Question raised in Lok Sabha on Drought Prone Areas, 18/12/2018. During 2018-19 the State Governments of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat and Rajasthan have submitted Memorandums in the wake of drought during Kharif. Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) have been consisted to visit all these drought affected States to assess the damage and recommend the financial assistance from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). Details are as under this document.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Compensation under PMFBY, 18/12/2018. State-wise Details of enrolments, estimated claims and claims paid under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) during 2016-17 and 2017-18 are given in Annexure-I. Inspite of overall good monsoon during first two years of implementation of PMFBY, the claim ratio during 2016-17 is about 73% and during Kharif 2017, it is about 86%. Moreover, high claims are paid by insurance companies in the areas/States hit by the natural calamity/adverse weather conditions.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Pollution free Delhi and other cities, 17/12/2018. The Central Government has notified a Comprehensive Action Plan (CAP) and Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)for prevention, control and mitigation of air pollution in Delhi and NCR. The Central Government has also finalized National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) under the Central Sector “Control of Pollution” Scheme as a long-term time bound national level strategy to tackle the increasing air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive manner.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Cases of death of tigers, 17/12/2018. The incidents of tiger deaths due to poaching (including seizures) during the years 2015, 2016 and 2017 are 21, 41 and 28 respectively, while due to road and rail accidents during the same period are 3, 5 and 2 respectively. Details of tiger deaths from 2015 to 2017, including Maharashtra and Odisha, as reported by States, are included in this document.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Abatement of pollution in rivers, 17/12/2018. Pollution load in rivers has increased over the years due to rapid urbanization and industrialization. Rivers in the country are mainly polluted due to discharge of untreated and partially treated sewage from cities/towns and industrial effluents. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in association with the State Pollution Control Boards monitors the water quality of rivers across the country through a network of monitoring stations under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Sanitation in Rural Areas, 13/12/2018. The status of rural sanitation coverage in the country at the launch of Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) [SBM(G)] was 38.70%.Since the launch of the SBM in October 2014, rural sanitation coverage has crossed 97%. State/UT-wise and year-wise number of Individual household latrines (IHHLs) constructed under SBM(G)since its launch with effect from 02.10.2014 are given at Annexure-1.State/UT-wise status of coverage of household toilets under SBM(G) as on 10.12.2018 is given at Annexure-2.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Loss Due to Flood and Thunderstorm, 11/12/2018. State-wise details of the losses of lives, property and loss of crops due to floods and thunderstorm during the current year, as reported by the State Governments/ Union Territories, are at Annexure-I. State-wise details of the memoranda submitted to this Ministry and assistance approved from NDRF during the current year are given at Annexure-II. State-wise details of allocation and releases from SDRF and NDRF during the last four years are given in Annexure-III.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Increase in MSP, 11/12/2018. Government generally increases the MSPs of all notified crops which provide adequate return over cost of production. Government has increased MSPs substantially for all mandated crops for the season 2018-19. This decision of the Government was a historic one as it fulfills the commitment to the farmers to provide 50 per cent return over cost of production for the first time for all mandated crops. Details of MSP, cost and percent return over cost for 2016-17, 2017-18 & 2018-19 is given at Annexure.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Impact of Demonetization on Farmers, 11/12/2018. Total quantity of certified/quality seeds sold to the farmers in the Country was 304.04 lakh quintals in 2015-16 increased to 348.58 lakh quintals in 2016-17. State-wise details of rabi and kharif crops sown from 2014 to 2018 are in annexure I and II respectively.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Impact of Changing Weather Patterns on Agriculture, 11/12/2018. Agricultural crops have been affected due to calamities, the details of the assistance provided under natural calamities during the last three years is given at Annexure-I. As per available information, the scientist of India Meteorological Department and other institutions has found significant changes in the rainfall pattern, extreme events etc. Both flood and drought in individual years does not depend on climate change.