The Directorate of Economics and Statistics brings out its flagship publication “Agricultural Statistics at a Glance” every year. The publication is widely used as a trusted source of information on various aspects of agriculture and allied sector, including crop production and productivity, growth and investment in agriculture, minimum support price, cost of production, terms of trade, imports and exports, land-use statistics, agricultural inputs, rainfall distribution, etc.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Untreated sewage flowing into the rivers, 31/12/2018. As per a report published by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in March, 2015, the sewage generation from urban areas in the country is estimated at 61,948 million litres per day (mld), against which the available sewage treatment capacity is only 23,277 mld (37% of the sewage generation). The untreated sewage is discharged into various rivers, other water bodies as well as the sea.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Illegal trade in wildlife articles, 31/12/2018. As per the information provided by the State authorities, illegal trade of wildlife and wildlife articles has not increased over the years. Details of the cases of illegal trade received from the State authorities during last three years is given in the Annexure.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Ill effects of air pollution, 31/12/2018. Ambient air quality is being monitored at 731 locations covering 312 cities/towns in 29 States and 6 Union Territories across the country under National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP). The ambient air quality data for million plus cities is attached at Annexure-I.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Solid Waste, 28/12/2018. As per the information available with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) 52.9 Million Ton per Annum (MTPA) of solid waste is generated in the country, out of which, 46% is processed. The State/UT-wise details are enclosed in the Annexure.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Forest Fire, 28/12/2018. The Ministry supports the efforts of State/Union Territory Governments in prevention and control of forest fire by providing financial assistance under the Centrally Sponsored Forest Fire Prevention and Management (FPM) Scheme.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 28/12/2018. The fund released by Adhoc CAMPA to various state CAMPA for undertaking Compensatory Afforestation and allied activities and permissible under the CAMPA guidelines 2009 in the last 3 years is given in Annexure-I.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Communicable Diseases, 28/12/2018. The detailed status of the major communicable diseases prevalent in the country like Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, Japanese Encephalitis, Leprosy, Tuberculosis HIV/AIDS including of deaths reported is given at Annexure-1 (A) to (C). No death directly attributable to Chikungunya is reported from any State/Union Territory (UT). As Leprosy is non-fatal disease, no death has been reported by any State/UT.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on MSP of Crops, 18/12/2018. Details of number of farmers benefited from procurement of kharif crops at minimum support price (MSP) from 2015-16 to 2018-19 is given in this document.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Loss Due to Natural Disasters, 18/12/2018. Various parts of in the country have been affected by natural calamities including earthquake, cyclone and floods in the recent decades. The damage and losses due to natural disasters are primarily assessed by the concerned State Government, as they are responsible for management of natural calamities. Data regarding losses including financial losses in recent decades is not maintained by this Ministry prior to 2013. The details available with the Ministry for the last six year are at Annexure-I.