opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1788 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Average Amount of Outstanding Loan
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Satabdi Roy

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1788

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## AVERAGE AMOUNT OF OUTSTANDING LOAN

1788.  SMT. SATABDI ROY:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष और ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the average amount of outstanding loan per agricultural household is Rs. 74,121;
- (b) the details of the five States which have the highest amount of outstanding loan per agricultural household as of 1 November 2025; and
- (c) the number of farmers, agriculture labourers who committed suicide due to high debt in the last ten years, year-wise?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  &  (b):  As  per    Situation  Assessment  Survey  (SAS)  of  Agricultural  Households conducted by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) during NSS 77th  round  (January,  2019  -  December,  2019)  in  the  rural  areas  of  the  country,  the average amount of outstanding loan per agricultural household across the country is Rs. 74,121 . Since the last survey of agricultural  households  was conducted in 2019, the extent of amount of outstanding loan per agricultural household as of 1 November 2025 is  not  available.    However,  as  per  the  latest  SAS,  the  five  States  having  the  highest average outstanding loan per agricultural household during the agricultural year July 2018 to June 2019 are given below:

|   Sl.No. | State          | Average amount (Rs.) of outstanding loan per agricultural household   |
|----------|----------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Andhra Pradesh | 2,45,554                                                              |
|        2 | Kerala         | 2,42,482                                                              |
|        3 | Punjab         | 2,03,249                                                              |
|        4 | Haryana        | 1,82,922                                                              |
|        5 | Telangana      | 1,52,113                                                              |

Source: NSS Report No. 587: Situation Assessment of Agricultural Households and Land and Livestock Holdings of Households in Rural India, 2019

(c):  The  National  Crime  Records  Bureau  (NCRB)  under  the  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs compiles  and  disseminates  information  on  suicides  in  its  publication  titled  'Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India' (ADSI). The report till 2023 is available on NCRB website (https://ncrb.gov.in).  The  reasons  for  suicides  are  wide  ranging  and  details  are  not provided in the report.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1787 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Comprehensive Policy to enhance Domestic Steel Production Capacity
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri Harish Chandra Meena

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1787 FOR ANSWER ON 10.02.2026

## COMPREHENSIVE POLICY TO ENHANCE DOMESTIC STEEL PRODUCTION CAPACITY

1787.  SHRI HARISH CHANDRA MEENA:

- Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is implementing any comprehensive policy to enhance domestic steel production capacity in view of the increasing infrastructure projects in the country, if so, the details thereof; (b) the number of steel based small and medium scale industries units operating in Rajasthan at present along with the district-wise details of the special steps taken for continuous supply of raw materials to these units; Madhopur
- (c)  whether  assistance  has  been  provided  under  any  scheme  for  setting  up  steelrelated small scale industries/fabrication units in the Tonk-Sawai Parliamentary Constituency; and
- (d) if so, the details of employment generation, Unit-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(a)to(d):  As  per  available  information, 26  steel-based MSME  units  are  operating  in Rajasthan. Steel is a de-regulated sector and the Government acts as a facilitator by creating a conducive policy environment for the development of the steel sector across all states in the country, including Rajasthan. Decisions such as investment, capacity addition, employment, setting up of a steel plant etc. are based on techno-commercial analysis of companies.

Government has taken several measures to enhance domestic steel production capacity and raw security throughout the country including Rajasthan which include the following:-

1.  Implementation  of  Domestically  Manufactured  Iron  &  Steel  Products  (DMI&SP) Policy for promoting 'Made in India' steel for Government procurement.
2.  Launch  of  the  Production  Linked  Incentive  (PLI)  Scheme  for  Specialty  Steel  to promote the manufacturing of 'Specialty Steel' within the country and reduce imports by attracting capital investments.
3.  Thrust in the Union Budget to infrastructure expansion which has contributed to increasing steel consumption.
4. Calibration in Basic Customs Duty on raw materials such as Ferro Nickel and ferrous scrap imports to reduce input costs.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1784 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: ATM Theft Cases
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Matheswaran V S

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1784

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026/ MAGHA 21, 1947 (SAKA)

ATM THEFT CASES

1784. SHRI MATHESWARAN V S:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the number of ATM theft cases occurred in the Karur District of Tamil Nadu from May 2025 to till date; and

(b) the number of FIRs are registered in the Karur District of Tamil Nadu from May 2025 to till date for cash theft in ATM or Misuse of ATM card and provide the stage of case?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has apprised that it has no information on ATM Theft Cases occurred in Karur District of Tamil Nadu. Further, 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects as per the Seventh Schedule  to  the  Constitution  of  India  and  the  State  Governments  are responsible for prevention, detection, registration and investigation of crime and for prosecuting the criminals through their law enforcement agencies. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs have issued advisories to States and UTs, from time to time, to maintain law and order and ensure that any person who takes law into his/her own hand is punished promptly as per law.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1781 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Disbursement of Funds under NTTM
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Rajpalsinh Mahendrasinh Jadav, Shri Sunil Kumar

## DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS UNDER NTTM

## 1781. SHRI RAJPALSINH MAHENDRASINH JADAV: SHRI SUNIL KUMAR:

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

- (a) the total amount of funds disbursed under the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) till date;
- (b) the number of research and development projects in special fibres and applications are approved by the Government so far and the total amount of funds allocated for aforesaid projects; and
- (c) whether any start-up have been approved under the Mission, State-wise including Bihar especially in West Champaran district?

## उत्तर

ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a): With a view to boost the technical textiles sector in the country, the National Technical Textiles Mission  (NTTM)  was  launched  in  the  year  2020  with  a  total  outlay  of  Rs.  1,480  crore.  Under  the Mission, an amount of Rs. 540.24 crore has been released up to January, 2026.

(b): A total of 184 research projects have been approved under NTTM, of which 39 projects at a cost of Rs 165.88 crore have been approved in the field of speciality fibres and their applications.

(c): Under NTTM, a dedicated intervention titled 'Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring  Innovators  in  Technical  Textiles  (GREAT)'  has  been  implemented  with  the  objective  of supporting start-up ventures in the field of Technical Textiles across the country, including the State of Bihar. As on date, a total of 24 start-ups have been approved under NTTM. The State-wise details of the approved start-ups are given below:

| State/UT       |   No. of approved Start-up projects |
|----------------|-------------------------------------|
| Andhra Pradesh |                                   1 |
| Delhi          |                                   5 |
| Gujarat        |                                   3 |
| Karnataka      |                                   2 |
| Maharashtra    |                                   6 |
| Punjab         |                                   1 |
| Tamil Nadu     |                                   4 |
| Uttar Pradesh  |                                   1 |
| Uttarakhand    |                                   1 |
| Total          |                                  24 |
Lok Sabha Question No. 1780 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Certification Framework under NMNF
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Ms. Mahua Moitra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1780

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## CERTIFICATION FRAMEWORK UNDER NMNF

1780. MS. MAHUA MOITRA :

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

- (a) whether it is true that the certification framework under the National Mission on Natural  Farming  (NMNF)  was  finalised  only  in  August  2025  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether it is true that regional councils were issued a circular in December 2025, mandatorily requiring them to register between 5000 to 10,000 non-scheme farmers under natural farming within six months and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether this circular threatened regional councils with cancellation of authorisation if targets are not met; and
- (d)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  such  target-chasing  could  erode  the credibility of the certification system and in natural farming itself?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) : The operational guidelines for National Mission on Natural Farming were issued on 26th December, 2024 and the guidelines for Natural Farming Certification System (NFCS) were issued in 05th June, 2025. Both the documents are available on website (https://naturalfarming.dac.gov.in/).
- (b) to (d) : Natural  Farming  Certification  System  (NFCS)  has  been  initiated  as "PGS-INDIA NATURAL" for certification of natural farming produces in accordance with the Natural Farming Standards. It is an online certification system implemented through  National  Centre  for  Organic  and  Natural  Farming  (NCONF).  NCONF  had issued a circular on 02.12.2025 to encourage Regional Councils to proactively register farmers practicing natural farming, within an indicative benchmark, so as to ensure timely  seasonal certification. Certification enables  farmers to get premium  price for natural products. Large number of farmers across the country are practicing natural farming without certification coverage. The circular was issued to proactively have the Regional Council reach out to such traditionally practitioners of Natural farming. The processing & integrity of the certification system has been maintained with more than 11.50 lakh farmers registered and more than 4.60 lakh certifications issued.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1773 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Upskilling of Workers in Steel Industry
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri Pradyut Bordoloi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1773

FOR ANSWER ON 10.02.2026

## UPSKILLING OF WORKERS IN STEEL INDUSTRY

1773.  SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) the details regarding the initiatives undertaken towards skill-based training and upskilling of workers to increase the labour productivity in the steel industry;
- (b) the details regarding the extent of automation achieved in the steel industry and ongoing and proposed projects towards increased automation for improved capacity utilisation  and  efficiency  and  to  address  cost  competitiveness  vis-à-vis  global  steel producers; and
- (c)  the  details  regarding  the  incentives  given  under  the  'PLI  Scheme  for  Specialty Steel', the number of beneficiaries along with the incentives availed during the last five years, year-wise?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The  steel  industry  is  improving  labour  productivity by  focusing  on  skill development and workers  training.  This  includes  in-house  technical  and  multi-skill training, as well as learning in advanced maintenance and automation. Companies are also working with technology partners and academic institutions to build expertise. Digital learning, skill recognition for contract workers, and leadership training help in increasing productivity and efficiency.
- (b)     The steel industry is using automation and digital technologies across select shop floors through the adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning models. Tools  like  digital  twins,  and  predictive  maintenance  are  helping  factories  run  more efficiently  and  reduce  equipment  breakdowns.  Digital  solutions  are  making  supply chain  and  office  work  faster  and  easier.   Efforts  are  focussed  on  using  AI-based decision tools, and better connectivity to improve performance and cost competitiveness.
- (c)     Incentive amounts of ₹48 crore and ₹187.73 crore have been disbursed to the participating companies under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme during Financial  Year  2024-25  and  Financial  Year  2025-26,  respectively.  There  are  44 projects  from  19  companies  under  first  round  of  PLI  and  42  projects  from  25 companies under second round of PLI.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1772 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Promoting Heavy Industries
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Zia Ur Rehman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1772

ANSWERED ON 10.02.2026

## PROMOTING HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## 1772.  SHRI ZIA UR REHMAN:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  limited  presence  of  heavy  industries  and  manufacturing clusters in Western Uttar Pradesh;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  steps  taken  to  promote  industrial  investment,  technology  adoption  and  job creation in the region;
- (c) whether such industrial gaps exist in other parts of the country; and
- (d) if so, the details of the national plan to promote heavy industries and manufacturing growth, Statewise?

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

- (a): Since Industry is a State Subject as per the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India, the Ministry  of  Heavy  Industries  (MHI)  does  not  maintain  any  centralized  data  relating  to  the establishment of heavy industries  and manufacturing clusters in any part of the country including Western Uttar Pradesh.

(b) to (d):

Does not arise.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1767 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Shortage of Manpower at ITADC, Malegaon
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Asaduddin Owaisi

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1767 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2026

## SHORTAGE OF MANPOWER AT ITADC, MALEGAON

## 1767. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

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

- (a)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  overcome  the  decades-old  shortage  of  Men  &  Machines  at ITADC in Malegaon, District Nashik, Maharashtra;
- (b)  the  reasons  for  the  non-initiation  of  Short  Term  or  Skill  Development  Courses,  particularly  for Female Workers in it, despite of ample space; and
- (c)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government,  if  to  provide  Free  Testing  to  micro-scale  weavers  and  Free Training with a stipend to the BPL labourers facing joblessness?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a) to (c): The  Ministry  of  Textiles,  has  revamped  the  erstwhile  Powerloom  Service  Centres, including  the  PSC  at  Malegaon,  into  Institutes  of  Textile  Design  and  Apparel  Development  Centres (ITADCs) with a revised charter of duties and planned upgradation of facilities and manpower. These include cluster-specific facilities, including strengthening of testing infrastructure, installation of modern looms and preparatory machines, testing instruments, sewing and embroidery machines for garment and apparel development, and design development facilities.

At  present,  plain  powerloom  rapier  high-speed  looms  and  testing  equipment  are  available  at ITADC Malegaon to meet the requirements of the cluster. There is also provision of Yarn/Fabric testing services  at  nominal  rates.  Short-term  skill  development  courses  are  also  being  conducted  at  ITADC Malegaon, and during the last three years, training has been imparted to 107 weavers. Further, an amount of ₹1.54 crore has been released over the last three years for ITADCs at Malegaon and Nagpur.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1764 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Review of Stakeholders  on Draft Fisheries/EEZ Rules
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Sudama Prasad

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION. No.1764 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 TH FEBRUARY, 2026

## Review of Stakeholders on Draft Fisheries/EEZ Rules

## 1764. Shri Sudama Prasad :

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

- (a) whether the Government has reviewed stakeholder and legal submissions on the draft fisheries Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) rules and the penalty clauses flagged as conflicting with existing Acts;
- (b) the  concrete  changes  (if  any)  the  Government  proposes  to  make  to  address  the concerns raised by legal experts and fishing communities; and
- (c) whether a public consultation timeline and finalization schedule can be tabled in due time and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OFFISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

- (a) to (c) The Government of India has notified the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the  Exclusive  Economic  Zone  (EEZ)  Rules,  2025,  on  4 th   November  2025.  This  landmark initiative  aims  to  empower  traditional  and  small-scale  fishermen,  Fisheries  Cooperative Societies, and Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) to expand operations, harness untapped  resources  through  deep-sea  fishing,  and  access  new  income  streams  through processing  and  exports,  thereby  enhancing  livelihoods.  The  Department  of  Fisheries  has conducted a series of meetings from February to September 2025 with different stakeholders, including  Central  Government  Ministries/Departments,  coastal  security  agencies,  coastal States/UTs, research institutes, fishermen associations, cooperatives, etc., to get their inputs and suggestions. Besides, the draft of the EEZ Rules was also placed in the public domain for a  period  of  one  month,  inviting  suggestions  and  comments  from  the  general  public  and stakeholders. The period of public consultation was even extended by another 15 days, as requested  by  some  states  and  stakeholders.  The  Draft  Rules  were  subsequently  updated based  on  the  relevant  inputs  received  through  stakeholder  consultations.  The  Rules  are framed after extensive stakeholder consultations and legal vetting by the Ministry of Law & Justice.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1761 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Rules for Reservation
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Raja A

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1761 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2026

## RULES FOR RESERVATION

## 1761. SHRI RAJA A:

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

- (a) whether the Supreme Court in its landmark judgment had ruled that reserved category candidates must be adjusted against unreserved seats, if they secure higher marks (on merit), if so, the details thereof;
- (b) if so, whether the Ministry has issued any direction or office order for following strictly the court order in all the establishments, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether any monitoring mechanism put in place to ensure the order is strictly implemented in all Government Departments and undertakings, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI B.L. VERMA)

(a) to (d): In reference to the Hon'ble Supreme Court's judgment dated 10.02.1995 in the matter of R.K. Sabharwal & Ors. vs State of Punjab & Others, DoPT has issued an OM dated 02.07.1997, para 5 of which provides that the candidates belonging to SCs/STs/OBCs who were appointed on merit (and not due to reservation) are not to be counted towards reservation so far as direct recruitment is concerned. Further, vide DoPT OM dated 01.07.1998, it is provided that in case of direct recruitment, SC/ST/OBC candidates, who are selected on the same standard as applied to general candidates i.e. without relaxation in age limit, experience qualification, permitted number of chances in written examination, extended zone of consideration larger than what is provided to the general category candidates etc., shall not be adjusted against reserved vacancies.

In case of promotion, DoPT OM dated 11.07.2002 provides that the SC/ST candidates appointed by promotion on their own merit and not owing to reservation or relaxation of qualifications will not be adjusted against the reserved points of the reservation roster. However, it is stated that the policy of reservation in promotion, including own merit in promotion, is presently sub-judice before the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the Jarnail Singh batch of cases (SLP No. 30621 of 2011).

The instructions also provide that each Ministry/Department is required to designate an officer, at least of the rank of Deputy Secretary, as a Liaison Officer to ensure implementation of the instructions relating to reservations

*****