opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2016 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-11
Subject: Inclusion of 'Ho' Language in Eighth Schedule
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Smt. Joba Majhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2016

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  MARCH, 2025/ PHALGUNA 20, 1946 (SAKA)

INCLUSION OF 'HO' LANGUAGE IN EIGHTH SCHEDULE

†2016. SMT. JOBA MAJHI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has any proposal to inclusion of 'Ho' language in the Eighth schedule of the Constitution;

(b) if so, the details thereof and time by which it is likely to be included and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government has received recommendation from the Odisha and  Jharkhand  Governments  for  this  purpose  as  the  People  of  the  Ho community have been demanding this for many years; and

(d) if so, the time by which it is likely to be included and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d):  There  have  been  demands  from  time  to  time  for  inclusion  of several languages, including Ho, in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution. However, there are no fixed criteria for consideration of any language for inclusion  in  the  Eighth  Schedule  to  the  Constitution.  As  the  evolution  of dialects and languages is a dynamic process, influenced by socio-cultural, economic and political developments, it is  difficult  to  fix  any criterion for

languages  for  inclusion  in  the  Eighth  Schedule  to  the  Constitution.  The earlier attempts, through the Pahwa (1996) and Sitakant Mohapatra (2003) Committees,  to  evolve  such  fixed  criteria  have  been  inconclusive.  The Government is conscious of the sentiments and requirements for inclusion of  other  languages  in  the  Eighth  Schedule.  Such  requests  have  to  be considered  keeping  in  mind  these  sentiments,  and  the  other  relevant considerations. Since at present, there are no fixed criteria for any language to be considered for inclusion in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution, no time-frame can be fixed for consideration of the demands for inclusion of more languages in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2012 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-11
Subject: Establishment of an Upavedh School at NHRDF
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Rajabhau Parag Prakash Waje

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO . 2012

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 th MARCH, 2025

## ESTABLISHMENT OF AN UPAVEDH SCHOOL AT NHRDF

2012 . Shri Rajabhau Parag Prakash Waje :

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष और िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state : (a)  whether  the  Government  will  consider  establishing  an  Upavedh  School  at  National Horticulture Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF) center in Chitegaon, Nashik, to provide real-time weather forecasts and climate-resilient crop research for local farmers, particularly those cultivating grapes, onions and pomegranates; (b) if so, the details of steps those are being planned to approve and fund this initiative under central schemes such as National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) to help Nashik's farmers better prepare for climate-related challenges; (c)  the  manner in  which the Government ensure that Chitegaon center is equipped  with advanced  weather  monitoring  instruments  and  data  analytics  for  improving  forecast accuracy and minimizing crop damage; and (d) whether any timeline has been set for establishing this facility, considering urgent need for climate resilience support for farmers in Nashik and North Maharashtra?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी ( SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR ) At  present, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) has no and Development  Foundation  (NHRDF)  center  in  Chitegaon,  Nashik.  However,  selection  of districts under National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) was performed

( a ) to ( d ): proposal for establishing Upavedh  School at National Horticulture Research using Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) protocol.

In Maharashtra, 2 districts viz, Nanded and Beed were considered as 'very high risk and 11 districts viz., Nandurbar, Akola, Washim, Wardha, Chandrapur, Hingoli, Parbhani, Jalna, Ahmednagar, Latur, and Osmanabad fall under "high' risk category. Among these, adaptation efforts have been underway in six districts viz., Ahmednagar, Beed, Jalna, Latur,

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is conducting research at its various crops  specific  institutes  for  development  of  climate  resilient  technologies/varieties  for horticulture crops including grapes, onions and pomegranate suitable for various regions of

Nandurbar and Osmanabad. the country including Nashik.

Further, NHRDF  is  implementing programmes  under  Mission for Integrated Development  of  Horticulture  (MIDH)  relating  to  development  of  vegetables  including production & supply of quality seeds of onion and garlic.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2011 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-11
Subject: European Free Trade Association
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Kalyan Banerjee

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2011 ANSWERED ON 11/03/2025

## EUROPEAN FREE TRADE ASSOCIATION

## 2011. SHRI KALYAN BANERJEE:

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

(a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  a  significant  step  with  European  Free  Trade Association (EFTA) towards deepening their Economic Engagement in the country;

(b) if  so,  the  details  of  partner  countries  and  their  proposal  to  revitalize  the  trade  and investment under Trade and Economic Partnership agreement (TEPA) and the details of plan to ensure Indian businesses benefit under this partnership to promote trade, investment and business facilitation between the two regions therefor;

(c) the  details  of  the  specific  measures  the  EFTA  desk  undertake  to  facilitate  trade  and investment opportunities for the Indian Businesses with Nations therefor; and

(d) the details of sectors expected to see the Highest impact from this agreement therein?

## ANSWER

वाणिज्य और उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद)

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

(a) to  (d): India  and  the  European  Free  Trade  Association  (EFTA)  signed  the  Trade  and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) on 10th March 2024 at New Delhi. EFTA is an intergovernmental  organization  set  up  in  1960  comprising  of  Switzerland,  Iceland,  Norway  & Liechtenstein.  Under  TEPA,  EFTA  has  committed  to  promote  foreign  direct  investments  by USD 100 billion in India in the next 15 years and to facilitate the generation of 1 million direct employment in India, through such investments. To achieve this various investment promotion and cooperation activities are envisaged to be taken up as per the Agreement. The TEPA also provides for an Investment Sub-Committee to complement these efforts and deepen investment relations between India and EFTA states. As per the provisions of TEPA, an India-EFTA Desk has also been inaugurated in February 2025, which aims to provide structured support to EFTA businesses looking to invest, expand, or establish operations in India. The sectors that are likely to  see  the  highest  impact  from  the  agreement include seafood & maritime, energy, healthcare, financial services, education and audio-visual services, pharmaceutical, mechanical & electrical engineering,  renewable  energy  and  food  &  food  processing.  The  TEPA  is  expected  to  drive investments into India and give impetus to 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives by encouraging domestic manufacturing in these sectors.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2009 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-11
Subject: Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab, Shri Ravindra Shukla Alias Ravi Kishan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2009 ANSWERED ON 11/03/2025

## COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

2009. SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB:

## SHRI RAVINDRA SHUKLA ALIAS RAVI KISHAN:

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

- (a) the  key  sectors  that  have  been  benefited  the  most  from  the  Comprehensive  Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in terms of exports;
- (b) whether the  Government is planning similar  CEPAs with other countries based on the India-UAE model; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

वाणिज्य और उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद)

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

- (a) So far  as  the  Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between  India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is concerned, since its entering into force on 1st May 2022, India's  exports  have  increased  from  USD  28  billion  during  FY  2021-22  to  35.6  USD  billion during  FY 2023-24.  Bilateral trade has also  risen  from  72.9  USD  billion  to  83.7  USD  billion during the same period. Some of the sectors that have seen increase in exports from India since CEPA came into force are  Gems  & Jewellery,  Engineering Goods, Agricultural Products and Electronics goods.
- (b) & (c) The negotiations  for  Free  Trade  Agreements  (FTAs)  with  countries  like  Oman, Australia, the United Kingdom and the European Union are currently ongoing.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2007 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-11
Subject: Employment of SC/ST Candidates
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Dr. Rabindra Narayan Behera

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2007

FOR ANSWER ON 11.03.2025

## EMPLOYMENT OF SC/ST CANDIDATES

2007.  DR. RABINDRA NARAYAN BEHERA:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

(a)  the  details  of  steps  taken  by  the  steel  industries  for  employment  of  SC/ST candidates and skill development of the youth in Jajpur district; and

(b) the details of the other steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a)&(b): Steel is a deregulated sector and the Government acts as a facilitator by creating a conducive policy environment for the development of steel sector across all states in the country, including Odisha. Decisions regarding setting up of a steel plant is taken by industry based on techno-commercial consideration including raw material availability,  distance  from  port,  logistics  etc.  Regarding  employment  of  SC/ST candidates,  CPSEs under the Ministry of Steel follow Government guidelines. The Ministry facilitates an ecosystem to provide skilled employees for India's steel industry, as part of skill development initiative.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2006 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-11
Subject: New Police District for Uri in J&K
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Abdul Rashid Sheikh

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2006

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  MARCH, 2025/ PHALGUNA 20, 1946 (SAKA)

NEW POLICE DISTRICT FOR URI IN J&K

2006. SHRI ABDUL RASHID SHEIKH:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

whether there are any plans to create new police district for Uri in the UT of Jammu & Kashmir?

ANSWER

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

There is no such proposal under consideration.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2003 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-11
Subject: Production Linked Incentive Scheme
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Sasikanth Senthil

## PRODUCTION LINKED INCENTIVE SCHEME

## 2003. SHRI SASIKANTH SENTHIL:

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

(a)  the  specific  reasons  that  are  contributing  to  the  delays  in  implementing  the  Production-Linked Incentive  scheme  for  textiles,  particularly  given  that  planned  expansions  have  been  suspended  and disbursements have slowed significantly; and

(b)  the  manner  in  which  the  Government  plan  to  address  the  potential  impact  of  these  delays  on companies that have already committed to investing 300 crore and achieving a minimum turnover of 600 crore by 2024-25?

## उत्तर ANSWER

## वस्त्र मंत्री ( श्री गिररराज स ंह )

## MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

(a): No,  Sir.  PLI  scheme  for  Textiles  was  under  gestation  from  FY  2022-23  to  FY  2023-24. FY 2024-25 is the first performance year under the scheme and FY 2025-26 will be the first incentive claim year. Ministry regularly coordinates with various line Ministries/Deptts, State Governments etc. as per  requirement  to  ensure  smooth  implementation  and  ease  of  doing  business  for  PLI  participants. Ministry is also actively engaging with PLI participants to resolve queries and address any issues being faced by the companies.

(b): Does not arise.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2002 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-11
Subject: Vibrant Village Programme (VVP)
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri V K Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2002

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  MARCH, 2025/ PHALGUNA 20, 1946 (SAKA)

VIBRANT VILLAGE PROGRAMME (VVP)

2002. SHRI V K SREEKANDAN:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP) was launched way back in the year 2023 for development of villages on the northern border;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the total amount of funds allocated in each year since its launch;

(d) the total utilisation of funds made during each year; and

(e) the reasons for non-utilisation of funds allocated during those years?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e):

Central Government has approved Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP), as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, on 15 th February, 2023 for comprehensive development of the select villages in 46 blocks abutting northern  border  in  19  districts  in  the  States  of  Arunachal  Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and UT of Ladakh. Initially, 662 border villages have been identified for comprehensive development on priority under the programme.

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 2002 FOR 11.03.2025

Under  VVP,  Rs.  150  crore  and  Rs.  209  crore  has  been  allocated  in Financial Year 2023-24 and 2024-25 respectively.

The States/UT being the primary implementing agency are responsible for the utilisation of funds.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2001 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-11
Subject: Utilisation of Budget Allocations
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri S Venkatesan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2001

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 th  MARCH, 2025

## UTILISATION OF BUDGET ALLOCATIONS

2001. Shri S Venkatesan:

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

the details of the percentage of utilisation of Budget allocations to the Ministry and amount not utilised since 2015-16 till 2024-25?

## ANSWER

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

The details  of  budget  allocations  to  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  Farmers Welfare including Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE),  the percentage of utilisation by the Ministry and the amount not utilised since 2015-16 till 2024-25 (till 28.02.2025) is given in the table below:-:

(Amount in ₹ Crore)

| S. No.   | Year                     |   Revised Estimate(RE) |   Actual Expenditure |   Unutilized against RE |   Percentage Expenditure. w.r.t. R.E. |
|----------|--------------------------|------------------------|----------------------|-------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| 1.       | 2015-2016                |                21395.5 |              20906.8 |                  488.72 |                                 97.72 |
| 2.       | 2016-2017                |                46078.5 |              43025   |                 3053.47 |                                 93.37 |
| 3.       | 2017-2018                |                48097   |              44528.7 |                 3568.31 |                                 92.58 |
| 4.       | 2018-2019                |                75752.7 |              54527.1 |                21225.6  |                                 71.98 |
| 5.       | 2019-2020                |               109750   |             102356   |                 7393.74 |                                 93.26 |
| 6.       | 2020-2021                |               124520   |             116308   |                 8212.27 |                                 93.4  |
| 7.       | 2021-2022                |               126808   |             123280   |                 3527.49 |                                 97.22 |
| 8.       | 2022-2023                |               118913   |             110151   |                 8762.71 |                                 92.63 |
| 9.       | 2023-2024                |               126666   |             120088   |                 6577.53 |                                 94.81 |
|          | 10.2024-2025(28-02-2025) |               141352   |             126680   |                14671.3  |                                 89.62 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1992 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-11
Subject: Tariff Policy
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Smt. Mahima Kumari Mewar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1992 ANSWERED ON 11/03/2025

## TARIFF POLICY

1992.   Smt. Mahima Kumari Mewar:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken any specific steps for tariff related policy in the light of changing trade scenario in the world;

(b) if so, the detail thereof; and

(c) whether the Government has made any special provision for import-export of goods from Rajasthan and if so, the detail thereof?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य और उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री णिणिन प्रसाद )

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

(a) & (b) India's  tariff  policy  aims  to  regulate  trade,  protect  domestic  industries,  and generate  revenue  through  taxes  on  imported  and  exported  goods.  Recent  reforms  have focused on streamlining the tariff structure and  facilitating  trade.  India  is  a  member  of  the WTO and bound to its maximum tariff that can be applied to a given commodity line. The applied tariffs are generally below the bound tariff for a given commodity line.

With  the  changing  trade  scenario,  India  is  moving  towards  having  Preferential/Free  Trade Agreements  wherein  customs  tariffs  and  non-tariff  barriers  are  reduced  or  eliminated  on substantial trade between the PTA/FTA members. At present, India is a member of 13 FTAs and 9 PTAs apart from the negotiations with the EU, the UK, and Oman.

(c) The  policy  concerning  the  export  and  import  and  export  promotion  schemes  is covered under the Foreign Trade Policy 2023(FTP), which applies universally to all states without any discrimination, including the state of Rajasthan.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1989 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-11
Subject: Strengthening Internal and Cyber Security
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1989

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  MARCH, 2025/ PHALGUNA 20, 1946 (SAKA)

STRENGTHENING INTERNAL AND CYBER SECURITY

†1989. SHRI CHHATRAPAL SINGH GANGWAR:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the new measures proposed in the Buget to strengthen internal security; and

(b) the upcoming plans of the Government in the field of cyber security?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  &  (b):    The  Government  has  launched  a  multi-pronged  strategy  to strengthen national security, law enforcement and governance across India. The new measures proposed in the Budget to strengthen internal security in the current financial year inter-alia, include measures to:

- (i) make  Jammu  &  Kashmir  terror-free by eliminating terror networks, preventing infiltration and dismantling terror financing;
- (ii) integrate insurgent groups into the peace process and strengthening border security to curb infiltration in North East;

- (iii) eliminate Left-Wing Extremism;
- (iv) implement new criminal laws with an aim to modernize Criminal Justice System by integrating police, judiciary, forensics, prisons and prosecution into a seamless digital system, enhancing crime prevention and justice delivery;
- (v) improve criminal investigations, deployment of mobile forensic labs in all districts and modernization of state forensic labs;
- (vi) modernize  Police  and  Central  Armed  Police  Forces  (CAPFs) through advanced security equipment, automation and enhanced inter-operability between forces along-with welfare initiatives in housing and healthcare;
- (vii) strengthen cybercrime infrastructure through the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), cyber fraud mitigation centres, Suspect Registry, Cyber-Commando wing and a National Cyber Threat Intelligence system to proactively counter digital threats;
- (viii) enhance border security through technological upgradation such as  drones,  surveillance  systems  and  fencing  along  vulnerable borders;

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 1989 FOR 11.03.2025

- (ix) reinforce coastal security with digitized mapping, monitoring of non-major ports, and enhanced coordination among the Indian Coast Guard, Navy and coastal states;
- (x) Have zero-tolerance for narcotic drugs and psychotropic Substances;
- (xi) improve  national  disaster  preparedness  through  community participation,  better-equipped  state  disaster  response  forces and international cooperation; and
- (xii) modernize immigration systems by streamlining visa issuance, evisas  and  fast-track  clearance  for  trusted  travellers  at  major international airports.

******