opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5276 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: Introduction of Seed Bill
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Anand Bhadauria

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5276

TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 TH  MARCH, 2026

## INTRODUCTION OF SEED BILL

5276. SHRI ANAND BHADAURIA: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is contemplating to bring Seed Bill during the current session, if so, the details thereof; and (b) the details of reservations of farmers' unions with respect to Seed Bill?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAM NATH THAKUR) (a) & (b):  The draft Seeds Bill was placed in the public domain by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for pre-legislative consultation and numerous suggestions have been received  from  various  stakeholders  including  Farmers,  State  Governments,  Farmers' Organizations etc. These suggestions are under deliberation.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5274 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: MSP in Karnataka
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Sagar Eshwar Khandre

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5274

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 24 TH  March 2026

## MSP IN KARNATAKA

## 5274. SHRI SAGAR ESHWAR KHANDRE

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that market prices of Bengal gram (chana) in Karnataka, particularly in Bidar district, are below the MSP for Rabi Marketing Season 2026-27, leading to distress sales;
- (b) whether any proposal has been received from the State for procurement under the Price Support Scheme through NAFED/NCCF and the status thereof;
- (c) whether MSP procurement centres are being operationalised in Bidar and other districts, along with timelines; and
- (d) the steps taken to ensure effective MSP realisation for chana farmers in Karnataka?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  &  (b)  :  Government  implements  Price  Support  Scheme  (PSS)  under  PM-AASHA  for procurement  of  Fair  Average  Quality  (FAQ)  of  pulses,  oilseeds  and  copra  at  Minimum Support Price (MSP) as and when the market price falls below the MSP on the request of the State Government to provide remunerative price to the farmers. Based on the request of Government of Karnataka, approval has been given for the procurement of 1,01,340 MT of Bengal Gram (Chana) in the State including Bidar district of Karnataka under PSS through Central Nodal Agencies (CNAs) i.e. NAFED and NCCF during Rabi 2026 season. As on 18.03.2026, a total quantity of 26,261 MT of Bengal Gram (Chana) has been procured under PSS in the State.
- (c):  451  procurement  centres  have  been  opened  in  Karnataka  by  CNAs  including  123 procurement centres in Bidar District for procurement of Bengal Gram (Chana) in the State during Rabi Marketing Season 2026.
- (d): To ensure effective MSP realization for Chana  farmers, procurement centres are opened by respective State Government Agencies and CNAs, taking into account the production, marketable surplus, convenience of farmers and availability of other logistics/infrastructure such  as  storage  and  transportation  etc.  Large  number  of temporary  purchase  centres,  in addition to the existing Mandis and depots/godowns are also established at key points for the convenience of the farmers.

Further,  wide  publicity  is  done  by  State  Government,  Central  Nodal  Agencies  and State  Agencies  for  providing  information  on  FAQ  quality  parameters,  procurement  dates, procurement centers so that farmers may bring their produce and sell in the procurement centers. All the payments of MSP are made directly to the registered farmers' bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)/Aadhaar Authenticated Bank Account of Farmers.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5273 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: Rising Beef Exports against Cultural and Religious Sentiments
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Deepender Singh Hooda

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5273 ANSWERED ON 24/03/2026

RISING BEEF EXPORTS AGAINST CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS SENTIMENTS

5273.  SHRI DEEPENDER SINGH HOODA

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

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  India  has  emerged  among  the  top  beef-exporting countries globally;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  large-scale  beef  exports  run contrary  to  the  sentiments  of  the  majority  population,  for  whom  cattle  hold sacred and cultural value;
- (c) the details of the total quantity and value of beef exports during the last ten years, yearwise and the reasons for allowing such expansion despite these sensitivities; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  any  corrective  measures  to  align  trade policy with the sentiments of the people and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

वाणिज्य और उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री णिणिन प्रसाद ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a)  to  (d)  As  per  Directorate  General  of  Foreign  Trade  (DGFT)'s  Foreign  Trade Policy(FTP),  the  export  of  beef  (meat  of  cow,  oxen,  calf)  is  prohibited  and  is  not permitted to be exported from India.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5271 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: Smuggling Activities along Indo-Nepal Border
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Utkarsh Verma Madhur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5271

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 24 TH  MARCH, 2026/ CHAITRA 3, 1948 (SAKA)

SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES ALONG INDO-NEPAL BORDER

†5271. SHRI UTKARSH VERMA MADHUR:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that urea is being smuggled from India to Nepal through black marketing along the Indo-Nepal border adjoining the States of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, thereby causing inadequate availability of urea to farmers in these areas;

- (b) if so, the details of schemes formulated so far to prevent such smuggling;
- (c) the extent to which these schemes have proven effective along with the details thereof;
- (d) the number of smugglers arrested for smuggling urea from India to Nepal during the last five years along with the details thereof;
- (e) whether cases of sedition have been filed against such smugglers and their protectors; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (f):  Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is the border guarding force which mans the India-Nepal border where it regularly conducts nakas, patrolling, as  well  as  joint  patrolling  with  sister agencies  and  its  counterpart,  to

prevent smuggling including fertilizer smuggling. It also conducts intelligence-based operations from time to time.

Due  to  these  efforts,  in  the  last  five  years,  3810  cases  of  smuggling  of fertilizers  have  been  registered  in  which  23,69,489  Kg  of  urea  has  been seized and a total of 4212 persons have been arrested.

Appropriate action as per law has been taken by law enforcement agencies.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5268 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: PMAY-G in Uttar Pradesh
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Ujjwal Raman Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5268 ANSWERED ON 24/03/2026

## PMAY-G IN UTTAR PRADESH

5268. Shri Ujjwal Raman Singh:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the houses sanctioned, completed, lying incomplete and pending for approval under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) in Uttar Pradesh;
- (b) the details of the houses sanctioned, completed, lying incomplete and pending for approval in the Allahabad Lok Sabha Constituency;
- (c) whether there has been a violation of the timeline under the said Yojana in the said Lok Sabha Constituency during the current year as well as during the last three years; and
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. CHANDRA SEKHAR PEMMASANI)

(a) & (b): The  Ministry  of  Rural  Development  is  implementing  the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G) w.e.f. 1st April, 2016 to construct 4.95 crore houses by March 2029 (including the target of previous  phase  i.e.  2.95  crore  houses)  by  providing  assistance  to eligible rural households with basic amenities to attain the goal of 'Housing for All'. The Ministry of Rural Development has allocated a target of 4.14 crore houses to the States/UTs under PMAY-G, against which  more  than  3.90  crore  houses  have  been  sanctioned  by the State and more than 2.98 crore houses have been completed as on 20.03.2026.

The State of Uttar Pradesh has been allocated a total target of 36,85,704 houses, out of  which  36,55,917  houses  have  been

sanctioned by the State and 36,42,255 houses have been completed by the State as on 20.03.2026.

Further, the State of Uttar Pradesh has informed that a total of 94,470 houses have been sanctioned by the State in the area falling in  Allahabad Lok Sabha Constituency, out of which 93,911 houses have been completed as on 20.03.2026.

(c) & (d): The main challenges in implementation of scheme include the delay in release of Central & State Share from State Treasury to State Nodal Account of PMAY-G, cases of unwillingness of beneficiaries, permanent migration, disputed succession of deceased  beneficiaries,  delay  in  allotment  of  land  to  landless beneficiaries by the States/UTs and at times General/Assembly/Panchayat  elections,  unavailability of building materials.  Despite  all  the  delays,  the  scheme  has  been  able  to achieve  its  major  milestones  and  the  Ministry  is  committed  to achieve target of construction of 4.95 crore pucca houses by 31st March, 2029.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5266 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: Challenges faced by Sharecroppers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Bhumare Sandipanrao Asaram, Shri Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5266 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 24 TH  MARCH, 2026

## CHALLENGES FACED BY SHARECROPPERS

5266. Shri Bhumare Sandipanrao Asaram:

Shri Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke:

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

- (a) whether the Government has assessed the challenges faced by sharecroppers in various States of the country, particularly in Maharashtra, such as access to credit facilities, insurance and benefits, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether any steps have been taken by the Government to recognise sharecroppers and include them in Government schemes, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether there is a plan to work with the Government of States to protect the rights and livelihood of sharecroppers, if so, the details and time-frame fixed in this regard

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c):    The  subject  relating  to  land  and  its  management  falls  within  the  legislative  and administrative jurisdiction of States and the role of Central Government is only advisory in nature. The Government  of  India  has  not  carried  out  any  specific  assessment  of  the  challenges  faced  by sharecroppers (tenant farmers) in various States, including Maharashtra, with regard to access to credit facilities,  insurance,  or  government  benefits.  The  NSS  Report  No.  587  (77th  Round,  2019)  on "Situation  Assessment  of  Agricultural  Households"  provides  information  only  on  the  extent  and incidence of tenancy as part of operational holdings.

Sharecroppers are eligible to avail benefits under various Government of India schemes, such as  the  Modified  Interest  Subvention  Scheme  (MISS)  and  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Fasal  Bima  Yojana (PMFBY).  The inclusion of sharecroppers under these schemes are subject to their identification and certification by the respective State Governments, as agriculture and land are State subjects.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5265 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: Export of Beef
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Captain Viriato Fernandes

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5265 ANSWERED ON 24/03/2026

## EXPORT OF BEEF

5265.  SHRI CAPTAIN VIRIATO FERNANDES:

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

- (a) the details of Beef export from India to foreign countries from 2014-15 till date, year-wise;
- (b) the details of Beef export in tonnes from India in Financial Year 2013-14;
- (c) the details of Beef exporting companies in India particularly in Maharashtra;
- (d) whether they are linked or owned by any elected representative, if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the details of wholesale Beef distributing companies in Mumbai/Maharashtra; and
- (f) whether they are linked or owned by any elected representative, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्यमंत्री ( श्री णिणिन प्रसाद ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) to (f) As per Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)'s Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), the export of beef (meat of cow, oxen, calf) is prohibited and is not permitted to be exported from India.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5255 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: Meri Panchayat App
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Shri Jagadish Shettar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION 5255

ANSWERED ON 24.03.2026

## MERI PANCHAYAT APP

## 5255. SHRI JAGADISH SHETTAR:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to State:

(a) the details of the measures that are being taken to provide Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) internet connectivity to all Gram Panchayats to ensure the success of digital tools like the Meri Panchayat App; and

(b) whether it has been successful, if so, the details thereof, particularly in Karnataka?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

(a) & (b) The Government is committed to strengthening digital infrastructure at the Gram Panchayat (GP) level to enable effective implementation of digital governance tools, including the Meri Panchayat App. Gram Panchayats are connected to the internet through multiple mediums, including Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) connections and through the services provided by private Internet Service Providers.

As per the data available with the Ministry, 2,52,742 Gram Panchayats (97.68%), out of a total of 2,58,730 Gram Panchayats, have been onboarded on the eGramSwaraj Portal. Further, 2,44,175 Gram Panchayats and equivalent (96%) have carried out online payments amounting to ₹39,440 crore through the eGramSwaraj-PFMS interface during the current financial year. This level of adoption indicates substantial availability of internet connectivity at the Gram Panchayat level.

Additionally, under the BharatNet Programme, being implemented by the Department of Telecommunications, optical fibre connectivity is being provided to the Gram Panchayats to enable high-speed broadband services, including Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) connections.

As per the information available on the BharatNet UNMS dashboard, 2.18 lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs)/ TLBs have been made service-ready. With specific reference to the State of Karnataka, all Gram Panchayats (5949) have been made Service ready.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 5254 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: Implementation of VB-G RAM G
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Dr. Mohammad Jawed, Shri Charanjit Singh Channi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5254 ANSWERED ON 24/03/2026

## Implementation of VB-G RAM G

## 5254. Shri Charanjit Singh Channi:

Dr. Mohammad Jawed:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the  purpose-wise  break-up  of  Rs.  30,000  crore  allocated  for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in the Union Budget 2026-27;
- (b) the normative allocations budgeted under Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-G RAM G)  for  financial  year  2026-27,  against  the  total  outlay  of  Rs. 95,692 crore, along with the criteria used for determining such normative allocations, State and UT-wise;
- (c) the status of roll-out of VB-G RAM G and the stage-wise timeline for its implementation; and
- (d) whether  works  proposed  under  Viksit  Gram  Panchayat  Plans under VB-G RAM G are required to be drawn exclusively from PM Gati Shakti, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): The provision of funds amounting to Rs. 30,000 crores has been made for the smooth transition from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Scheme  (Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGS) to Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-G  RAM  G)  Scheme.  This  is  expected  to  meet  the  financial commitments under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS till the Viksit BharatGuarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-G RAM G) Act commences.
- (b): As  per  Sub-section  (5)  of  Section  4  of  the  Act,  The  Central Government shall determine the State-wise normative allocation for each state based on objective parameters as may be prescribed by

the Central Government. Since, the Act is yet to commence, rules regarding normative allocation based on objective parameters has not been finalised.

(c): The  VB-G  RAM  G  Act,  2025  is  yet  to  commence.  Upon commencement, the provisions of the Act will be applicable to all rural areas across all States and UTs.

(d): As per Para 3(d) of Schedule I of the VB-G RAM G Act, works shall be taken up only from the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan (VGPP), which is to be prepared by the Gram Panchayat through the Gram Sabha, ensuring a participatory and need-based planning process.

PM Gati Shakti is envisaged as an enabling and guiding framework to institutionalise  convergence,  promote  saturation-driven  planning, and facilitate a whole-of-government approach in the preparation and implementation  of  VGPPs.  It  will  support  Gram  Panchayats  in addressing  their  diverse  development  needs  through  the  use  of geospatial systems and digital public infrastructure.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5250 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: State Hood Status
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri T R Baalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5250

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 24 TH  MARCH, 2026/ CHAITRA 3, 1948 (SAKA)

STATE HOOD STATUS

5250. SHRI T R BAALU:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) Whether Government has been contemplating to accord full State -hood status  to  Puducherry  in  pursuance  of  the  demand  from  the  people  of Puducherry; and

(b) if so, details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (b):  As  per  Article  239A  of  the  Constitution,  Puducherry is a  Union Territory  with  legislature . It  has  a  robust  governance  and  administrative setup  within  the  existing  constitutional  and  legal  framework  to  deliver public goods efficiently.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5249 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: SAMARTH Scheme in Champaran District of Bihar
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Sunil Kumar, Shri Vijay Kumar Dubey, Shri Dileshwar Kamait

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5249 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.03.2026

## SAMARTH SCHEME IN CHAMPARAN DISTRICT OF BIHAR

5249.  SHRI SUNIL KUMAR: SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY: SHRI DILESHWAR KAMAIT

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

- (a) the number of weavers and artisans provided employment so far under the SAMARTH scheme in the country including West Champaran district of Bihar; and
- (b)  the  details  of  the  beneficiaries  belonging  to  the  Scheduled  Castes,  Scheduled  Tribes  and  other disadvantaged  groups  including  women  trained  under  the  said  scheme  including  Daun  area  of  West Champaran during the last five years, year-wise?

उत्तर

ANSWER

## वस्त्र मंत्री ( श्री गिरििाज ग िंह )

## MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

(a) & (b): Samarth  (Scheme  for  Capacity  Building  in  Textiles  Sector)  of  Ministry  of  Textiles provides  demand  driven,  placement-oriented  skilling  programmes  to  supplement  the  efforts  of  the industry in creating jobs in the organized textile sectors, covering the entire value chain of textiles, on pan India basis. As on 10.3.2026, a total of 4,64,812 beneficiaries (including 14,270 in Bihar), including weavers  and  artisans,  have  got  employment  after  successfully  completing  training  under  the  Samarth scheme.

There are 110 active training centres as on 10.3.2026 in the State of Bihar which are catering the training requirement of the state including west Champaran district. During the last five years, a total of 10,981  beneficiaries  which  include  women  (88.75%),  SC  (34.19%)  and  ST  (11.18%)  were  trained  in Bihar.

****