opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4080 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-27
Subject: Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: HARISHCHANDRA DEORAM CHAVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4080 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2017

## Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya

## †4080.  SHRI HARISHCHANDRA CHAVAN:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a)   whether the Government proposes to provide education upto graduation level to the girl students of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya so that the girl students of the tribal communities can get education upto graduation level after 12th;

(b)   if so, the details thereof;

(c)   if not, the reasons therefor;

(d)   whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  girl  students  studying  in  Kasturba  Gandhi  Balika Vidyalaya have to drop the education of graduation after 12th standard due to the distance of higher educational institutions; and

(e)   if so, the details thereof along with the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard and the outcome thereof?

## A N S W E R

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

(a) and (b): No Madam. Under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) are residential schools at Upper Primary level only for girls belonging to  disadvantaged  groups  such  as  SC,  ST,  OBC,  Minority  and  BPL.  In  KGBVs,  75%  girls from SC, ST, OBC or Minority Communities are accorded priority for enrolment and only thereafter, 25% girls from Below Poverty Line families are enrolled.

(c): As per existing KGBV norms, there is no provision to provide education up to graduation level in KGBVs.

(d) and (e):       Under the Girls Hostel component of the integrated Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha  Abhiyan  (RMSA),  boarding  and  Hostel  facilities  are  provided  to  Girl  Students  of Secondary  and  Higher  Secondary  Schools.  The  girls  hostels  with  lodging  and  boarding facilities are set up in the Educationally Backward  Blocks  (EBBs)  and  areas  near concentration of target groups who are girl students in the age group of 14-18 years studying in  classes  IX  to  XII  and  belonging  to  SC,  ST,  OBC,  Minority  communities  and  Below Poverty Line families. There is currently no provision under the Scheme to provide education upto graduation level.

Since inception of the Scheme, 2483 Girls Hostels have been approved. At present, construction in 1115 Hostels is complete and construction is under progress in 682 Hostels. A total  number  of  1149  Girls  Hostels  are  functional  with  an  enrollment  of  104277  Girl Students.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4079 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-27
Subject: Development of Tourism on Islands
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: DUSHYANT CHAUTALA, NANABHAU FALGUNRAO PATOLE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4079 ANSWERED ON 27.03.2017

## DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM ON ISLANDS

## 4079. SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA: SHRI NANA PATOLE:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has formulated any action plan to develop Islands and other offshore islands of the country in terms of building infrastructure, power, resorts and hotels to promote tourism in these islands;
- (b) if so, the details of identified islands and geological positions of such islands along with the action taken/being taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c) the estimated cost involved in the development of such islands along with the time by which the said development will take place;
- (d) whether the Government has received proposals in this regard; and
- (e)
- if so, the details thereof along with the status of such proposals?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) to (b): Yes,  Niti  Aayog  has  informed  that  they  have  taken  up  an initiative  for  preparation  of  a  Concept  Development  Plans  and  Detailed Master Plans for holistic development of 10 islands viz. Smith Island, Ross Island, Long  Island (Mai-i-tang), Avis Island and Little  Andaman  in Andaman & Nicobar and Minicoy Island, Bangaram, Thinnakara, Cheriyam and Suheli in Lakshadweep.

(c) to (e): In addition, Niti Aayog has prepared and uploaded a request for Qualification  (RFQ)-cum-Request  for  proposal  (RFP)  document  on  their website  for  selecting  Consultant  to  facilitate  preparation  of  Concept Development Plans and Detailed Master Plans for the holistic Development of  Package-I  Islands  (Smith  Island,  Ross  Island,  Long  Island  and  Avis Island),  Package-II  Islands  (Little  Andaman)  located  in  Union  Territory  of Andaman  &  Nicobar  and  Package-III  Islands  (Minicoy  Island,  Bangaram, Thinnakara, Cheriyam and Suheli) located in Union Territory of Lakshadweep.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 4077 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-27
Subject: Zero Tariff Bidding for CGD Network
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: SANJAY JAISWAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4077 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.3.2017 ZERO TARIFF BIDDING FOR CGD NETWORK

## 4077.  DR SANJAY JAISWAL:

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

## isVªksfy;e vkSj izkd`frd xSl ea=h

- (a) whether the Government is aware that there has been instances of almost near zero tariff bidding during bidding rounds for City Gas Distribution;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to reintroduce cross subsidies between the marketing margin and network tariff in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## पेट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्रािय में राज् य मंत्ररी (स् विंत्र प्राार ( श्ररी धमेन्द  र प्रधान

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a) & (b): Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has completed 7 rounds of  City  Gas  Distribution  (CGD)  bidding  for  award  of  development  of  CGD  networks in different parts of the country. Out of total 49 Geographical Areas (GAs) awarded through bidding, 41 GAs have received near Zero Network tariff bids.
- (c)  &  (d):  The  network  tariff  quoted  by  the  successful  bidder  authorized  by  PNGRB  is applicable for the use of authorized CGD network by the third party gas marketing entity after the expiry of exclusivity period of the former.  The Government does not regulate the market margin with respect to customer of CGD network entities.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4073 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-27
Subject: Impact of MNCs on MSMEs
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4073 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2017

## IMPACT OF MNCs ON MSMEs

4073. SHRI ARVIND SAWANT:

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are lagging behind due to availability of products of multinational companies (MNCs);
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for decline in quality and prices of indigenous products in comparison to the China products;
- (c) whether Government has provided any assistance or taken some preventive measures to encourage and give protection to the indigenous MSMEs Sector; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

(a)to(d): Micro,  Small  and  Medium  Enterprises  (MSME)  in  India  face  competition from  imported  products  as  well  as  large  domestic  manufacturers.  Indian  MSMEs  face multiple  challenges  in  terms  of  infrastructure,  logistics,  cost  of  credit  and  availability  of technology which affects their cost competitiveness.

Government  of  India  has  taken  multiple  measures  to  improve  competitiveness  of Indian industry. These include efforts taken under Make in India, Ease of Doing Business, improvement in infrastructure and logistics, improved availability of credit through MUDRA, Stand up India etc.

Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises is implementing various Policies/ schemes / programmes to provide the assistance to encourage and protect domestic MSMEs. Some  of  such  Policies  /Schemes  are  Public  Procurement  Policy  for  MSEs  under  Market Development  Assistance  Scheme,  National  Manufacturing  Competitiveness  Programme (NMCP),  Credit  Guarantee  Scheme,  Credit  Linked  Capital  Subsidy  Scheme  and  Cluster Development Programme.   These schemes / programmes help MSMEs growth, increase their competitiveness with the products of multinational companies.

Government  has  also  taken  preventive  measures  by  imposing  anti-dumping  duties, permitted under WTO, for restricting imports when the imports from any country have been established  as  unfairly  affecting  the  market  for  goods  and  services  produced  by  Indian industries.  Government also imposes safeguard duties to protect industry against the surge of imports  from  other  countries.    These  mechanisms  are  operated  by  Directorate  General  of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) and Directorate General of Safeguards (DGSG) respectively.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 4072 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-27
Subject: Survey at Mumbai High
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED

## QUESTION NO. 4072

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2017 Survey at Mumbai High

## 4072:  SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE: SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

पेट्रो ल ियम एवं प्राक ृ तिक

गैस मंत्री

## Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Oil  and  Natural  Gas  Corporation  Limited  (ONGC)  has  started  seismic survey  at  Mumbai  High  at  B-157  where  thousands  of  fishermen  do  fishing  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) whether the ONGC and the contracted company have prohibited fishing for 3 to 4 months at B-157 at Mumbai High and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that fisherfolk are not allowed to pass through to do fishing at neighbouring open sea;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the likely impacts on fish transporters, ice supplier and the resultant losses likely to be suffered by them; and
- (e) the measures taken/being taken by the Government to solve the grievance of the fishing community?

## Answer

पेट्रो ल ियम एवं प्राक ृ तिक गैस मंत्रािय में राज्य मंत्री ( स्विंत्र प्रभार )

( श्री धमेंद्र प्रधान )

## MINISTER OF STATE(INDEPNDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a)  Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Limited has carried out 3D Seismic survey in B-157 area of Western Offshore from 25.01.2017 to 14.03.2017. Low to moderate fishing activities  were observed during the survey in and around the area, which is approximately 65-90 Km from the shore.
- (b) The entire area (around 1200 Sq. Km.) was sub-divided into sub-sectors. The contractor informed the local fishing communities in advance, about the survey work in each of such sub-sectors. Fishing activities were continued in the adjoining areas outside these small subsectors.  After  completion  of  survey  work  in  a  sub-sector,  fishermen  resumed  their  fishing activities in that sector. Survey in B-157 area was complet

ed in 49 days.

(c) to (e) Commissioners of Fisheries, Govt. of Maharashtra were intimated in advance about the said survey in October'2016. Also, all the regional fisheries Head of Mumbai, Konkan, Palghar,  Raigada  and  Machimar  Sharkari  Samiti  of  Raigada,  Murud  were  intimated  in January, 2017  seeking  their co-operation during the survey  for better co-ordination. Fishermen were free to do fishing in the adjoining areas of the sub-sector and therefore the livelihood  of  fishing  community  including  fish  transporters,  ice  suppliers  etc.  was  not impacted  by  survey.  However,  ONGC  through  its  contractor  has  been  compensating fishermen as per the provisions of the contract for the loss, if any, of fishing equipment, nets and other tools damaged during survey work.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4071 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-27
Subject: Excavation Work in Nalanda
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4071 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2017 CHAITRA 6, 1939(SAKA)

## EXCAVATION WORK IN NALANDA

## † 4071. SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR :

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the survey of mythological places conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India in Nalanda;
- (b) whether excavation work is being carried out by ASI at identified mythological places in Nalanda;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the names of places where excavation is taking places; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE, CULTURE AND TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

## (DR.  MAHESH SHARMA )

- (a) No such survey specifically for mythological places has been conducted in Nalanda
- to by  the  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI).  However,  the  ASI  have  conducted
- (d) excavation work at the following sites in District Nalanda, Bihar:

|   Sl.No. | Name of sites   | Year                |
|----------|-----------------|---------------------|
|        1 | Rajgir          | 1999-2000           |
|        2 | Chandimau       | 2000-2001           |
|        3 | Juaferdih       | 2006-2007           |
|        4 | Begampur        | 2007-2008           |
|        5 | Damankhanda     | 2007-2008           |
|        6 | Ghorakatora     | 2006-2007 2007-2008 |
|        7 | Rukministhan    | 2014-2015-          |
Lok Sabha Question No. 4070 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-27
Subject: Legal Opinion on Institutions of Eminence
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAJESH RANJAN  (PAPPU  YADAV), KAVITHA KALVAKUNTLA, A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN, KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY, V. SATHYABAMA, RANJEET RANJAN, RAMSINH PATALYABHAI RATHWA, RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4070 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2017

## Legal Opinion on Institutions of Eminence

## †4070. SHRI RAJESH RANJAN:

SHRIMATI KAVITHA KALVAKUNTLA:

SHRI A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN:

SHRI KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY:

SHRIMATI V. SATHYA BAMA:

SHRIMATI RANJEET RANJAN:

SHRI RAMSINH RATHWA:

SHRI RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO:

Will	the	Minister	of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be	pleased	to	state :

- (a)	 whether	 the	 Ministry	 has	 sought	 the	 opinion	 of	 the	 Solicitor	 General	 of	 India regarding	formulating	regulations	for	institutions	of	eminence	in	the	country	and	if	so, the	details	thereof;
- (b)	whether	the	Government	has	also	set	up	an	expert	committee	in	this	regard	and	if so,	the	details	thereof;	and
- (c)	the	time	by	when	the	said	institutions	of	eminence	are	likely	to	be	set	up?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)

- (a):	Yes	Madam.	The	Ministry	has	sought	opinion	of	Ministry	of	Law	which	had	referred the	matter	to	Solicitor	General	of	India.	The	opinion	was	sought	on	following	points:
- (i) Whether the proposed University Grants Commission's (UGC) draft Regulations	and	Guidelines	for	Institutions	of	Eminence	would	be	within	the framework	of	existing	statutory	framework.
- (ii) Whether	in	terms	of	provisions	of	UGC	Act,	1956,	the	UGC	is	empowered	to frame	such	regulations	and	guidelines	to	give	effect	to	concerns	expressed	by the	Finance	Minister	in	his	budget	speech	2016	regarding	efforts	for	Indian Higher	Educational	Institutions	to	emerge	them	as	world	class	Institutions.
- (iii) Whether	it	is	possible	to	frame	regulations	for	separate	class	of	Deemed	to	be Universities	 namely	 'Institutions	 of	 Eminence	 Deemed	 to	 be	 Universities' under	section	3	of	UGC	Act	1956,	in	light	of	the	fact	that	there	is	already	a Regulation	for	Deemed	to	be	Universities. (iv) Whether	it	is	possible	for	the	UGC	to	form	an	Empowered	Expert	Committee for	 the	 purpose	 of	 selection,	 monitoring	 and	 review	 of	 Institutions	 of Eminence,	the	decision	of	which	shall	be	deemed	to	be	decision	of	UGC. UGC	Act.	1956.

The	Solicitor	General	opined	that	questions	raised	at	points	(i),	(ii)	and	(iii)	above are	possible,	however,	question	raised	at	point	(iv)	above	is	not	possible	as	per	the (b)	&	(c):	The	Guidelines	and	the	Regulations	for	Institutions	of	Eminence	are	under consideration.

## ***************
Lok Sabha Question No. 4069 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-27
Subject: Wage Board for Journalists
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: SADASHIV KISAN LOKHANDE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4069 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2017

WAGE BOARD FOR JOURNALISTS

†4069. SHRI SADASHIV LOKHANDE:

Will  the  Minister  of  LABOUR  AND  EMPLOYMENT  be  pleased  to state:

- (a)the names of the State Governments which have not implemented the recommendations of the Bachhawat and Manisana wage boards after acceptance and notification of these recommendations by the Government;
- (b)the date on which central level monitoring committee was constituted along with the achievements made by this Committee till date; and
- (c)the  various  dates  specified  by  the  Government  for  setting  up  of special cells by the State Governments to constitute a committee for monitoring the progress of implementation, to activate the State labour enforcement system and to submit quarterly progress report to the Government?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

- (a): The  recommendations  of  the  Bachawat  Wage  Boards  were notified  by  the  Government  on  31.08.1989.  The  recommendations  of the Manisana Wage Boards were notified on 05.12.2000 and 15.12.2000. Subsequently, Government also notified the recommendations of the Majithia Wage Boards on 11.11.2011. Thus, all the State Governments are required to implement the recommendations of the Bachawat and Manisana Wage Boards.

(b): A Central Level Monitoring Committee (CLMC) has been set up on 24 th   April,  2012  to  review  the  progress  of  the  implementation  of  the recommendations of the Wage Boards constituted under the Working Journalists  and  Other  Newspaper  Employees  (Conditions  of  Service) and  Miscellaneous  Provisions  Act,  1955.  As  a  result  of  constant monitoring  of  the  CLMC,  397  newspaper  establishments  in  various States  have  fully  implemented  the  recommendations  of  the  Majithia Wage Boards.

(c): Since the State Governments have the responsibility for implementation  of  the  recommendations  of  the  Wage  Boards,  the Government  of  India  wrote  to  all  the  State  Governments  to  create Special  Cells  to  oversee  the  progress  of  implementation,  constitute Tripartite Monitoring Committee  and gear up the State Labour Enforcement Machinery to ensure speedy and prompt implementation of the Awards of Wage Boards and to submit quarterly progress report to the Ministry.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4068 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-27
Subject: Spending of Government on R&D
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: DUSHYANT SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4068 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2017

## Spending of Government on R&D

4068. SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the details regarding the percentage of spending of Government on research and development in comparison to other developed and developing countries;
- (b) whether  the  Government  plans  to  increase  the  spending  on  research  and development;
- (c) if so, the details regarding schemes initiated for the same; and
- (d) whether the Government has set any targets for research and development spending in a long run and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)

(a)  to  (d):  As  per  the  global  studies  on  research  investment,  2014,  India  spends 0.85% of  GDP  on  research  as  against  2.74%  in  United  States,  2.10%  in  China, 3.58% in Japan, 2.84% in Germany and 4.29% in South Korea.  The Government has emphasized the need for promoting research that is socially relevant and is of use to the end users. For this purpose, two schemes namely Impacting Research Innovation and Technology (IMPRINT) and Uchhatar Avishkar Yojana (UAY) have been launched.  IMPRINT focuses on research in higher educational institutions, with an allocation Rs.487.00 crore for a period of three years beginning 2016-17. The  cost  of  the  project  is  met  to  the  extent  of  50%  by  the  Ministry  of  Human Resource  Development  (MHRD)  and  the  remaining  50%  by  the  participating Ministries/Departments.    UAY  promotes  industry  sponsored,  outcome-oriented research  projects  with  an  outlay  of  Rs.475.00  crore  for  a  period  of  two  years beginning 2016-17.  The project cost is met to the extent of 50% by the Ministry of Human Resource  Development  (MHRD)  and  25%  each  by  the  Industry  and  the participating Ministries/Departments.  Further initiatives like the e-shodh Sindhu, National  Digital  Library  and  SWAYAM  have  provided  opportunity  for  Indian institutions to do better on global platform. The IIT Council has also approved the proposal  to  implement  a  host  of  measures  for  building  world  class  laboratories, collaborative research, and global outreach for improving the ranking of the IITs.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4065 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-27
Subject: Extension of ESIC and EPFO Benefits
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: SUDHEER GUPTA, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, T. RADHAKRISHNAN, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4065 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2017

## EXTENSION OF ESIC AND EPFO BENEFITS

## 4065. SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)whether Anganwadi,  Accredited  Social Health Activists  (ASHA)  and midday  meal  scheme  workers  are  demanding  for  long  to  provide  the benefit of ESIC and EPFO schemes and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)whether the Government has formed a Committee in this regard and if so,
- the details thereof;
- (c)whether  the  Government  proposes  to  extend  benefits  under  ESIC  and EPFO to the Anganwadi, ASHA and mid-day meal scheme workers in the country;
- (d)if so, the number of persons likely to be benefited and the time by which it is likely to be implemented, State/UT-wise; and
- (e)the  further  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  include  the
- unorganized sector in ESIC and EPFO schemes?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

- (a) to (d): The  Ministry  has  constituted  an  inter-ministerial  Committee under the chairpersonship of Secretary (Labour & Employment) to examine the  issue  of  giving  social  security  benefits  to  the  unorganized  sector  e.g. Anganwadi,  Mid-day  meal  and  Accredited  Social  Health  Activists  (ASHAs) workers. The other members of this Committee include representatives from Ministries  of  Women  &  Child  Development,  Human  Resource  Development, Finance and Health & Family Welfare.
- (e): In  addition  to  above,  the  ESIC  has  also  launched  two  pilot schemes for auto-rickshaw drivers in Delhi and for domestic workers in Delhi and Hyderabad.

********