opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 26 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Small Food Processing Units under PMFME
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Omprakash Bhupalsinh Alias Pavan Rajenimbalkar, Shri Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 26

ANSWERED ON 29 TH  JANUARY, 2026

## SMALL FOOD PROCESSING UNITS UNDER PMFME

## 26. SHRI OMPRAKASH BHUPALSINH ALIAS PAVAN RAJENIMBALKAR: SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV:

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  assessed  the  small  food  processing  units  under  the PMFME scheme that have failed to achieve their operational targets;
- (b) if so, the corrective measures taken thereof;
- (c) the number of inspections and compliance audits conducted by the Government for ensuring food safety in rural food processing units during the year 2024-25;
- (d) the action taken against the units found non-compliant;
- (e) whether the Government has proposed to formulate any policy to provide cold storage facility or processing equipments at subsidized rates for backward districts; and
- (f) if so, the details of the allocation and timeline thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)

(a)  &  (b): Ministry  of  Food  Processing  Industries  (MoFPI)  is  implementing  a  centrally sponsored "PM Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme" for providing financial, technical and business support for setting up of new/ upgradation of micro food processing enterprises in the country. Under the Scheme, it is aimed to assist two lakh micro food processing units with credit linked subsidy. The subsidy under this scheme is linked to approval of the project by the banks for disbursement of the loan. However, under the scheme Ministry does not allocate any operational targets to the supported units.

(c)  & (d): Under the scheme, micro food processing enterprises are facilitated with Udyam Aadhaar registration, Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) registration, Goods & Services Tax (GST) registration as per the applicability are considered to adhere to the food safety compliances. Food safety inspections and compliance audits of food processing units, including rural micro enterprises, are conducted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

(e) & (f): The scheme is demand driven and provides support of credit-linked grant of 35% of the eligible project cost, Common Infrastructure @ 35% of eligible cost upto Rs. 3 crore, seed capital of up to Rs. 40,000, capacity building for beneficiaries, Branding & Marketing and handholding support for the formalization of units to all the interested applicants across the country including Backward districts. The scheme has an outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore operational from 2020-21 to 2025-26.
Lok Sabha Question No. 25 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Transforming Van Dhan Vikas Kendras
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil, Ms. Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde, Adv Gowaal Kagada Padavi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 25

TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.01.2026

## TRANSFORMING VAN DHAN VIKAS KENDRA

## 25. SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL: MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE: ADV GOWAAL KAGADA PADAVI:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether any progress has been made in transforming Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) into Van Dhan Producer Enterprises (VDPEs) nationally and in Maharashtra to boost income and create Atmanirbhar tribal businesses since its commencement year, if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of the number of such enterprises against legal status granted and revenue generated as of 2025, State-wise including in Maharashtra;

(c) whether any Minor Forest Produce (MFP) value-addition activities were carried out at these VDVKs during the last five years; and

(d) the details of the number of total tribal beneficiaries under VDVKs and transformed VDPEs in the last three years?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (TRIBAL AFFAIRS) (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

(a)  &  (b) :The  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  implements  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Janjatiya  Vikas  Mission  (PMJVM)  scheme through Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) under which financial support is provided for establishment of Van Dhan Producer Enterprises (VDPEs), which are clusters of nearby Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) to further boost the income of tribals. However, no complete proposals have been received at TRIFED from any States/UTs, including Maharashtra, for the transformation of Van Dhan Producer Enterprises (VDPEs) from the existing Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs).

(c)  &  (d): In  the  last  five  years,  an  amount  of  Rs.  4095  lakhs  have  been  sanctioned  to  the  State  of  Maharashtra  for establishment of 279 VDVKs associating 83,850 members under PMJVM scheme. Additionally, under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) Scheme, Rs. 181.20 lakh has been sanctioned to Maharashtra for setting up of 40 VDVKs associating 3,624 members.

MFP value addition activities  are  actively  taking  place  at  most  of  the  operational  VDVKs  in  Maharashtra  for products  such  as Mahua(Laddu,  Chikki  and  oil),  Tamarind(Cake  and  Pickle),  Harra(Churan  and  Dry  powder), Bamboo(Furnitures, Pickle, Wine, Broom, Mug, Cup, ring etc)

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Lok Sabha Question No. 23 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Habitations Covered under Jal Jeevan Mission in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Prabhakar Reddy Vemireddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  23

ANSWERED ON 29/01/2026

## HABITATIONS COVERED UNDER JAL JEEVAN MISSION IN ANDHRA PRADESH

## 23. SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY VEMIREDDY

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  true  that  the  Government  has  covered  nearly  2,200  habitations  in  Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh under the Jal Jeevan Mission to provide safe drinking water;
- (b) if so, whether it is also true that more than 1,000 habitations out of these 2,200 habitations are yet to receive 55 litres per capita per day (LPCD) of safe drinking water and if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the efforts being made by the Government to provide 55 LPCD of safe drinking water in the above habitations and the time by which this is likely to be done?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA)

(a) to (c) Since August 2019, Government of India, in partnership with States, is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)-Har Ghar Jal to enable every rural household in the country, to have assured potable water through tap connection. Drinking water is a State subject, and hence, the responsibility of planning, approval, implementation, operation, and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, including those under the Jal Jeevan Mission, lies with the respective State/UT Governments. The Government of India supports the States by providing technical and financial assistance.

As per information reported on JJM-IMIS portal by the State Government of Andhra Pradesh, out of 2,110 habitations in Nellore district, 681 habitations comprising 1,36,573 households, have been fully covered with FHTCs, achieving 100% household coverage. 1,198 habitations, with 2,89,636 households, have achieved partial coverage (more than 50% FHTC coverage.) 202 habitations, covering 31,835 households, have less than 50% FHTC coverage. And only 29  habitations,  with  2,371  households,  currently  do  not  have  access  to  FHTCs.  The  State Government has planned 4,146 Nos. of Schemes under JJM, out of which 1,197 have been physically completed and 1,61,835 Nos. of house connections have been provided.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 9 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Black Spots on NHs in Churu, Rajasthan
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Rahul Kaswan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-9 ANSWERED ON 29 TH  JANUARY, 2026

BLACK SPOTS ON NHs IN CHURU, RAJASTHAN

9. SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  a  large  number of  black  spots  have  been  identified  in Rajasthan on National Highways (NHs);
- (b) if so, the details thereof particularly in Lok Sabha Constituency of Churu;
- (c)  the  various  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  eliminate such black spots in the State;
- (d)  whether a new such black spot has emerged in Churu district; and
- (e) if so, the name of the place where it has been identified and the time by which it is likely to be repaired?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) to (c)    Government in Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has  identified  671  number  of  black  spots  on  National  Highways (NHs) in  the  State  of  Rajasthan,  in  the  black  spot  series  2017-19, 2018-20,  2019-21  and  2020-22.  Out  of  these,  06  number  of  black spots have been identified on NHs in the Churu District. Government

has taken steps for immediate short-term measures on such black spots  like  road  markings,  signages,  crash  barriers,  road  studs, delineators, closure of unauthorized median openings, traffic calming  measures,  etc.  Long-term  measures  like  improvement  of road geometrics, junction improvements, spot widening of carriageway, construction of underpasses/overpasses, etc. are also taken on such black spots as per site investigations as permanent rectification measures. (d) & (e) Based on latest black spot data, one new black spot has been  identified  in  the  Churu  District,  on  NH-11.  Rectification  of black  spots  is  a  continuous  process  and  rectification  works  are taken up based on road safety  audit report/detailed project report and site conditions. Temporary measures have been completed at the  newly  identified  black  spot.   Long-term  rectification  works which  involve  various  pre-construction  activities  such  as  land acquisition, forest clearance & utility shifting, to be taken up as per the outcome of Detailed Project Report (DPR).

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 479 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-25
Subject: Monetisation of Railway Assets
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Subbarayan K, Com. Selvaraj V

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 479 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.03.2026

## MONETISATION OF RAILWAY ASSETS

- *479. SHRI SUBBARAYAN K: COM. SELVARAJ V:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  Government  is  considering  a  plan  to monetise assets worth Rs. 1.4 lakh crore by recycling railway estates and land parcels through leasing and public-private partnerships under the National Monetisation Pipeline 2.0 during the Financial Years 20262030; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the steps being taken thereon? ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) and (b): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) AND (b) OF STARRED QUESTION NO.479 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.03.2026 IN LOK SABHA

(a) & (b): The vacant railway land, which is not required by Railways for its immediate  operational  needs,  is  entrusted  to  RLDA  by  the  Ministry  of Railways.  This  land  is  utilized  for  commercial  development,  wherever feasible,  to  mobilize  additional  financial  resources  as  non-fare  revenues. The sites are mainly entrusted for the purposes of commercial development, colony redevelopment etc.

So far, about 1,308 hectares of railway land has been entrusted to the Rail Land  Development  Authority  (RLDA)  for  commercial  development,  colony redevelopment etc.

Out of 1,308 Ha land, about 220 Ha of railway land has been leased for commercial development at the total amount of Rs 20,655 Cr. so far (till Feb 2026), RLDA has earned revenue of approx. 7,053 Cr.

Further efforts include promoting Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) around major stations. Multi-Modal Transport Hub (MMTH) concept is also being  leveraged  to  utilise  the  potential  of  additional  permissible  built-up space for commercial use.

In addition following measures have also been taken by Indian Railways to increase Non-fare Revenue (NFR):

- (i) Advertisement through Rail Display Network (RDN) at stations.
- (ii) Advertisement through Out of Home (OOH) Policy.
- (iii) Advertisement  on  Mobile  Assets  like  coaches  and  inside/exterior surfaces of trains and locomotives.
- (iv) Innovative solutions to enhance passengers' satisfaction, like Provision  for  sleeping  pods,  single-brand  premium  Outlet,  Kiosk  for providing  facility  for  booking  auto  &  Taxis,  providing  E-Wheel  chair facility  on  a  payment  basis,  Health  Kiosk,  and  medical  store  to  sell Generic medicines.

In 2025-26 (till Feb.), the total Non-fare revenue (Sundry Earnings) of Indian Railways is Rs. 9,474 cr. which is about 3.9% of Railways' total receipts.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 469 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-25
Subject: Relaxation to Telecom Companies
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Matheswaran V S

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 469 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 TH  MARCH, 2026

## RELAXATION TO TELECOM COMPANIES

## *469.   SHRI MATHESWARAN V S:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that Airtel Telecom Company has also requested the Ministry to seek relaxation in Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues in line with relief given to Vodafone Telecom company and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) if not, the reasons for giving relaxation to Telecom Companies in AGR dues as it is a loss to Public Exchequer by the Government?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN

## REGION (SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)

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

## STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS  (a) and  (b)  OF  THE  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION  NO.  469  FOR  25 TH   MARCH,  2026  REGARDING  'RELAXATION  TO TELECOM COMPANIES.'

(a) & (b) Yes, sir. A representation has been received from Bharti Airtel Limited requesting for relief in respect of its Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues, citing relief granted to Vodafone Idea Limited (VIL).

The Hon'ble Supreme Court, vide its judgement dated 1.9.2020 in M.A. (D) No. 9887 of 2020  in  Civil  Appeal  Nos.  6328-6399  of  2015,  decided  the  AGR  dues  of  all  telecom  service providers.  Subsequently,  the  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court,  vide  its  order  dated  27.10.2025,  in  Writ Petition (Civil) No. 882 of 2025 filed by VIL, permitted reconsideration of the AGR dues of VIL and clarified that the said order is passed only with regard to VIL. Restructuring of the AGR dues of VIL has been carried out in compliance with the said order.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5519 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-25
Subject: Services on Messaging and Communications WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Dr. Lata Wankhede, Shri Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil, Shri Rajesh Verma, Dr. D. Purandeswari, Shri Arun Bharti, Smt. Shambhavi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5519 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 TH  MARCH, 2026

## SERVICES ON MESSAGING AND COMMUNICATIONS WHATSAPP, TELEGRAM AND SIGNAL

## 5519.   SHRI RAJESH VERMA:

SMT. SHAMBHAVI: DR. D. PURANDESWARI: SHRI ARUN BHARTI: SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL: DR. LATA WANKHEDE:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the directives introduced by the Department of Telecommunications requiring SIM cards to remain continuously linked to services on messaging and communication applications such as WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal;

(b) the objectives sought to be achieved through such SIM-binding measures including security, traceability and fraud prevention considerations;

(c) the  concerns  raised  by  technology  firms  and  service  providers  regarding  possible  user disruption, interoperability challenges and compliance burdens;

(d) the  consultations  undertaken  with  digital  platforms,  telecom  operators  and  cybersecurity experts before issuing the directives; and

(e) whether the Government has conducted any impact assessment regarding user convenience, data  privacy implications and operational  feasibility  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the reasons for the same?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

(a) & (b) With a view to prevent the misuse of telecommunication identifiers and safeguard the integrity and security of the telecom ecosystem, the Government has issued directions to certain appbased communication service providers to link the SIM card (associated with mobile number used for  identification  of  customers/users  or  for  provisioning  or  delivery  of  services)  present  in  the customer's/user's device with the communication service apps.

(c) to (e) The  Government  held  prior  consultations  with  key  stakeholders,  including  major operators  in  industry  who  provide  communication  services,  on  certain  aspects  of  telecom  cyber security, including in respect of SIM binding. The directions provide a timeframe for compliance by the app-based communication service providers, during which some concerns relating primarily to implementation aspects, including those related to user convenience and operation feasibility, were raised by some of the service providers. After assessing the same in discussions held with the service providers concerned, appropriate clarifications have been issued.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5518 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-25
Subject: Leakage of National Policies to Foreign Individuals
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Anand Bhadauria

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5518

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 25.03.2026

## LEAKAGE OF NATIONAL POLICIES TO FOREIGN INDIVIDUALS

## 5518.  SHRI ANAND BHADAURIA:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government had authorised former/retired bureaucrats to discuss Digital India Mission in 2014 with foreign individuals/companies well before the launch of the said Mission in 2015 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) if not, whether the Government is aware that few former bureaucrats had discussed the Mission with foreign individuals/companies well before it's launch in 2014;
- (c)  if  so,  whether  inquiry  has  been  initiated  for  leakage  of  national  policies  to  foreign individuals; and
- (d) if not, the reasons for compromise with national interests?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) to (d):  Government of India launched Digital India mission in July 2015 to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.

In the last 11 years, Digital India mission has brought fundamental change in digital governance in the country.

- More than 144 Cr Aadhar have been issued providing digital identity for resident Indians.
- Under PM Jan Dhan Yojana, more than 57.86 Cr bank accounts have been opened.
- India's UPI is now world's largest digital payment system with more than 694 banks and Rs. 28.47 Million Crore in annualised transactions.
- More than 68.11+ crore users are registered with DigiLocker to avail its services and more than 950+ crore documents issued from 2501 issuers onboarded on the platform.
- 5.54 lakh CSCs are functional across the country (in rural and urban areas), out of which 4.32 lakh CSCs are functional at the Gram Panchayat level (rural).
- Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG) is providing over 2,446 government services (872 Central and 1,574 State) to citizens.
- e-Sanjeevani enables easy access to doctors via smartphones, serving over 45.85 crore patients  through  138,593  Health  &  Wellness  Centres  and  18,600  hubs,  supported  by 231,929+ telemedicine practitioners.
- Government  e-Marketplace  (GeM)  enables  online  procurement  of  common  goods  and services for government entities, with 1,36,205 primary buyers and 2,09,466 secondary buyers onboard, covering 10,979 product and 356 service categories.
- National Agriculture Market (eNAM) provides market access, real-time prices, and postharvest  infrastructure,  with  1.79  crore  farmers  registered  and  1,522  mandis  integrated across 23 States and 4 UTs.

Government  undertakes  extensive  consultations  before  finalising  policies.  However,  this doesn't mean that confidential information is shared with anybody.
Lok Sabha Question No. 5512 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-25
Subject: Power Purchase Agreements under PM-KUSUM
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Gajendra  Singh Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5512

ANSWERED ON 25.03.2026

## POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENTS UNDER PM-KUSUM

†5512. SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH PATEL

Will the minister of new and renewable energy be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) have not been issued under Pradhan Mantri-Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan in Madhya Pradesh for applications submitted after completion of projects within the prescribed timeline of December 31, 2025 following the issuance of the Letter of Award (LoA);
- (b) if so, the details and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether instructions have been issued to keep the PPA proceedings pending as the Government is not extending the timeline of the PM-KUSUM and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether PPAs are currently being issued for the application forms submitted by farmers within the prescribed time limit and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER

## (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

(a) to (d) PM-KUSUM is a demand-driven scheme, and capacities are allocated based on the demand raised by the state and milestones achieved. The sunset date of the scheme is 31st March 2026. Therefore, to finalize the liabilities under the scheme, cutoff date of 31.12.2025 was conveyed to States/ UTs for signing PPAs under the scheme.

The responsibility of beneficiary selection and implementation including tendering, issuing letter  of  award  (LoA),  signing  power  purchase  agremment(PPA),  issuing  commissioning certificate etc. is of the State Implementing Agency (SIA). Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (MPUVNL) is the SIA for implementation of PM-KUSUM scheme in the State of Madhya Pradesh.

As  informed  by  MPUVNL,  the  PPAs  for  a  total  of  57  projects  were  not  signed  under Component A of PM-KUSUM scheme in Madhya Pradesh, within the stipulated timeline i.e. 31.12.2025, due to non-compliance with guidelines, delayed submission of documents, and existing deficiencies in the documentation.

No extension in cutoff date was given to States/ UTs.

*****