opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5188 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Act
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Bapi Haldar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5188

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

GORKHALAND TERRITORIAL ADMINISTRATION ACT

5188. SHRI BAPI HALDAR:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  appointment  of  a  Central  interlocutor to  pursue  a 'permanent political solution' for  Gorkha issues was made without prior consultation with the Government of West Bengal, if so, the reasons for nonconsultation with the State Government;
- (b)  the  manner in which this appointment aligns with the 2011 Tripartite Memorandum of Agreement and the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Act, 2011; and
- (c)  the  interlocutor's  notified  terms  of reference,  timeline  and  disclosure plan?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c):  After  the  signing  of  the  tripartite  agreement  between  the Government  of  India,  the  Government  of  West  Bengal  and  the  Gorkha Janmukti Morcha in July, 2011, a  body  called  the  Gorkhaland  Territorial Administration (GTA) was formed. In July 2017, all elected members of the GTA resigned.

In  view  of  non-existence  of  elected  members  in  the  GTA  and  long  and repeated  requests  for  dialogue  by  the  Gorkha  leaders,  three  tripartite

meetings  were  convened  by  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  on  07.10.2020, 12.10.2021 and 03.04.2025. There was no representation of Government of West Bengal in two tripartite meetings and no substantial representation in one meeting.

Thereafter,  the  Government  of  India  has  appointed  Interlocutor  to  hold constructive dialogue with various stakeholders including representatives of Gorkha organizations on issues related to Gorkhas in the Darjeeling Hills, Terai and Dooars region of Darjeeling district of West Bengal. The period of appointment of the Interlocutor is one year.

The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the interlocutor are as follows:

(i) To undertake constructive dialogue with various stakeholders including representatives of Gorkha organizations on the issues relating to Gorkhas in  Darjeeling  Hills,  Tarai  and  Dooars  region  of  West  Bengal  and  suggest measures to resolve issues and roadmap in this regard.

- (ii) To hold discussions with other stakeholders in Darjeeling Hills, Tarai and Dooars region of West Bengal in this regard.

(iii) Recommend measures for socio-economic upliftment, cultural recognition, and preservation of cultural heritage of Gorkhas in the region, and addressing their aspirations within the Constitutional framework.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5186 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: Beneficiaries under ACC-PLI
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Ms. Mahua Moitra, Shri Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5186

ANSWERED ON 24.03.2026

## BENEFICIARIES UNDER ACC-PLI

## 5186.  MS. MAHUA MOITRA:

## SHRI JAGADISH CHANDRA BARMA BASUNIA:

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

- (a) whether it is true that none of the selected beneficiaries under the Advanced Chemistry CellProduction Linked Incentive Scheme (ACC-PLI) had any experience in battery manufacturing and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  details  of  the  battery  manufacturing  capacity  awarded  and  the  progress  on  the commissioning of battery manufacturing facilities by the selected beneficiaries, beneficiary-wise; and
- (c) the details of the targeted disbursement of incentives versus the actual disbursements, yearwise?

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

- (a) & (b): The Ministry of Heavy Industries is administering the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, namely 'National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage,' approved  in  May  2021  with  a  total  outlay  of  ₹18,100  crore  to  establish  50  GWh  of  domestic Advanced Chemistry Cell manufacturing capacity.

Out of the total targeted capacity of 50 GWh, 40 GWh has been awarded to four beneficiary firms. The beneficiary firm-wise details of the capacity awarded, and the actual capacity currently installed are as under:

| S. No.   | Beneficiary firms under PLIACC Scheme    |   Capacity Awarded (in GWh) |   Capacity Installed (in GWh) |
|----------|------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|-------------------------------|
| 1.       | ACC Energy Storage Pvt. Ltd.             |                           5 |                             0 |
| 2.       | Ola Cell Technologies Pvt. Ltd.          |                          20 |                             1 |
| 3.       | Reliance New Energy Battery Storage Ltd. |                           5 |                             0 |
| 4.       | Reliance New Energy Battery Ltd.         |                          10 |                             0 |
|          | TOTAL                                    |                          40 |                             1 |

Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) manufacturing is a highly niche, advanced, and emerging technology field.

- (c): No incentive disbursement has been made till date under the PLI ACC Scheme.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5169 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: Garlic Production
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Dimple Yadav

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5169

TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 TH  MARCH, 2026

## GARLIC PRODUCTION

†5169. SMT. DIMPLE YADAV:

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

- (a) whether any assessment has been made regarding the gap between garlic production and its available processing capacity in Mainpuri;
- (b) whether any study has been conducted on the impact on the income of farmers due to low market prices and the lack of processing facilities;
- (c) the details of the proposals received, sanctioned, and pending for garlic processing units and cold storage during the last five years; and
- (d) the action plan to promote the garlic processing industry at the local level to ensure better prices for farmers?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAM NATH THAKUR)

(a) & (b): According to the Department of Horticulture and Food Processing, Government of Uttar Pradesh, no assessment has been made regarding the gap between garlic production and processing capacity in Mainpuri. Further, no study has been conducted on the impact on farmers income due to low market prices and lack of processing facilities by the Department of Horticulture and Food Processing, Government of Uttar Pradesh.

(c):    Ministry  of  Food  Processing  Industries  (MoFPI)  is  providing  financial  assistance  for processing of Garlic under the Operation Greens scheme in the identified production clusters in  Uttar  Pradesh,  Madhya  Pradesh, Rajasthan  and Assam.  No  project is pending for Garlic Processing unit under Operation Greens scheme of MoFPI.

(d):  Under  the  Centrally  sponsored  Pradhan  Mantri  Formalisation  of  Micro  Food  Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, a provision of grant for providing assistance up to 35 percent of  the  eligible  project  cost,  maximum  up  to  Rs.  10.00  lakh  for  units  established  in  the  food processing sector has been made by the MoFPI. Further, under the State scheme, namely, Uttar Pradesh Food Processing Policy-2023, there is a provision for providing assistance up to 35 percent of the eligible project cost, maximum up to Rs. 5.00 crore for the establishment of food processing units.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5167 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: PMGSY Phase-IV
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Gajendra  Singh Patel

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5167 ANSWERED ON 24/03/2026

## PMGSY PHASE-IV

5167. Shri Gajendra Singh Patel:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the  current  status  of  the  approval  of  roads  for  the  25,000 targeted unconnected habitations under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Phase-IV in Khargone and Barwani districts of the Khargone Lok Sabha Constituency; and
- (b) the other steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## (SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN)

(a) & (b): A  new  vertical,  PMGSY-IV,  was  launched  in  September 2024  to  provide  all-weather  connectivity  to  eligible  unconnected habitations as per the 2011 Census, with an implementation timeline extending up to FY 2028-29. The scheme targets habitations with a population of 500+ in plain areas; 250+ in North-Eastern States, Hill States, and Aspirational Districts/Blocks; and 100+ in identified Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas.

The selection and sanctioning of projects under PMGSY-IV are based on the proposals received from the respective State Governments,  subject to their  compliance with the  scheme's programmatic guidelines, technical scrutiny, and the availability of funds.

In respect of the  State  of  Madhya  Pradesh,  the  Empowered Committee (EC) considered proposals on 18.03.2026 for 973 roads covering a length of 2,117.52 km to benefit 987 habitations:

| District   |   No of roads |   Length in km |   Habitations to be covered |
|------------|---------------|----------------|-----------------------------|
| Barwani    |           118 |         257.99 |                         118 |
| Khargone   |            21 |          44.7  |                          22 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5164 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: FAME India Scheme
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Adhikari Deepak Dev

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5164 ANSWERED ON 24.03.2026

## FAME INDIA SCHEME

## 5164.  SHRI ADHIKARI DEEPAK DEV:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  successfully  implemented  the  'Faster  Adoption  and Manufacturing of at Electric Vehicles in India' (FAME India) scheme;
- (b) if  so,  the  status  of  implementation of the said scheme including the status of its pilot project; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to overcome technological, research and development and ecosystem related hurdles in implementing the said scheme?

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

- (a): Yes, the Government has successfully implemented the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) Scheme in two phases, i.e., Phase-I (01.04.2015 to 31.03.2019) and Phase-II (01.04.2019 to 31.03.2024).  The   scheme has facilitated large-scale EV adoption, development of charging infrastructure, and promotion of domestic manufacturing.
- (b): The implementation status of Phase-I (01.04.2015 to 31.03.2019), which acted as a pilot and helped in assessing technology viability and market response, is as follows:-
- i. Supported approx. 2.8 lakh electric and hybrid vehicles with incentives of Rs.359 crore.
- ii. Sanctioned  and  deployed  425  electric  and  hybrid  buses  across  various  cities  in  the country with Government Incentive of about Rs. 280 Crore.
- iii. Sanctioned of 520 charging stations for Rs.43 crore.
- iv. Projects  worth  about  Rs.  158  Crore  were  sanctioned  for  the  technology  development projects  like  establishment  of  testing  Infrastructure,  setting  up  of  'Centre  of  Excellence'  for Advanced  Research  in Electrified Transportation, Battery Engineering, etc. to various organisations / institutions.

The FAME (India) Scheme Phase II (FAME-II) was implemented from 01.04.2019 to 31.03.2024 with an outlay of Rs.11,500 crore. A total of 16,71,606 electric vehicles have been supported (sold) during the scheme period. Further, 5,195 e-buses have been deployed under the scheme till 31st January 2026.  Under the FAME-II scheme, as on 01.01.2026, a total of 9,159 EV PCS have been installed under the FAME-II scheme.

- (c): To address technological, R&D, and ecosystem challenges under PM E-DRIVE Scheme, being implemented from 01.04.2024, the following steps have been taken:-

- i. ₹780 crore allocated for upgradation of testing agencies to strengthen R&D.
- ii. ₹4,391 crore for deployment of 14,028 e-buses in major cities.
- iii. ₹2,000 crore for nationwide EV public charging infrastructure.
- iv. Implementation of Phased Manufacturing Programme to promote localization of critical EV components and strengthen the ecosystem.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 5162 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: Mental Health Mandatory in Police Training
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Prof. Sougata Ray

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5162

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

MENTAL HEALTH MANDATORY IN POLICE TRAINING

5162. PROF. SOUGATA RAY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  increasing  mental  stress  levels among police personnel due to the nature of their work;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to include mental health and stress management as a manadatory component in police training curricula; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d):  'Police'  is  a  State  subject  falling  in  List -II  (State  list)  of  the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. It is primarily the responsibility  of  the  State  Governments/UT  Administrations  to  provide adequate training to the police personnel.

The improvement of the physical and mental health of police personnel has  been  priority  for  the  Government  to  ensure  effective  policing.  The Ministry  of  Home  Affairs   has  issued   advisory  to  all  the

States/Union  Territories  to  improve  the  health  and  well-being  of  police personnel, based on their requirements. In the advisory, main emphasize were  given  on  Website/portal  for  health,  tele  medicine,  annual  medical check up, age based diet plans, hiring of civilian health counsellors etc.

Apart from above, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA), which imparts basic as well as in service training to Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, has also included a session on Stress Management as a part of the subject 'Attitude, Ethics and Human Rights' in Phas e-I of Basic Course of IPS Probationers. The Academy has collaborated with the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), which has developed a module on  Self-Regulation.  The  Academy  is  also  conducting  sessions  on  stress management  in  Mid-Career  Training  Programme  (MCTP)  and  Induction Training  Course  (ITC)  Courses  to  strengthen  the  mental  health  of  IPS officers.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5153 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: Crop Insurance Claims of Farmers of Barmer Region
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Ummeda Ram Beniwal

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5153

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 24 TH  MARCH, 2026

## CROP INSURANCE CLAIMS OF FARMERS OF BARMER REGION

5153. SHRI UMMEDA RAM BENIWAL:

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

(a) whether  the crop insurance claims of thousands  of farmers of the Barmer-Bloatra Parliamentry Constituency for Kharif 2023 and 2024 are still pending with the insurance companies;

(b) whether the Government proposes to take penal action against those insurance companies under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana which do not settle claims within the stipulated timeframe;

(c) whether  the  new  provision  of  12  percent  penal  interest  in  case  of  delay  in  settlement  of claims from Kharif 2025 has been implemented in this regions; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to open additional procurement centres for purchasing at Minimum Support Price and to simplify the procurement process and make it transparent in order to protect bajra producing farmers in the Barmer region from middlemen?

## ANSWER

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

(a): As of 31.12.2025 in Barmer district, out of reported claims of Rs. 201.88 Crores, claims of Rs. 200.30 Crores (99.22 %) have been paid for Kharif 2023 season and out of reported claims of Rs. 35.07 Crores, claims of Rs. 34.03 Crores (97.03%) have been paid for Kharif 2024 season.

(b) & (c): As per the Operational Guidelines of PMFBY, in case payment is not made timely by Insurance Company, penalty of 12% is auto-calculated and levied through National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP) w.e.f. Kharif 2024.

(d): As reported by Department of Food and Public Distribution, procurement of coarse grains is regulated  by  guidelines  for  allocation,  distribution,  and  disposal  of  coarse  grains  (Jowar,  Bajra, Maize & Ragi etc.) and 6 minor millets procured by the States. Under these guidelines, States are allowed  to  procure  these  commodities  in  Decentralized  Procurement  mode  from  farmers  at Minimum  Support Price (MSP) for distribution under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS)/Other Welfare Schemes(OWS).

Government of Rajasthan has not submitted procurement plan of Bajra for Kharif Marketing Season  (KMS)  2025-26  for  distribution  under  State's  own  Targeted  Public  Distribution  System (TPDS). Accordingly, no procurement of Bajra has been carried out in Rajasthan during KMS 202526 (Kharif).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5151 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: Martyr Status for Freedom Fighters
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Sanatan Pandey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5151

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

MARTYR STATUS FOR FREEDOM FIGHTERS

†5151. SHRI SANATAN PANDEY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has granted martyr status to those who lost their lives in the freedom struggle;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether it is a fact that many freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev have not been accorded the status of martyr even today, if so, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether there has been a long-standing demand in the country to grant martyr status to Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru and that the citizens of the country have also demanded the Bharat Ratna for them; and
- (e) the steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e):   The freedom Fighters who lost their lives in the freedom struggle including Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru, during the National Freedom Struggle have become martyrs for the cause of attaining the Independence of   India.  Martyrdom  of    these   freedom   fighters   and    their  invaluable

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 5151 FOR 24.03.2026

contribution in  India's  Freedom  Struggle  form  an  inalienable  part  of  the discourse of our fight for freedom and is well known in our history. Their martyrdom in the supreme national cause of independence is a fact and is not dependent on the presumed presence or absence of official records. Their  stature  is  far  above  any  award  or  title  or  status  accorded  in  this regard.  The  nation  will  always  be  grateful  to  Shaheed  Bhagat  Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru who laid down their lives for a better future of India. Their names will always be written in golden words in the annals of Indian History. The Government and the entire nation recognize their invaluable contribution during the freedom struggle for attainment of India's independence. The 'Dictionary of Martyrs of India's free dom struggle from 1857 to 1947 published by Ministry of Culture has recorded the names of all these Freedom Fighters, including Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru. The Government of India's position on this has remained unchanged since 1947.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5150 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: Foodgrains Crisis
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Manju Sharma

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5150 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 TH  MARCH, 2026

## FOODGRAINS CRISIS

5150. SMT. MANJU SHARMA:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the current foodgrains crisis in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to resolve the said problem?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The production of foodgrains in the country has consistently  increased from 3156.16 lakh tonnes during 2021-22 to 3577.32 lakh tonnes during 2024-25, reflecting an increase  of  13.34%  in  the  production  and  availability  of  food  grains  in  the  country.  Rice production  has  increased  from  1294.71  lakh  tonnes  (2021-22)  to  1501.84  lakh  tonnes (2024-25) showing increase of 207.13 lakh tonnes (15.99%). Wheat Production of India has increased from 1077.42 lakh tonnes during 2021-22 to 1179.45 lakh tonnes during 2024-25, reflecting  an  increase  of  9.46%.  As  per  second  advance  estimates  for  2025-26,  the foodgrain production is estimated at record 3486.57 lakh tonnes for kharif and rabi crops excluding summer.

The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has been focussing on ensuring the food security of the country through its various schemes like the National Food Security & Nutrition  Mission  (NFSNM),  which is  being implemented in the  28 States  and  2 Union Territories (UTs) with the objective to increase production of Shree Anna, Rice, Wheat, and Coarse Cereals (Maize & Barley) through area expansion and productivity enhancement. The Government of India is also implementing the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses to enhance  the  production  of  pulses,  focusing  on  higher  yield.    Under  these  schemes, assistance is being provided to the farmers through the States/UTs, on crop production & protection  technologies  and  cropping  system-based  demonstrations,  for  distribution  of certified seeds, for production of certified seeds, for Integrated Nutrient and  Pest Management measures,  for  capacity  building  of  farmers  through  cropping  system-based trainings etc.

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