opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2815 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-20
Subject: Talented Students
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2815 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.03.2017

## Talented Students

†2815. SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  setup  a  fund  for  discovering  talented  students  at school/college level and assist such deserving students;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the time by which such a fund is proposed to be set up?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) There  is  no  proposal  for  setting  up  of  a  separate  fund  for  discovering  talented students at  school/college  level  under  the  consideration  of  the  Government  at  present.    However, under  Rashtriya  Madhyamik  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (RMSA),  a  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme,  various quality  interventions  have  been  supported.  Under  the  RMSA,  during  the  year  2016-17,  approvals were accorded to 9 States for Talent Search Programme in 163 districts. Besides, there is a National Talent Search (NTS) Scheme, implemented through the National Council of Educational Research and  Training  (NCERT),  which  aims  at  identification  of  talented  students  and  awarding  them scholarship to pursue their further studies and nurture them.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2813 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-20
Subject: Autonomy to IIMs
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2813 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.03.2017

## Autonomy to IIMs

## 2813.  SHRI VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  give  full  autonomy  to  Indian  Institutes  of Managements(IIMs) to run their institutes and award degrees to their graduates;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government plans to bring any legislation in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)

(a) to (d): Yes,  Madam.  The  Indian  Institutes  of  Management  (IIMs)  Bill  2017  has  been introduced in the Lok Sabha on 9 th February, 2017 to grant statutory status to Indian Institutes of Management to enable them to grant degrees to their students in the academic courses conducted by  these  institutes.    The  Bill  intends  to  ensure  greater  synergy  and  functional  autonomy  along with commensurate accountability in academic and financial matters.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2812 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-20
Subject: FDDI and Mewar University
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: CHANDRAKANT RAGHUNATH PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2812 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.03.2017

## FDDI and Mewar University

## 2812. SHRI C.R. PATIL:

Will	the	Minister	of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be	pleased	to	state : (a)	 whether	 the	 Government	 has	 been	 made	 aware	 that	 the	 Footwear	 Design	 and Development	Institute	(FDDI),	Ministry	of	Commerce	and	Industry	is	not	being	run	as per	the	norms	of	University	Grants	Commission	(UGC)	for	degree	and	PG	Courses;	and (b)	if	so,	the	details	thereof	and	the	action	taken	by	the	Government	in	this	regard?

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

(a)&(b):	 It	 came	 to	 the	 notice	 of	 University	 Grants	 Commission	 (UGC)	 that	 Footwear Design	&	Development	Institute	(FDDI),	Noida	under	administrative	control	of	Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India has signed Memorandum of Understanding	 (MoU)	 with	 Mewar	 University,	 a	 State	 Private	 University	 for	 offering courses	and	awarding	degrees	to	the	students.	Since	the	State	Private	Universities	are unitary	 in	 nature,	 they	 cannot	 affiliate	 institutions.	 State	 Private	 Universities	 can conduct	courses	in	regular	mode	at	their	main	campus	only.	Accordingly,	UGC	directed the	Mewar	University	to	discontinue	the	MoU	signed	with	FDDI.	Consequently,	Mewar University	discontinued	such	arrangements. FDDI	 is	 presently	 affiliated	 to	 Indira	 Gandhi	 National	 Open	 University (IGNOU)	for	award	of	degrees.	It	has	also	applied	for	Deemed	to	be	University	status	for which	Letter	of	Intent	(LoI)	has	been	issued.	Deemed	to	be	University	status	shall	be given	 to	 institute	 in	 case	 it	 fulfils	 the	 condition	 mentioned	 in	 the	 LOI.	 Further,	 a Footwear	Design	&	Development	Institute	(FDDI)	Bill,	2017	has	been	introduced	in	Lok Sabha	on	14 th 	March,	2017	to	declare	FDDI	as	an	Institution	of	National	Importance.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2811 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-20
Subject: Tenth Class Board Exams
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: A.T. (NANA) PATIL

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2811 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.03.2017

## Tenth Class Board Exams

2811. SHRI A.T. NANA PATIL:

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

(a) whether the Government proposes to introduce class X Board exams for students affiliated with CBSE; and

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor?

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

(a) and  (b)  :  Central  Board  of  Secondary  Education  (CBSE)  in  consultation  with  stake holders has decided to restore class X Board Examination from Academic Year 2017-18.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2810 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-20
Subject: New Deemed Universities
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: NAGARAJAN P.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2810 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.03.2017

## New Deemed Universities

## 2810. SHRI P. NAGARAJAN:

Will	the	Minister	of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be	pleased	to	state : (a)	whether	the	University	Grants	Commission(UGC)	has	decided	to	confer	Deemed	to be	university	status	to	some	private	colleges	in	the	country (b)	if	so,	the	details	thereof;	and (c)	the	total	number	of	such	university	to	be	conferred	Deemed-to-be	university	status during	the	current	year?

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

(a)	 to	 (b):	 Institutions	 desiring	 to	 be	 declared	 as	 Deemed	 to	 be	 Universities	 have	 to apply	to	the	Government	of	India	in	prescribed	format	and	if	they	fulfil	all	the	eligibility conditions	 mentioned	 in	 UGC	 (Institutions	 Deemed	 to	 be	 Universities)	 Regulations, 2016,	 they	 are	 declared	 as	 Deemed	 to	 be	 University	 under	 Section	 3	 of	 the	 UGC	 Act, 1956,	on	the	advice	of	UGC.

(c):	The	number	of	Institutions	to	be	declared	as	Deemed	to	be	University	is	not	fixed	as it	 depends	 on	 the	 number	 of	 applications	 received	 and	 its	 fulfilment	 of	 eligibility conditions	of	UGC	Regulations,	2016.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2809 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-20
Subject: Regional Cultural Centres
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: SUNIL KUMAR SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2809 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20TH MARCH, 2017

## REGIONAL CULTURAL CENTRES

## † 2809.  SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH:

## Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  primary  objective  of  setting  up  of  Regional Cultural Centres;
- (b) the  amount  allocated  to  the  Regional  Cultural  Centres  and  the amount utilised during the last three years, Centre-wise;
- (c) the  level  at  which  the  programmes  organised  at  the  Regional Cultural Centre is determined; and
- (d) whether any norms have been determined for the acceptance or sanctioning of programmes and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR CULTURE AND TOURISM (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) & (b) To protect, preserve & promote various forms of folk art and culture including  tribal  arts,  the  Government  of  India  has  set  up  seven  Zonal  Cultural Centres (ZCCs) with headquarters at Patiala, Nagpur, Udaipur, Allahabad, Kolkata, Dimapur  and  Thanjavur.  These  ZCCs  organize  various  cultural  activities  and programmes  on  regular  basis  throughout  the  country  to  meet  the  above objectives. The Government of India is considering setting up of Regional Cultural Centres of these ZCCs in all the States and UTs. Nothing has been finalized yet.

However,  the  details  of  the  annual  grant-in-aid  provided  to  these  ZCCs during the last three years are as under:

| No.   | Name of ZCC      |   2013-14 |   2014-15 |   ( ` in lakh) 2015-16 |
|-------|------------------|-----------|-----------|------------------------|
| 1     | NZCC, Patiala    |    612.35 |    433.39 |               1412.5   |
| 2     | WZCC, Udaipur    |    429.35 |    652.39 |                885.15  |
| 3     | SZCC, Thanjavur  |    830.66 |    336.1  |                560.56  |
| 4     | EZCC, Kolkata    |    537.36 |    456.54 |                813.659 |
| 5     | SCZCC, Nagpur    |    544.19 |    319.61 |               1115     |
| 6     | NCZCC, Allahabad |    520.37 |    345.07 |                517.37  |
| 7     | NEZCC, Dimapur   |    771.94 |   1431.78 |               1530.1   |
| Total | Total            |   4246.22 |   3974.88 |               6834.33  |

(c) & (d) Do not arise.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2808 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-20
Subject: Development of Lakes for Tourism Activities
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI, KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2808 ANSWERED ON 20.03.2017

## DEVELOPMENT OF LAKES FOR TOURISM ACTIVITIES

## 2808. SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the number of lakes have been facing superciliousness and need urgent development/renovation;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof, State-wise including Bundelkhand;
- the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  develop/renovate  the
- (c) lakes/ponds/reservoirs as tourist place; and
- (d) the funds sanctioned in this regards?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d):   For development of tourism infrastructure in the countlry, the Ministry of  Tourism has launched two schemes in 2014-15 viz. Swadesh Darshan - Integrated Development of Theme-Based Tourist Circuits and PRASADPilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive.

Under the schemes, shoreline development & Rejuvenation of natural water bodies such as rivers, lakes, streams, river fronts are admissible components.

Ministry  of  Tourism  has  sanctioned  projects  for  Development of Ramayana Circuit, Development of Heritage Circuit and Development  of  Spiritual  Circuit  in  Uttar  Pradesh  under  Swadesh Darshan Scheme.  The sites of Bundelkhand region covered in these circuits  are  Chitrakoot,  Mahoba  and  Banda.  The  details  of  amount sanctioned for development of these sites are as under:

(Rs.in Crore)

|   Sr. No. | Sites      |   Amount sanctioned |
|-----------|------------|---------------------|
|         1 | Chitrakoot |               43.12 |
|         2 | Mahoba     |                6.76 |
|         3 | Banda      |                8.2  |

In Mahoba, financial assistance has been provided for development of Madan Sagar and Kirat Sagar lakes.  The sanctioned components for development  in  Mahoba includes works related to development  of  open  air  theatre,  watch  towers,  entrance  gates, drinking  water  kiosks,  boundary  wall,  pathways,  toilet  blocks, gazebo, solar lights, landscaping, benches, signages etc.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2807 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-20
Subject: Central Universities
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: ANUPAM HAZRA, DINESH TRIVEDI

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2807 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.03.2017

## Central Universities

## 2807.   DR. ANUPAM HAZRA: SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI:

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

- (a) whether a number of posts of Vice-Chancellors (VCs) in Central Universities in the country remain vacant for months together and if so, the number of Central University and Government colleges that do not have permanent positions of principal of Vice-Chancellor, State/UTwise;
- (b)  the  criteria  outlined  by  the  Ministry  to  appoint  Chancellors  and  Vice-Chancellors  to  Central  and Government Universities;
- (c) whether the Government would take steps for amendment of relevant law/ regulations for making over and  taking  over  of  charges  between  the  predecessor  and  successor  incumbents  for  the  post  of  ViceChancellor in Central Universities and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  the  total  number  of  Central  Universities  and  Colleges,  that  do  not  meet  the  prescribed  adequate number of permanent teaching posts?

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

- (a):  There are 41 Central Universities (CUs) under the purview of this Ministry. At present, only 4 posts of  Vice  Chancellor  are  vacant  in  Central  Universities  namely,  Visva-Bharati,  Mizoram  University, Pondicherry University and Nagaland University, where the process to fill up these vacancies is on.

Details of vacant positions of Government colleges are not maintained centrally.

- (b):  The Chancellor and Vice Chancellor in Central Universities is appointed as per provision contained in the Act/Statutes of the respective Central Universities.
- (c): Central Universities are autonomous bodies which are established under different Acts passed by the Parliament and are regulated by respective Acts and Statutes made thereunder. The handing over and taking over charges between the predecessor and successor incumbents for the post of Vice- Chancellor is done as per the provisions in the respective Act/Statutes etc.
- (d): As per clause 12.0 of UGC Regulations on Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the maintenance of standards in Higher  Education  2010,      the  teaching  positions  are  created  in  the  Central  Universities  by  UGC  in  a pyramidal  order,  that  is,  for  instance,  for  one  post  of  Professor,  there  shall  be  two  posts  of  Associate Professors and four posts of Assistant Professors, per department. All the Central Universities have been sanctioned teaching posts as per norms. However, the incidence and filling up of vacancies in Central Universities (CUs) is an ongoing and continuous process.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2806 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-20
Subject: IOCL LPG Pipeline
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL

## 2806. DR. P. VENUGOPAL:

## पेट्रोलियम और प्राकर्तिक गैस मंत्री Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state :

(a)  whether  the Indian  Oil  Corporation  Limited  (IOCL)  proposes  to  lay  the  nation's longest LPG pipeline to cater to the growing demand of cooking gas;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) whether the demand of LPG has increased in the recent year and is expected to increase at much steeper rate in the coming year and if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to meet the demand which is expected to rise by 10 million tonnes per annum by 2031-32?

## ANSWER पेट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्रािय में राज ् य मंत्री ( स ् विंत्र प्रभार ) ( श्री धमेन ् द्र प्रधान )

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

(a)  &  (b):        The  Expression  of  Interest  for  the  Indian  Oil  Corporation's  project  for construction  of  a  LPG  pipeline  from  Kandla  to  Gorakhpur was  submitted  to Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB).  As per the revised pipeline configuration  by  PNGRB,  length  of  the  pipeline  is  about  2650  km  at  an  estimated cost of about Rs.6500 crore. The capacity of the pipeline is 6 MMTPA.  PNGRB has now invited the bids for the pipeline.

(c):    The details of consumption of LPG since 2013-14 are as under:-

| 2013-14   | 2014-15   | 2015-16   | Apr-16-Feb 17   |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------------|
| 16294 TMT | 18000 TMT | 19623 TMT | 19666 TMT       |

It  is  expected  that  the  LPG  consumption  will  increase  due  to  increase  in  LPG penetration in rural areas.  The LPG demand is likely to reach above 35000 TMT by 2031-32.

Oil  PSUs  undertake  refining  projects  for  additional  production  of  LPG.    After utilizing domestic production, LPG  is imported to cater to  demand,  as  per demand/supply scenario.

*****

## IOCL LPG Pipeline
Lok Sabha Question No. 2805 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-20
Subject: Discovery of Gas Reserve in Andhra Coast
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: RAM CHARITRA

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2805 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 th  MARCH, 2017

## DISSOVERY OF GAS RESERVE IN ANDHRA COAST

## 2805.     SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD:

## पेट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री

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

- (a) whether the United States Geological Survey has confirmed the discovery of a big gas reserve in the form of hydrates off the Andhra Coast by a multi party expeditionary team led by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c)  whether the Government has discovered a large, highly enriched accumulation of natural
- gas hydrates in the Bay of Bengal and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

पेट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्रािय में राज्य मंत्री ( प्राार रन्त्िवत्र ( ) प्रााप्र ामेवध ीी )

## MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) to (c)   Gas hydrate programme in the country is at Research and Development Stage. Under  National  Gas  Hydrate  Programme  (NGHP)  Expedition-2  gas  hydrates  have  been discovered  in  deep  waters  of  the  Krishna  Godavari  (KG)  Basin  (Bay  of  Bengal).  As  per preliminary  estimates,  134  Trillion  Cubic  Feet  of  gas  hydrates  are  present  in  KG-Basin. However, further drilling / coring / logging and analytical studies of the subsurface data are required to establish this gas hydrate resource.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2804 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-20
Subject: Concessions under APTA
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: G. HARI

## 2804. SHRI G. HARI:

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2804 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 th  MARCH, 2017

## CONCESSIONS UNDER APTA

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािणÏय एवं उɮयोग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has approved the exchange of tariff concessions under the Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) towards expanding trade ties with Member nations including China;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether India is likely to be benefited from duty concessions by China and South Korea in textiles and chemicals; and
- (d) if so the details thereof?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx jkT; ea=h ¼Jherh fueZyk lhrkje.k½ ¼Lora= izHkkj½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a) & (b): The Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA, formerly the Bangkok Agreement) is  an  Agreement  signed  since  1975.  The  current  membership  of  APTA  consists  of  six countries, namely, Bangladesh, China, India, Lao PDR, Republic of Korea, and Sri Lanka. Three  Rounds  of  tariff  concessions  have  already  been  exchanged  among  the  member countries till 2003. The tariff concessions being granted to APTA member States, on Margin of  Preference  basis,  are  being  expanded  under  the  fourth  round  of  exchange  of  tariff concessions.The  APTA  Ministerial  Council  in  its  meeting  held  on  13 th January,  2017  has formally approved the implementation of the fourth round of exchange of tariff concessions.
- (c) & (d) Yes, APTA  is a preferential treaty based on Margin of Preference. Concessions on tariff lines offered by China and Korea, inter-alia, cover certain textiles and chemical products, which are likely to benefit the Indian exporters. Some of items on which concessions  have  been  offered  by  China  and  Korea  include  certain  organic  and  inorganic chemicals, knitted and crocheted fabrics, and articles of apparel and clothing accessories etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2803 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-20
Subject: Infrastructure Development at Sabarimala
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2803 ANSWERED ON 20.03.2017

## INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AT SABARIMALA

## 2803. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that some important committees have suggested that Sabarimala may be included in the list of sites to be included under the National Drive for Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation and  Spiritual  Augmentation  Drive (PRASAD); and
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  considering  including  Sabarimala under the PRASAD scheme and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) to (b): Identification of new sites for development under PRASAD scheme is a continuous process subject to  availability of resources  and  adherence  to  scheme  guidelines.  Under  PRASAD Scheme,  25  sites  have  been  identified  for  development  in  the country.  In Kerala, Guruvayur has been identified for development.

The  Ministry  of  Tourism  under  spiritual  circuit  theme  of Swadesh  Darshan  Scheme  has  sanctioned  following  projects  for development at Sabrimala in 2016-17:

1. Development of Sabarimala -ErumeliPampaSannidhanam as a Spiritual Circuit in Kerala for Rs.99.99 Crore.
2. Development  of  Sree  Padmanabhaswamy  -  ArnamulaSabarimala - as a Spiritual Circuit in Kerala for Rs.92.44 Crore.

*******