opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2925 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Storage Capacity   FCI
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Kota Srinivasa Poojary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2925

TO BE ANSWERED ON 6TH AUGUST, 2025

## STORAGE CAPACITY  FCI

## 2925.  SHRI KOTA SRINIVASA POOJARY:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to  state:

- (a): whether the Food Corporation of  India (FCI) continuously assesses and monitors the storage capacity and based on  the requirement and storage gap assessment, storage capacities are created/hired through Schemes at a Pan India level including Karnataka and the steps being taken to implement this plan;
- (b): if so, the details thereof along with  the Financial Outlay earmarked for this purpose; and
- (c): the details and the amount of  funding released to  States so far for the expansion of warehouse capacity/godowns?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

- (a): Yes, FCI continuously assesses and monitors the storage capacity and based on the storage gap assessment, storage capacities are created/hired at PAN  India  level  including Karnataka, through following  schemes :-
1.  Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme
2. Central  Sector Scheme (CSS) ''St6rage &  Godowns'  (Focus on NE)  2017-25
3. Construction  of Silos  under Public  Private Partnership (PPP) mode
4. Hiring of godown from Central warehousing Corporation (CWC)/State Warehousing Corporations (SWCs)/State Agencies
5. Hiring  ofgodown  through Private Warehousing  Scheme (PWS).
6. Creation ofgodowns  on FCI's owned land under Asset Monetization
7. Covered &  Plinth  Hiring  (CAP)  Scheme -2025
8. Modified  PEG scheme for NE &  Hilly  states with  longer guarantee period of  15 years

Effective  measures are being taken to increase storage facilities  for  developing  efficient  storage system in the country.

- (b)&(c): Silos and PEG are constructed by private parties in PPP made with their own funds and storage charges/rentals are paid by FCI.

Under Central Sector Scheme (2017-25), the funds are released by the Ministry to the FCI

under 2 heads, i.e. North-East  Regions and Other than North-East Regions.

The Financial outlay earmarked for North East was Rs. 379.50 Crore and Other than NorthEast was Rs.104.58 Cr.  under the Central Sector Scheme, 2017-25 and the same were further utilized/distributed to the respective Zonal Offices as per the site requirements.

Rs.379.50 Cr.  have been released under North  East Region Head and Rs. 104.58 Cr. have been released under Other than North  East Region Head.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2924 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Vigyan Jyoti Programme in Kerala
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Shafi Parambil

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2924 ANSWERED ON 06/08/2025

## VIGYAN JYOTI PROGRAMME IN KERALA

## 2924. SHRI SHAFI PARAMBIL:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) the major objectives of the Vigan Jyoti Programme initiated in 2019;
- (b) the details of the total funds allocated and disbursed for the Vigan Jyoti Programme during the last five years;
- (c) whether any districts of  Kerala  has  been  selected  under  the Vigan Jyoti Programme;
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  details  of  the  benefit  of  the  Vigyan  Jyoti  Programme  in Kerala?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

विज्ञान और प्रौद्योगिकी तथा पृ थ्िी विज्ञान मंत्रालय क े राज्य मंत्री ( स्ितंत्र प्रभार) ( डॉ. जितेंद्र स ंह )

- (a) The major objectives of the Vigyan Jyoti Programme, which was initiated in 2019, is to encourage meritorious girls to pursue higher education and careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. The programme promotes gender parity in STEM  through  various  year-round activities such  as  hands-on experiential learning sessions, interactions with scientific role models, visits  to  R&D  and  industrial  laboratories,  career  guidance workshops, and student-parent counselling sessions. These activities are designed to enhance the interest and inclination of girls towards science.

- (b) The details of the total funds allocated and disbursed under the Vigyan Jyoti Programme during the last five years are as follows:

| Year    |   Fund Allotted (Rs. in crores) |   Fund Disbursed (Rs. in crores) |
|---------|---------------------------------|----------------------------------|
| 2021-22 |                           18.83 |                                9 |
| 2022-23 |                           35.54 |                               20 |
| 2023-24 |                           47.37 |                               28 |
| 2024-25 |                           55.97 |                               35 |
| 2025-26 |                           55.95 |                               39 |

(c) to (d): Yes Sir. The districts in Kerala selected under the Vigyan Jyoti Programme are Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Wayanad, Idukki, Kasaragod, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kottayam, and Palakkad.

(e) The Vigyan Jyoti Programme has benefitted nearly 2,800 girl students  from  Kerala  by  providing  academic  support,  mentoring, financial  assistance,  exposure  visits,  and  coaching  to  encourage them to pursue careers in STEM fields.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2923 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Stipends under Maulana Azad National Fellowship
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Pradyut Bordoloi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2923

ANSWERED ON 06/08/2025

## STIPENDS UNDER MAULANA AZAD NATIONAL FELLOWSHIP

## 2923. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the number of scholars who currently receive stipends under the Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) to conduct research in Universities across the country;
- (b) the details and the date on which the Government had last transferred funds to the National Minorities  Development  and  Finance  Corporation  (NMFDC)  for  MANF  and  the  quantum  of such funds;
- (c) whether the Government has taken cognisance of reports of scholars not having received dues under the fellowship since December 2024 and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) if so, whether the Government plans to take any action to address the issue; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a)  As  on  30.07.2025,  a  total  of  868  scholars  have  recently  received  fellowship  under  the Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) Scheme.
- (b) to (e) An amount of Rs. 24 crore has been released vide sanction order dated 14.07.2025 and fellowship  amount  has  been  released  by  NMDFC  to  all  the  eligible  existing  MANF  Fellows endorsed by their respective universities up to June, 2025.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2922 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Domestic Production of Rare Earth Minerals
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2922

ANSWERED ON 06/08/2025

## DOMESTIC PRODUCTION OF RARE EARTH MINERALS

## 2922. SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government is finalizing an incentive scheme worth Rs.3,500 to Rs.5,000 crore for boosting domestic production of rare earth minerals and magnets;
- (b) if so, the key objectives of the scheme and how it aims to reduce India's reliance on critical imports, particularly from China;
- (c) the details of sectors that are expected to benefit from increased availability of rare earth minerals, such as electric mobility, electronics and renewable energy;
- (d) whether the scheme promotes public-private-partnerships and indigenous technology for rare earth extraction and magnet manufacturing; and
- (e) if so, the manner in which this initiative aligns with the Government's broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and strategic resource security?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a) to (e) As of now, there is no Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for domestic production of rare earth minerals and magnets.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2917 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Free Foodgrain Distribution under PMGKAY
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Rajesh Naranbhai Chudasama, Shri Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri

## GOVERNMENT  OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2917

TO BE ANSWERED ON 6TH AUGUST, 2025

## FREE FOODGRAIN DISTRIBUTION  UNDER PMGKAY

## 2917. SHRI VISHWESHWARHEGDE KAGERI: SHRI RAJESH NARANBHAI CHUDASAM A:

## Will  the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

be pleased to state:

- (a): the details of the prices at which food grains were issued to beneficiaries prior to the implementation of  free foodgrain distribution under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY);  and
- (b): the  details of  the additional financial  burden arising from  the distribution of  free foodgrains to beneficiaries  under PIV[GKAY?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRIMATI  NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI  BAMBHANIYA)

(a) & (b): Foodgrains under National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA)  were to be made available at  subsidized prices of  Rs. 3/2/1 per kg  for  rice, wheat and coarse grains respectively for an initial  period of three years from the date of  commencement of the Act (July  13, 2013). Thereafter, prices were to be fixed  by the Central Government from time to time, but not exceeding MSP. Government reviewed the prices from time to time and continued the same subsidized prices till  December 2022.

The Central Government, in  order to  remove the financial burden of  the  poor beneficiaries and to ensure nationwide uniformity  and effective  implementation of the Act, had decided to  provide foodgrains free of  cost to  beneficiaries for  a period of  one year beginning  from Ist  January 2023  under the  Pradhan Mantri  Garib  Kalyan  Anna  Yojana (PVIGK AY).  The period for  distribution of  free of  cost foodgrains has been extended for further  five  years i.e. from  January, 2024, with  an estimated financial  outlay  of Rs. 11.80 lakh crore totally  to be borne by Central Government.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2914 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Railway Connectivity from Thawe to Metropolitan Cities
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Alok Kumar Suman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2914

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025

## RAILWAY CONNECTIVITY FROM THAWE TO METROPOLITAN CITIES

2914. DR. ALOK KUMAR SUMAN :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that Railway connectivity for the metropolitan cities  like  Delhi,  Mumbai  are  minimal  from  the  Thawe  junction  from Bihar and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  Gorakhpur  higher  official  has  forwarded proposal for running the train from the Thawe junction are pending in the Railway Board and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  details  of  the  number  of  proposals  for  running  the  train  from Thawe junction pending in the Railway Board; and
- (d)  whether  the  Ministry  have  taken  any  decision  on  the  pending proposals to run the trains from the Thawe junction, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (d)  At  present,  06  Mail/Express  and  22  Passenger regular  train services  are  catering  to  the  needs  of  passengers  of  Thawe  station. These services are providing connectivity to various destinations like

Siwan,  Patliputra,  Gorakhpur  etc.  Further,  05305/06  Chhapra-Anand Vihar  (T)  Special  and  05059/60  Kolkata-Lalkuan  Special  services are providing connectivity for Delhi and Kolkata area. Moreover, to provide additional services to the passengers of Thawe, it has also been decided to extend 19045/46 Surat-Chhapra Express upto Thawe. Besides, Siwan, located at a distance of 28 km from Thawe, is also very well connected to metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Delhi etc., which may also be availed by the passengers of Thawe. However,  receipt  of proposals  from  Zonal  Railway  and  action thereon,  is  an  on-going  process,  subject  to  operational  feasibility, resource availability, competing demands etc. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2912 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Competitiveness of BSNL
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Dushyant Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2912 ANSWERED ON 6 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## COMPETITIVENESS OF BSNL

## 2912.   SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

(a) the  specific  measures  implemented  by  the  Government  to  support  BSNL's  return  to profitability during the last financial year, since 2007;

(b) whether  the  Government  has  a  detailed  breakdown  of  the  revenue  growth  in  BSNL's mobility services, Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH) and leased line service, if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  for  BSNL's  4G  and  5G  rollout  to  enhance competitiveness in the telecom sector and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government has undertaken any initiatives to improve customer satisfaction and reduce churn rates for BSNL and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

- ( a ) Government has taken various steps for revival of BSNL as mentioned below:
-  In 2019, first revival package amounting to around Rs. 69 Thousand Crores was given that brought down the operating costs of BSNL/MTNL.
-  In 2022, revival package amounting to around Rs. 1.64 Lakh Crores was given. It focused on infusing fresh capital, restructuring debt, viability gap funding for rural telephony etc.
-  In 2023, Government approved the allotment of 4G/5G spectrum to BSNL with the total outlay of around Rs. 89 Thousand Crores.
-  In addition to these revival packages, the Cabinet Note for additional CAPEX support of Rs. 6,982 Crores has been approved on 07.02.2025.

As a result of these packages, BSNL has started earning operating profits from F.Y. 2020-21.

( b ) The Mobile revenue of BSNL has increased from Rs. 5,319 crores in F.Y. 2023-24 to Rs. 5,503 crores in F.Y. 2024-25. The FTTH revenue of BSNL has increased from Rs. 2,652 crores in F.Y. 2023-24 to Rs. 2,923 crores in F.Y. 2024-25. The Leased Lines / Circuits revenue of BSNL has increased from Rs. 3,623 crores in F.Y. 2023-24 to Rs. 3,658 crores in F.Y. 2024-25.

( c ) & ( d ) In  line  with  Atmanirbhar  Bharat  initiative,  BSNL  has  placed  purchase  order  for indigenously developed 4G sites for pan India deployment. Supply of 4G equipment has started from September 2023 and as on 30.06.2025, total 95,537 4G sites have been installed and 90,035 sites are ON-Air. The equipment is 5G upgradable from technology perspective.

To enhance the network infrastructure and service quality, BSNL is executing the various schemes of  Government such as 4G  Saturation  Scheme, Border Out  Post ( BOP )/ Border Intelligence  Post ( BIP ) etc . The details of these schemes are available on https://usof.gov.in.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2909 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Exploration and Auction of Critical and Strategic Minerals
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Yaduveer Wadiyar, Shri Karan Bhushan Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2909

ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025

## EXPLORATION AND AUCTION OF CRITICAL AND STRATEGIC MINERALS

2909. SHRI YADUVEER WADIYAR: SHRI KARAN BHUSHAN SINGH:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) the manner in which the Government has enhanced the exploration and auction of critical and strategic minerals such as lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements during the last year;
- (b) whether the Government has successfully auctioned any blocks under the new exploration licence regime; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a):  The  Mines  and  Minerals  (Development  and  Regulation)  (MMDR)  Act,  1957 amended with  effect  from  17.08.2023  has  empowered  the  Central  Government  to exclusively auction critical and strategic minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements etc. During the last year (2024-25), 24 critical and strategic mineral blocks have been successfully auctioned by the Central Government.

To enhance exploration of critical and strategic minerals, National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) provides exploration incentives and also offers partial reimbursement of exploration expenses to holders of Exploration and Composite Licenses for critical and deep-seated minerals. During last year (2024-25), NMET has sanctioned 72 projects of critical and strategic minerals. Further, Geological Survey of India (GSI) has carried out 195 exploration projects for critical and strategic minerals during last year (202425) in different parts of the country.

- (b) & (c): The Notice Inviting Tenders (NITs) for the 1st tranche of auction of 13 mineral blocks for grant of Exploration Licence has been issued on 13th March, 2025.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2905 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Wi-Fi Enabled Gram Panchayats
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Smt. Delkar Kalaben Mohanbhai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2905 ANSWERED ON 6 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## WI-FI ENABLED GRAM PANCHAYATS

## †2905.  SMT. DELKAR KALABEN MOHANBHAI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has accelerated the rollout of Wi-Fi in Gram Panchayats in various States of the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  number  of  Wi-Fi  enabled  Gram  Panchayats with presently  in  the  Union  Territory  of Dadra Nagar Haveli, State/UT-wise;
- (c) the financial outlay allocated for internet services of Gram Panchayats for the current year; and
- (d) if so, the details for the Union Territory of Dadra Nagar Haveli in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

(a) & (b) Total number of service ready Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the Country is 2,14,325 as on 30.06.2025. The state-wise details are available on Digital Bharat Nidhi website (https://usof.gov.in/en/home). Wi-Fi service is supported by equipment installed at many GPs.

- (c) & (d) In  current  financial  year  2025-26,  Rs.  28,400  Crores  have  been  allocated  for  DBN's Schemes to provide internet telecom services in rural and remote areas of the country including Dadra Nagar Haveli.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2904 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Jobs to Locals by SCCL
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Dr. Kadiyam Kavya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2904 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025

## Jobs to Locals by SCCL

## 2904.  # DR. KADIYAM KAVYA:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of jobs provided to the locals by Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) in the Warangal Lok Sabha Constituency during the last five years;
- (b) the details of recruitment policies ensuring opportunities for Scheduled Caste candidates in SCCL; and
- (c) whether any plans to expand SCCL operations in the region and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a): The total number of jobs provided in Warangal Lok Sabha Constituency since 2020 is 1136.
- (b): The details of recruitment policies ensuring opportunities for Scheduled Caste candidates in SCCL are as follows:
- (i) 15% of reservation is being implemented for Scheduled Caste in SCCL recruitments.
- (ii) 5 years of upper Age relaxation is being given for Scheduled Caste candidates in SCCL recruitments.
- (iii)  5% relaxation  in  marks  is  being  given  in  the  qualifying  examination  in  SCCL recruitments.
- (iv) For Scheduled Caste candidates, examination fee is exempted in SCCL recruitments.
- (c): At present, there is no proposal to expand SCCL operations in the Warangal Constituency.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2897 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Increasing the Annual Income for PDS
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Amra Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2897

TO BE ANSWERED ON 6TH AUGUST, 2025

## INCREASING THE ANNUAL INCOME FOR PDS

## 2897. SHRI AMFLA RAM:

Will  the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:

- (a): whether the Department proposes to  increase the annual income from  Rupees one lakh to two lakhs under the Public Distribution  System (PDS);
- (b): if  so, the time  by which  it is likely  to be done and if  not, the reasons therefor;
- (c): whether it is a fact that the rupee has been developed at its lowest level against the Dollar; and
- (d): whether foodgrains are being distributed because of  inflation  only  and if  so, the details thereoF

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

- (a) &  (b): The Public Distribution System (PDS) is now governed as per the provisions of the National  Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA). Identification  of beneficiaries under the act is  under two  categories- households  covered under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) to  the extent specified by  the  Central Government and the  remaining households as priority households to be identified by the State  Governments/  Union Territories  (UT) Administrations as per criteria evolved by them, within the coverage determined for the State/UT. Thus, the  criteria  for  identification of  beneficiaries  under Priority  Households Category may  vary  from  State to  State depending upon Socio-Economic, demographic conditions of the State

- (c): The relative value of  currencies including Rupee and Dollar, is determined by a multitude of macro-economic factors, inter alia, including interest rates, inflation, economic growth, trade balance etc. and is dynamic in nature.
- (d): The act provides for  food and nutritional security in human life cycle approach, by ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable  prices to people to live a life with dignity and for matters connected therewith  or incidental thereto.

The act provides for  coverage of upto 75'Y, of  the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population,  which  at Census 2011 comes to 81 .35 crore persons. At  present, free of cost foodgrains  are being provided  to around 80.56 crore beneficiaries.

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