opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 511 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-06
Subject: Sub-categorisation of SCs List
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Manickam Tagore B

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.SII TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.02.2024

## 511, SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B:

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

- (a) whether the Government has constituted a five member committee to evaluate and work out a method for the 'equitable distribution ofbenefits, schemes and initiatives to the most backward communities amongst the over 1,200 Scheduled Castes in the country and if the details thereof; SO,
- (b) whether caste census can be the only empirical basis for the sub-categorisation of Scheduled Castes and if the details thereof; and SO,
- (c) whether many States had tried to in reservation laws at the State level in a bid to subcategorise Scheduled Castes and decide o a separate quantum of reservation for these subcategories within the umbrella of Scheduled Castes and if $o, the details thereof? bring

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI A. NARAYANASWAMY)

(a) to (c): The matter ofsub-categorization of Scheduled Castes is at present under adjudication by a 7 Judge Bench of the Supreme Court in Civil Appeal No. 2317 of2011. The Government regularly reviews matters  relating to welfare of various sections of the society including Scheduled Castes: A Committee has been formed to examine the measures taken for effective implementation of the Schemes and initiatives, keeping in view the representations received from some specific communities of the Scheduled Castes
Lok Sabha Question No. 493 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-06
Subject: Use of AI to improve Agriculture
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik, Sambhajirao Mane Dhairyasheel, Shrirang Appa Barne, Sudheer Gupta, Prataprao  Jadhav

- 493.

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 493 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 6 TH   FEBRUARY, 2024

## USE OF AI TO IMPROVE AGRICULTURE

Shri Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao

Shri Shrirang Appa Barne Shri Sudheer Gupta Shri Prataprao Jadhav

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

- (a)  Whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  use  Artificial  Intelligence  (AI)  to  tackle  the problem of inferior crops, reduction in production and increasing input cost in the field of agriculture and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  Whether the Government also proposes to use Artificial Intelligence to check the loss of produce/ crops due to global warming and changes in climate;
- (c)  If so, the details thereof and the steps taken in this regard;
- (d)  Whether the Government has developed any technique through Artificial Intelligence by which the health of crops can be ascertained and monitored and if so, the details thereof;
- (e)  The details and names of crops on which the Government is working presently through Artificial Intelligence; and
- (f) The manner in which farmers are going to be benefitted through this technology?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी (SHRI ARJUN MUNDA)

- (a) to (f): The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in India has employed Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods to address various challenges in the agricultural sector to aid farmers. Some of the initiatives are given below:
- i. 'Kisan  e-Mitra'  an  AI-powered  chatbot to  assist  farmers  with  queries  about  the  PM Kisan  Samman  Nidhi  scheme.  This  solution  supports  multiple  languages  and  is evolving to assist with other government programs.
- ii. National  Pest  Surveillance  System  for  tackling  the  loss  of  produce  due  to  climate change. This system utilizes AI and Machine Learning to detect crop issues, enabling timely intervention for healthier crops.
- iii. AI based analytics using field photographs for crop health assessment and crop health monitoring using Satellite, weather & soil moisture datasets for rice and wheat crop.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 491 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-06
Subject: Death of Manual Scavangers
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Sunil Dattatray Tatkare

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.491 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.02.2024

## DEATH OF MANUAL SCAVANGERS

## 491. SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE:

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

- (a) whether a number of employees working in urban bodies in Maharashtra have lost their lives while cleaning sewers/septic tanks;
- (b) if s0, the total number of people who lost their lives while engaging in sewer cleaning process during last three years;
- the reasons for non-observance of safety precautions prescribed under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Rules, 2013; and
- (d) whether National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation is providing modern equipment, training and also implementing programmes to prevent manual cleaning for sewers and septic tanks and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)& (b): 33 deaths due to hazardous cleaning of sewer and tanks have been reported from the State of Maharashtra during the last three years (i.e, 1st January, 2021 to 31st January, 2024). The data of 33 deaths also includes the cases of death of the employees of urban local bodies. septic
- (c): The Government of India issues instructions to the State GovernmentsMUT Administrations from time to time to enforce the   safety   precautions   prescribed in the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Rules, 2013.
- (d): National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development   Corporation   (NSKFDC) is providing financial assistance to sanitation workers through capital subsidy as individual and as a group, to procure sanitation equipments and vehicles under Swacchta Udyami Yojana (SUY) for  the  mechanization of cleaning   operations, apart from providing   training to sanitation workers.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 487 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-06
Subject: Funds to Local Self Government
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: M. P. Abdussamad Samadani

## GOVERNMENTOF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 487 ANSWERED ON 06/02/2024

## Funds to Local Self Government

## 487. DR. M.P. ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the non-availability of sufficient funds for Local SelfGovernments in the State of Kerala for their developmental activities and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has any plans to increase the amount of Central allotments under schemes like Center Finance Commission Grants, Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), and Incentivization of Panchayats (IoP) to the Local SelfGovernments in the State of Kerala and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government of Kerala has submitted any proposals for an increment in the amount under the above-mentioned schemes; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL)

(a) to (d) Local Self Government and Village Administration being the State subject under the 7 th Schedule of the Constitution, the primary responsibility for ensuring financial sufficiencyof the Panchayats lies with the State Government. However, based on the recommendations of Central Finance Commission Recommendations Centre allocate funds to the States for further allocation to the Local Bodies for developmental activities. No information has been received by the Ministry regarding non-availability of sufficient funds for Local Self Governments in the State of Kerala for their developmental activities.

For Strengthening of Panchayati Raj Institution under the Centrally sponsored scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) funds are released to the States/UTs based on the Annual Action Plan submitted by them and approved by the Central Empowered Committee, subject to compliances of the guidelines of the Ministry of Finance for the release of funds under Centrally Sponsored Schemes. For the year 2023-24, an amount of Rs.10crore has been released to the State of Kerala under RGSA.

Further, funds under the Scheme of Incentivization of Panchayats is provided to the Panchayats in the form of award/ incentive based on performance of Panchayats across the country in their progress towards achieving the Localized Sustainable Goals based on the national level assessment. As such there is no fixed allocation for any State/UT.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 482 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-06
Subject: Geo-MGNREGS Project
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Margani Bharat

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 482 ANSWERED ON 06/02/2024

## GEO-MGNREGS PROJECT

## 482.  SHRI MARGANI BHARAT:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Geo-Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) project integrate space technology and asset-tracking management solutions for the MGNREGS, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the objectives and goals of this project;
- (c) whether there are any challenges or barriers encountered during the implementation of Geo-MGNREGS;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the manner in which they were addressed;
- (e) whether Geo-MGNREGS Phase-II has been initiated to further enhance transparency and accountability by geo-tagging works at different stages; and
- (f) whether there are any key differences between Phase-I and Phase-II and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a) to (f):   Geo-Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) project called GeoMGNREGA has been launched on 1st September 2016 for geo-tagging of all completed works which started  before  1st  November,  2017,  under  Mahatma  Gandhi National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Scheme  (Mahatma  Gandhi NREGS) in Phase-I and the work started 1st November, 2017 onwards all works to be Geotagged in three stages (Before, During and After) as Phase-II of GeoMGNREGA.

The  objective  of  GeoMGNREGA  is to  create  a  Geographical Information System (GIS) solution to visualise, analyse and explore the data of assets created under the Mahatma Gandhi NREGS. Under  GeoMGNREGA  more  than  5.74  crore  assets  have  been geo-tagged  (as  on  31.01.2024)  and  made  available  in  the  public domain.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 481 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-06
Subject: Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure Scheme
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: P. C. Mohan, Ratansinh Magansinh Rathod

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 481

ANSWERED ON 06 TH  FEBRUARY, 2024

## INTEGRATED COLD CHAIN AND VALUE ADDITION INFRASTRUCTURE SCHEME

## 481. SHRI P.C. MOHAN:

## SHRI RATANSINH MAGANSINH RATHOD:

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) the  key  components  and  objectives  of  the  'Integrated  Cold  Chain  and  Value  Addition Infrastructure' scheme, particularly in terms of creating an uninterrupted cold chain from the farm gate to the consumer;
- (b) whether the scheme addresses the diverse needs of various sectors such as non-horticulture, horticulture, fish/marine, dairy, meat and poultry in facilitating integrated cold chain facilities; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (KM SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

(a)  to  (c) The  Ministry  of  Food  Processing  Industries  (MoFPI)  is  implementing  the  Scheme  for Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure under the umbrella scheme - Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY). The objective of the scheme is to provide integrated cold chain, preservation  and  value  addition  infrastructure  facilities  without  any  break,  from  farm  gate  to  the consumer in order to reduce post-harvest losses of non-horticulture produce, dairy, meat, poultry and marine/fish (except shrimp).

The Scheme is demand driven in nature. The eligible entities to apply for benefits under the scheme include  individuals  as  well  as  entity/organisation  such  as  Farmer  Producer  Organizations  (FPOs), Farmer Producer Companies, Non-Governmental Organisations, Public Sector Undertakings, Firms, Companies etc., with business interest in cold chain solutions and also by those who manage supply chain.

The  components  of  the  Scheme  are  creation  of  Farm  Level  Infrastructure,  Processing  Centre, Distribution Hub, Refrigerated vans/ refrigerated trucks/ insulated vans/ mobile insulated tankers. The Scheme also supports creation of Irradiation Facility as a standalone component. The scheme allows flexibility in project planning with special emphasis on creation of cold chain infrastructure at farm level.

Under the Scheme, MoFPI provides grant-in-aid  @35% of the  eligible project cost for projects  in General areas and @50% of the eligible project cost for projects in Difficult areas as well as for projects of SC/STs, FPOs and Self Help Groups, subject to maximum of Rs.10 crore per project.  So far, MoFPI has approved 372 projects for creation of 38.82 lakh metric tonne (LMT) preservation capacity and 148.07 LMT processing capacity per annum. These projects benefit 35.53 lakh farmers and created employment opportunities to 2.23 lakhs persons.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 479 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-06
Subject: Suspension of Wrestling Federation of India
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Sougata Ray, Pratima Mondal

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.479 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.02.2024

Suspension of Wrestling Federation of India

479.  PROF. SOUGATA RAY: SHRIMATI PRATIMA MONDAL:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  resolve  the  issues between Wrestling Federation of India and the Wrestlers of the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  details  of  steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  conducting  the competitions;
- (d)  whether the suspension of WFI will affect the participation of Indian Wrestlers in International competitions;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  Indian  wrestlers' presence in international competitions under Indian Flag?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

(a)  to  (f)  Sir,  some  wrestlers, including prominent women wrestlers, had staged  a  protest/dharna  in  January  2023,  levelling  allegations  of  sexual harassment,  arbitrariness  and  mismanagement  on  part  of  the  former President  of  the  Wrestling  Federation  of  India  (WFI).  Since  the  matter pertains to the wellbeing of the athletes, Government of India immediately took note of the allegations and directed the Executive Committee (EC) of the  WFI  to  abstain  from  administering  and  managing  the  day-to-day activities of the WFI. Further, as a purely interim measure, an Oversight Committee  was  appointed  by  the  Government  on  23.01.2023  to  enquire into the allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment and/or intimation, financial  irregularities  and  administrative  lapses,  levelled  by  prominent sportspersons. Later, on 03.05.2023, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) appointed  an  Ad  Hoc  Committee  to  manage  the  affairs  of  the  WFI, including  selection  of  athletes  and  making  entries  for  participation  of sportspersons in international events, and also to conduct the elections of the EC of the WFI. The elections were held on 21.12.2023. However, due to some arbitrary and unauthorised actions on part of the newly elected President of WFI, the Government, on 24.12.2023, directed the EC of the WFI to abstain from administering and managing the day-to-day activities of the Federation, as such actions are against the principles of the Good  Governance. Subsequently,  on  27.12.2023,  the  IOA  appointed  an  Ad  Hoc  Committee, tasked with overseeing and supervising the operations of the WFI, such as athletes' selection, submitting  entries  for athletes  to participate  in international events, organizing sports activities, handling bank accounts etc. As  regards  allegations  of  sexual  harassment,  based  on  the  FIRs  filed, Delhi Police has filed a charge sheet in the Court.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 476 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-06
Subject: Skill Development for NSS
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Rajesh Verma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 476 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.02.2024

## Skill Development for NSS

## 476. SHRI RAJESH VERMA:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of specific skill  development  initiatives  that  are incorporated in the Skill Development Programme for National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers;
- (b) whether the scheme has played a significant role in enhancing the capabilities  and  fostering  active  engagement  of  NSS  volunteers  in  a variety of community service activities; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

- (a) National Service Scheme (NSS) does not have any specific skill development initiatives that can be incorporated in the skill development  programmes  for  the  National  Service  Scheme  (NSS) volunteers. However, the NSS volunteers impart training on personality development, leadership skills, life skills through the Regular Activities and Special Camping programmes of NSS.
- (b) & (c): National Service Scheme (NSS) has been playing key role in empowering the youth through developing the personality and

character of the student youth through voluntary community service. 'Education through Service' is the purpose of the NSS. Very appropriately, the  motto  of  NSS  is  'NOT  ME,  BUT  YOU'.  NSS volunteers place the 'community before 'self' with the aim to develop following among them:

- i. To  understand  the  community  in  which  the  NSS  volunteers work  and  to  understand  themselves  in relation to their community.
- ii. To  identify  the  needs  and  problems  of  the  community  and involve themselves in problem-solving exercise.
- iii. To  develop  among  themselves  a  sense  of  social  and  civic responsibility.
- iv. To  utilize  their  knowledge  in  finding  practical  solutions  to individual and community problems.
- v. To gain skills in mobilizing community participation.
- vi. To acquire leadership qualities and democratic values.
- vii. To develop capacity to meet emergencies and natural disasters; and
- viii. To practice national integration and social harmony.

Further,  NSS  volunteers  get  exposure  and  experience  through National Integration Camp, National Adventure Camp, Pre-Republic Day Camp, Republic Day Parade Camp, National Youth Festival etc., for delivering participation in various other NSS programmes like community service.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 475 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-06
Subject: Panchayat Sarkar Bhawans
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Rajiv Pratap Rudy

## GOVERNMENTOF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 475 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06/02/2024

## Panchayat Sarkar Bhawans

## 475. SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has given large sums of resources to create Panchayat Sarkar Bhawans;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the model planned and envisaged under it; and
- (c) whether the State of Bihar has been unable to create model infrastructure for functioning of Panchayat Sarkar Bhawans in Bihar and if so, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL)

- (a) & (b) Panchayat being State subject, providing Panchayat infrastructure viz. Gram Panchayat Bhawan is primarily the responsibility of States. However, under the revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), Ministry supplements the efforts of States/UTs with focus on NE States, by providing Gram Panchayat Bhawan as proposed by States/UTs in their Annual Action Plan and approved by Central Empowered Committee on a limited scale. Under the scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan,the Ministry has sanctioned for construction of 500 Panchayat Bhawans to the State of Bihar.

Further, as per the information provided by the Government of Bihar, an amount of Rs. 1992 crore has been released for construction of Panchayat Sarkar Bhawan in the financial year 2023-24 and Panchayat Sarkar Bhawan has sufficient space for elected representatives of Panchayats, Panchayat Level Staffs, Court room of Gram Katchehary, hall for Panchayat Standing Committee meeting, Common Service Centre for providing online services etc.

- (c) Does not arise, in view of above.

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