opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 443 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-02
Subject: Setting-up of Kisan Bhawans
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Vivek Thakur

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.  443

TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND  December, 2025

## SETTING - UP of KISAN BHAWANS

† 443. Shri Vivek Thakur:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state: (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  Kisan  Bhawans  or  to  implement  any such  other  scheme  in  every  Panchayat  across  the  country  to  provide  a  single  window facility to the farmers; and (b)  if  so,  whether  the  government  proposes  to  provide  information  regarding  real-time market  price  for  farmer's  produce  in  addition  to  the  sale  of  fertilizers,  seeds  and

- pesticides, at there Kisan Bhawans and to further link it with the e-NAM Portal as well?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (b):  There  is  no  such  proposal  is  under  consideration  in  the  Department.  Daily wholesale prices of agri produce are reported on the AGMARKNET portal and also on the eNam portal and mobile app, so that is freely accessible to farmers. Prices of subsidized fertilizers  are  fixed  by  the  Government.  Prices  of  seeds,  pesticides  and  non-subsidised fertilizers  are  as  per  market  demand  and  supply.  Distribution  Network  of  the  private players  varies from region to region.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 437 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-02
Subject: Setting up of SEZ
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Ummeda Ram Beniwal

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 437 ANSWERED ON 02/12/2025

## SETTING UP OF SEZ

## 437.   SHRI UMMEDA RAM BENIWAL:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  a  Special  Economic  Zone  (SEZ) associated with the Barmer Refinery Project to boost petrochemical exports;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to set up such SEZs in Rajasthan and other parts of the country as well; and
- (d) 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 (d): Special Economic Zones (SEZs) set up under the SEZ Act, 2005 and SEZ Rules, 2006 are primarily private investment driven initiatives which may be established either jointly or severally by the Central Government, State Governments  or any person.  The  Board  of  Approval  constituted  under  SEZ  Act,  2005  considers proposals to set up SEZs which have been duly recommended by the respective State Governments. There are currently 06 notified SEZs in the State of Rajasthan, out of which 03 are operational. At present, no proposal for setting up of such SEZs, including any SEZ for petrochemical exports, in the State of Rajasthan has been received by this Ministry.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 435 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-02
Subject: EV Import Policy and Lack of Industry Participation
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Manickam Tagore B, Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar, Shri Vijayakumar Alias Vijay Vasanth

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 435 ANSWERED ON 02.12.2025

## EV IMPORT POLICY AND LACK OF INDUSTRY PARTICIPATION

## 435. SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B: SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH: SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR:

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

(a)  the  reasons  due  to  which  the  Scheme  to  Promote  Manufacturing  of  Electric  Passenger  Cars (SPMEPC) failed to attract any applicants before the October 21 deadline;

(b) the steps taken by the Government to engage auto manufacturers for participation in the SPMEPC scheme and details of the feedback received from the industry;

(c)  whether  the  proposed  duty  concessions  (15%)  for  EV  imports  in  exchange  for  local manufacturing  investment  of  Rs.  4,150  crore  are  sufficient  to  attract  manufacturers,  and  if  not, whether any adjustments are being considered;

(d) whether the Government has assessed the impact of the ongoing India-EU trade negotiations on auto-makers' interest in this scheme and the manner in which it affects the policy's implementation timeline; and

(e) whether there are plans to reopen the application window and if so, the details of revised timeline and conditions for participation?

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

(a) : In the recent Stakeholders' meeting with automobile OEMs, the following reasons have been cited by the OEMs for non-submission of application before the October 21 deadline:

i.The decision to participate in the scheme is contingent upon finalization of the ongoing IndiaEU FTA negotiations.

ii.Restrictions on rare earth magnets may affect the achievement of DVA targets.

iii.Threshold investment requirements and timelines may pose a challenge.

(b) : MHI  has  undertaken  extensive  stakeholder  outreach  to  encourage  participation  in  this scheme including consultations during scheme formulation, circulation of notice inviting applications to relevant embassies (of the countries where headquarters of global automobile OEMs are located), engagement of Invest India, Ministry of External Affairs, Department of Commerce, and State/UT Governments for promotion and creating awareness about the scheme through various platforms and investment facilitation channels. A stakeholder consultation was also held recently with the OEMs to discuss the way forward and address industry queries.  The feedback received from the industry is as given in reply to part (a).

(c) : No such proposal is presently under consideration.

(d) : No such assessment has been made by the Government.  However, during recent Stakeholder consultations,  OEMs  have  conveyed  that  they  may  take  decision  regarding  participation  in  the Scheme post finalization of the India-EU FTA.

(e): No such proposal is presently under consideration.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 426 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-02
Subject: PLI Projects in Bellary
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri E Tukaram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 426 FOR ANSWER ON 02.12.2025

## PLI PROJECTS IN BELLARY

## 426. SHRI E TUKARAM:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of PLI (Specialty Steel) projects approved by the Government in the  Bellary  Parliamentary  Constituency,  Karnataka  and  the  names  of  approved companies;
- (b) the sanctioned incentive amount, committed investment, expected jobs, proposed production capacity and timeline for commissioning for each such project;
- (c) whether any approved project has started production in Bellary, if so, the dates and production/capacity details thereof; and
- (d)  if  not,  the  specific  reasons  (e.g.,  land,  environment  clearances,  financial  or technical issues) and the steps that the Government is taking to resolve them?

## ANSWER

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

(a)to(e):     Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Specialty Steel was approved by the Union Cabinet in July, 2021 with a budget of ₹6,322 crore which aims to boost specialty steel production through financial incentives. The scheme offers incentives for five years, from Financial Year 2024-25 to Financial Year 2030-31, to companies that  meet  specified  investment  and  production  targets.  The  scheme  covers  five product categories which include coated steel, high-strength steel, specialty rails, alloy steels  &  steel  wires,  and  electrical  steel.  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.  Decisions  such  as  investment,  capacity  addition, employment,  product  portfolio  etc.  are  based  on  techno-commercial  analysis  of companies. Two  rounds  have  been  concluded so far in which participating beneficiaries are from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Tamilnadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Karnataka including Ballary district. In the first and second rounds, 19 companies have committed ₹27,106  crore  investment  and  25  companies  have  committed  ₹17,000  crore investment, respectively. Till October, 2025, the participating beneficiary companies have  invested  ₹23,022  crore,  produced 2.33  million  tonnes  of  specialty  steel,  and ₹131.64 crore incentives have been disbursed to the eligible beneficiaries.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 421 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-02
Subject: PM E-Drive Scheme
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Tatkare Sunil Dattatrey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 421

ANSWERED ON 02.12.2025

## PM E-DRIVE SCHEME

## 421. SHRI TATKARE SUNIL DATTATREY:

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

(a) the details of subsidies disbursed under the PM E-Drive Scheme till date;

(b) the status of preparation of guidelines for subsidies to E-Ambulances along with the budget allotted specifically for subsidies to E-Ambulances under the said scheme;

(c)  the  details  of  subsidies  disbursed  specifically  for  the  installation  of  charging  infrastructure  in various cities;

(d) whether Public Sector Undertakings have shown interest in availing subsidies for EV charging infrastructure, as envisioned under the scheme;

(e) the manner in which the PM E-Drive scheme is likely to address the shortage of buses in major cities like Mumbai and Delhi;

(f) the details of other cities in Maharashtra getting benefits under the scheme; and

(g)  whether  any  steps  are  being  taken  to  ensure  that  the  charging  infrastructure  created  under  the scheme is properly utilized and remains easily accessible?

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

(a) : Rs.1,634.62  crore  subsidy  has  been  disbursed  under  the  PM  E-DRIVE  Scheme  till 23/11/2025.

- (b) : An allocation of Rs.500 crore has been made under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme towards eambulances.  The stakeholder consultations have been done to notify guidelines for e-Ambulances. The scheme has been extended till 31.03.2028 for e-Ambulances including other segments but for e2Ws and e-3Ws terminal date remains 31.03.2026.

(c) & (d) : Under the PM E-DRIVE scheme, there is an allocation of Rs.2,000 crore for setting up of electric vehicles' public charging infrastructure (EVPCI).   As on 23/11/2025 no grants have been disbursed  for  installation  of  EVPCI.    Two  Oil  Marketing  Companies  have  shown  interest  and submitted proposals for installation of EVPCI under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme.

(e) & (f): Under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme, 1,500 e-buses have been allocated to Mumbai and 2,800 e-buses have been allocated to Delhi.  Other than Mumbai, 1,000 e-buses have been allocated to Pune, in Maharashtra.

(g) : In order to ensure utilization, accessibility, the guidelines for EV charging infrastructure under the PM E-Drive Scheme have been notified and shared with the State Government and UTs.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 420 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-02
Subject: Timeline for Decadal Census
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Rahul Gandhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 420

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND  DECEMBER, 2025/ AGRAHAYANA 11, 1947 (SAKA)

TIMELINE FOR DECADAL CENSUS

420.   SHRI RAHUL GANDHI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  and  tentative  timelines  of  the  key  procedural  steps  to prepare  for  the  decadal  Census  including  the  preparation  of  questions, setting schedules;
- (b) whether the Government has any proposal to publish the draft Census questions and seek inputs from the General Public or People's Representatives on these questions; and
- (c)  whether  the  Government  is  taking  into  consideration  best  practices from previous exercises, including the caste surveys conducted in various States and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a):   The Census 2027 will be conducted in two phases namely Phase I -House  Listing  and  Housing  Census  from  April  to  September,  2026  in  a period  of  30  days  as  per  the  convenience  of  the  State/UT  Governments followed by Phase II -Population Enumeration (PE). Population Enumeration  will  be  done  in  February  2027  with  reference  date  00:00 hours  of  1 st   March,  2027  except  for  the  Union  territory  of  Ladakh  and snow-bound non-synchronous  areas  of  the  Union territory of Jammu and

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 420 FOR 02.12.2025

Kashmir and the States of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where it will  be  done  in  September,  2026  with  reference  date  00.00  hours  of  1 st October, 2026.

(b): The Census questionnaire is finalized on the basis of inputs/suggestions from different Ministries, Departments, Organizations, and  Census  data  users,  etc.  before  each  Census.  The  draft  Census questionnaires are pre-tested in the field to assess their feasibility before finalization of the same. As per Rule 6 of Census Rules, 1990, the census questionnaires  are  notified  by  the  Central  Government  through  Official Gazette under sub-section (1) of section 8 of the Act.

(c): Census  has  a  history  of  more  than  150  years.  Learnings  from previous census are taken into consideration for conducting next census. Before each census the inputs are also taken from concerned stakeholders.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 417 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-02
Subject: Assessment of Crop Loss under PMFBY
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Amra Ram

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 417

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 02 ND  DECEMBER, 2025

## ASSESSMENT OF CROP LOSS UNDER PMFBY

417. SHRI AMRA RAM:

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

(a) whether the surveyors of the insurance companies do not reach on time to assess the crop  loss  under  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Fasal  Bima  Yojana  (PMFBY) even  after  receiving applications for individual crop loss due to untimely rains;

(b) if so, the basis on which the compensation to those farmers is likely to be determined;

(c) whether the Government intends to include representatives of farmers' organizations in the committees formed at the district and State level under the PMFBY and if so, the time by which it is likely to be done; and

(d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) :  As per provisions of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), losses due to  localized calamity and post  harvest losses are assessed and  worked out by a committee  of  insurance  Company  concerned  and  State  Government  representatives. Insurance  companies  appoint  their  representatives/loss  assessor/  surveyors  to  the Committee.  Based on the recommendation/approval of the Committee final claims are worked out and paid. State Government and the insurance companies have to appoint their representatives, submit its report and pay the claims within stipulated time period.    If any eligible farmer is left from the survey due to any reason, his admissible claims are worked out and paid based on the loss/claims in adjacent farmer's  fields/claims.      Further, If the crop is not eligible for individual farm assessment, season-end claims are worked out on the basis yield data furnished by the State Government after harvesting.

(c) & (d): Different steps have been taken up by Central & State Governments to increase the awareness about the Stratified Grievance Redressal Mechanism adopted by PMFBY amongst the farmers and other stakeholders. Farmers representation is there in the District Level Grievance Redressal Committees (DGRCs)  as per the provisions of the Operational Guidelines.      Accordingly,  many  States  and  UTs  have  issued  Notifications  on  the constitution of the Grievance Redressal Committees clearly depicting the nature, roles and responsibilities  of  the  functionaries  entrusted  in  the  Grievance  Redressal  Committees specifying the timelines for disposal of Grievances.    The representatives of the farmers have already been included in the DGRCs.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 414 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-02
Subject: Central OBC List
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Jagannath Sarkar

## GOYERNMENT OF INDIA MIMSTRY OF SOCIALJUSTICE AIID EMPOWERMENT LOKSABHA

UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.414 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2025

## CENTRAL OBC LIST

## 4I4. SHRI JAGAITINATII  SARKAR:

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

- (a) whether  it is a fact that of the 46 castes  recommended  by the State Govemment of West Bengal for inclusion  in the Central OBC List in 2011, 37 were notified  in February  2014, if so, how many among these are currenfly  under scrutiny  for possible delisting following the Calcutta High Court's invalidation  ofOBC certificates  issued after 2010;
- @)  whether the National  Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) has initiated a review of these castes to determine  iftheir  certificates  have been invalidated;
- (c) whether,  upon such finding, it will recommend  their removal from the Central List, if so, the details thereof;  and
- (d) whether  there is any timeframe  has been set for NCBC  to complete its review and the steps ar€  being taken to ensure  justice  for genuine  backward classes  and prevent misuse  of reservation.benefits?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OT' STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE  AND EMPOWERMENT

(SHRIB.L.VERMA)

- (a): State Govemment  of West Bengal had recommended  46 castes for inclusion in the Central  List of OBCs for the State of West Bengal. However, National Commission  for Backwaid  Classes  had tendered  its advice for inclusion  of 37 (Thirty-Seven)  castes in the Cental List of OBCs for the State of West Bengal on 09.11.201l.  Based on the advice of National  Commission  for Backward Classes,  the Departrnent  of Social Justice  and Empowerment had issued a Gazette Notification dated 17 .02.2014.
- O)  to (d): National  Commission for Backward Classes has tendered its advice for exclusion of 35 (Thirty-Five)  castes from the Central List of OBCs for the State of West Bengal on 03.01.2025.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 412 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-02
Subject: Venture Capital Assistance Scheme
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Kodikunnil Suresh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 412

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND  DECEMBER, 2025

## VENTURE CAPITAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME

412. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

:

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

- (a)   the details of beneficiaries under the Venture Capital Assistance (VCA) Scheme of the small Farmers' Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) since its inception, including the name, address, project details, and amount sanctioned and disbursed to each beneficiary, Statewise and year-wise;
- (b)   the number of cases where repayment is pending or defaulted, along with details of the beneficiaries involved and the amounts outstanding, State-wise;
- (c)    the number and total value of cases written off under the VCA Scheme, along with the details of such beneficiaries and projects, State-wise and year-wise; and
- (d)   whether the Government has formulated any policy or guidelines governing the writeoff or waiver of loans or assistance under the VCA Scheme, 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):  3353 cases for Rs.949.85 Crore were sanctioned and released under the Venture Capital Assistance (VCA) Scheme of Small Farmers' Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC). There are 516 cases where beneficiaries have defaulted in repayment involving principal amount  of Rs.149.83 Crore. Detailed information is available  on  SFAC  website (https://sfacindia.com) under 'Forms & Documents' section.

- (c): No VCA cases were written off by SFAC.
- (d): VCA Scheme has been discontinued in 2022.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 406 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-02
Subject: Open Prisons and Semi-Open Prisons
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. Thirumaavalavan Tholkappiyan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 406

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND  DECEMBER, 2025/ AGRAHAYANA 11, 1947 (SAKA)

OPEN PRISONS AND SEMI-OPEN PRISONS

406. DR. THIRUMAAVALAVAN THOLKAPPIYAN:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the details and the number of open prisons and semi-open prisons in the country;

(b) whether the Government has any policy proposal to direct/encourage increase in the open prisons/semi-open prisons; and

(c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI BANDI SANJAY KUMAR)

(a): The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles prison statistics reported to it by the States and Union Territories (UTs) and publishes the same  in  its  annual  publication  'Prison  Statistics  India'.  The  latest published  report  is  of  the  year  2023.  There  were  101  Open/Semi-Open prisons in the country as on 31.12.2023.

(b)  and  (c): 'Prisons'/'persons detained therein' is a 'Stat e-l ist'  subject under  Entry  4  of  List  II  of  the  Seventh  Schedule  to  the  Constitution  of India. The administration and management of prisons and prisoners is the direct responsibility of respective State Governments/UT Administrations,

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 406 FOR 02.12.2025

who  are  competent  to  take  decisions  for  establishing  Open/Semi-Open prisons  in  their  respective  jurisdictions.  However,  the  Ministry  of  Home Affairs (MHA) had prepared a Model Prison Manual 2016 and had shared it with all States and UTs in May, 2016. The Model Prison Manual 2016 has a specific chapter on 'Open Institutions' , which provides detailed provisions about establishment and administration of Open prisons. MHA has also prepared a 'Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act' in the year 2023 and has shared it with all States and UTs for enabling them to make  use  of  the  guidance  provided  therein  relating  to  prisons  and prisoner management. The Model Act also provides for establishment and administration of Open and Semi-Open Correctional Institutions.

*****