opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 156 (STARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Closure of Jute Mills
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Prof. Sougata Ray

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *156 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2026

## CLOSURE OF JUTE MILLS

## *156. PROF. SOUGATA RAY:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state :

- (a) the details of jute mills closed due to various reasons in the country during the last three years, Statewise;
- (b)  whether the Government has ascertained the reasons behind the closure of jute mills and if so, the details including the reasons therefor;
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to ensure enough raw material for the functioning of existing jute mills in the country; and
- (d) whether the Government has any proposal to rehabilitate large number of employees who lost their livelihood due to the closure of jute mills and if so, the details thereof?

उत्तर

ANSWER

श्री

वस्त्र

मंत्री

(

गिरििाज

ग िंह

)

MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

- (a) to (d):A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## THE STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.  *156  ASKED  BY  PROF.  SOUGATA  RAY  TO  BE  ANSWERED  ON  10.02.2026 REGARDING 'CLOSURE OF JUTE MILLS'.

(a) & (b): Jute mills  provide  details  of  closure  to  the  concerned  State  Government  under  the provisions of the  Industrial  Disputes  Act,  1947.  After  informing  the  State  Government,  jute  mills  also inform the office of the Jute Commissioner so that no orders for the production of jute bags are issued to them. Under the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, details of jute mills in the country that have been closed for various reasons during the past three years and have informed the office of the Jute Commissioner are enclosed at Annexure-I . The main reason for the closure of the mills is managementrelated problems of the company.

(c) & (d): The Government makes every possible effort to ensure the availability of raw jute to jute mills through the Stock Control Order and authorises officers of the State Police (Enforcement Branch) to take action, as and when required, to enforce the Stock Control Order. In addition, the office of the Jute Commissioner  also  carries  out  search  and  seizure  operations.  Further,  under  the  provisions  of  the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, the primary responsibility for the rehabilitation of workers rests with the State Government.

Annexure-I

Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) of the Lok Sabha Starred question no. *156 asked by Prof. Sougata Ray to be answered on 10.02.2026 regarding 'closure of jute mills'.

## Mill/Mills Declaring Permanent Closure

|   S.N Closed Mills | S.N Closed Mills   | State   |
|--------------------|--------------------|---------|
|                  1 | Mahabir Jute Mill  | U.P.    |
Lok Sabha Question No. 1839 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Steel Companies in Gujarat benefited by PLI Scheme for Specialty Steel
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri Dhaval Laxmanbhai Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1839 FOR ANSWER ON 10.02.2026

## STEEL COMPANIES IN GUJARAT BENEFITED BY PLI SCHEME FOR SPECIALTY STEEL

1839.  SHRI DHAVAL LAXMANBHAI PATEL:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) the details and the total number of Steel companies in Gujarat that have applied for or benefited from the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Specialty Steel;
- (b) the status of implementation of these PLI projects including investment mobilized and projects operational so far; and
- (c) the expected employment generation from these projects and the measures taken to ensure skill development and employment opportunities for local youth particularly in industrial clusters like Vapi?

## ANSWER

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

(a)to(c): There are three companies from Gujarat participating, under the ProductionLinked  Incentive  (PLI)  Scheme  for  Specialty  Steel.  These  participating  companies have committed to an investment of ₹4,824 crore under the PLI Scheme. So far, one company has commissioned its project. The total employment generation committed by these companies under the PLI Scheme is 1,943.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1836 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Industrial Development in Bundelkhand
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Narayandas Ahirwar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1836

ANSWERED ON 10.02.2026

## INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN BUNDELKHAND

## 1836.  SHRI NARAYANDAS AHIRWAR:

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

- (a)  the  concrete  and  effective  steps  taken  so  far  by  the  Government  to  accelerate  industrial development in the Bundelkhand region through infrastructure creation, investment promotion, skill development and encouragement of entrepreneurship;
- (b) whether the Government is formulating any comprehensive and time-bound action plan in the near future for setting up special industrial corridors, agro-based industries, MSME parks or mining-based industries in the Bundelkhand region and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government is contemplating to declare the Bundelkhand region as an industrially backward area and provide special financial and policy incentives therein and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

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

- (a): As per the information received from Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Directorate General of Training (DGT) implements the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) through a nationwide network of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) to skill youth across the country. The total number of ITIs functional is 238 under CTS Scheme in Bundelkhand region during the enrolment session 2021-25.

Ministry of Heavy Industries has launched the Scheme for 'Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector- Phase II'. The Scheme is a pan India demand driven Scheme under which projects are to be submitted by Project Implementing Organizations (PIOs) in association with Industry Partner(s) from any State/ UT of the country. Further, no proposal, under the Scheme has been received from Bundelkhand region.

(b) & (c):

NIL.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1828 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Status of Projects Funded from AIF
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Tariq Anwar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1828

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE10 th  FEBRUARY, 2026

## STATUS OF PROJECTS FUNDED FROM AIF

1828.     SHRI TARIQ ANWAR:

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

(a) the current status of cold chain, processing units and value addition projects funded from Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) set up under Pradhan Mantri Anand Yojana in Bihar and Seemanchal region areas;

(b) whether it is a fact that despite the bumper production of crops like potatoes, onions and tomatoes in Bihar and the Seemanchal region, farmers are currently unable to get fair prices, forcing them to dump their produce on the streets; and (c) whether there is any proposal for marketing interventions under the "Operation Greens TOP to TOTAL" scheme for horticultural crops in these areas to ensure remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce?

## ANSWER

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

(a):  There  is  no  scheme  titled ' Pradhan  Mantri  Anand  Yojna'  being  implemented  by Government of India in Bihar and Seemanchal region. Under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme, in Bihar 2,222 post-harvest infrastructure, cold chains, processing units and other value addition projects including 411 projects in Seemanchal region (Purnia, Katihar, Araria & Kishanganj)  have been sanctioned since inception of the scheme till 26.01.2026. (b):No such information has been reported by the State Government of Bihar. Government of  Bihar has informed that schemes like AIF, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) are being coordinated for improving infrastructure in the region to enhance the local storage.

(c):Short-term  intervention  component  of  reimbursement  for  transportation  and  storage costs  of  TOP  crops  (Tomato  Onion  &  Potato)  to  the  central  nodal  agencies  &  State designated agencies for storing and transporting TOP crops from producing to consuming states is allowed under Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) component of Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA).

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1819 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Dr. Ambedkar Foundation
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Amra Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1819 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2026

## DR. AMBEDKAR FOUNDATION

## $1819. SHRI AMRA RAM:

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

- (a) whether Dr. Ambedkar Chair/Bachelor was alloted to Rajasthan University, Jaipur in the year 2016 by Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, New Delhi under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment like other prestigious universities of the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Rajasthan University administration stated that the full grant was not provided by the Central Government or its affiliation/recognition was cancelled due to negligence and violation of conditions by the University, if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether despite the cancellation of recognition of Dr. Ambedkar Chair, the Rajasthan University administration continued to appoint Chairman for several years, if so, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government has conducted a high-level inquiry into the entire matter and take action against the officers found guilty; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)

- (a): A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Dr. Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) and the Rajasthan University, Jaipur, in 2016 for the establishment of the Dr. Ambedkar Chair.
- (b): The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) executed between the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation and the University of Rajasthan for the establishment of the Dr. Ambedkar Chair expired in the year 2021. After the expiry of the MoU in 2021, the University of Rajasthan did not send a proposal to DAF for renewal.
- (c): Appointments, it any, made after expiry of MoU for the Dr. Ambedkar Chair, were internal administrative decisions of the Rajasthan University, Jaipur and are not recognised under the Dr. Ambedkar Chair Scheme.
- (d) & (e): Since the Chair was non-functional, the question of any inquiry does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1818 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Farm Road Scheme
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Darshan Singh Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1818

## ANSWERED ON 10/02/2026

## FARM ROAD SCHEME

## 1818. Shri Darshan Singh Choudhary:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENTbe pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that farmers face difficulties in transportingtheir agricultural produce from farms to main roads/markets due to the lack of all-weather andeasily accessible farm roads;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  include  Farm  Road Scheme  under  the  VB  G  RAM  GScheme  with  a  view  to facilitating farmers and strengthening rural agricultural infrastructure;
- (c) if so, the concrete steps taken so far in this regard;
- (d) whether any policy or guidelines have been formulated in this regard, if so, the detailsthereof; and
- (e) whether the proposed farm roads will be constructed keeping in  view  the  role  ofpanchayats,  agricultural  production  areas and the interests of farmers, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): As  per  the  Para  3  of  Schedule  I  of  the  Viksit  Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): VB- G RAM G Act,  2025,  the  core  objectives  of  this  Act  is  to  align  the  rural development  framework  with  the  national  vision  of  Viksit  Bharat @2047  by  providing  an  enhanced  statutory  wage  employment guarantee  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  days  in  each  financial year  to  such  rural  households  whose  adult  members  volunteer  to undertake unskilled manual work, thereby enabling them to participate  more  effectively  in  the  expanded  livelihood  security framework.

As per Schedule I of VB G RAM G Act, Para 4 (2), (b) Category IICore  Rural  Infrastructure,  (i)  construction  or  upgradation  of  rural roads,  culverts,  cross  drainage  structures  and  village  connectivity facilities are permissible activities.

According to the above, rural roads may be taken up to facilitate the  smooth  transport  of  agricultural  produce  to  main  roads  and markets  and to  provide  access  for  agricultural  tools  and  farming implements,  as per the requirements of the village  or  Gram Panchayat.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1809 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Smart Agro Textile Centres
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Dr. Rajkumar Sangwan

## SMART AGRO TEXTILE CENTRES

## 1809. DR. RAJKUMAR SANGWAN:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state :

(a) whether any specific scheme/programme has been launched for increasing agriculture productivity, crop protection water conservation and promoting the use of agro-textiles like shed net, mulch fabric, crop-cover, anti-insect net in order to increase the income of the farmers;

(b) if so, the number of 'Smart Agro-Textile centres' set up so far and their objectives, cost and present status along with the district-wise details thereof including Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh; and

(c)  the  number  of  farmers  trained  or  provided  direct  benefits  so  far  through  these  centres  and programmes alongwith the district-wise details including Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh?

उत्तर

ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a): In  order  to  focus  on  research  and  innovation,  the  Ministry  of  Textile  launched  the   National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) in the year 2020 with a fund outlay of Rs. 1,480 crore. The Mission not only focuses on research & innovation in the field of specialty fibers but also in different segments of technical textiles including agro textiles. Under the Mission, a total of 15 research projects have been approved  in  the  field  of  agro  textiles  and  its  applications.  Further,  Government  bodies  such  as Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) under the Department of Science & Technology and Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute for Cotton Research (ICAR-CICR) under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education are implementing various projects for agriculture productivity, crop protection and water conservation across the country.

(b) & (c): Under NTTM, one Climate-Smart Agro-Textile Demonstration Centre has been approved at a cost of Rs. 3.75 crore in December, 2024 at Navsari, Gujarat to promote innovative and sustainable agro-textile applications for the agriculture sector through live demonstrations, training for farmers, and awareness programmes to enhance productivity, reduce costs, improve climate resilience, and encourage sustainable practices. This Demo Centre is being operated by the Synthetic & Art Silk Mills' Research Association (SASMIRA). A total of 745 farmers have been trained in the Climate-Smart Agro-Textile Demonstration Centre at Navsari, Gujarat.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1798 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Seed Village Programme
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Bhumare Sandipanrao Asaram, Shri Gyaneshwar Patil

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1798

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## SEED VILLAGE PROGRAMME

1798.  SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM: SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL:

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

- (a)  the  names  of  the  districts  of  Maharashtra  and  Madhya  Pradesh  in  which  Seed  Village Programme  (Beej  Gram  Yojana)  is  being  implemented  along  with  the  number  of  farmers benefited from the said programme so far particularly Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district;
- (b)  whether  digital  portal/monitoring  system  has  been  adopted  in  Maharashtra  and  Madhya Pradesh to ensure timely delivery and quality control in the seed distribution process;
- (c) if so, the name of the agency operating the said system along with the manner in which the participation of farmers has been ensured therein; and
- (d) the details thereof regarding Maharashtra including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district?

## ANSWER

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

(a):  Seed Village Programme was being implemented under Sub-Mission on Seeds and Planting Material (SMSP) and now has become part of Seed Component of National Food Security and Nutrition  Mission  (NFSNM).  The  component  'Seed  Village  Programme'  has  now  been restructured as 'Assistance for fostering seeds of new varieties'. This is being implemented in  34 districts of Maharashtra  and 55 districts of Madhya Pradesh. During 2024-25, 3,39,551 farmers have been benefitted under the scheme in Maharashtra including 12,548 farmers in the district of  Chhatrapati  Sambhajinagar.  Similarly,  2,84,250  farmers  have  been  benefitted  in  Madhya Pradesh during the year 2024-25.

(b) to (d):  Both the Government of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh in all the districts (including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district), have rolled out Seed Authentication, Traceability & Holistic Inventory  (SATHI)  portal  developed  by  Government  of  India  to  enable  end-to-end  digital traceability of seeds across the supply chain, enhancing transparency and helping prevent the circulation of spurious/sub-standard seeds and to ensure quality control in the seed distribution process. Besides, from the year 2025-26, the "M.P KISAN" digital portal/ monitoring system is also being used in Madhya Pradesh to ensure timely delivery and quality control in the seed distribution process.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1795 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Employees in SAIL Units
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1795

FOR ANSWER ON 10.02.2026

## EMPLOYEES IN SAIL UNITS

1795.  SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) the permanent and non-permanent nature of works in all the units of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL);
- (b) the number of employees retired and appointed in each unit of SAIL during the last fifteen years;
- (c) the separate number of posts officers and employees lying vacant in each unit of SAIL at present; and
- (d)  the  number  of  contractual  workers  (employed  by  contractors)  employed  in permanent nature of works in each unit of SAIL?

## ANSWER

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

(a)to(d):  In Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), the works of a permanent nature are  carried  out  departmentally  through  regular  employees.  Certain  specialized, intermittent, or non-core activities, are undertaken through outsourcing on job-contract basis, following the prescribed tendering procedures and extant guidelines. The cost of manpower in SAIL is around 12% of the cost of production, which is  highest  among  its  peers.  SAIL  is,  hence,  optimising  its  manpower  requirements based on an objective assessment through the process of Annual Human Resource

Planning which is approved by the Board on an annual basis.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1789 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Pellet Plant Projects
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Dr. Kirsan Namdeo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1789

FOR ANSWER ON 10.02.2026

## PELLET PLANT PROJECTS

1789.  DR. KIRSAN NAMDEO:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  status  of  approvals, cancellations,  retendering  and mode changes  for pellet plants at Gua, Dalli and Rourkela since their first approval, year-wise;
- (b)  the  total  financial  liability,  including  arbitration  awards,  interest  payments  and opportunity costs, arising from delays and contract failures in pellet plant projects;
- (c) the shortfall in Coal Dust Injection (CDI) against norms during 2017-24, plant-wise; and
- (d)  the  blast  furnace-wise  details  of  unplanned  shutdown hours and  excess  capital repair hours during 2017-24?

## ANSWER

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

(a)&(b):   The Gua Pellet Plant project was initially approved in 2010 and the contract was awarded in 2014. However, the project could not be taken forward due to nonreceipt of the requisite Forest Clearance (FC), and consequently, the contract was cancelled in 2019. Subsequently, the proposal has been reprocessed under the BuildOwn-Operate (BOO) model.

The proposal for setting up a pellet plant at Dalli Mines under the BOO model was  initiated  in  2021,  awarded  in  2022,  and  the  plant  has  been  operational  since September, 2025.

The pellet plant at Rourkela Steel Plant was approved in October, 2021 on a Cost-Ownership-Management (COM) basis and the contract has been awarded in February, 2025.

No  financial  liability  has  arisen  on  account  of  the  pellet  plant  projects  at Rourkela Steel Plant and Dalli Mines. However, the contractor has raised a claim in respect of the cancelled Gua Pellet Plant contract, which is presently sub judice.

(c)&(d):  The usage of Coal Dust Injection (CDI) in steel plants is dependent on the design characteristics and operating parameters of individual blast furnaces. In recent years, SAIL has undertaken progressive improvements in CDI performance, achieving an average level of 106 kg per tonne of hot metal (kg/thm) across its plants in 2024.

Operation of blast furnaces is a continuous and regular process and is integral to the overall functioning of an integrated steel plant. Annual production plans of steel plants  are  finalised  prior  to  the  commencement  of  the  financial  year,  taking  into account  maintenance  requirements,  prevailing  market  conditions  and  the  overall business plan of the company.

*****