State  Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) cover items and norms of assistance for sericulture plantations including Tussar plantation.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2806 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-18
Subject: Schemes for Agri Related Tourism Activities
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. Ganapathy Rajkumar P

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2806

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18 TH  MARCH, 2025

## SCHEMES FOR AGRI RELATED TOURISM ACTIVITIES

2806.     Dr. GANAPATHY RAJKUMAR P:

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

- (a) the number of schemes available for Agri related tourism activities in the country;
- (b) whether any interactive development has been extended as a part of farmers welfare as value added agricultural service;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare does not have any 'Scheme for  Agri  Related  Tourism  Activities'.    However,  Development  and  promotion  of  tourist destinations and products, including rural tourism is undertaken by the respective State Government/Union  Territory  (UT)  Administration.    The  Ministry  of  Tourism  through  its central  sector  schemes  of  'Swadesh  Darshan  (SD)',  'Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation  and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)' and 'Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development' complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development in the country by extending financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations. Rural Circuit  has been identified as one  of the thematic circuits under Swadesh Darshan Scheme.

Ministry  of  Tourism  has  revamped  the  Swadesh  Darshan  Scheme  as  Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD 2.0) with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations, following a destination & tourist-centric approach.

Ministry of Tourism has also formulated national strategies for development of rural tourism and promotion of rural homestays in India."

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2799 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-18
Subject: UNNATI Scheme
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Pradyut Bordoloi

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2799. TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, THE 18 TH  MARCH, 2025.

## UNNATI SCHEME

## 2799.  SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) the  number  of  registrations  received  for  the  UNNATI  Scheme  since  its inception;
- (b) the details regarding the number of beneficiaries and funds disbursed under the scheme since its inception component-wise;
- (c) the details and the proportion of beneficiaries establishing new units and the number undertakings for expansion under the scheme;
- (d) whether the Government has undertaken any assessments into the efficacy of the scheme and the number of jobs generated since it started and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government has put in place provisions to retrospectively cover units previously covered under the North East Industrial Development Scheme (NEIDS); and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## 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): Number of applications received is 279 out of which 56 units have been granted registration under UNNATI scheme.
- (b): No funds have been disbursed to the industrial units under the scheme as the registered units are yet to file claims.
- (c): Of the total 56 applications registered under the UNNATI scheme, 49 are new units and 7 units are are under the category of substantial expansion.
- (d): No.
- (e) & (f): No benefits  are  being  extended  retrospectively.  However,  any  unit  that  has availed benefits under NEIDS, 2017 can apply under UNNATI scheme as an expansion unit, based on notified eligibility criteria. As on date, 5 units (which were  also  covered  under  NEIDS)  have  been  granted  registration  under substantial expansion units category.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2798 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-18
Subject: Recruitment of Panchayat Sahayak
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Shri Dharmendra Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- †2798

ANSWERED ON- 18.03.2025

## RECRUITMENT OF PANCHAYAT SAHAYAK

†2798. SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

(a) the specific roles and responsibilities assigned to Panchayat Sahayaks in rural govrenance;

(b) the details of elegibility criteria and recruitment processes for Panchayat sahayak and difference in them in various States;

(c) the types of training provided to Panchayat Sahayaks to equip them with the skills required for their roles; and

(d) the details of guidelines regarding the tenure of their appointment?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ

## (PROF. S. P. SINGH BAGHEL)

(a) to (d) 'Panchayat', being 'Local Government', is a State subject and part of State List of Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. Panchayats are set up and operate through the respective State Panchayati Raj Acts which may vary from State to State, subject to the provisions of the Constitution. To assist the Panchayati Raj Institutions, States recruit staff and functionaries, as per their requirement, which includes recruitment of Panchayat Sahayaks etc. As such, all matters relating to Panchayat Sahayaks including their recruitment processes, eligibility criteria, roles & responsibilities, role specific trainings, tenure of appointment etc. comes under jurisdiction of State Government. These details are not maintained by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2797 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-18
Subject: GI Tagged Products
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Sunil Kumar

## GI TAGGED PRODUCTS

## 2797. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR:

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

(a) the specific strategies being implemented by the Government to enable India's GI tagged products to gain global recognition and market access through the summit;

(b)  whether  the  Government  aims  to  implement  measures  to  move  GI  tagged  products  from  local markets to global platforms; and

(c) if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा

## )

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

(a) to (c): Ministry  of  Textiles  promotes  the  provision  of  Geographical  Indication  (GI)  of  Goods (Registration & Protection) Act 1999, in respect of handloom & handicrafts products of pan India under the scheme, National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) & National Handicrafts Development  Programme  (NHDP)  respectively.  Under  the  above  scheme,  financial  assistance  is provided for meeting the expenses in registering the designs/products, imparting training to personnel of implementing  agencies  and  effective  enforcement  of  G.I.  registration.  So  far,  a  total  no.  of  214 handicrafts products and 104 handloom products, out of a total no. of 658 GI tagged products have been registered under the GI Act.

In addition, summit/seminars, workshops, marketing events including participation in international  fairs/expos  etc.  are  organized  to  sensitize  the  weavers  &  artisans  about  the  benefits  of getting  GI  tags  for  their  products  and  to  improve  their  market  share  in  domestic  &  international markets.

To promote the GI handloom products in the domestic and international arena, a summit, "GI & Beyond - Virasat se Vikas Tak", was organized recently highlighting & promoting the unique cultural and historical significance of GI-tagged handloom products from various regions, demonstrating their authenticity  and  craftsmanship  to  a  global  audience.  The  main  objective  was  to  provide  marketing opportunities  to  the  GI  handloom  weavers,  to  know  the  consumer  market,  global  trend,  etc.  and  to publicize the GI tagged products among the buyers. The event witnessed participation by GI authorized users, overseas buyers, domestic exporters & MNCs etc.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2793 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-18
Subject: Setting-up of Agricultural Education and Research Institutions
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. M K Vishnu Prasad

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2793

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH  MARCH, 2025

## SETTING-UP OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS

2793.  DR. M K VISHNU PRASAD:

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

- (a) whether  any  agricultural  education  and  research  institutions  will  be  setup  by  the Government in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu;
- (b) the manner in which the Government will promote agricultural extension services in Tamil Nadu; and
- (c) the details of initiatives which have been taken by the Government to develop new crop varieties suitable for Tamil Nadu's climate?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): At present, there is no such proposal.

(b): The Government has set up 32 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in Tamil Nadu including Cuddalore for promotion of new technologies of agriculture and allied sectors. The activities of KVKs include on-farm testing to identify the location specificity of technology under various farming systems; frontline demonstration to establish the production potential of improved agricultural technologies on the farmers' fields; capacity development  of extension functionaries  and  farmers  for  knowledge  and  skill  up  gradation;  and  production  of  quality seeds, planting materials and other technology inputs for availability to the farmers.

(c): During the last ten years (2014-2024), a total of 555 varieties suitable for Tamil Nadu's climate have been released, out of which 242 are of Cereals comprising Rice (72), Wheat (14), Maize (73), Pearl Millet (23), Sorghum (24), Little Millet (6) and Kodo Millet (7); Proso Millet (5), Barnyard Millet (5), Foxtail millet (3) and Finger Millet (10);  63 are of Oilseeds comprising Groundnut (21), Soybean (18), Sunflower (8), Castor (7), Sesame (7) and Niger (2); 49 are of Pulses comprising Urd bean (11), Pigeon pea (11), Moong bean (9), Chickpea (6), Cowpea (11) and Horse gram (1); 46 are of Forages comprising 4 each of Bajra Napier Hybrid and Lucerne, Forage Pearl Millet (9); Oats (5), 3 each of Guinea grass and Forage Cowpea, 1 each of Forage Maize, Black Kolukattai Grass and 16 of Forage Sorghum;   131 are of Fibre crops comprising Cotton (54), Bt Cotton (74), 2 of Mesta (Roselle), 1 of Sunhemp; 22 are of Sugarcane and 2 banana.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2788 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-18
Subject: Operationalisation of Group Home
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Manish Tewari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2788

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18 TH  MARCH, 2025/ PHALGUNA 27, 1946 (SAKA)

OPERATIONALISATION OF GROUP HOME

2788.     SHRI MANISH TEWARI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that the newly constructed Group Home in Sector 31, Chandigarh, remains non-operational despite being completed and furnished, if so, the reasons for the delay;

(b)  whether  the  Government has set a timeline  for  recruiting  staff  and vocational instructors for the facility, if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor;

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  received  any  representations  from affected families regarding the delay, if so, the actions taken thereon; and

(d) the steps being taken to ensure the immediate operationalisation of the Group Home and the timely admission of eligible persons?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) to (d) As per Section 19 of Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, the Group Home has been constructed for stable mentally ill individuals to achieve success in their process of rehabilitation. This Group Home is also for individuals,  who  do  not  have  conducive  family  to  depend  upon  and  to provide the supervision needed by them.

The advertisement for admission to Group Home has been issued on 17.02.2025. The staff required at this stage has been recruited.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2786 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-18
Subject: Indian Sign Language
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Anurag Sharma

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

## LOK SABHA

## INDIAN SIGN LANGUAGE

## 2786.  SHRI ANURAG SHARMA

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

- (a) the timeline for the conversion of 500 NBT books into Indian Sign Language (ISL);
- (b) the manner in which the schools and special education institutions be integrated into this initiative;
- (c) whether there are any training programs planned for teachers and educators on how to use ISL-based storybooks in classrooms; and

(d) if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF  STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI  B.L. VERMA)

- (a)  The  conversion  of  National  Book  Trust  (NBT)  books  into  Indian  Sign  Language  (ISL) commenced on 20th January 2025. As of 7 th March 2025, the recording of 24 books has been completed. The process of conversion is being carried out in a phased manner. Additionally, five NBT books from the Veergatha series have been launched for use by schools, parents and the general public.
- (b) The Veergatha series books are available on social media platforms and the official YouTube channel of ISLRTC, where a dedicated playlist has been created. ISLRTC is a partner of NCERT in  the  PM e-VIDYA DTH ISL channel, and these books have been telecasted on the ISL TV channel, ensuring wider outreach to schools, special education institutions, parents, and teachers. The PM e-VIDYA DTH ISL channel is also available on YouTube. Recently, a program titled "Speak with Your Hands, Connect with Heart" was conducted in collaboration with NCERT to enhance accessibility for stakeholders.

## Unstarred Question No.2786

To be answered on 18/03/2025

(c) and (d) The Veergatha series books have been included in various training, awareness and orientation programs of ISLRTC. The details of the conducted programs are as follows:

(i) Five Faculty Development Programs (FDPs) have been conducted for teachers, parents and principals. (ii)  Three  training  programs  were  conducted  for  the  Army  Welfare  Education  Society, covering special educators, counselors, parents and principals. (iii)  Schools,  special  schools,  and  voluntary  organizations  working  in  the  disability  sector were oriented on these books during the International Week of the Deaf (IWD) 2023. (iv)  Public  awareness  about  these  books  was  raised  through  ISLRTC  exhibition  stalls  at events such as Divya Kala Mela, IITF and Purple Fest Goa. (v) The World Book Trade Fair featured a dedicated inclusive stall where these books were exhibited for public awareness.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2783 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-18
Subject: Effectiveness of Digital Systems at NMDC
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri Gajendra  Singh Patel, Shri Ganesh Singh, Shri Godam Nagesh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2783

FOR ANSWER ON 18.03.2025

## EFFECTIVENESS OF DIGITAL SYSTEMS AT NMDC

2783.  SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH PATEL: SHRI GANESH SINGH: SHRI GODAM NAGESH:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  mechanisms  in  place  to  audit  and  assess  the  effectiveness  of  the  digital systems in National Mineral Development Cooperation (NMDC);
- (b)  the  steps  taken  to  ensure  that  feedback  from  stakeholders,  especially  local communities, is incorporated into NMDC's decision-making processes; and

(c) whether NMDC has set up any dedicated digital platforms or dashboards for realtime public engagement and information dissemination, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) To  audit  and  assess  the  effectiveness  of  the  digital  systems,  National  Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) has implemented an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. This ERP system is a fully integrated business solution that encompasses all organizational functions, ensuring seamless operations.
- (b) NMDC  has  put  in  place  a  structured  consultative  mechanism  for  obtaining feedback  from  stakeholders  especially  from  local  communities/village  representatives through the District Collector, which is taken into consideration into NMDC's decisionmaking process.
- (c) Official website of NMDC (www.nmdc.co.in), serves as a one-stop digital platform for real-time public engagement and information sharing. NMDC also actively engages with public through social media platform.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2779 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-18
Subject: BRGF  Scheme
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Shri Ummeda Ram Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2779

ANSWERED ON 18.03.2025

## BRGFSCHEME

## †2779. SHRI UMMEDA RAM BENIWAL:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- (a) whether some States and districts in the country are lagging behind in terms of development while others are making progress at a fast pace;
- (b) the details of plan to reduce or bridge the above gap;
- (c) the details of schemes to bring backward areas in frontiers and desert areas at par with developed States;
- (d) the extent to which Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) scheme which has been scrapped was helpful in improving the status of least developed States in the country;
- (e) the reasons discontinuance of the said scheme;
- (f) whether the Government intends to restart the BRGF scheme in the country particularly in Jaisalmer and Barmer Parliamentary Constituency; and
- (g) if so, the time by which and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ

(PROF. S. P. SINGH BAGHEL)

- (a) to (c) Socio-economic development is an ongoing process, with stages of progress and regional disparities varying based on multiple socio-economic factors. The Government of India implements various schemes across ministries to ensure equitable development across all regions, including frontier areas and desert regions. Notable initiatives such as the Aspirational District Programme, Aspirational Block Programme, and Border Area

Development Programme specifically focus on bridging regional development gaps.

(d) The Ministry of Panchayati Raj was implementing the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) Programme (District component) during the period 2006-07 to 2014-15 in 272 districts of 28 States of the country. During this period, grants of more than Rs.26,000 crore were released for the districts covered under the scheme to bridge the critical gaps in local infrastructure and other development requirements which were not being adequately met through the existing financial inflows during that period.

(e) to (g) The BRGF programme was delinked from the budgetary support of the Central Government since 2015-16 consequent upon the implementation of the recommendations of the Fourteenth Finance Commission under which the share of States in the net proceeds of the Union taxes was significantly enhanced from 32% to 42% that allowed the States with greater autonomy for financing and designing the developmental schemes, especially for the backward regions.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2769 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-18
Subject: Welfare of Power Loom Workers
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Ms. Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2769 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2025

## WELFARE OF POWER LOOM WORKERS

## 2769. MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE:

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

(a) the steps being taken by the Government to enhance the welfare of power loom workers, particularly in relation to their children's education and access to household welfare schemes;

(b) whether the Government has any objections to the creation of a separate Welfare Board for textile workers, and if so, the reasons therefor; and

(c) the specific measures being considered by the Government to improve the pension system for power loom workers?

उत्तर

ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा )

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

(a) to (c): The  Government  of  India,  through  the  Ministry  of  Textiles,  has  been  implementing various welfare measures to enhance the well-being of powerloom workers,  including their children's education and access to  welfare schemes. The Group Insurance Scheme for Powerloom Workers (GIS) was  introduced  on  July  1,  2003  and  extended  with  modifications  till  2019-20  to  provide  insurance coverage  to  workers  in  the  powerloom  sector.  Additionally,  workers  enrolled  under  this  scheme  are eligible for an educational grant of ₹1,200 per child per year under the Shiksha Sahayog Yojana (SSY), benefiting a maximum of two children studying from Class IX to XII for up to four years. Since 2017, the GIS has been integrated with the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) to extend life and accidental insurance benefits only.

Government  of  India  also  launched  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Shram  Yogi  Maan-dhan  Scheme (PM-SYM) in February 2019 which provides eligible unorganized sector workers including Powerloom Workers with an assured monthly pension of ₹3,000 after the age of 60 subject to Scheme guidelines.

****