opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3749 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-09
Subject: Price Control of Life Saving Drugs
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: ANIRUDHAN SAMPATH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3749

## TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH  August, 2016

## Price Control of Life Saving Drugs

3749. DR. A. SAMPATH:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to bring life-saving drugs under price control regime;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  action  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard; and
- (c) the arrangements made by the Government to make available lifesaving  drugs  free  of  cost  to  the  poor  and  helpless  people  in Government as well as private hospitals?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS; MINISTRY OF SHIPPING AND MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a)&(b): The  prices  of  drugs  are  controlled  under  the  provisions  of  the Essential  Commodities  Act,  1955  where  drugs  are  referred  to  as  per  their definition  in  the  Drugs  &  Cosmetics  Act,  1940.  However,  there  is  no definition of life saving drugs either in the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 or in Drugs  (Prices  Control)  Order,  2013.  At  present,  the  ceiling  prices  of medicines  of  various  strength/dosage  forms  as  declared  by  Ministry  of Health  &  Family  Welfare  and  included  in  the  National  List  of  Essential Medicines  (NLEM),  2015,  are  fixed  by  National  Pharmaceutical  Pricing Authority (NPPA).
- (c): Public Health being a state subject, it is for the States/UTs to draw up such  action  plans  as  per  their  need.  Under  the  National  Health  Mission (NHM),  financial  support  is  provided  to  the  States/UTs  for  strengthening their healthcare delivery system including support for provision of free drugs to those who access public health facilities based on the requirement posed by the States/UTs in their Programme Implementation Plans. An incentive of upto  5%  additional  funding  (over  and  above  the  normal  allocation  of  the State)  under  the  NHM  is  provided  to  those  States  that  introduce  free medicines scheme.

Under the NHM-Free drug service Initiative substantial funding is available to States  for  provision  of  free  drugs  subject  to  States/UTs  meeting  certain specific conditions. The number of free drugs provided by the States varies from  State  to  State  and  most  States  have  their  own  list  of  essential medicines.

xxxxx
Lok Sabha Question No. 3747 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-09
Subject: Development of Agricultural Land in Madhya Pradesh
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: RAKESH SINGH

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3747

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH   AUGUST, 2016

## DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL LAND IN MADHYA PRADESH

3747.  SHRI RAKESH SINGH:

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

- (a) whether  any  proposal  for  providing  technical  assistance  to  develop  and  improve agricultural land in Madhya Pradesh is pending with the Government, and if so, the details and the latest position thereof; and
- (b) whether World Bank is providing financial help for land development and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a): No,  Madam.  However,  with  a  view  to  provide  financial  assistance  for  development  of agricultural  land,  Government  of  India,  Ministry  of  Rural  Development  was  implementing Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) which has now been subsumed under Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchai  Yojana  (PMKSY)  -  PMKSY  (Watershed  Development)  in  the country  including  Madhya  Pradesh.    In  addition,  States  can  take  up  various  agricultural development activities including land development under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
- (b): World  Bank  also  provides  financial  assistance  for  promoting  various  development activities including land development.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3746 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-09
Subject: Security Related Expenditure
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: RITA TARAI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3746

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH  AUGUST, 2016/SHRAVANA 18, 1938 (SAKA)

SECURITY RELATED EXPENDITURE

3746. SHRIMATI RITA TARAI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that Rs. 19,184 lakh has not yet been released by the Government to the States under Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme for the period from the Financial Years 2005-06 to 2014-15; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the steps taken by the Government to release the amount to the State Governments?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a) to (b): Under  the  Security  Related  Expenditure  (SRE)  scheme,  the security related expenditure are reimbursed to the State Government of Jammu and Kashmir, States affected by Left Wing Extremism and North East States except Sikkim and Mizoram.

SRE claims of these States are reimbursed only for the items admissible under the SRE guidelines and verification of relevant records of the SRE Claims by the Internal Audit Wing of Ministry of Home Affairs.

During the financial years 2005-06 to 2014-15, a total of Rs. 6282.01 crore has been released by the Government of India to the concerned States. ******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3745 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-09
Subject: SWIFT Project
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Y. S. AVINASH REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3745 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH  AUGUST, 2016 SWIFT Project

## 3745. SHRI Y.S. AVINASH REDDY:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  bring  in  a  Single Window Interface for Trade (SWIFT) for clearance of consignments related to Drugs and Cosmetics; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS; MINISTRY OF SHIPPING AND MINISRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a) to (b): The  Customs  SWIFT,  which  was  launched  in  April,  2016, enables importers/exporters to file a common electronic 'Integrated Declaration' on the ICEGATE portal. The Integrated Declaration compiles the information requirements of Customs, FSSAI, Plant Quarantine, Animal Quarantine, Drug Controller, Wild Life Control Bureau and Textile Committee and it replaces nine separate forms required by these 6 different agencies and Customs.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3743 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-09
Subject: Development of Spices
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Pratyusha Rajeshwari Singh, PRABHAS KUMAR SINGH

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3743

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH   AUGUST, 2016

## Development of Spices

3743.  SHRIMATI PRATYUSHA RAJESHWARI SINGH: DR. PRABHAS KUMAR SINGH:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  development  of  spices  including  (Ginger  and Turmeric) is a major component under the National Horticulture Mission (NHM) implemented in various States of the country including Odisha, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is true that the cost of cultivation of Ginger and Turmeric is about Rs. 30000/per hectare and out of which 40% subsidy is provided to the farmer to take-up the programme which is very low;
- (c) if  so, whether the Government is considering to increase the assistance/subsidy under spices  development  programme  taken  up  in  National  Horticulture  Mission,  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a): Under  the  National  Horticulture  Mission  (NHM),  various  programmes  such  as  area expansion,  establishment  of  nurseries,  promotion  of  integrated  nutrient  management  and integrated  pest  management,  organic  farming,  creation  of  water  resources,  post  harvest management, development of market yards, human  resource development etc. are implemented for the holistic development of horticulture crops including spices like ginger and turmeric.    The  NHM  programmes  are  implemented  in  18  States  including  Odisha  and Horticulture  Mission for North Eastern and Himalayan States (HMNEH) in 11 North East and Himalayan States
- (b) to (d): The cost of cultivation of ginger and turmeric varies from State to State.  The cost norms  of  NHM  are  fixed  based  on  the  cost  of  cultivation  of  that  particular  crop  taking  into account of all input costs.  As the cost norms were revised in the year 2014 under NHM, there is no proposal to increase the rate of input grant at present.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3742 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-09
Subject: Disaster Response Team for Vulnerable Areas
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: PARASURAMAN K.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3742

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH  AUGUST, 2016/SHRAVANA 18, 1938 (SAKA)

DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM FOR VULNERABLE AREAS

3742. SHRI K. PARASURAMAN:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has formulated any action plan for setting up of  disaster  response  team  in  highly  vulnerable  districts  across  the country;

(b) if so, whether the Government has also undertaken any study to find out disaster prone cities for any kind of natural disasters; and

(c) if so, the details thereof and the nature of additional support likely to be provided to the State Governments in this regard?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (c): Based on vulnerability profile of different districts across the country, the specialist battalions/  Teams of National Disaster Response Force  (NDRF)  have  been  presently  stationed  at  the  various  strategic locations throughout  the  country  including  disaster  prone  cities to respond to any kind of emergencies.

…..2/

## L.S.US.Q.NO.3742 FOR 09.08.2016

At  present  twelve  battalions  of  NDRF  are  stationed  at  Guwahati (Assam), Haringhata (Kolkata), Mundali (Odisha),  Arakkonam  (Tamil Nadu),  Pune  (Maharashtra),  Gandhinagar  (Gujarat),  Bhatinda  (Punjab), Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh), Bihta (Patna), Guntur (Vijayawada), Varanasi (Uttar  Pradesh)  and  Papumpare  (Arunachal  Pradesh)  with  their  area  of responsibility  for  providing  necessary  logistics  support  to  the  affected State Government in the event of any disaster.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3741 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-09
Subject: Allocation for Aquaculture Development
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: ALOK SANJAR

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

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3741 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH  AUGUST, 2016

## ALLOCATION FOR AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT

## 3741. SHRI ALOK SANJAR:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि और क ृ िक कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether  the  State  Government  of  Madhya  Pradesh  has  sent  a  proposal  to  the  Union Government for approval of Rs. 120.31 lakh under the provision of Rs. 146.29 lakh for Centrally sponsored Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Scheme and for approval of Rs. 25.98 lakh against which approval of Rs. 25.98 lakh has been received and approval of Rs. 120.31 lakh is awaited; and
- (b) if so, the time by which the balance amount is likely to be released by the Government?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## (SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)

- (a) & (b):  The  Government  of  Madhya  Pradesh  has  sent  a  proposal  to  the  Department  of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare under the Central Plan Scheme on Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture for release of Rs.120.31 lakh and revalidation of an unspent amount of Rs.25.98 lakh for the financial year 2016-17. The Government of Madhya Pradesh has been advised to revise the  proposal  in  accordance  with  the  restructured  scheme  'Blue  Revolution:  Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries' being implemented from the financial year 2016-17. The revalidation order of the unspent amount of Rs.25.98 lakh has been issued on 11 th May, 2016.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3738 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-09
Subject: Displacement due to Natural Calamities
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3738

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH  AUGUST, 2016/SHRAVANA 18, 1938 (SAKA)

DISPLACEMENT DUE TO NATURAL CALAMITIES

3738. SHRI PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether as per the statistics of the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, India has the highest displaced population due  to natural calamities;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the welfare measures taken for the displaced population;

(c)  whether  the  Government  is  maintaining  the  data  on  displaced population in the country; and

(d) if so, the details thereof, State-wise?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (d): The  Government  of  India  has  not  appointed  any  agency  to estimate  displaced  population  due  to  natural  calamities.  The  displaced population due to natural calamities is adjudged by the State Government concerned, as they are primarily responsible for management of natural calamities.

.....2/

## L.S.US.Q.NO.3738 FOR 09.08.2016

The  primary  responsibility  to  undertake  welfare  measure  for  the displaced  population  including  due  to  natural  calamity  rests  with  the concerned  State  Government.    This  Ministry  does  not  maintain  data centrally on displaced population in the country.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3737 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-09
Subject: Direct Subsidy Transfer
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: ANIL SHIROLE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3737

TO BE ANSWERED

ON:  09.08.2016

## Direct Subsidy Transfer

## 3737    SHRI ANIL SHIROLE:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that henceforth the fertilizer subsidy would be  deposited in the Aadhaar Card linked accounts  of farmers and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the farmers will have to first buy fertilizers and then subsidy would be deposited in their Aadhaar Card linked accounts by the Government and if so,
- (c) the details thereof; and
- (d) the  target  set  by  the  Government  to  save  the  subsidies  given  to  farmers  on fertilizers ?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS, SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a) to (c):   No Madam.   As per Government of India decision, DoF will be conducting  pilot  in  8  districts  in  the  coming  Rabi  Season  (2016-17)  and  in another 8 Districts in Kharif Season (2017-18) to capture authenticated Retailer Sales and Buyer's details as a precursor to DBT in fertilizer sector.

The  feasibility of DBT  in  fertilizer  would  be  ascertained  only  after analyzing the results of the pilot.

Once  the  pilot  is  completed,  the  Department  will  be  in  a  position  to evaluate technical and operational challenges and issues. Based on the results of the pilot, DoF will then move with the pan India roll-out of DBT.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3736 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-09
Subject: Utilisation of Fund under PMKSY
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: M. UDHAYAKUMAR

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3736

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH   AUGUST, 2016

## UTILISATION OF FUND UNDER PMKSY

3736.    ADV. M. UDHAYAKUMAR:

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

- (a) whether it is true that the Government has extended the deadline by a month for States to utilise the fund under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchyee Yojana (PMKSY)  for implementation of micro irrigation projects;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  divert  the  unutilized  funds  to  States  that showed better utilisation; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a) to (d): Funds are sanctioned to the States under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)  based  on  the  approved  Annual  Action  Plan  and  performance  of  the  States.    No specific  deadline  is  fixed  for  utilization  of  funds  released  under  the  scheme.    The  unutilized funds of previous year's release are normally revalidated for use for the approved programme. During the year 2016-17, Rs.1500 crore has been allocated to different states for implementation of micro irrigation under PMKSY.

- ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3735 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-09
Subject: Deep Sea Fishing
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: SAUGATA ROY

## भारत सरकार

## कृ ष और कसान क  याण मंालय

## पशुपालन , डेयर और म    यपालन वभाग लोक सभा

## अतारांकत   न सं. 3735

## दनांक 9 अग  त , 2016 क े  लए   न

वषय: गहरे समु म माियक

3735. ो॰ सौगत रायः

या क ृ ष और क ृ षक कयाण मंी यह बताने क क ृ पा करगे कः

- (क) या पयात तकनीक एवं गहरे समु म माियक हेतु उचत जहाज क े  अभाव म देश क े  मछ ु आर को गंभीर समयाओं का सामना करना पड़ रहा है;
- (ख) यद हां, तो तसंबंधी यौरा या है;
- (ग) या यह सरकार क े  यान म आया है क गहरे समु म माियक हेतु खरदे गए जहाज गत कई वष
- से बेकार पड़े ह;
- (घ) यद हां, तो तसंबंधी यौरा या है तथा इसक े  या कारण ह; और
- (ङ) इस े म वदेशी सहयोग हेतु सरकार वारा थोपी गई कतपय शत क े  कारण या देश म गहरे समु म माियक बकु ल क सी गई है तथा यद हां, तो सरकार वारा इस संबंध म या सुधरामक कदम
- उठाए गए ह?

## उ  तर कृ ष और कसान क  याण मंालय म रा  य मंी (ी सुदशन भगत)

(क) और (ख) भारत म समु म    य लघु पैमाने का रहा है तथा अधकांशत: नकटवत तट या तटवत िजल तक ह सीमत रहा है। अत: हमारे देश म गहरे समु म म    यन करने क े  लए यााएं करने म समथ संसाधन वश  ट जलयान सामा  यत: तैयार नहं कए जा रहे। इस से  टर म इस कमी को देखते ह ु ए भारतीय आ  थगत अदायगी आधार या कम से कम 51% भारतीय इिट के  साथ संयु  त उयम पर अ  य देश से ौयोगक प से उ  नत संसाधन वश  ट गहरे समु म म    यन जलयान (डीएसएफवीएस) खरदने क अनुमत द गई है। डीएसएफवीएस को नधारत दशानदश क े अनुसार अनुमत प ा  त करने क े  प  चात् 12 समु मील क े  ादेशक जल से परे अन  य आथक े म

- उयमय को भारतीय अन  य एकमु  त खरद , संचालन क अनुमत है।
- (ग) से (ड.) एलओपी धारक डीएसएफवीएस संचालक को संसाधन-वश  ट म    यन तथा ौयोगक प से उ  नत डीएसएफवीएस क े  लए वदेशी कमदल को तैनात करने क अनुमत है। तथाप, रोजगार वीजा संबंधी दशानदश  म  परवतन  क े   कारण  2011  से  डीएसएफवीएस  पर  काय  कर  रहे  वदेशी  कमदल  संबंधी अनुमतयां तथा ईईजेड म एलओपी धारक डीएसएफवीएस का संचालन भावत ह ु आ है। सुधारा  मक उपाय क े प म ईईजेड म डीएसवाईवी क े  संचालन क े  लए   यापक समु म    यन नीत, 2004 तथा दशानदश क समीा तथा समु माियक संबंधी रा  य नीत का ाप (एनपीएमएफ) तैयार करने क े  लए 28 जुलाई, 2015 को एक समत गठत क गई है। एनपीएमएफ का ाप अभी हाल ह म उ  त समत ने   तुत कया है, िजसम अ  य बात क े  साथ-साथ देश म गहरे समु क े  माियक से  टर को वकसत करने क परक  पना क भी   यव  था है।
Lok Sabha Question No. 3733 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-09
Subject: Price of Sugar
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: ADVOCATE NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3733

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH  AUGUST, 2016

## PRICE OF SUGAR

## 3733. ADV. NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR:

Will  the  Minister  of  CONSUMER  AFFAIRS,  FOOD  AND  PUBLIC

DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the demand and supply gap of sugar is increasing leading to rise in price of sugar in the domestic market;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof and the steps taken by the Government to contain the price of sugar in the country;
- (c) whether it is a fact that the country's sugar production is projected to decline over the next two years;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the steps proposed by the Government to check the declining trend of sugar production in the country?

## A N S W E R

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a)  & (b): The  price  of  sugar  in  domestic  market  depends  upon  various factors  including  demand,  supply,  production,  prices  in  the  international market and market sentiments etc. With the opening stock of 90 Lac MT and estimated production of 252 Lac MT, the  availability of sugar in the current sugar  season  is  sufficient  to  meet  estimated  demand  of  255  Lac  MT. However,  in  order  to  keep  a  check  on  rise  in  price  of  sugar,  the  Central Government has imposed stock holding and turnover limits on sugar. Further, Government has imposed custom duty @ 20% on export of sugar to conserve stocks in the country and ensure its availability.
- (c) & (d): Due  to  drought  in  the  States  of  Maharashtra  and  Karnataka, there  is  possibility  of  decrease  in  sugar  production  in  the  country  during ensuing sugar season 2016-17 as compared to estimated production of 252 Lac  MT  in  current  sugar  season,    It  is  too  early  to  estimate  the  sugar production for sugar season 2017-18 at this stage.
- (e): Sugar  production  during  a  particular  sugar  season  depends  upon area under sugarcane cultivation, yield, drawal of cane for crushing by the mills and recovery of sugar, efficiency of the Plant and Management etc. The Central Government is providing loans at concessional rates to  sugar mills for modernization cum expansion of the existing Plant and cane development etc.

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