opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 901 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-21
Subject: Industrial Production
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: NIHAL CHAND CHAUHAN, ASHWINI KUMAR, T.G. VENKATESH BABU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL POLICY & PROMOTION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 901.

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 21 ST  NOVEMBER,  2016.

## INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION

901.   SHRI NIHAL CHAND: SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR: SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G.:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

## वाणिज् यवव द्यग ं ्री

- (a) whether the industrial production in the country has touched an all time low during the last three years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor including import, particularly from China; and
- (c) whether the Government has taken any steps to boost the industrial production and to make India competitive in the world market and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज् यवव द्यग ााज् यं ्रीस् वतं ््रभााा(स्रींतंरीिरंमलााीरीतंाांि ) THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRIMATI NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a) & (b): The  industrial  performance  measured  in  terms  of  Index  of  Industrial  Production (IIP) reflects movements in production of manufacturing, mining and electricity over base year 2004-05. The annual growth of IIP was (-) 0.1 % in 2013-14, 2.8 % in 2014-15 and 2.4% in 2015-16. The key reasons for the decline in industrial growth in  2013-14,  which  picked  up  in  2014-15,  were  moderation  in  domestic  demand, inflationary pressures, increase in input costs and slowdown in economies of other parts of the world.
- (c): Government  has  been  taking  steps  to  boost  industrial  production  and  growth. These inter-alia, include 'Make in India' initiative under which thrust sectors have been identified to provide a push to manufacturing in India, 'Startup India' initiative and  'Ease  of  Doing  Business'.  Steps  taken  to  improve  ease  of  doing  business include  simplification  and  rationalisation  of  existing  rules  and  introduction  of information technology, setting up of an Investor Facilitation Cell, launch of e-biz Portal  and  liberalising  policy  for  industrial  license  for  defence  industries.  Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy and procedures have been simplified and liberalised progressively.  Government  has  taken  up  a  programme  of  building  pentagon  of industrial corridors across the country with an objective to provide developed land and quality infrastructure for development of industrial townships.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 900 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-21
Subject: Aadhaar Card for School Benefits
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: KULAMANI SAMAL

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 900 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.11.2016

## Aadhaar Card for School Benefits

## 900. DR. KULAMANI SAMAL:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Government has taken steps to implement the order of Hon'ble Supreme Court that no student would be denied benefits under Government schemes for want of Aadhaar Card;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(c) whether it is fact that the Government has sent letters to States and Union Territories to make Aadhaar  card  a  mandatory  condition  for  applying  for  prematric,  post-matric  and  merit-cummeans scholarship schemes and if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (c) Yes, Madam. In order to bring transparency and to facilitate direct and timely transfer of scholarships, Aadhaar number is being used as an identifier.  However, the scholarship is not denied  only  on  the  grounds  that  the  beneficiary  does  not  possess  Aadhaar  number.    In  the absence of Aadhaar number, enrolment details of Aadhaar or alternate means of verification of identity like bank passbook etc., is being used as an identifier.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 899 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-21
Subject: Seats in NITs
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: HARI MANJHI

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 899 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.11.2016

## Seats in NITs

## †899. SHRI HARI MANJHI:

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

- (a) whether	 the	 Government	 has	 increased	 the	 number	 of	 seats	 in	 National Institutes	of	Technology	(NITs);	and
- (b) if	so,	the	details	thereof	and	the	actual	demand	and	the	current	status	in	each State	in	the	country,	State-wise?

## A N S W E R

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

- (a)	&	(b): National	 Institutes	 of	 Technology	 (NITs)	 are	 centrally	 funded	 technical autonomous	 institutions	 under	 the	 National	 Institutes	 of	 Technology, Science	 Education	 and	 Research	 (NITSER)	 Act,	 2007.	 Powers	 to	 decide seats,	Courses/Departments	etc.	are	vested	with	the	Board	of	Governors	& the	Senate.	Ministry	of	Human	Resource	Development	does	not	decide	the intake	of	students	in	NITs.

*-*-*-*-*-*
Lok Sabha Question No. 894 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-21
Subject: Minimum Support Price for Rubber
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 894 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st  NOVEMBER, 2016

## MINIMUM SUPPORT PRICE FOR RUBBER

## 894.  ADV. JOICE GEORGE:

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

- (a) whether the Government has fixed or is  planning  to  fix the  minimum  support price  for rubber;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of the cost for producing 1 kg of rubber by a farmer in the country;
- (d) whether  any  difference  has  been  observed  in  this  regard  in  various  States/  UTs  of  the country; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof, State/ UT-wise?

## 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) and  (b): No  Madam.  However,  Government  of  Kerala  is  implementing  'Rubber Production  Incentive  Scheme'  wherein  the  difference  between  Rs  150  per  kg  and  the daily market price of Natural Rubber is credited to the bank account of the farmer.
- (c)  to  (e)  : No such analysis  has  been  undertaken  so  far  regarding  the  cost  for  producing natural rubber in the country.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 893 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-21
Subject: Manipur University
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: THOKCHOM MEINYA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 893 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.11.2016

## Manipur University

## 893. DR. THOKCHOM MEINYA:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the academic session of 2016-17 in Manipur University has been inordinately delayed;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the matter has been sorted out and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The commencement of classes was delayed due to litigation in  High  Court  of  Manipur  and  Supreme  Court  of  India  on  the  issue  of reservation in admissions.
- (c) : Yes  Madam,  the  matter  has  been  sorted  out.  The  admissions  are completed in most of the Departments and classes have started from the first week of November, 2016.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 887 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-21
Subject: Foreign Investment in MSME Sector
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 887 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.11.2016

## FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN MSME SECTOR

## 887.   SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  taking  any  particular  measures  to  increase foreign investment in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs);
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  China  has  shown  special  interest  of  investing  in  the  MSME sector and if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto; and
- (d) whether any agreement has been made with China for making Indo-China mobile set under Make-in-India initiative and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): No.
- (b): No.
- (c): There is no such proposal so far received by this Ministry.
- (d): No.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 886 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-21
Subject: Higher Education Financing Agency
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, S. RAJENDRAN, A.T. (NANA) PATIL, DUSHYANT CHAUTALA, Richard Hay, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, P. C. MOHAN, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, SANTOSH AHLAWAT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 886 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.11.2016

Higher Education Financing Agency

## 886.   DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

SHRI S. RAJENDRAN:

SHRI A.T. NANA PATIL:

SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA:

PROF. RICHARD HAY:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI P.C. MOHAN:

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  approved  the  setting  up  of  the  Higher  Education Financing Agency (HEFA);
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  objectives  behind  the  move  and  the  time  by which HEFA will be set-up and start functioning;
- (c) whether HEFA has been envisaged as a Special Purpose Vehicle to be promoted by the Government  and  a  Public  Sector/  Undertaking  Bank  or  Government  owned  nonbanking financial company and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether HEFA would also mobilise Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds from public sector and private companies; and
- (e) the  details  of  how  the  agency  is  expected  to  boost  research  and  research  oriented infrastructure in institutions including National Institute of Technologies (NITs), Indian Institutes of Technologies (IITs), Indian Institutes of Sciences (IISs)?

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

## (DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)

(a) to (e): Yes, Madam. The Government has approved the proposal for setting up the Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) for financing creation of required infrastructure and for promotion  of  research  facilities  in  the  centrally  aided  institutions  of  higher  learning  by leveraging funds from the market. The Government would provide equity of Rs. 1,000 Cr for setting  up  the  HEFA  which  will  be  established  as  a  Non  Banking  Financing  Company (NBFC) and work as Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with the association of a PSU Bank. HEFA would also mobilize Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds from  corporates. The loans provided by HEFA to the institutions would be serviced from the internal accruals of these institutions, and the Government would meet the cost of interest on such loans. This is  expected to have a positive impact in improving the quality of education in the centrally funded higher educational institutions without burdening the student community.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 885 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-21
Subject: Protection of rare Ancient Books
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: HEMAMALINI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 885 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.11.2016

## PROTECTION OF RARE ANCIENT BOOKS

## 885.  SHRIMATI HEMA MALINI:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is any plan to promote tourism in those places where some ancient books/ hand written religious books etc. are lying in the country;
- (b) whether such rare books are lying in Sadhu Ashram and Kamahi Devi, Hoshiarpur;
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  protect  these books; and
- (d) the funds allocated by the Government in this regard?

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR CULTURE & TOURISM (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

## ANSWER

- (a): The Ministry of Tourism as part of its ongoing promotional activities releases campaigns  in  the  international  and  domestic  markets  and  also  undertakes other  promotional  activities  under  the  Incredible  India  brand-line  with  the objective to promote India as a holistic destination for tourists. Various tourism destination  and  products  of  India  are  also  promoted  through  the  website  of the Ministry of Tourism. No specific promotion has been undertaken on places where  some  ancient  book/hand  written  religious  books  etc  are  lying  in  the country.
- (b) to (d): The National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) documents, digitizes, preserves and conserves only the hand written and knowledge based materials which are  at  least  of  75  years  old.  Accordingly,  NMM  documented  2718  such manuscripts  from  Sadhu  Ashram  and  20  manuscripts  from  Kamahi  Devi, Hosiarpur.

A  Manuscript  Conservation  Centre  (MCC)  was  opened  in  Sadhu  Ashram, Hosiarpur to conserve and preserve manuscripts in the state of Punjab which was closed in 2010.

National Mission for Manuscripts funded an amount of total Rs. 23.36 lakh to document and Rs. 1.50 lakh to conserve and preserve the manuscripts in the state of Punjab.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 884 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-21
Subject: Free Education
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: PREM SINGH CHANDUMAJRA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 884 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.11.2016

## Free Education

## † 884.   PROF. PREM SINGH CHANDUMAJRA:

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

- (a) whether the Government is considering to make education upto tenth standard free of cost in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any time-limit has been fixed for the implementation of the aforesaid proposal; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (d) The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 provides for  free  and  compulsory  education  to  every  child  of  the  age  of  six  to  fourteen  years  in  a neighbourhood school till completion of elementary education. The Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) in its 63 rd meeting held on 19th August, 2015 decided to reconstitute the SubCommittee on 'Extension of Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 to Secondary Education'. Accordingly, the Sub-Committee has been reconstituted on the 4th April, 2016 and modified by order dated 27th May, 2016.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 883 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-21
Subject: Renovation of ancient places of worship
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: VISHNU DAYAL RAM, GOPAL CHINAYYA SHETTY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 883 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.11.2016 KARTIKA 30, 1938 (SAKA)

## RENOVATION OF ANCIENT PLACES OF WORSHIP

## 883.      SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM: SHRI GOPAL SHETTY:

Will the  Minister  of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any scheme to provide financial assistance to carry out repairs of Churches, Mosques, Gurudwaras and Temples;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  total  number  of  protected  ancient  Temples, Gurudwaras, Mosques and Churches in the country, State-wise;
- (c) whether  these  religious  sites  are  regularly  repaired  and  properly  maintained  by Archaeological Survey of India;
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof along  with the  funds  allocated  and  expenditure incurred thereon during the last three years, State-wise and structure-wise; and
- (e) the  other  remedial  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  maintain  these  religious places?

## ANSWER

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

## (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) Yes Madam. There is a scheme to provide financial assistance to monuments less
- to than 100 years old. So far in the last three years, financial assistance is provided
- (e) to the following monuments.

## Amount Rs. In Lakhs

| Sl. No.   | Year    | Name of Monument/State              |   Financial Assistance |
|-----------|---------|-------------------------------------|------------------------|
| 1.        | 2013-14 | Dolma Lakhang Gompha, Bhuntor, HP   |                      5 |
|           |         | Ling Gysar,Gyapho, HP               |                      5 |
| 2.        | 2014-15 | Sheikh Musa Dargah at Nuh. Harayana |                      5 |
| 3.        | 2015-16 | Sheikh Musa Dargah at Nuh. Harayana |                      5 |

The financial assistance is provided to voluntary organizations for preservation of monuments,  sites  or  remains  of  historical/cultural  value  not  protected  by  the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) or the State Departments of archaeology. ASI does not maintain these unprotected monuments and sites once the grants are provided to them.
Lok Sabha Question No. 881 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-21
Subject: Quota for Admission in Kendriya Vidyalaya
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: MIDHUN REDDY, BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 881 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.11.2016

## QUOTA FOR ADMISSION IN KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA

## 881.   SHRI P.V. MIDHUN REDDY: SHRI BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether any type of reservation is provided to the students for getting admission  in  Kendriya  Vidyalayas  under  VIP  quota  and  if  so,  whether  any guidelines have been formulated in this regard; (b) whether  the  Kendriya  Vidyalayas  have  right  to  deny  such  admissions and if so, the details thereof along with the number of such instances; (c) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  Government  is  considering  to  end  the  VIP's quota for admission to Kendriya Vidyalayas; and (d) whether such decision of the Government is likely to deprive deserving students from getting admission in Kendriya Vidyalayas and if so, the details

- thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) There  is  no  reservation  in  Kendriya  Vidyalayas  (KVs)  under  the  'VIP quota'. However, a Scheme of Special Dispensation Admission for Members of  Parliament  is  in  vogue  for  which  guidelines  have  been  formulated  by  the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan. (b) KVs  cannot  deny  such  admissions  provided  the  student  fulfills  the eligibility norms and turns up for admission within the stipulated date.

- (c) & (d) Do not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 880 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-21
Subject: Fund for OVFL
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: BALABHADRA MAJHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL POLICY & PROMOTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 880. TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 21 ST  NOVEMBER,  2016.

## FUND FOR OVFL

## 880.   SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: वाणिज् यवव द्यग ं ्री

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  financial  support  to  'Odisha Venture Finance Limited' (OVFL) which is proposed to have a corpus fund for promoting start ups in the State; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज् यवव द्यग ााज् यं ्रीस् वतं ््रभााा(स्रींतंरीिरंमलााीरीतंाांि( THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRIMATI NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a): No, Madam.

- (b): Does not arise.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 877 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-21
Subject: Unclaimed Amount of EPF
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: MAUSAM NOOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 877 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.11.2016 UNCLAIMED AMOUNT OF EPF

## 877. SHRIMATI MAUSAM NOOR:

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

- (a)whether the Government proposes to divert the unclaimed amount or inoperative accounts funds of EPF to any other welfare scheme and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)whether the Government has received representations for utilising the amount lying in inoperative accounts/unclaimed amount in the EPF fund for the welfare of EPF pensioners/senior citizens welfare
- fund and if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon;
- (c)whether the Government proposes to utilize the unclaimed amount in the EPF fund for the benefit of members of EPF scheme and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)whether  the  Government  proposes  to  amend  the  law  for  diverting fund from EPF scheme for other schemes which do not come under the EPF and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

- (a): There  is  no  unclaimed  amount  in  Employees'  Provident  Fund (EPF).  However,  as  per  para  72(6)  of  the  Employees'  Provident  Fund Scheme 1952, certain amounts are classified as 'Inoperative Accounts' in which contributions have not been received for 36 months continuously.  All  such  Inoperative  Accounts  have,  however,  definite claimants.

The  Finance  Act,  2015  has  established  the  'Senior  Citizens Welfare  Fund',  which  would  be  funded  from  any  credit  balance remaining  unclaimed  for  a  period  of  seven  years  from  the  date  of declaration as an inoperative account under the Small Savings, Public Provident Fund or any other schemes as may be prescribed.

The 'Senior Citizens' Welfare Fund Rules, 2016' has identified the accounts of Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) as one of the schemes for transfer of unclaimed amounts

(b):   Representations  are  received  from  time  to  time  in  this  regard. However,  the  EPF  funds,  as  per  para  53  of  the  EPF  Scheme,  1952, cannot be expended for any purpose other than payment to individual members.

(c) & (d): The Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) being the trustee of the Fund maintains individual member's account and the deposits available in the members' account are paid to the members on submission of applications.

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