All that was discussed in the House through the day
The rainfall pattern has changed in different parts of the country, wherein some parts are receiving heavy rainfall and some parts receiving less rainfall, Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of Earth Sciences told the Lok Sabha.
Five states — Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Meghalaya and Nagaland — have shown significant decreasing trends in southwest monsoon rainfall in the 30 year period (1989-2018), the minister said.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) carried out an analysis of observed monsoon rainfall variability and changes in 29 states and Union Territories (UT) at state and district levels.
The analysis was based on the observational data of 30 years (1989-2018) during the southwest monsoon season from June to September. The report came out March 30, 2020.
The reports on observed rainfall variability and its trends for each state and UT are available on the IMD website and IMD, Pune websites.
The central government has approved the supply of fortified rice for uniform nutritional impact of the grain among the targeted population, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Union Minister of State for Ministry of Rural Development and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution told the Lok Sabha.
The fortified rice will be provided throughout the Targeted Public Distribution System under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and in other welfare schemes (OWS) of the Government of India in all states and UTs in a phased manner by 2024, Jyoti said.
Of the total villages registered with the Registrar General of India as of November 2019, around 6,05,230 villages had mobile coverage in the country by March 2022 while 38,901 villages did not, Devusinh Chauhan, Union Minister of State for Communications, told the Lok Sabha.
The data was given by Telecom Service Providers (TSP), Department of Telecommunications field units and state governments.
Government and TSPs provide telecommunication connectivity in the country in a phased manner. The government is implementing various schemes for providing telecom connectivity to all uncovered villages through Universal Service Obligation Fund, Chauhan said.
A deficiency in rainfall due to the climate pattern El Nino, as speculated by the IMD, may adversely affect Kharif crop production in the country, Jyoti told the Lok Sabha.
The sale of wheat and rice under Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) for state governments, including Tamil Nadu has been discontinued from June 13, 2023 to control inflationary trends and maintain adequate stock levels under the central pool for distribution under the NFSA and OWS.
No death has been reported due to manual scavenging (lifting of human excreta from insanitary latrines). However, people died during cleaning of sewers and septic tanks, Ramdas Athawale, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment told the Rajya Sabha.
The Union Ministry of Rural Development is implementing Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) with effect from April 1, 2016 to achieve the target of “Housing for All” in rural areas, Jyoti told the Rajya Sabha.
The PMAY-G will provide assistance to eligible rural households, with an overall target to construct 2.95 crore pucca houses with basic amenities by March, 2024.
Out of the mandated target, the states/UTs have already sanctioned 2,92,31,840 houses to eligible beneficiaries and the construction of 2,40,91,925 houses has already been completed as on July 20, 2023.
The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing the central sector scheme of Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) to provide quality upper primary, secondary and senior secondary level education (classes VI to XII) to Scheduled Tribe children in tribal dominated areas, Renuka Singh Saruta, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs told the Rajya Sabha.
The scheme will bring them on par with the general population across India. The introduction of AI Curriculum as per CBSE syllabus has been planned for all such EMRSs affiliated with Central Board of Secondary Education with effect from the academic year 2023-24.
The learning outcomes parameters are to be as prescribed by CBSE in its curriculum and teachers are to be trained for the hand-holding of students. This activity is, inter alia, to be funded from an allocation made under the GIA-General part of the allocation for the National Education Society for Tribal Students.
An amount of Rs 1,418.97 crore has been earmarked for the current financial year to carry out all activities of GIA-G.
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