opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 721 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Extension of PMGKAY
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Amar Sharadrao Kale

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 721

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 4TH FEBRUARY, 2026

## EXTENSION OF PMGKAY

## f 721. SHRI AMAR SHARADRAO KALE:

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

- (a): the details of  the extension of Pradhan Mantri  Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) from January 2024;
- (b): whether there has been a reduction in  food expenditure for beneficiary households as a result of the said Scheme;
- (C): the details of the improvement in dietary diversity and caloric intake; and
- (d): the role played by the Scheme in stabilising household food security during the period of inflation and the State and category-wise indicator details in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

(a) to (d): The Pradhan Mantri  Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) being implemented in all the States/UTs aims to supplement  the food requirements of upto 75% of the rural and upto 50% of the urban population, which at Census 2011 comes to 81.35 crore persons.

Under the PMGKAY, while  AAY  households, which constitute poorest of the poor are entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains, per household per month, PHH beneficiaries are entitled to 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month free of cost.

The term 'foodgrains'  is defined as rice, wheat or coarse grains or any combination thereof conforming to  such quality norms as may be determined, by order, by the Central Government from time to time.

The Central Government, in order to  remove the financial burden of the poor beneficiaries and to ensure nationwide uniformity  and effective implementation of the programme for support of the poor, had decided to provide food grains free of  cost to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households &  Priority  Households (PHH)  beneficiaries, for one year from  lst  January 2023 under the PMGKAY.  The period of distribution  of free of  cost foodgrains has been extended for  further five years w.e.f lst January 2024 with an estimated financial outlay of Rs. 11.80 lakh crore totally to be borne by Central Government.

+: Se ie SeRie
Lok Sabha Question No. 711 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Determination of Minority Community
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Damodar Agrawal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No-† 711

ANSWERED ON -04/02/2026

## DETERMINATION OF MINORITY COMMUNITY

## † 711. SHRI DAMODAR AGRAWAL:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the definition of minority;
- (b) the details of the law under which the definition of minority has been determined by the Government;
- (c)  the  religion/faith/sects  denomination  or  castes  of  people  included  in  the  minority community of the country;
- (d) the details of the population of minority communities in the country, religion/faith/sects/denomination/caste and district-wise;
- (e) whether there is significant change in the population figures of minority communities in the country; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof, religion/faith/sects/denomination/caste and district-wise?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a) to (c)   As per section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Act 1992, 'Minority' for the purpose of this act, means a community notified as such by the Central Government. The Government of India has notified six communities i.e. Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis) and Jains as minority communities.

(d) to (f) The term "Minority" is not identified in Population Census. However, in Census, the data on religions professed by the people of India are collected, tabulated, and published. The Census  2011  and  2001  data  on  religion  are  published  in "Table  C-01:  Population  by religious  community" ,  which  is  available  online  (downloadable  form)  on  the  Census  of India website https://censusindiagov.in and the detail link is as under: https://censusindia.gov.in/census.website/data/census-tables Select Census Year (i.e., 2011 or 2001)      Table Series        Religion Table C-01: Population by religious community Select State /District.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 709 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: e-Daakhil Portal
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Naveen Jindal

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

## Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 709 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026

## E-DAAKHIL PORTAL

## 709. SHRI NAVEEN JINDAL:

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

- (a) the details of the steps  being taken by the Government to enhance and speed up the consumer grievance redressal mechanisms at the State and district levels to avoid delays in case disposal;
- (b) the manner in which the e-Daakhil portal for online complaint filing is effective and the details of the number of complaints which have been filed on the portal during each of the years since its inception alongwith the average time taken to resolve a complaint through this platform; and
- (c) the extent to which the efforts of the Government to ensure uniform and effective enforcement of the  Consumer  Protection  Act,  2019  across  all  States  and  Union  Territories  borne  fruit  in quantifiable terms?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI B.L. VERMA)

(a) to (c)  : The  'e-Jagriti'  portal  aims  to  enhance  consumer  grievance  redressal  through  a  microservice  architecture,  Artificial  Intelligence  /  Machine  Learning  integration  and  modern  features  like faceless  onboarding  and  role-based  dashboards.  It  unifies  existing  applications  (OCMS,  e-Daakhil, NCDRC CMS, CONFONET) into a single, scalable platform, allowing users to file complaints seamlessly from anywhere with multilingual support. The system streamlines grievance redressal processes with realtime data access, automated workflows and tools for stakeholders like judges and advocates. The platform offers digital case filing, document exchange and automated SMS/email notifications. Features include a chatbot help system, voice-to-text capabilities and accessibility support for the visually challenged and elderly. The portal is designed to provide a convenient, transparent and efficient means for consumers to seek redressal by enabling online complaint filing, digital submission of documents, online payment of fees  and also supports virtual courtrooms, enabling the hearing of cases remotely and ensuring faster disposal while reducing dependency on physical infrastructure.

The Department of Consumer Affairs has provided VC facilities to 10 benches of the National Consumer  Disputes  Redressal  Commission  (NCDRC)  and  35  benches  of  State  Consumer  Disputes Redressal Commissions (SCDRCs). Further, e-Jagriti portal is operational since 1 st January, 2025 and has been accessible  to  the  National,  State,  Circuit  Bench  and  District  Consumer  Commissions  across  the country. During the year 2025, a total of 1,62,474 cases were filed before the Consumer Commissions through the e-Jagriti portal and 1,50,197 cases were disposed of during the same period.
Lok Sabha Question No. 708 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Suspension of Internet Services
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Lalji Verma, Shri Babu Singh Kushwaha, Shri Neeraj Maurya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 708 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## SUSPENSION OF INTERNET SERVICES

## †708.   SHRI BABU SINGH KUSHWAHA: SHRI NEERAJ MAURYA: SHRI LALJI VERMA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government and local administration impose ban or suspend internet services for short or long durations in various cities from time to time for maintaining law and order and for certain other reasons;

(b) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  suspension  of  internet  services  causes  serious difficulties  to  employees  working  in  multinational  and  national  companies,  salaried  persons, businessmen,  students,  candidates  preparing  for  competitive  examinations  and  those  engaged  in online work;

(c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  take  any  steps  to  ensure  uninterrupted  internet connectivity; and

(d) whether the Government has any data regarding the financial losses incurred due to internet shutdowns during the last five years?

## ANSWER

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

(a) The Central Government or State Governments are empowered to issue orders for temporary suspension  of  internet  as  per  the  provisions  contained  in  the  Telecommunication  (Temporary suspension of Services) Rules, 2024 under section 20 (2) (b) of Indian Telecommunication Act, 2023.

(b) & (c) Generally,  during  the  temporary  suspension  of  telecommunication  services  in  a region, only internet services are suspended and other telecommunication services like voice calling and  Short  Message  Service  (SMS)  remain  available  through  which  people  in  that  region  can communicate and access emergency services.

As per the Telecommunications (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024 notified under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, the competent authority must first explore all reasonable alternatives to address the public emergency and public safety concerns before issuing an order for the temporary suspension of internet services. If such a suspension is deemed necessary, then the suspension order must be published clearly stating the reason and be limited to defined geographical area and specified duration.

- (d) No such data is available with the DoT.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 695 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Development funds to Railway Zones
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Sunil Bose

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 695

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026

## DEVELOPMENT FUNDS TO RAILWAY ZONES

## 695. SHRI SUNIL BOSE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  total  number  of  zones  in  Indian  Railways  at  present  and  their profitability status;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  any  policy/guidelines  for  allotment  of development funds to Railway Zones as per their performance and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the present status of Southern Railway and the amount of development funds released to them during the last three years and the current year; and
- (d)  whether  the  Government has any proposal to increase the number of zones in future and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (d):  Presently,  17  Railway  Zones  are  operational  in  the  country including  Metro Railway, Kolkata. Further, foundation stone of new South Coast Railway zone has been laid recently.

Funds for infrastructure development to zonal railways is allocated based on various factors including overall fund availability, demand and requirement for various works, size of zone etc. and not on performance of any individual zone.

Zonal  Railway  wise  details  of  Total  Earnings  and  Total  Expenditure  are available  in  Annual  Statistical  Statement  of  Indian  Railways  which  is available on website of Indian Railways (https://indianrailways.gov.in).

Further,  creation  and  setting  up  of  zonal  railway  depends  on  operational and infrastructural requirements of Indian Railways.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 55 (STARRED), answered on 2026-02-03
Subject: Central Cottage Industries
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Ms. Mahua Moitra

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *55 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2026

## CENTRAL COTTAGE INDUSTRIES

## *55. MS. MAHUA MOITRA:

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

- (a) whether it is true that employees at the Central Cottage Industries have not been paid for months;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the number of employees (category-wise), salaries, wages and allowances pending (in Rs.) and the duration for which these have been pending;
- (c) the number of artisans supplying the products to the Emporium since 2014, year-wise;
- (d) whether payments are pending to these artisans, if so, the amount (in Rs.), the number of artisans to whom payment is pending and the duration of such pendency; and
- (e) the time by which the Government proposes to clear this pendency in salaries and payments?
- (a) to (e):A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

<!-- image -->

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  THE  LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION NO.*55  FOR  03.02.2026  REGARDING  CENTRAL  COTTAGE  INDUSTRIES  ASKED BY MS. MAHUA MOITRA.

- (a) & (b): The Central Cottage Industries Corporation (CCIC) has been disbursing salaries from the net  proceeds  of  sales.  The  Corporation  has  consistently  endeavoured  to  ensure  that  employees  receive their  dues  to  the  extent  possible  within  available  resources.  The  most  recent  salary  disbursement  was effected in January 2026.
- (c): Year wise number of artisans/weavers supplying goods to the Corporation since 2014 is as under:-
- (d): As on 31.12.2025, trade payables amounting to ₹34.34 crore are outstanding in respect of nearly 1,160 artisans, majority (more than 80%) of outstanding pertaining to the period during Financial Year 2022-23 till 31.12.2025.
- (e): The  Government  has  sanctioned  a  revival  package  of  ₹81.15  crore  on  20 th January  2026  for CCIC.

| Year      | Number of artisans /weavers   |
|-----------|-------------------------------|
| 2014-2015 | 450                           |
| 2015-2016 | 690                           |
| 2016-2017 | 687                           |
| 2017-2018 | 562                           |
| 2018-2019 | 415                           |
| 2019-2020 | 501                           |
| 2020-2021 | 216*                          |
| 2021-2022 | 245                           |
| 2022-2023 | 310                           |
| 2023-2024 | 274                           |
| 2024-2025 | 252                           |

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 43 (STARRED), answered on 2026-02-03
Subject: Coverage of Crop Loss under PMFBY
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Shambhavi, Dr. D. Purandeswari

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

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 43

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  FEBRUARY, 2026

## COVERAGE OF CROP LOSS UNDER PMFBY

- *43. SMT. SHAMBHAVI:

DR. D. PURANDESWARI:

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

(a) the specific new risks brought under the coverage of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), including crop loss due to wild animal attacks and paddy inundation;

(b) the mechanism through which farmers can claim compensation under the wild animal attack provision, including the role of State Governments in notifying vulnerable districts and animal species;

(c) the criteria and rationale for re-introducing paddy inundation as a localised calamity cover, and the regions expected to benefit from this addition;

(d)  the  timeline  and  operational  framework  for  implementing  these  expanded  covers from Kharif 2026; and

(e)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  that  the  expanded  risk  coverage enhances  inclusivity,  responsiveness  and  overall  protection  for  farmers  in  high-risk areas ?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHAUHAN)

- (a) to (  e)  :  A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO PART (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 43 FOR 3 RD  FEBRUARY, 2026  REGARDING COVERAGE OF CROP LOSS UNDER PMFBY

(a) to (e) :  The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), introduced in the country from 2016-17,  is voluntary for the States as well as farmers.  The scheme  provides for comprehensive risk insurance against crop damage due to non-preventable natural risks from  pre-sowing  to  post-harvest  for  the  crops/areas  notified  by  the  concerned  State Government.   The losses to crops due to wild animals, being preventable in nature, were therefore not covered earlier.  However, at the request of Ministry of Environment, Forest and  Climate  Change  and  State  Governments,  States  have  been  allowed  to  notify  the losses  by  wild  animals  on individual  assessment  as  add  on  cover  at  the  cost  of  State Government.    Detailed  protocol  for  such  coverage  has  been  given  in  the  Operational Guidelines of the scheme.

Inundation as a risk cover is available to all notified crops under (PMFBY).  However, for hydrophilic crops like paddy, jute, mesta, sugarcane, such cover is available except in case of localized claims.

Considering requests from various stakeholders for inclusion of these perils under localized calamities in PMFBY, a Committee was constituted for 'Defining Modalities of Crop Loss by Wild Animal Attack and Inundation for Paddy Crop Under Localised Risk'. The  Committee  has  submitted  its  report  alongwith  recommendations  and  Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for coverage of these risks.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 661 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-03
Subject: Welfare and Rehabilitation Board
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Joyanta Basumatary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 661

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  FEBRUARY, 2026/ MAGHA 14, 1947 (SAKA)

WELFARE AND REHABILITATION BOARD

661.  SHRI JOYANTA BASUMATARY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the details regarding the number of officers appointed, beneficaries benefitted and personnel covered under the Welfare and Rehabilitation Board (WARB);
- (b) the details regarding the number of funds allocated, funds dispersed and funds pending with WARB, year-wise;
- (c) whether the Government is incurring losses due to WARB and if so, the details thereof including year-wise losses incurred, plans to reduce losses and compensate the losses incurred so far, year-wise;
- (d)  whether  there  is  a  plan  to  establish  CAPF  Welfare  Boards  in  each State/Union Territory, similar to the Sainik Welfare Board; and
- (e)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  tentative  timeline,  funds available to each board and scope of work?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e):   The Welfare and Rehabilitation Board (WARB) is established to look after the welfare and rehabilitation of retired CAPFs personnel and their families including Next  of  Kins  (NoKs)  of  deceased/disabled personnel. Welfare and Rehabilitation Board (WARB) has further designated 06 Central Welfare Officers, 32 State Welfare Officers (SWOs)

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 661 FOR 03.02.2026

and 201 District Welfare Officers (DWOs) in States/UTs. The Board focuses on various objectives, including the development of a system to monitor welfare and resettlement programs while ensuring efficient budgeting and allocation  of  funds.  WARB  covers  rehabilitation  and  welfare  of  CAPF personnel and their dependents In addition, WARB also monitors Prime Minister's  Scholarship  Scheme  (PMSS) ,  a  merit-based  initiative  that provides  financial  assistance  for  higher  technical  and  professional education  to the wards  of CAPFs/AR  personnel.  Till date,  54,551 beneficiaries have availed scholarship under this scheme. Since inception,  total  Rs/-  2,36,21,000  (two  crore  thirty  six  lakh  twenty  one thousand)  has  been  allocated  to  WARB  as  Normal  Welfare  Grant.  No proposal to establish CAPF Welfare Boards in each State/Union Territory is under consideration.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 660 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-03
Subject: Financing Facility under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Haribhai Patel

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 660

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 03 RD  FEBRUARY, 2025

## FINANCING FACILITY UNDER AGRICULTURE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

## 660.     SHRI HARIBHAI PATEL:

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

- (a)  the  objectives  of  the  Central  Sector  scheme  with  financing  facility  under  the  Agricultural Infrastructure Fund and details thereof for the last five years;
- (b) the present details of the Central Sector scheme with financing facility under the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund; and
- (c)  whether  the  Pradhan  Mantri  KUSUM  Scheme  (Component  C)  has  been  made  part  of  the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

- (a) & (b):   The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) is a Central Sector Scheme to mobilize medium and long-term debt financing for the development of post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets. The scheme focuses on strengthening agri-logistics, reducing postharvest losses, promoting modern storage, processing and value-addition facilities and improving farm-gate level  infrastructure  for  efficient  supply  chains.  Under  the  scheme,  banks  and  financial institutions provide loans with 3% per annum interest subvention by Government of India. Credit guarantee coverage for loans up to ₹ 2 crore is also supported under Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) and NABSanrakshan. Since inception of the scheme in July 2020 till 26.01.2026, ₹ 80,224.15 crore loan amount has been sanctioned for 1,50,431 projects under AIF,  mobilizing the investment of   ₹  1,27,508 crore.
- (c): The  Components  B  and  C  of  Pradhan  Mantri  -  Kisan  Urja  Suraksha  evam  Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) for solarisation of grid-connected agriculture pumps and stand alone solar pumping systems were included as eligible assets for availing AIF benefits in convergent mode in September 2020. The loan component can be converged where groups of farmers organized as Self Help  Groups  (SHGs),  Joint  Liability  Groups  (JLGs),  Water  User  Associations,  Cooperatives,  or similar entities create such facilities eligible under AIF. Since September until 26.01.2026, ₹ 29.20 crore loan amount has been sanctioned for 921 projects for Components B and C.

*****