opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-01
Subject: Pending Proposal under  KIS
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Mrs Ruchi Vira

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  †4 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025

## Pending Proposal under KIS

- †4. Mrs Ruchi Vira:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  clear  pending  proposal  of  Uttar Pradesh under Khelo India Yojana which includes establishments of Khelo India  Kendras  in  eight  new  districts  and  National  Centre  of  Excellence (NCOE);
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the time by which said proposal is likely to be approved; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS { DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA }

- (a) and (b) One Khelo India Centre (KIC) has been established in each of the 75  districts  of  Uttar  Pradesh  under  the  Khelo  India  Scheme,  thereby covering all the districts as per the  scheme's provision of one centre per district. Details of the same are available at https://dashboard.kheloindia.gov.in. As far as National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) is concerned, the proposal received from the State/ UT Government and other eligible  entities  are  considered  for  financial  support,  subject  to their completeness, technical feasibility and availability of funds under the scheme.

- (c) Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 352 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-17
Subject: Diversified Agriculture Support Project
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Virendra Singh

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

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 352

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 17 TH   MARCH, 2026

## DIVERSIFIED AGRICULTURE SUPPORT PROJECT

*352. SHRI VIRENDRA SINGH:

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

- (a)   whether the Government proposes to re-introduce the Diversified Agriculture Support Project implemented earlier to increase the income of farmers of the country; and
- (b)   if so, the time by which it is likely to be introduced and if not, the reasons therefor ?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b):  A statement is laid on the Table of the house.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) & (b) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 352  REGARDING 'DIVERSIFIED AGRICULTURE SUPPORT PROJECT ' FOR REPLY ON 17 TH   MARCH, 2026

(a) & (b): No scheme or project by the name of 'Diversified Agriculture Support Project' has been implemented by Government of India. Hence the question of re-introducing does not arise.

For  the  purpose  of  diversification  of  agriculture  and  to  increase  income  of  farmers, schemes of Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is as below:

1.  Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
2.  Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY)
3.  Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA)
4.  Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)/ Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS)
5.  Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS)
6.  Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
7.  Formation and Promotion of 10,000 new Farmer Producers Organizations (FPOs)
8.  National Bee Keeping and Honey Mission (NBHM)
9.  Namo Drone Didi
10.  Agri Fund for Start-Ups & Rural Enterprises' (AgriSURE)
11.  National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)
12.  Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana- Detailed Project Report (RKVY-DPR)
13.  Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)
14.  Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization (SMAM)
15.  Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
16.  Soil Health & Fertility (SH&F)
17.  Rainfed Area Development (RAD)
18.  Agroforestry
19.  Crop Diversification Programme (CDP)
20.  Sub-Mission on Agriculture Extension (SMAE)
21.  National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM)
22.  Integrated Scheme for Agriculture Marketing (ISAM)
23.  Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
24.  National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO)-Oil Palm
25.  National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO)-Oilseeds
26.  Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region
27.  Digital Agriculture Mission
28.  National Bamboo Mission.
29.  Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses
30.  PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY)

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4140 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-17
Subject: Closer of SAIL Steel Plant in Bihar
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri Sunil Kumar

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4140

FOR ANSWER ON 17.03.2026

## CLOSER OF SAIL STEEL PLANT IN BIHAR

4140.  SHRI SUNIL KUMAR:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

(a)  whether a Steel Plant owned by SAIL in West Champaran of Bihar is currently closed;

(b) if so, the reasons for its closure;

(c) whether the Government is likely to revive the said plant; and

(d) if so, the time by which the same is likely to be started?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE          (SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA) MINISTRY OF STEEL

(a)to(d):  Steel  Authority  of  India  Limited  (SAIL)'s  Steel  Processing  Unit  (SPU)  at Kumarbagh, Bettiah in West Champaran district of Bihar has been closed following Board approval on 25.07.2025 due to operational/economic reasons.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4138 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-17
Subject: Fish Landing Centre in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Dr. C M Ramesh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4138 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  MARCH, 2026

## Fish Landing Centre in Andhra Pradesh

## 4138.  Dr. C M Ramesh :

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that the Government has approved fish landing centre at Rajayyapeta in Anakapalli  district  of  Andhra  Pradesh  under  Pradhan  Mantri  Matsya  Sampada  Yojana (PMMSY) with an estimated cost of Rs. 25 crores;

(b) if so, the details of the project and the time by which it will likely to be completed; and (c) the number of fishermen to be benefitted from the above project?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH

(a) to (c) : The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government  of  India,  on  30th  March,  2022,  approved  the  proposal  of  the  Government  of Andhra Pradesh for construction of a Fish Landing Centre at Rajayyapeta in Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh at an estimated cost of Rs. 24.77 crore, with Central financial assistance of Rs. 14.86 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The fish landing centre project envisages fish landing facility, fish auction hall, net mending shed, fish drying platform,  rest  shed,  boat  parking  or  repair,  water  storage  facilities,  water  supply,  toilet, reclamation, roads, vehicle parking, drainage, compound wall, electricity connections, greening etc.

The State Government of Andhra Pradesh has reported that the work has been assigned to Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board as the executing agency and the  said agency floated the tender for the fifth time on 21.01.2026. The project is presently at the tendering stage, and the State Government has reported the timeline for completion of the Fish Landing Centre project as one year from the date of finalisation of the tender. As per the Detailed Project Report (DPR), the project envisages to benefit about 1,536 fishermen during its operation.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4137 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-17
Subject: Additional US  Tariff
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Anand Bhadauria

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4137 ANSWERED ON 17/03/2026

## ADDITIONAL US TARIFF

4137. SHRI ANAND BHADAURIA:

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

- (a) whether as per the Indo-US interim trade deal framework, USA will impose 18% tariffs on Indian exports and India will impose 0% tariffs on US imports, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether Government is aware that US Supreme Court has scrapped the US tariffs imposed by US Government against various countries, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of present rate of tariffs on Indian exports to US after imposition of additional15% tariffs by US Government using special powers after the verdict of US Supreme Court;
- (d) whether Government would revisit the trade deal framework and renegotiate it with USA; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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 (e) India and the United States (U.S.) announced a trade deal on 2nd February 2026. A Joint Statement for the same was released on 7th February 2026.  On 7th February  2026,  25%  additional  ad  valorem  tariffs  imposed  by  the  U.S.  on  certain India's exports citing India's imports of Russian oil were removed. Pursuant to the U.S. Supreme Court judgement dated 20 th  February 2026 invalidating reciprocal tariffs, the reciprocal tariffs are no longer in force. The U.S. Government has issued Executive Orders imposing 10% tariffs on certain products from all countries. The Government is studying all the developments and remains engaged with the U.S. Government.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4132 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-17
Subject: Impact of Proposed Seeds Bill, 2025
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Sudama Prasad

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4132

TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 TH  MARCH, 2026

## IMPACT OF PROPOSED SEEDS BILL, 2025

4132. SHRI SUDAMA PRASAD:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government will release the full impact assessment of the proposed Seeds Bill, 2025 on small and marginal farmers before introducing it in Parliament; (b) the safeguards that would be included in the Bill to protect farmers' right to save and reuse their seeds without liability; (c)  whether  the  Government  has  consulted  State  Governments  on  seed  testing  and regional adaptability provisions and if so, the details of consultations and revisions; (d)  the  details  of  measures  to  ensure  affordable  seed  access  for  small  holders  if  the proposed regulatory changes come into effect; and (e) whether  the Government  has  examined  the  overriding powers  of the Central Government  under  Sections  38  and  41  diluting  the  constitutional  role  of  States  in agriculture, which is a State subject?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY) (a) to (e): 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 being deliberated upon so as to safeguard the farmers' interest, livelihoods. The  draft  Seeds  Bill  aims  to  facilitate  production  and  supply  of  quality  seeds  and  for matters  connected  therewith,  regulate  the  quality  of  seeds  and  planting  materials  and ensure  the  availability  of  quality  seeds  for  farmers,  curb  the  sale  of  spurious  and  poor quality  seeds  for  protecting  the  rights  of  the  farmers.  The  draft  Bill  complements  the Protection  of  Plant  Varieties  and  Farmers'  Rights  Act,  2001  which  already  safeguard farmers' rights and traditional varieties. Further, the draft Seeds Bill does not propose to dilute the role of State Governments; rather,  it  proposes  responsibilities  for  States  in  implementation,  enforcement,  and  seed regulation etc.

.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4122 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-17
Subject: Inclusion of Gondi Language in Eight Schedule
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Godam Nagesh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4122

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 17 TH  MARCH, 2026/ PHALGUNA 26, 1947 (SAKA)

INCLUSION OF GONDI LANGUAGE IN EIGHT SCHEDULE

4122. SHRI GODAM NAGESH:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received any proposal or representation for inclusion of the Gondi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India;
- (b) if so, the present status of the said proposal and the criteria adopted for inclusion of new languages in the Eighth Schedule;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any linguistic, socio-cultural or demographic assessment regarding the number of Gondi-speaking population across the country, including Telangana; and
- (d) the details time by which the Government proposes to take a decision on inclusion of Gondi language in the Eighth Schedule and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d):There have been demands from time to time for inclusion of several languages,  including  Gondi,  in  the  Eighth  Schedule  to  the  Constitution. However, there are no fixed criteria for consideration of any language for inclusion  in  the  Eighth  Schedule  to  the  Constitution.  As  the  evolution  of dialects and languages is a dynamic process, influenced by socio-cultural, economic  and political developments, it is difficult to fix any

criterion for languages for inclusion in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution. The earlier attempts, through the Pahwa (1996) and Sitakant Mohapatra  (2003)  Committees,  to  evolve  such  fixed  criteria  have  been inconclusive. The Government is conscious of the sentiments and requirements for inclusion of other languages in the Eighth Schedule. Such requests have to be considered keeping in mind these sentiments, and the other relevant considerations. Since at present, there are no fixed criteria for any language to be considered for inclusion in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution, no time-frame can be fixed for consideration of the demands for inclusion of more languages in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4110 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-17
Subject: TIES in Meerut
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Arun Govil

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4110 ANSWERED ON 17/03/2026

## TIES IN MEERUT

## 4110.  SHRI ARUN GOVIL:

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

- (a) whether any project has been approved or proposed under the Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) for development of export infrastructure in Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh;
- (b) if so, the details of the approved/proposed projects, their cost and the present status of progress;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  undertaken  any  assessment  of  the  requirements  of export-oriented units in Meerut district, of so, the details thereof;
- (d) the  manner  in  which  Meerut  has  been  included  under  the  'District  as  Export  Hub' initiative;
- (e) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  develop  cold  chain  facilities,  quality  testing laboratories, cargo terminals or other export infrastructure related facilities in Meerut to promote exports; and if so, the details thereof?
- (f) 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) The Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) provides assistance to eligible Central/State Government agencies and joint ventures for setting up and up-gradation of infrastructure projects with overwhelming export linkages. The scheme provides assistance on the demand driven basis and proposals received from eligible implementing agencies are placed  before  the  Empowered  Committee  (EC)  on  TIES  for  consideration.  No  project proposal regarding setting up and up-gradation of infrastructure project in Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh has been received under the scheme for consideration, as per TIES guidelines.

Further,  the  'District  as  Export  Hubs  (DEH)'  initiative  seeks  to  harness  the  export potential and unique identity of each district by promoting exports of identified goods and services,  including  Geographical  Indication  (GI)  products,  agricultural  clusters,  and  toy clusters.  Institutional  mechanisms  in  the  form  of State  Export  Promotion  Committees (SEPCs) at the State/UT level and District Export Promotion Committees (DEPCs) at the district  level have  been  constituted  to  facilitate  export  promotion  and  address  bottlenecks affecting  export  growth.  Three  products  with  abundant  export  potential  from  the  District Meerut, Uttar Pradesh which have been identified under the DEH initiative are as (i) Meerut Sports Goods, (ii) Mango and (iii) Meerut Scissors.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4109 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-17
Subject: NMMS Attendance App
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Lalji Verma

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4109 ANSWERED ON 17/03/2026

## NMMS ATTENDANCE APP

## 4109. Shri Lalji Verma:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the method adopted by the Government to assess the number of workers unable to mark their attendance due to issues with the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) attendance app;
- (b) the total number of attendance discrepancies detected between the NMMS app and the physical muster roll between April 2023 and October 31, 2024, State-wise;
- (c) the guidelines implemented by the Government to ensure that no worker is denied wages for failing to mark attendance on the NMMS app; and
- (d) the number of complaints filed regarding issues related to the NMMS app, along with the action taken thereon, State-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): To ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation  of  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS), it was decided that States/UTs  shall  ensure  capturing  of  attendance  at  the  worksite through National Mobile  Monitoring  System  (NMMS) App  with  twotime stamped, geo-tagged photographs of the workers in a day for all the works (except Individual Beneficiary Work) through NMMS w.e.f. 1st January, 2023.

In order to avoid any inconvenience to the workers due to NMMS, provision has been made that in case any worksite is not located in network covered area or attendance could not be uploaded due to

any other network issue then attendance can be captured in offline mode  and  can  be  uploaded  once  the  device  comes  into  network covered area. In case of exceptional circumstances owing to which attendance could  not  be  uploaded,  the  provision  for  exemption  at district level by District Program Coordinator also exists, which has since been decentralized to the Block level.

It is also stated that any issue faced by States/UTs is taken up with  Ministry  on  a  real-time  basis  which  in  turn  makes  effort  to resolve the same in a time bound manner. Various enhancements are continuously  incorporated  in  the  system  to  make  it  more  robust, based on the feedback and suggestions given by States and other stakeholders,  such  as  eye  blink  and  head  count  facility,  Mate-id mapping, verification of photographs at various levels etc.

The  implementation of the NMMS application has significantly improved  the  attendance  management  system  and  the  overall efficiency  of  the  process.  NMMS  application  also  helps  in  timely payment of wages as wage lists and FTOs can be generated on the same  day  as  on  which  the  attendance  has  been  captured,  this process took more time earlier in case of manual attendance system.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4105 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-17
Subject: Heavy Taxes on Import from India
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri T R Baalu

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4105 ANSWERED ON 17/03/2026

## HEAVY TAXES ON IMPORT FROM INDIA

## 4105. SHRI T R BAALU:

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

- (a) whether the Government has made assessment of United States on imposing heavy taxes on Imports from India and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  such  high  tariffs  are  in  violation  of  WTO  and  other  UN  ratified agreements on tariff and trade, the retaliatory and remedial steps taken by the Government and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether  US  Government's  new  taxes  are  going  to  tilt  our  balance  of  trade heavily, if so, the details thereof along with compensatory measures to increase our exports being taken?

## 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) & (c) Government has been assessing all the developments and remains engaged with the Government of the United States (U.S.). India and the U.S. announced a trade deal on 2nd February 2026. A Joint Statement for the same was released on 7th February 2026.  On 7th February 2026, 25% additional ad valorem tariffs imposed by the U.S. on certain India's exports citing India's imports of Russian oil were removed. Pursuant to the U.S. Supreme Court judgement dated 20 th  February 2026 invalidating reciprocal tariffs, the reciprocal tariffs are no longer in force. The US Government has issued Executive Orders imposing 10%  tariffs on certain products from all countries.  Further information regarding the interim trade deal is also available at the following web link: https://www.commerce.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/FTAsachievement.pdf
- (b) As an affected member with significant export interest to the U.S. in the products concerned, India requested consultations with the United States under Article 12.3 of the WTO Agreement on Safeguards. As consultations did not take place, India notified the WTO Council for Trade in Goods and the Committee on Safeguards that it reserves rights for suspension of concessions under Article 8 of the Agreement on Safeguards.

*****