opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4069 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Development of Rural Areas
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Darshan Singh Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4069 ANSWERED ON 25/03/2025

## DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREAS

## 4069. SHRI DARSHAN SINGH CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the plans of the Government for overall development of rural areas; and
- (b) the steps taken by the Government to resolve the poverty free villages for poverty free India?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) is implementing a number of welfare schemes/programmes such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Pradhan MantriAwaasYojana-Gramin (PMAYG), Pradhan Mantri Gram SadakYojana (PMGSY), DeendayalAntyodayaYojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM),

DeenDayalUpadhyayaGrameenKaushalyaYojana (DDUGKY), Rural Self  Employment  Training  Institutes(RSETIs)  and  National  Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) and Watershed Development Component  (WDC)  of  the  Pradhan  MantriKrishiSinchayeeYojana (WDC-PMKSY) for overall development of rural areas of the country. These  schemes/programmes  aim  to  alleviate  poverty  and  to  bring about overall improvement in the quality of life of the people in rural areas  of  the  country  by  strengthening  livelihood  opportunities, providing minimum guaranteed employment, promoting selfemployment, skilling of youths in various useful trades and entrepreneurship qualities, infrastructure development and provision of social assistance.

Further, in the budget for the Financial Year (FY) 2025-26, the Government has announced the launch of a comprehensive multisectoral  'Rural  Prosperity  and  Resilience'  programme.  The programme aims to address underemployment in agriculture through  skilling,  investment,  technology  and  invigorating  the  rural economy.  The  focus  will  be  on  rural  women,  young  farmers,  rural youth, marginal and small farmers and landless families with goal to generate ample opportunities in rural areas.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4061 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Allocations of Funds to R&D Activities
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Mani A

## 4061. SHRI MANI A:

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

(a)  the  current  status  of  research  and  development  projects  initiated  under  the  National  Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) since its inception in 2020;

(b) the number of projects approved and the total funds allocated for R&D activities;

(c) the key areas of research, particularly in specialty fibers and geo-textiles; and

(d) the outcomes or innovations achieved through these projects as on date?

## उत्तर ANSWER )

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा

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

(a) & (b): Under  the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM),  total 168 Research  & Development projects of Rs. 509.8 crore have been approved till date. Project Completion Reports of 06 R&D projects have been received, out of which 02 projects have been closed.

- (c): The research areas under NTTM includes fundamental research in thrust areas of speciality fibre like  Carbon  Fibre,  Aramid  Fibre,  Nylon  Fibre,  and  Composites  &  application  based  research  in geotextiles,  agro-textiles,  medical  textiles,  mobile  textiles  and  sports  textiles  and  development  of biodegradable technical textiles.

The specific research projects in speciality fibers includes the development of carbon fiber, meta-aramid fibers,  high-performance  gel-spun  Ultra-High  Molecular  Weight  Polyethylene  (UHMWPE),  flameretardant  Nylon-66  yarn,  and  bio-component  fibers.  Further,  Mission  is  focusing  on  applications  of geotechnical textiles for high-speed railway networks, roads, sub-zero temperature infrastructure, erosion control in North East Region (NER) & soft soils areas and structural geotextiles made from textile waste, etc.

(d): With the outcome of these research projects, the mission aims to improve penetration level of technical  textiles  in  the  country  and  to  create  an  ecosystem  for  manufacturing  of  technical  textiles through indigenous development of critical application areas and innovative solutions.

****

## ALLOCATIONS OF FUNDS TO R&D ACTIVITIES
Lok Sabha Question No. 4055 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Pehchan Cards to Handloom Workers
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Pradyut Bordoloi

## PEHCHAN CARDS TO HANDLOOM WORKERS

## 4055. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

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

(a) the details regarding the number of handloom workers in Assam and the number who have received Pehchan cards;

(b) the details regarding the number of handloom clusters in Assam covered under the Comprehensive Handicraft Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) and whether Sualkuchi is amongst this list;

(c)  the  details  regarding  the  amount  of  funds  that  have  been  disbursed  to  clusters  in  Assam  under  the CHCDS; and

(d) the details regarding the number of migrant handloom weavers in Assam's Sualkuchi and the number who have been registered under the One Nation One Ration Card Scheme?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा ) THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES

## (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a): As per 4 th All India Handloom Census 2019-20 report, there are 12,83,881 handloom workers in Assam. The handloom workers enumerated in the 4 th All  India  Handloom  Census  have been provided either  pehchan  card  or  enabled  downloading  e-pehchan  card.  An  online  portal  was  launched  on  28 th January 2025, for new registration (left out from the 4 th All India Handloom Census and new weavers and allied workers), editing the details of the existing weavers and downloading of e-pehchan cards. Hence, addition/deletion, updation etc. is dynamic and continuous.

(b) & (c): Sivasagar Mega Handloom Cluster had been taken up for financial assistance in the State of  Assam  under  erstwhile  Comprehensive  Handloom  Cluster  Development  Scheme  (CHCDS)  and amount  of  Rs.  15.63  crore  has  been  released  from  2014-15  to  2021-22.  However,  Sualkuchi  is  not covered  under  CHCDS.  Mega  Handloom  Cluster  at  Sualkuchi,  Assam  has  been  taken  up  during  FY 2024-25(till  21.03.2025)  under  National  Handloom  Development  Programme  (NHDP)  and  financial assistance of Rs. 4.80 crore has been provided.

Further,  financial  support  of  Rs.  64.85  crore  has  been  provided  for  83  clusters  under  NHDP scheme in Assam State from FY 2015-16 to 2024-25(till 21.03.2025).

(d): Number of migrant handloom weavers is not maintained. The nation-wide portability  of  ration cards through One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) feature has been enabled for all National Food Security Act 2013 (NFSA)/Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) beneficiaries in all 36  States/UTs  (including  Assam).  Under  this  feature,  NFSA/PMGKAY  beneficiaries  may  lift  their entitled foodgrain from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice, anywhere in the country, by using their existing ration card. There is no requirement of separate registration for ONORC under NFSA/PMGKAY.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4051 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Promoting Capacity Building in Textiles
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Durai Vaiko

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4051 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.03.2025

## PROMOTING CAPACITY BUILDING IN TEXTILES

## 4051. SHRI DURAI VAIKO:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री

be pleased to state : (a) the details of funds sanctioned and disbursed for promoting Capacity Building in Textile Sector in

- Tiruchirappalli and Pudukottai districts during the last five years, District/year-wise; and

(b) the details of beneficiaries under Capacity Building initiatives in Textile Sector in the Tiruchirappalli and Pudukottai districts during the last five years, year-wise?

उत्तर

ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा )

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

(a): There is no state wise allocation of fund under Samarth. The details of funds disbursed during the last  five  years  are  -  Rs.  72.06  Crores  (2019-20),  Rs.  90.70  Crores  (2020-21),  Rs.  85.69  Crores (2021-22), Rs. 23.27 Crores (2022-23) and Rs. 114.99 Crores (2023-24).

- (b): The  details  of  beneficiaries  trained  (pass)  under  Samarth  in  Textile  Sector  in  the  districts Tiruchirappalli and Pudukottai during last five years are - Nil (2019-20), 14 (2020-21), 52 (2021-22), 558 (2022-23) and 748 (2023-24).

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4046 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Implementation of BHASKAR
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri P V Midhun Reddy

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4046. TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, THE 25 TH  MARCH, 2025.

## IMPLEMENTATION OF BHASKAR

## 4046.  SHRI P V MIDHUN REDDY:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) the timeline for the launch of the Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry (BHASKAR);
- (b) the details of specific roles are envisioned for State Governments, including Andhra Pradesh, in its implementation;
- (c) the details of the anticipated challenges in the rollout of BHASKAR in various States;
- (d) whether there are any collaboration mechanisms and milestones; and
- (e) 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): The  Government  launched  the  Bharat  Startup  Knowledge  Access  Registry (BHASKAR) under the Startup India initiative on 16 th  September 2024.
- (b) to (e): BHASKAR  enables collaboration among key stakeholders within the entrepreneurial  ecosystem,  including  startups,  investors,  mentors,  service providers,  and  Central  Government  bodies  and  State  Governments/Union Territories (UTs).

For various stakeholder categories, BHASKAR enables peer-to-peer interaction  and  collaborative  engagements,  generates  unique  personalized identification for stakeholder categories, leverages the existing capabilities of the Startup India portal, and enables communication and coordination amongst the stakeholders.

The Government is undertaking various outreach and awareness measures for the promotion and adoption of BHASKAR. Such measures, inter-alia , include specific outreach to States/UTs, information sessions in workshops and events, and propagation through various social media platforms.

Further, under the Government's flagship States' Startup Ranking Framework (SRF) exercise, which promotes and recognises States and Union Territories (UTs) on development of regional startup ecosystems, specific elements have been included to encourage the adoption of BHASKAR by States and UTs.

********

be pleased to state:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4042 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Import of Tea
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri  Selvaganapathi T.M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4042 ANSWERED ON 25/03/2025

## IMPORT OF TEA

## 4042.  SHRI SELVAGANAPATHI T.M.:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मं त्री ) be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that India has become the largest importers of tea from Kenya, despite the fact that India is the second largest producer of Tea after China;

(b) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  increase  in  tea  imports  from  Kenya  has  been  a  cause  of concern  for  tea  producers  and  traders  in  India  who  have  been  grappling  with  oversupply  for some time although production in the country dropped by more than 50 million kgs in 2024;

(c) whether it is also true that some Indian brands user the cheap and lower quality African teas as well as substandard teas from Iran and Vietnam for blending and re-exporting as Indian teas; and

(d) if  so,  the  steps  taken  against  such  exporters  to  protect  the  good  image  of  Indian  tea across the globe?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य और उद्योग मं त्रालय में राज्य मं त्री ( श्री णिणिन प्रसाद )

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

(a) & (b) No, India is not the largest importer of tea from Kenya. Tea imports by India from Kenya  stood  at  only  2.83%  of  total  tea  exports  made  by  Kenya  in  2024.  Overall  Indian  tea imports in 2023-24 were 25.21 million kgs which was 1.82 % of country's total tea production of 1382.03 million kgs. Tea imports are mainly for blending and re-exports.

(c) & (d) No information in this regard is available.

However, Tea Board has taken several measures in respect of teas imported into the country, which include as below:

-  A  Notification  dated  11.11.2021  was  issued  with  a  directive  stating  that  imported  tea must not be blended with GI teas, and if blending is done, the end product must not be claimed as GI tea.
-  Directives  were  issued  to  packers,  requiring  them  to  clearly  indicate  on  the  packaging that the blended tea contains imported ingredients.

-  Importers and exporters have been directed to mandatorily obtain clearance certificates from the Board's Tea Council portal before importing or exporting tea, and the origin of the tea must be clearly mentioned on the tea packages.
-  The importers should notify, to the Board, the place of storage of the imported teas within 24  hours  of  import.  The  importers  shall  ensure  that  origin  of  the  imported  teas  is mentioned in all sale invoices.
-  The tea consignments are tested for compliance to parameters laid down by FSSAI at the time of import in India. Tea Board also collects random samples from the tea imported and tests them for compliance with the FSSAI parameters.
-  Process  of  conducting  joint  training  sessions  among  between  Tea  Board,  Customs  and FSSAI were initiated to strengthen food import clearance procedures.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4041 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Promote fair practices among Heavy Vehicle OEMs
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4041

ANSWERED ON 25.03.2025

## PROMOTE FAIR PRACTICES AMONG HEAVY VEHICLE OEMS

## 4041.  SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY:

## Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  several  heavy  vehicle  Original  Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are insisting that customers use only their proprietary Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) brands, potentially limiting consumer choice and leading to increased operational costs;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  can  ensure  that  OEMs  explicitly  state  in  their  policies  that customers  who  are  purchasing  heavy  vehicles  are  free  to  use  any  BIS-certified  DEF  brand without  the  risk  of  voiding  warranties,  as  BIS-certified  Diesel  Exhaust  Fluid  companies represent the highest national standard for quality and safety; and
- (c) the steps being taken by the Government to promote fair practices among OEMs to protect consumer rights?

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

- (a): As per the information received from Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM),  Automobile  Original  Equipment  Manufacturers  (OEMs)  at  times recommend consumers to purchase specific Grade and Brand of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) or Equivalent Grade from other brands, to ensure that the technical performance and safety of the vehicle are not compromised in any case.
- (b) & (c): Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals has made the Indian Standards of Diesel engines - NOx reduction agent AUS 32:Part1 quality requirements [IS 17042 (Part-1) : 2018] mandatory with effect from 24.08.2024 under section 16 of the BIS Act in the public interest to ensure that only standard quality products are available for the consumers.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4040 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Development of Rural Areas
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Smt. Manju Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4040 ANSWERED ON 25/03/2025

## DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREAS

## 4040. SMT. MANJU SHARMA:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the  basis  of  allocation  of  funds  under  rural  development projects;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  allocate  more  funds  to those  States  which  are  performing  well  in  implementing  the said schemes;
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether any guidelines have been issued in this regard; and
- (e)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) is implementing a number of schemes/programmes for overall development of rural areas of the country such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Pradhan MantriAwaasYojana-Gramin (PMAYG), Pradhan Mantri Gram SadakYojana (PMGSY), DeendayalAntyodayaYojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), Rural Self  Employment  Training  Institutes  (RSETIs)  and  National  Social Development Component  (WDC)  of  the  Pradhan  MantriKrishiSinchayeeYojana

DeenDayalUpadhyayaGrameenKaushalyaYojana (DDUGKY), Assistance Programme (NSAP) and Watershed (WDC-PMKSY).

All  the  above  schemes/programmes  are  implemented  with active cooperation with the States/Union Territories (UTs). Allocations of funds to the States/UTs under these schemes/programmes is a continuous process.  Funds are allocated

taking  into  account  the  balance  of  funds  available  with  them, submission  of  requisite  documents  /  utilization  certificate  as  per schematic requirements, ensuring proper utilization of funds already allocated under the schemes and ensuring strict adherence  of the guidelines  of  each  scheme/programme  and  assessing  the  actual requirement at the ground level.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4034 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Self Reliance in Steel Production
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri Dulu Mahato

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4034 FOR ANSWER ON 25.03.2025

## SELF RELIANCE IN STEEL PRODUCTION

4034. SHRI DULU MAHATO:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any plans being chalked out by the Government to support the goal of making India self-reliant in steel production;
- (b) the manner in which the Government is likely to help Jharkhand's MSMEs and small steel producers to compete in the global market;
- (c) the manner in which Green Steel and sustainability is likely to be incorporated into future policies; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a)&(b):  Steel  is  a  de-regulated  sector  and  the  government acts  as  a  facilitator  by creating a conducive policy environment for the development of the steel sector. The government  has  taken  the  following  measures  to  improve  raw  material  security, enhance R&D activities, reduce import dependence, and cost of production to support the goal of making India self-reliant in steel production and help MSMEs, small steel producers in the country, including Jharkhand:-

- i. Promotion of 'Made in India' Steel and Expanding Investments:-
- a. Implementation of Domestically Manufactured Iron & Steel Products (DMI&SP) Policy for promoting 'Made in India' steel for Government procurement.
- b. Launch of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Specialty Steel to promote  the  manufacturing  of  'Specialty  Steel'  within  the  country  and  reduce imports by attracting capital investments.
- c.  Union Budget has given thrust to infrastructure expansion which has increased steel consumption.
- ii.      Improve Raw Material Availability and Reduce Raw Material Cost:-
- a. Reduction in the Basic Customs Duty on Ferro Nickel, a raw material from 2.5 percent to zero, making it duty-free.
- b.  Extension  of  duty  exemption  on  ferrous  scrap  up  to  31 st   March  2026,  in  the Budget 2024.
- c.  Notification  of  Steel  Scrap  Recycling  Policy  to  enhance  the  availability  of domestically generated ferrous scrap.

- d.  Introduction  of  Steel  Quality  Control  Orders thereby banning  sub-standard/ defective steel products in the domestic market as well as imports to ensure the availability of quality steel to the industry, users, and public at large. As per the Order, it is ensured that only quality steels conforming to the relevant BIS standards are made available to the end users.

(c)&(d):   Ministry of Steel has released a comprehensive Report titled 'Greening the Steel Sector in India: Roadmap and Action Plan' which provides roadmap for green steel and sustainability.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4029 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Tea Industry
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Zia Ur Rehman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4029 ANSWERED ON 25/03/2025

## TEA INDUSTRY

## 4029.  SHRI ZIA UR REHMAN:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मं त्री ) be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is cognizant of the fact that India's tea industry is experiencing challenges reminiscent of the 'dark phase' of 2002­-07, calling for introspection and resilience; and

(b) if so, the details of the remedial steps that are proposed to be taken by the Government keeping in mind that stagnant prices, oversupply, widening gap between demand and supply, and a 'race to the bottom' for cheaper teas are the major factors?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य और उद्योग मं त्रालय में राज्य मं त्री ( श्री णिणिन प्रसाद

## )

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

(a) & (b) Currently, India is the second largest producer and fourth largest exporter of tea with  a  share  of  21%  and  12%  in  world  tea  production  and  exports  respectively.  Indian  tea production from 2021-22 to 2023-24 has increased with a CAGR of 1.39 % to reach 1382.03 million kgs and the Indian tea exports during the same period have increased with a CAGR of 13.95 % to reach 260.71 million kgs. Further, the all India average auction price of tea during the period April-January, 2024-25 was Rs. 203.15 per kg, an increase of 20.39 % compared to the all India average auction prices in the corresponding period of 2023-24.

For  the  benefit  of  the  Tea  sector,  Government  of  India  through  Tea  Board,  is implementing  the  scheme  'Tea  Development  &  Promotion  Scheme'  that  inter  alia  aims  to increase  the  production  and  productivity  of  tea,  improve  quality  of  tea  entering  the  markets, enhance  exports,  mobilize  small  tea  growers  into  forming  Self  Help  Groups  and  Farmer Producer  Organizations  (SHGs/FPOs)  to  enable  them  to  move  up  the  value  chain,  provide support for set  up  of  mini  tea  factories  by  the  SHGs/FPOs  to  make  them  self-sustainable  and undertake capacity building programs.

*****