opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1464 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-29
Subject: Linkage of Agristack for providing Weather Based Crop Insurance System
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Adv Dean Kuriakose

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1464

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 29 TH  JULY, 2025

## A LINKAGE OF AGRISTACK FOR PROVIDING WEATHER BASED CROP INSURANCE SYSTEM

1464.  ADV DEAN KURIAKOSE:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी

be pleased to state: (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  registration  of  farmers  in  the  Agristack  has  been  made mandatory for providing the Weather Based Crop Insurance system; (b)  if so, the details thereof; (c)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  farmers  are  finding  it  practically  difficult  to register for the Agristack before the cut off date; and (d)  if so, whether the deadline will be extended to allow the farmers to do the registration?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) to (d): Yes, Sir.  Farmer ID in AgriStack has been made mandatory for farmers to get enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Restructured Weather Based  Crop  Insurance  Scheme  (RWBCIS)  from  Kharif  2025  onwards  for  the  States  of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu & Uttar Pradesh. Multiple methods have been opened up to ensure  easy  registration  for  farmers  in  AgriStack,  such  as  self-mode,  through  Common Service Centre, Camp Mode and Sahayak mode. Once they register themselves, they will be provided the Farmer ID in up to 48 hours. However, on the request of Andhra Pradesh, Assam,  Chhattisgarh,  Kerala,  Odisha,  Rajasthan,  and  Tamil  Nadu,  the  Government  has given an exemption to get enrolled the farmers under PMFBY & RWBCIS for Kharif 2025 season without their Farmer ID.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1460 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-29
Subject: Gihar Community
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Rakesh Rathor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.1460 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2025

## GIHAR COMMUNITY

## tr460.  sHRr RAKESH RATHOR:

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

- (a) whether  the Gihar community,  a nomadic  tribe residing in various States of the country and traditionally eaming their livelihood through crafts and forest-related  works,  has been classified as Scheduled Caste in some states and Scheduled Tribe in some other States, is addressed  as "Kanjar"  in many States, which hurts their sentiments;
- (b) whether the use of the word Kanjar  for the Gihar community may be considered a castespecific derogatory  word; and
- (c) if so, in view of the sentiments of the Gihar community whether  the Government  proposes  to stop the use of the word "Kanjar" and issuing  a directive to write only the word "Gihar"  in certificates  and documents?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)

(a) to (c): Kanjar  community has been notified as Scheduled Caste in the states of Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh,  Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh,  West Bengal  and Uttarakhand  and in the Union Territory  of Delhi. This community  has not been notified as Scheduled Tribe in any of the States and Union Territories.

Govemment  has laid down modalities for deciding claims for inclusion  in, exclusion  from and other modifications in the lists of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes under which the concerned  State Government/  UT administration  is required to initiate the proposal for modification in the lists with full  justification.  At present, there  is no proposal from any of the State Governments/  Union Territories  for substitution  of word 'Kanjar' with 'Gihar'.

*{.**{.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1458 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-29
Subject: National Policy on Senior Citizens
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Prof. Sougata Ray

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED  QUESTTON  NO.14s8 TO BE ANSWERED  ON 29.07.2025

## NATIONAL POLICY ON SENIOR CITIZENS

1458. PROF.  SOUGATA RAY:

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

- (a) whether  there is any proposal to implement a new national policy for Senior  Citizens of the country,  if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether such policy will reflect demographic  realities, as India heads into the future, if so, the details thereof;  and
- (c) whether  the Government estimated the proposed percentage of senior  citizens in 2047,  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE  AND EMPOWERMENT

(sHRr  B.L.VERMA)

- (a)  & (b): The National  Policy on Older Persons,l999  which is already  in force envisages  State support  to ensure financial and food security, healthcare,  shelter,  protection  and other needs  of older persons to improve  the quality  of their lives. with the passage  of time there  is a need to bring in a new policy.
- (c): As per report of Technical Group on Population  Projections  constituted  by the National Commission on Population,  between  201I and 2036, the proportion of population  of the older ages (60 years  and above)  is projected  to increase  from l0 crores in 201 I to23 crores in2036 an increase in their share to the total population  from  g.4  to 14.9 percent.

,f+**{<
Lok Sabha Question No. 1454 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-29
Subject: Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Manoj Tiwari, Shri Bharatsinhji Shankarji Dabhi, Shri Kota Srinivasa Poojary, Shri Chintamani Maharaj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1454 ANSWERED ON 29/07/2025

## REMISSION OF DUTIES AND TAXES ON EXPORTED PRODUCTS

## 1454. Shri Manoj Tiwari:

Shri Bharatsinhji Shankarji Dabhi:

Shri Kota Srinivasa Poojary:

Shri Chintamani Maharaj:

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

(a) whether the Remission  of  Duties  and  Taxes  on  Exported  Products  (RODTEP)  scheme is currently being implemented to support exporters across sectors, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether  the  Government  has  taken  steps  to  expand  the  coverage  of  the  scheme  to include SEZs, EOUs, and Advance Authorisation holders, if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether  the expanded  coverage  has  led  to increased participation by small  and medium exporters; and

- (d) 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 AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) to (d): The  Government  notified  the  Remission  of  Duties  and  Taxes  on  Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme with effect from 01.01.2021, to reimburse embedded taxes, duties, and levies that are not being refunded under any other existing mechanism at the central, state, or local  level,  but  are  incurred  in  the  manufacturing  and  distribution  process  of  exported  goods. This scheme aims to improve the cost competitiveness of Indian exports in the global market.

The  Scheme  is  implemented  by  the  Central  Board  of  Indirect  Taxes  and  Customs  (CBIC), Department of Revenue (DoR), Ministry of Finance, through an end-to-end IT-enabled platform hosted on ICEGATE, managed by CBIC.

The scheme covers a wide spectrum of export sectors, including small and medium enterprises, encompassing more than 10,500 HS codes. However, Apparel/Garments and Made-ups falling under Chapters 61, 62, and 63 are not covered under RoDTEP, as they are already being covered under the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) Scheme.

Initially,  the  Scheme  was  applicable  to  units  operating  in  the  Domestic  Tariff  Area  (DTA). Subsequently, vide DGFT Notification No. 70/2023 dated 08.03.2024, its coverage was extended to  Advance  Authorisation  (AA)  holders,  Export  Oriented  Units  (EOUs),  and  units  in  Special Economic Zones (SEZs) till 05.02.2025. The scheme was further reinstated for these categories with effect from 01.06.2025.

The RoDTEP rebate rates and value caps for DTA units are notified in Appendix 4R, and those for AA/SEZs/EOUs are notified in Appendix 4RE. Both appendices are available on the DGFT website (www.dgft.gov.in) under the link 'Regulations > RoDTEP'.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1447 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-29
Subject: Trade Agreement with USA
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Raja A

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1447

ANSWERED ON 29.07.2025

## TRADE AGREEMENT WITH USA

## 1447. SHRI RAJA A:

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

- (a) whether any trade agreement was negotiated with USA on tariffs on US imports and India's exports during the last two years, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether any deadline was set by US for concluding trade agreement, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether US recently increased tariffs on the imports of particular automobiles and spareparts from India;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether India registered protest in the WTO, as they were against the principles of GATT, if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether any retaliatory traiffs would be levied and suspend concessions, 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)  to  (f) India  US bilateral  Trade Agreement (BTA) negotiations were launched in March 2025. Five rounds of negotiations have been held, the last being from July 1418 th , 2025 at Washington DC, USA.

As per the Joint Statement issued on 13th February, 2025, India and US has set a goal to more than double total bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. The leaders of India and US announced plans to negotiate the First tranche of a mutually beneficial, multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by Fall of 2025.

USA has imposed 25% tariff on imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts from all countries including from India. Notably, while the tariffs on automobiles have been in effect since April 3, 2025, the tariffs on automobile parts have been in effect since May 3, 2025. Source : www.whitehouse.gov

India has taken requisite steps to reserve all its rights consistent with the provisions of WTO Agreements.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1444 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-29
Subject: Border Patrol Roads in Rajasthan
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Rahul Kaswan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1444

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 29 TH  JULY, 2025/ SRAVANA 7, 1947 (SAKA) BORDER PATROL ROADS IN RAJASTHAN

1444.     SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the total length of all-weather border patrol roads constructed along the Rajasthan border compared to those along the India -Pakistan border in Punjab and the India -Bangladesh border as of May 2025;
- (b)  whether  the  average  time  required  for  troop  mobilisation  along  the Rajasthan  border  is  higher  due  to  inadequate  road  conditions,  shifting sand  dunes  and  absence  of  forward  operating  bases  within  short distances, in contrast to faster mobilisation corridors seen in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  considered  replicating  permanent weather-resistant bunkers and modular watchtowers deployed in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh along critical Rajasthan sectors, which currently relies heavily on temporary posts; and
- (d) whether the Government has commissioned any international benchmarking  to  assess  why  border  logistics  and  infrastructure  on Rajasthan's frontier lag behind India's more densely secured international borders?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): For emphasizing development of infrastructure in border areas, Govt.  of  India  has  approved  construction  of  2280  Kms  roads  in  border areas of Rajasthan and Punjab in Oct 2024.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1439 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-29
Subject: Subsidized Jute Imports
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Mr Pathan Yusuf

## SUBSIDIZED JUTE IMPORTS

## 1439. MR PATHAN YUSUF:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  assessed  the  impact  of  cheap  and  subsidized  jute  imports  from Bangladesh on the Indian jute industry;
- (b) whether the jute Minimum Support Price (MSP) in recent years been linked to the rising volume of subsidized jute imports from Bangladesh; and
- (c) the measures that are being taken by the Government to stabilize jute prices and safeguard farmers' interest?

## उत्तर ANSWER

## वस्त्र मंत्री ( श्री गिररराज स ंह )

## MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

(a): The Government through Ministry of Commerce undertakes sunset review investigation of jute goods imported from Bangladesh and issues Anti-Dumping Duty (ADD) on jute goods in order to make the  level  playing  field.   Presently,  vide  notification  dated  30.12.2022,  the  Government  has  announced ADD on jute goods for a period of five years. Also, the Government vide notification dated 27.06.2025 has imposed port restriction on import of certain goods including Jute from Bangladesh to India.

(b): There is no such mechanism employed in Jute MSP.

(c): To  stabilize  raw  jute  prices  and  safeguard  farmers'  interest,  the  Government  implements minimum  support  price  for  raw  jute.  Further,  under  the  provision  of  Jute  Packaging  Material (Compulsory Use in Packing Commodities) Act, 1987, the Government has mandated for 100% food grains  and  20%  sugar  to  be  compulsorily  packed  in  Jute  Bags.  Additionally,  the  prices  of  raw  jute behaviour and necessary regulatory action in terms of Jute and Jute Textiles control order 2016 is also taken by the Government time to time to stabilize the raw jute prices in the market.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1435 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-29
Subject: Development Works Pending with DRDA
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Matheswaran V S

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1435 ANSWERED ON 29/07/2025

## DEVELOPMENT WORKS PENDING WITH DRDA

## 1435. Shri Matheswaran V S:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  development  works  recommended  by  the  public representative of Namakkal district, Tamil Nadu under various schemes is pending  with District Rural Development Agency (DRDA),  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  reasons therefor; and
- (b) the details of works undertaken by Namakkal District Administration of the various schemes under Ministry of Rural Development from June 2024 to till date?

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

(a) & (b): As  per  information  received  from  the  Commissioner, Rural  Development  and  Panchayat  Raj  Department,  Tamil  Nadu, total  45  development  works  were  recommended  by  Honourable Member of Parliament,Namakkal, Tamil Nadu. Details are given as under:-

| Details                                                                           |   MGNREGS |   MGSMT |   Total | Remarks   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|---------|---------|-----------|
| No. of works recommended by the Hon'ble Member of Parliament (LokSabha), Namakkal |        45 |       2 |      47 | -         |
| No. works Administrative Sanction given                                           |        28 |       1 |      29 | -         |
| Namakkal Municipality merged Panchayat works                                      |         9 |       0 |       9 | -         |
| No. of works not feasible                                                         |         8 |       0 |       8 | -         |
| To be proposed under MGSMT-                                                       |         0 |       1 |       1 | -         |

| 2025-26   |
|-----------|

As  per  information  received  from  the  Commissioner,  Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Tamil Nadu, details of works undertaken by Namakkal District Administration under various schemes of Ministry of Rural Development from June 2024 to till date are as under:-

| Scheme          | FY 2024-2025   | FY 2025-2026   | Total   |
|-----------------|----------------|----------------|---------|
| MGNREGS         | 15,059         | 4,675          | 19,734  |
| PMAY (G)        | 96             | 0              | 96      |
| PMGSY(incentive | 8              | 11             | 19      |
| Total           | 15,163         | 4,686          | 19,849  |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1433 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-29
Subject: Development of Pashmina
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Mohmad Haneefa

## DEVELOPMENT OF PASHMINA

## 1433. SHRI MOHMAD HANEEFA:

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

(a)  the  details  of  progress  made  in  all  the  projects  being  implemented  by  the  Government  for  the development of Pashmina in the UT of Ladakh including the Pashmina Wool Development Scheme and the Pashmina De-hairing Plant;

(b) the details of funds allocated and utilized under the said project till date;

(c) whether the Government is considering bringing any new proposal for the development of Pashmina and if so, the details thereof; and

(d)  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government to support nomadic culture and Pashmina growers and to improve handloom infrastructure in the region?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र मंत्री ( श्री गिररराज स ंह )

## MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

(a) to (c): The  Government  through  Central  Wool  Development  Board  has  been  implementing Integrated  Wool  Development  Programme  (IWDP)  for  the  period  of  2021-22  to  2025-26  for  the development of Wool Sector including component for Pashmina Wool development for UT of Ladakh region. The details of progress made for development of Pashmina in the UT of Ladakh, is at Annexure . Under  IWDP for development of Pashmina Wool, an amount of Rs.18.56 crore has  been  released  to Implementing Agencies against which Rs.14.46 crore has been utilized by them.

(d) : Under  the  IWDP  Scheme,  projects  have  been  sanctioned  to  support  pashmina  nomads  like procurement of pashmina wool through revolving fund, distribution of portable tents and construction of predator  proof  corral  with  LED  lights . Also,  projects  have  been  sanctioned  for  procurement  and distribution of small tools like handloom, charkha etc to support to handloom infrastructure.

Annexure Annexure in reply to part (a) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question Number 1433 for 29.07.2025 asked by Shri Mohmad Haneefa regarding Development of Pashmina

|   Sl.No. | Component                                                                                 |
|----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Micro Plate PCR-DNA Analyzer equipment                                                    |
|        2 | Construction /Distribution of predator proof corral with LED Light to 150 Pashmina Nomads |
|        3 | Distribution of portable tent with accessories to 200 Pashmina Nomads                     |
|        4 | Revolving fund for the marketing of Pashmina Wool to 103 Pashmina Nomads                  |
|        5 | Procurement &installation of 1 ( one) De-hairing plant with ancillary machines            |
Lok Sabha Question No. 1431 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-29
Subject: EV Charging Stations in Tier- 2 Cities
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Durai Vaiko

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1431

ANSWERED ON 29.07.2025

## EV CHARGING STATIONS IN TIER- 2 CITIES

## 1431.  SHRI DURAI VAIKO:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to significantly increase the number of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations in Tier-2 cities across the country, including in Tamil Nadu;
- (b) the total number of EV charging stations currently operational in Tier-2 cities and the targets set for the next five years;
- (c) whether the Government has mandated or is considering mandating the installation of EV charging points at all Government-run and private fuel stations (petrol/diesel bunks) to support the growing number of electric vehicles;
- (d)  the  financial  or  policy  incentives  being  provided  to  encourage  private  players  and  oil marketing companies to set up EV charging infrastructure; and
- (e) the steps being taken to ensure equitable EV infrastructure development in non-metro and semi-urban regions to promote faster adoption of electric mobility?

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

- (a): Setting up of electric vehicle charging stations is an unlicensed activity and private entrepreneurs can also install the charging stations.  In addition to this, an allocation of Rs.2,000 crore has been made under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme, for setting up of electric vehicle public charging stations (EV PCS) on pan India basis including Tier 2 cities in the State of Tamil Nadu.
- (b): The total number of EV charging stations operational in Tier-2 cities as on 01.04.2025 is 4,625. The installation of EV charging stations is demand driven activity and no target can be set as installation depends on many factors including EV penetration.
- (c): Currently, no such plan is under consideration.
- (d): The details of financial or policy incentives being provided to encourage private players and oil marketing companies to set up EV Charging infrastructure are as under : -
1.  Ministry of Heavy Industries has allocated Rs.873.50 crore towards installation of 8,932 EVPCS by the three oil marketing companies (OMCs) under MoPNG namely IOCL, BPCL and HPCL under the FAME-II Scheme.  Further, an allocation of Rs.2,000 crore has also been made under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme for installation of EV charging infrastructure.
2.  Setting up of a charging station is an unlicensed activity and private players can install EVCS as per Ministry of Power (MoP) Guidelines of September 17, 2024.
- (e): MoP guidelines issued in September 17, 2024 are applicable all across the country including the non-metro and semi-urban regions to ensure equitable EV infrastructure development.

*******