opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4047 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-27
Subject: Hostels in Kendriya Vidyalayas
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: SANJAY(KAKA) RAMCHANDRA PATIL

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4047 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2017

## HOSTELS IN KENDRIYA VIDYALAYAS

## † 4047. SHRI SANJAY KAKA PATIL:

- Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT  be pleased to state: (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  hostels  facility  in  the  Kendriya Vidyalayas in the country; (b) whether the performance of the students studying in the schools under the State Government is not good at the national level examination due to poor condition of these schools; and (c) if so, the alternative arrangement made so far by the Government and the details of the arrangement for providing better education facility to the children of labourers,
- farmers, small traders in the country?

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

- (a) No such proposal is under consideration of the Government at present.
- (b)  &  (c):  The  National  Council  of  Educational  Research  and  Training  (NCERT)  conducts periodic  national  surveys  of  learning  achievement  of  children  in  grades  III,  V,  VIII  and  X. Four rounds of such National Achievement Survey (NAS) reveal improvement in learning achievement levels of pupils, in identified subjects in grades III, V & VIII from first round to fourth round. In respect of grade X only first round of survey has been conducted.

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 provides that every child in the age group of 6 to 14 years shall have a right to free and compulsory education in a neighbourhood school till completion of elementary education. The Centrally Sponsored  Scheme  of  Sarva  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (SSA)  provides  assistance  to  State Governments / UT administrations to ensure quality and inclusive elementary education for all children for the said age group.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4046 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-27
Subject: Digitisation in Education Sector
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: E. T. MOHAMMED BASHEER

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4046 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2017

## Digitisation in Education Sector

## 4046. SHRI E.T.  MOHAMMED BASHEER :

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps for digitisation in the education sector; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)

- (a)  &  (b)  Yes,  Madam.  The  Ministry  of  Human  Resource  Development  has  taken several  steps  for  providing  good  quality  e-content  to  the  students  under  the National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (NMEICT). The major initiatives under this are:
- a)  The SWAYAM portal that offers courses by the best teachers online to anyone, anytime, anywhere mode.
- b)  The  SWAYAM  Prabha  under  which  (32)  DTH  channels  are  started providing best educational content on 24X7 basis.
- c)  Connecting  the  higher  educational  institutions  through  high-speed internet connection under the National Knowledge Network.
- d)  The  National  Digital  Library  which  provides  access  to  more  than  65 lakh digital resources to students in higher educational institutions.
- e)  Access  to  more  than  18,000  digital  academic  journals  under  the  eShodh Sindhu project.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4045 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-27
Subject: Modernisation of MSMEs
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  4045 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.O3.2017

## MODERNISATION OF  MSMEs

## 4045.           SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL:

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

- (a) Whether the MSME sector faces acute technology / knowledge crises and financial constraints resulting in low production and compromising on quality in the country.
- (b) If so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to modernize MSME sector in order to match the global quality and standard in the country.
- (c) the number of MSME units in the State of Madhya Pradesh and the revenue generated by the units during the last three years and the current year; and
- (d) the other steps taken by the Government to modernize the MSME sector in the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): It  is  a  constant  endeavour  on  part  of  Ministry  of  MSME  to  upgrade  technology, knowledge and quality so that improvement in production and quality can take place in the MSME  sector.    Banks  and  financial  institutions  are  providing  support  for  the  financial constraints faced by the MSME sector.
- (b): Government  of  India,  Ministry  of  MSME  and  other  departments/ministries  are operating  several  schemes  for  the  benefit  of  MSME  sector  so  that  the  MSME  units  can upgrade  their  technology,  quality  and  become  more  productive  &  produce  Quality  goods. There are several schemes by Government of India, Ministry of MSME to provide financial benefits  /  credit  support  to  MSME  sector  to  overcome  the  financial  constraints  faced  by MSME units,  if  any.    Recently  the  scheme  for  Zero  Defect  Zero  Effect  (ZED)  has  been launched.  The scheme is a comprehensive maturity assessment model for quality as well as environmental sustainability.
- (c): As  per  the  4th  Census  Report,  number  of  MSME  units  in  the  State  of  Madhya Pradesh are 1,06,997 and there are 11.5 lac units in the unregistered sector.  The Revenue generated by these units is not maintained by the Ministry of MSME.
- (d): Government of India, Ministry of MSME is operating several schemes under which MSME units can take benefit & modernize their units.
- (A) Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (CLCSS)
- (B) Technology & Quality Up-gradation Support to MSMEs (TEQUP)
- (C) Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE)

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4043 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-27
Subject: National B.Ed. Entrance Exam
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: YOGI ADITYANATH

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4043 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2017

National B.Ed. Entrance Exam

## †4043. SHRI YOGI ADITYA NATH:

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

- (a) whether the Government is considering to organise B.Ed. entrance examination at the national level;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of the actions taken by the Government for organising the B.Ed. entrance examination at national level?

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

(a) to (c): Yes, Madam.   The National Council for Teacher Education which has been mandated for the regulation and development of Teacher Education Sector in the Country, is in the process of finalizing the methodology for conduct of such an All India Entrance Exam for B.Ed. programme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4042 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-27
Subject: Issue of Steel Imports at WTO
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU, K. ASHOK KUMAR

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4042 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 th  MARCH, 2017

## ISSUE OF STEEL IMPORTS AT WTO

## 4042.   DR. GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU: SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR:

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

- (a) whether  Japan  and  some  other  countries  have  dragged  India  to  the  World  Trade Organisation (WTO) against certain measures taken by the Government on imports of iron and steel products;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether India has conveyed the reasons to the WTO for these measures including imposition of minimum import price on steel products and its willingness to discuss the issue further;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the WTO thereto; and
- (e) the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  mitigate  the  trade  tensions between India and Japan?

## 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):    Japan has requested the WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) for establishment of the Panel in the WTO Dispute DS518 (India - Certain Measures on Imports of Iron and Steel Products) alleging that India's Safeguard Measures on certain iron & steel products are inconsistent with the WTO obligations.
- (c) to (e): When the matter was raised by certain Members in the WTO Council for Trade in Goods (CTG), India conveyed that the measures including Minimum Import Price  were  taken  in  order  to  address  concerns  of  the  domestic  industry  on unprecedented  surge  in  imports  of  steel  products  due  to  unfair  international business practices such as predatory pricing in the steel sector. Further, India and Japan  held bilateral consultations in February 2017  wherein India explained that exceptional circumstances in the steel sector necessitated India to take these measures which are WTO compatible.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4040 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-27
Subject: Decline in Export of Basmati Rice
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: DEEPENDER SINGH HOODA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4040 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 th  MARCH, 2017

## DECLINE IN EXPORT OF BASMATI RICE

## 4040. SHRI DEEPENDER SINGH HOODA:

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

- (a) whether the export of Basmati rice from the country has declined considerably since May 2014 till date;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for this decline in the said export;
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to resume normal exports through the Ministry and the other channels along with the outcome; and
- (d) the details of other Basmati rice exporting countries who are supplying Basmati rice same as indian quality and standards?

## 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 details of export of Basmati rice in last three years and current year are given below.  Export  in  2014-15  and  2015-16  are  similar  or    higher  in  quantity  terms  as compared to 2013-14.  However, in value terms there is negative growth which is due to fall in prices in global markets for most commodities including rice.

## Quantity in Million  MT; Value USD Million

| Year                    |   Quantity |   Value |
|-------------------------|------------|---------|
| 2013-14                 |       3.76 |    4866 |
| 2014-15                 |       3.7  |    4518 |
| 2015-16                 |       4.04 |    3478 |
| 2016-17(April-December) |       2.92 |    2292 |

(c  & d): Pakistan is the only country, other than India, producing Basmati rice.  India has about  85%  share  of  the  global  export.  The  Government  works  closely  with  the institutions  in  the  importing  countries  to  gain  and  sustain  market  access  for  Indian Basmati rice which is now exported to about 130 countries across the world.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 4038 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-27
Subject: Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: HARI BABU KAMBHAMPATI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4038 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2017

## Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat

## 4038 . DR. KAMBHAMPATI HARIBABU:

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

- (a) whether the Government has launched 'Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat' scheme to promote cultural awareness among the citizens of the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including guidelines, objectives, salient features and budget allocated for the scheme;
- (c) whether states have expressed their interest in being part of the 'Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat' scheme and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to bridge the cultural gap in the country and enhance interaction between people living in different States?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) : Yes, Madam. The 'Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat' programme, aims to actively enhance interaction between people of diverse cultures living in different States and UTs in India, with the objective of promoting greater mutual understanding amongst them. As per the programme, each year, every State/UT would be paired with another State/UT in India for reciprocal interaction between the people. It is envisaged through this exchange, that the knowledge of the language, culture, traditions and practices of different states will lead to an enhanced understanding and bonding between one another, thereby strengthening the unity and integrity of India. The States and UTs are to embark on a mission to enhance their cultural, academic and economic ties by entering into a wide range of mutual engagements with the paired States/UTs covering the spheres of music, drama, cuisine, language, history, tourism and other forms of exchange between the people. An indicative list of activities has been drawn up and circulated to the State Governments / UT Administrations and to the key Central Ministries. The States/ UTs may choose, evolve and develop their interaction pattern based on the suggested list as per operational suitability in the course of their interactions.

(c) : The paired States/ UTs are to enter into MoUs with each other to carry out common activities under Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat. As of now, 20 States/ UTs have signed MoUs and all States have been advised to draw up Action Plans for implementing selected joint activities in the year 2017.

(d) : Ministry of Human Resource Development is taking steps as mentioned in (a) above.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4036 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-27
Subject: International Festival to Showcase Culture of NER
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: RAM PRASAD SARMAH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4036 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2017

## INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL TO SHOWCASE CULTURE OF NER

## 4036. SHRI RAM PRASAD SARMAH:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government  proposes  to organize International festival to showcase the culture of North Eastern States;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the time by which it is likely to be  organised?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Government  organises  International  festivals  to  showcase  the  Indian Culture including the Culture of North Eastern States.
- (b)&(c) Currently, the cultural groups from North Eastern States, planned to be sent abroad are:
-  25-member  Shillong  Chamber  Choir  Group  to  participate  in  the 'Namaste Russia - A Festival of Indian Culture' and 70 th Anniversary Celebrations of Diplomatic Relations between India and Russia from 18 th to 24 th May, 2017.
-  Pung Cholam Dance Group to participate in United Kingdom under India-UK Year of Culture 2017 in October, 2017.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 4035 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-27
Subject: Violation of Labour Laws by Private Construction Companies
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: RAMESH BIDHURI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4035 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2017

## VIOLATION OF LABOUR LAWS BY PRIVATE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES

†4035. SHRI RAMESH BIDHURI:

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

- (a)whether  the  Government  has  received  complaints  of  violation  of labour  laws  by  the  private  construction  companies/contractors during the last three years;
- (b)if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
- (c)the action taken by the Government against these private construction  companies/contractors  for  safeguarding  the  interests of the labourers; and
- (d)whether the Government has proposed any other better alternative to  implement  the  labour  laws  effectively  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (d):  Labour  being  on  the  Concurrent  List  the  enforcement  of labour  laws  is  done  both  by  the  State  Governments  and  the  Central Government  in  their  respective  jurisdictions.    While  in  the  Central Sphere, the enforcement is done through the inspecting officers of the Chief labour Commissioner (Central) commonly designated as Central Industrial  Relations  Machinery  (CIRM),  the  compliance  in  the  State Sphere  is  ensured  through  the  State  Enforcement  Machinery.  The details  of  the  complaints  in  regard  to  violation  of  labour  laws  is  not centrally maintained.

A  well-established  Central  Industrial  Relations  Machinery (CIRM)  is  in  place  to  enforce  various  labour  laws  in  Central  Sphere. The  country-wide  network  of  Dy.  Chief  Labour  Commissioners  and Regional  Labour  Commissioners  under  the  control  of  Chief  Labour Commissioner (Central) is mandated to settle the complaints/claims in regard  to  grievances/complaints  arising  out  of  the  enforcement  of various  labour  laws.  For  effective  implementation  of  various  labour laws,  regular  inspections  are  conducted  by  the  Officers  of  Central Industrial Relations Machinery (CIRM). The Ministry has also mandated inspections  to  be  done  through  the  Shram  Suvidha  Portal  in  a  time bound manner to minimize discretion and for more transparency. Also, special drives of inspection are conducted.

a  grievance  redressal  mechanism  exists  in  the States/UTs  in  respect  of  the  grievances  pertaining  to  establishment

Besides, coming under the State Sphere.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4034 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-27
Subject: Money Spent on Research
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: M. I. SHANAVAS

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4034 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2017

## Money Spent on Research

## 4034. SHRI M.I. SHANAVAS:

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

- (a) the total amount of funds of the Ministry being spent on research in various institutions in the country;
- (b) the  details  of  the  funds  out  of  the  above  total  allocated  funds  earmarked specifically for research in Central Universities in the last three years;
- (c) whether  the  Ministry  has  thought  of  an  action  plan  to  give  emphasis  on 'good research' in the ensuing years by way of supporting with funds to the research institutions and universities across the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d):  An  amount  of  Rs.  962  Cr  has  been  approved  to be  spent  for  research under the Impacting Research Innovation and Technology (IMPRINT) and Uchhatar  Avishkar  Yojana  (UAY)  schemes  for  two  year  period  ending  on  31 st March 2018. Apart from this, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has spent a sum of Rs.503.26 crore in the last three years for promotion of research under the  Special  Assistance  Programme  (SAP)  and  the  Major  Research  programme (MRP) schemes.

All  the  research  projects  are  awarded  after  a  careful  selection  so  that  only  such projects which create new knowledge or products are funded. Further, there is no separate earmarking of funds for the Central Universities for research.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4033 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-27
Subject: Cost of Petroleum Products
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: RADHESHYAM BISWAS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4033

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 TH  MARCH, 2017

## COST OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

## 4033. SHRI RADHESHYAM BISWAS:

## isVªksfy;e vkSj izkÑfrd xSl ea=h

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

- (a)  whether  the  cost  of  petroleum  products  in  the  country  is  higher  in  comparison  with neighbouring countries and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has any proposal to give cash subsidy on diesel to farmers, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  if  not,  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  provide  diesel  at  lower  cost  to  the farmers?

## ANSWER isVªksfy;e vkSj izkÑfrd xSl ea=h ( Lora= izHkkj ) ¼Jh /keZsUnz iz/kku½

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

- (a): The prices of sensitive petroleum products in India and its neighbouring countries are given below:

(Prices in INR)

| Country    | Petrol (Rs./Ltr.)   | Diesel (Rs./Ltr.)   | PDS Kerosene (Rs./Ltr.)   | Domestic LPG (Rs./14.2 kg Cyl.)   |
|------------|---------------------|---------------------|---------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| India      | 71.14^              | 59.02^              | 18.77 #                   | 434.93*                           |
| Pakistan   | 45.26               | 52.64               | 28.24                     | 1139.42                           |
| Bangladesh | 72.56               | 54.85               | 54.85                     | 670.97                            |
| Sri Lanka  | 51.69               | 41.97               | 19.44                     | 662.97                            |
| Nepal      | 64.23               | 49.04               | 49.04                     | 854.31                            |

Source: Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell

^at Delhi effective 16.01.2017.  #at Mumbai effective 01.02.2017.  *Effective cost after DBTL subsidy effective 01.03.2017 at Delhi.

Note - Prices for neighbouring countries as on 01.03.2017.

- (b) & (c): The  price  of  Diesel  has  been  made  market  determined  by  the  Government effective 19 th October, 2014. Since then, the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) take  appropriate  decision  on  pricing  of  Diesel  in  line  with  its  international  price  and  other market conditions.