opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 505 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-03
Subject: Distribution of 'SVAMITVA' Cards
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Smt. Himadri Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 505

ANSWERED ON 03.02.2026

## DISTRIBUTION OF'SVAMITVA' CARDS

## †505. SMT. HIMADRI SINGH:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

(a) the number of villages in the districts falling under the Shahdol Lok Sabha Constituency (Shahdol, Anuppur and Umaria) where drone-based land survey has been completed so far;

(b) whether the Government has conducted any specific study on the reduction in land disputes through digital property records in tribal areas such as Shahdol;

(c) the number of families to whom 'SVAMITVA' cards have been distributed so far in the Shahdol Lok Sabha Constituency and the number of villages where the work of preparation of maps is still pending; and

(d) whether the implementation of the scheme has led to a reduction in the time taken for land registration processes in remote areas of Shahdol and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

(a) In the districts (Umaria, Shahdol, Anuppur) falling under Shahdol Lok Sabha Constituency, drone survey has been completed in all villages of these three districts i.e. Umaria (196 villages), Shahdol (195 villages) and Anuppur (165 villages).

(b) No study has been conducted by the Government on the reduction of land disputes through digital property records.

(c) The Ministry does not keep record of number of families that benefited from SVAMITVA Scheme as property cards are provided to property owners. However, as per data available with the Ministry, 5115 property cards have been distributed in Shahdol district, 4079 property cards have been distributed in Anuppur district and 6585 property cards have been distributed in Umaria district. Preparation of maps is not pending in any village of the Lok Sabha constituency.

(d) The Ministry of Panchayati Raj does not keep data regarding time reduction in land registration process as the registration mechanisms vary across States/UTs and are governed by State-specific land and registration laws.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 504 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-03
Subject: Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Bill
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Appalanaidu Kalisetti, Dr. Byreddy Shabari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 504 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03 RD  FEBRUARY, 2026

## PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (AMENDMENT) BILL

## 504. DR. BYREDDY SHABARI: SHRI APPALANAIDU KALISETTI:

## Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

मत्स्यपालन

,

पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  total  number  of  cases  registered  under  the  Prevention  of  Cruelty  to Animal Act,  1960 including the number of cases in which penalties, fines or other punishments were imposed during the last five years, State/UT/year-wise ;
- (b) the present status of the proposed Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Bill and the reasons for its pendency since the draft was released for public consultation in November 2022;
- (c)  the  details  of  consultations  held  on  the  draft,  including  dates,  stakeholders  consulted  and Ministries/Departments involved;
- (d) the details of major recommendations or objections received that are contributing to the delay in finalising the Bill; and
- (e) whether any inter-ministerial clearances or Cabinet approvals are pending and the timeline for introduction of the Bill in Parliament and if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a) The implementation of the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act is vested on the Law Enforcement Authorities of the State Governments. Hence, the information is not maintained at the Central Level.
- (b) to (e) The draft Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (Amendment) Bill 2022 was placed for public  viewing  during  21.11.2022  to  07.12.2022.    Thereafter,  the  Department  received suggestions / objections from more than 7000 individuals and organizations.

In the meantime, the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been replaced with Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 which also made provision for dealing with the animal cruelty. Considering all the suggestions, advice and present policy, the proposed bill is under examination.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 502 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-03
Subject: National Green Steel Mission
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri Shankar Lalwani, Shri Manoj Tiwari, Smt. Shobhanaben Mahendrasinh Baraiya, Shri Alok Sharma, Shri Ramesh Awasthi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 502

FOR ANSWER ON 03.02.2026

## NATIONAL GREEN STEEL MISSION

502. SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI: SHRI MANOJ TIWARI: SMT. SHOBHANABEN MAHENDRASINH BARAIYA: SHRI ALOK SHARMA: SHRI RAMESH AWASTHI:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state: (a)  whether  the  Government  has  sanctioned  funds  for  the  National  Green  Steel Mission  (NGSM),  if  so,  the  details  of  the  total  amount  of  funds  sanctioned  and disbursed under the NGSM as of December, 2025; (b) whether any assessment has been conducted regarding the emission reduction outcomes achieved under  the  said  Mission,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the estimated quantum of reduction in carbon emissions recorded up to December, 2025; (c)  whether  the  said  Mission  has  provisions  regarding  Monitoring,  Reporting  and

Verification (MRV) of emission reductions; and

- (d) if so, the details of the institutional mechanism established for the same?

## ANSWER

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

(a)to(d):   At present, no proposal for National Green Steel Mission (NGSM) is under consideration with the Government.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 498 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-03
Subject: Wage Rates under VB-G RAM G
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 498 ANSWERED ON 03/02/2026

## WAGE RATES UNDER VB-G RAM G

## 498.  Shri MaddilaGurumoorthy:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  will  notify  wage  rates  under  the Viksit  Bharat  -  Guarantee  for  Rozgar  and  Ajeevika  Mission Gramin (VB- G RAM G) scheme prior to its implementation to ensure transparency and informed participation of workers;
- whether such notified wage rates will be at least equal to the prevailing  wage  rates  under  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in the respective
- (b) States and districts; and
- (c) if  so,  the  details  of  institutional  mechanisms,  timelines,  and accountability measures put in place or proposed to be put in place to prevent delays in wage  notification and  wage payments and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): As per section 10 of  Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and  Ajeevika  Mission  Gramin  (VB-G  RAM  G)  Act,  2025,  Central Government  may,  by  notification,  specify  the  wage  rate  for  the purpose  of  this  Act,  which  shall  apply  to  manual  work  provided under the scheme. The wage rate so notified shall not be less than the prevailing wage rate as notified under section 6 of the Mahatma Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Act,  2005.  Act  also provides that until a wage rate is notified by the Central Government  in  accordance  with  Section  10  of  the  Act,  the  wage rates notified under section 6 of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment  Guarantee  Act,  2005,  shall  continue  to  apply  in  the areas covered by this Act.

Sub-section  (3)  of  Section  4  of  the  Act,  provides  for  the disbursement of daily wages on a weekly basis or in any case not later than a fortnight after the date on which such work was done. Additionally, as per the Para 6 of Schedule II of the Act, in case the payment of wages is not made within fifteen days from the date of closure  of  the  muster  roll,  the  wage  seekers  shall  be  entitled  to receive payment of compensation for the delay.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 492 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-03
Subject: eGramSwaraj–GeM Portal
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Dr. Anand Kumar

## 492. DR. ANAND KUMAR :

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to State:

- (a)  whether the participation of local vendors, women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in most Gram Panchayats in the country has not reached the desired level despite the integration of the eGramSwaraj and GeM portals;
- (b)  if so, the number of SHGs or rural vendors registered on the GeM platform so far and out of them, the number that have received actual purchase orders from Gram Panchayats;
- (c)  whether the Government is considering to provide a distinct identity, simplified registration process and technical support facilities for such local entities on the GeM portal;
- (d)  whether any monitoring mechanism is in place to ensure that a minimum share of Gram Panchayat procurement is given to women groups and local producers; and
- (e)  if not, whether the Government proposes to modify the Panchayat-GeM framework in accordance with local requirements with a view to strengthening the rural economy?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

(a) to (c) The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has enabled integration of the e-GramSwaraj platform with the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) to facilitate transparent, efficient and rule-based procurement by Gram Panchayats and this integration provides an enabling digital framework for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) for government procurement.

As per information furnished by the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), as on 28.01.2026, a total of 117 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and 3,784 women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are registered on the GeM portal. These entities have fulfilled purchase orders worth ₹ 6.31 Crores and ₹ 0.39 Crores respectively from various Central and State Government buyers; however, no purchase orders from Gram Panchayats have been reported against these entities so far. Further, several facilitative measures have been put in place to encourage participation of local entities, including creation of dedicated online #VocalforLocal FPO and SARAS stores to showcase products of FPOs and SHGs, regular handholding and onboarding sessions, and a

## GOVERNMENTOF INDIA MINISTRYOF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 492

ANSWERED ON 03.02.2026

## EGRAMSWARAJ-GEM PORTAL

simplified, paperless registration process with integrated Aadhaar and PAN. The platform also provides multilingual interfaces, guided onboarding workflows and helpdesk support for sellers, including local entities.

(d) & (e) The Ministry monitors the eGramSwaraj-GeM adoption status of PRIs. Procurement by Gram Panchayats is carried out as per State Panchayat Acts, applicable financial rules, and procurement guidelines. The use of digital platforms is intended to promote transparency, wider participation and fair access in Panchayat procurement.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 484 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-03
Subject: Promotion of Steel-based MSME Clusters in Dharmapuri
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri Mani A

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 484

FOR ANSWER ON 03.02.2026

## PROMOTION OF STEEL-BASED MSME CLUSTERS IN DHARMAPURI

484. SHRI MANI A:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- a) whether the Government has considered promoting downstream steel-based MSME clusters in districts like  Dharmapuri to generate local employment, if so, the details thereof;
2. (b)  whether  any  Central  scheme  support  has  been  extended  for  fabrication,  auto components, or construction material units in the district, if so, the details thereof;
3. (c) whether lack of affordable steel supply is affecting small manufacturing units, if so, the details thereof;
4. (d) the infrastructure support proposed for MSME steel users; and
5. (e)  the  steps  being  taken  to  link  industrial  policy  with  employment  generation  in backward regions?

## ANSWER

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

(a)to(e):   Steel is a deregulated sector and the Government acts as a facilitator by creating a conducive policy environment in the country, including in Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu, for MSMEs and steel sector in general. Prices are market determined. Decisions such as setting up companies, investment, capacity expansion, modernization, employment, export etc. are dependent on the market conditions and techno-commercial analysis of individual companies. Production of crude steel has shown a growth of over 11% till December 2025, as compared to the previous year.

Government has taken various steps for the promotion and development of the MSME steel users. Some of these are detailed below:-

- i. Implementation  of Micro and  Small  Enterprises  -  Cluster  Development Programme (MSE-CDP) scheme by extending financial assistance to establish Common  Facility  Canters  (CFCs)  in  the  existing  clusters  and  establish/upgrade  infrastructural  facilities  in  new/existing  industrial  estates/areas/flatted factory complexes.
- ii. Launch of Udyam Registration for MSMEs, for Ease of Doing Business.
- iii. Enhancement of maximum project  cost  under Prime  Minister's  Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP).
- iv. Launch of revamped Credit Guarantee Scheme.
- v. Setting up of Self Reliant India (SRI) Fund.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 479 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-03
Subject: Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Karan Bhushan Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.479 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2026

## ATAL VAYO ABHYUDAYA YOJANA

## 479. SHRI KARAN BHUSHAN SINGH:

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

(a) whether any standardised criteria has been established to select start-ups by the National Institute of Social Defence to promote Silver economy under the Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana and if so, the details thereof;

- (b) the number of startups benefited under the same in Uttar Pradesh during the last two years, district-wise;
- (c) whether any steps are being taken by the Government to promote establishment of startups within the elderly community; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a): The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing the Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine(SAGE), a component under the scheme of Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana(AVYAY) to promote start-ups working on products and services for elderly welfare in areas such as health, housing, care services and technology-enabled solutions.

As per the prescribed criteria, eligible applicants include innovative ideas recognized at national-level innovation challenges such as the Smart India Hackathon as well as start-ups currently operating in the elderly care segment in India and proposing to expand their operations. Such start-ups must be incorporated as a Private or Public Company in India, be registered for less than ten years from the date of incorporation, have an annual turnover not exceeding 725 crore in any of the preceding financial years and must not have been formed by splitting up or reconstructing an existing business. The Fund is managed by IFCI Venture Capital Funds Limited and start-up selection is undertaken through a multi-stage appraisal process involving expert and departmental committees, followed by detailed investment assessment, disbursement and monitoring by the Investment Manager.

(b): During the last two years, one start-up namely M/s Primary Health Tech Private Limited, Noida, Gautam Buddh Nagar District, Uttar Pradesh has been benefitted under the scheme.

- (c) & (d): Under the SAGE component of AVYAY scheme, the Government promotes establishment of start-ups addressing the needs of the elderly through SAGE Venture Fund in the form of products and services. At present, a total of 9 start-ups have been supported under this scheme component.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 476 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-03
Subject: Concerns regarding Salem Steel Plant
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 476 FOR ANSWER ON 03.02.2026

## CONCERNS REGARDING SALEM STEEL PLANT

476. DR. T SUMATHY ALIAS THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  considered  the  concerns  regarding  possible disinvestment or stagnation of the Salem Steel Plant, which supports over 2,000 direct jobs;
- (b) whether any expansion or modernisation funds have been allocated to the Salem Steel Plant in recent years;
- (c)  the  reasons  for  Tamil  Nadu  not  being  included  in  joint  venture  or  expansion proposals,  including  the  JSW-SAIL  collaboration,  despite  the  State's  production potential;
- (d)  whether  incentives  under  the  Production  Linked  Incentive  (PLI)  Scheme  for Speciality Steel have been extended to units in Tamil Nadu; and
- (e) the steps taken to ensure  equitable regional distribution of steel sector investments?

## ANSWER

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

( a)&(b): Based  on  recommendations  of  the  Core  Group  of  Secretaries  on Disinvestment (CGD), in respect of the strategic disinvestment of Salem Steel Plant (SSP), Salem; the Alternative Mechanism (AM) approved that the existing Expression of Interest (EoI) issued for Strategic Disinvestment of Salem Steel Plant (SSP), Salem on 04.07.2019 be annulled due to lack of interest of shortlisted bidders.

Department  of  Investment  and  Public  Asset  Management  (DIPAM),  on 01.06.2022,  conveyed  Cabinet's  decision  of  18.05.2022,  empowering  Boards  of parent  Public  Sector  Enterprises  (PSEs)  to  undertake  transactions  for  strategic disinvestment of their units, where 'in-principle' approval has been accorded by the Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA).

Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has taken steps to enhance profitability of Salem Steel Plant by undertaking operational improvements in the areas of power, fuel, manpower, metal recovery, and yield.

(c)to(e):    Steel is a de-regulated sector and the role of the Government is to facilitate the Steel Industry by creating a conducive policy environment for the development of steel  sector  in  the  country  including  Tamil  Nadu.  Incentives  under  the  Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Specialty Steel are applicable uniformly across the country.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 469 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-03
Subject: Trade with Russia
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Dr. Mohammad Jawed

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 469 ANSWERED ON 03/02/2026

## TRADE WITH RUSSIA

469. DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED:

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

- (a) the details regarding the present trade with Russia;
- (b) whether the threats of USA over tariff rate impacted the trade between the countries;
- (c) if  so, the details thereof along with the manner in which this impact influences the Indian economy;
- (d) the details of trade between India and Russia during the last five calendar year in terms of volume and value; and
- (e) the details of the top five trading commodities between the two countries during the same period in terms of volume and value?

## 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) Bilateral trade between India and Russia in calendar year 2025 stood at USD 63.6 billion, comprising Indian exports of USD 4.4 billion and imports of USD 59.1 billion.

(b) & (c) India's trade decisions are guided by overall national economic interests and prevailing conditions in global markets. Commercial entities make procurement choices based on factors such as price competitiveness, supply availability, and market dynamics. No impact on bilateral trade between India and Russia based on policies of third countries has been observed.

(d) & (e) Country-wise and commodity-wise trade statistics, including quantity (volume) and value,  are  compiled  by  the  Directorate  General  of  Commercial  Intelligence  and  Statistics (DGCI&S) and are available in public domain on the Department of Commerce Trade Statistics Portal. Link of the portal is as: https://www.commerce.gov.in/trade-statistics/

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