opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 507 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-06
Subject: Social Security for Workers in Informal Sector
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: NAGARAJAN P.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 507 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.02.2017

## SOCIAL SECURITY FOR WORKERS IN INFORMAL SECTOR

507. SHRI P. NAGARAJAN:

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

- (a)whether  the  Government  proposes  to  bring  around  40  million  people  who  are working in the informal sector under social security; and
- (b)if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  time  by  which  the  decision  is  likely  to  be taken and implemented?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): In  order  to  provide  social  security  benefits  to  the  workers  in  the unorganised  sector,  the  Government  has  enacted  the  Unorganised  Workers' Social  Security  Act,  2008.  The  2008  Act  stipulates  formulation  of  suitable welfare  schemes  for  unorganised  workers  on  matters  relating  to:  (i)  life  and disability  cover,  (ii)  health  and  maternity  benefits,  (iii)  old  age  protection.  The social  security  schemes  being  implemented  by  various  ministries/departments for unorganised workers listed in Schedule I are mentioned below:

- i. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (Ministry of Rural Development);
- ii.  National Family Benefit Scheme (Ministry of Rural Development);
- iii. Janani Suraksha Yojana (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare);
- iv. Handloom Weavers' Comprehensive Welfare Scheme (Ministry of Textiles);
- v.  Handicraft Artisans' Comprehensive Welfare Scheme (Ministry of Textiles);
- vi. Pension to Master Craft Persons (Ministry of Textiles);
7. vii.National  Scheme  for  Welfare  of  Fishermen  and  Training  and  Extension (Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries);
- viii. Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (Department of Financial Services); and
- ix.   Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare).

Further,  Central  Government  has  also  launched  the  Atal  Pension Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana for all citizens especially targeting unorganised workers to provide them comprehensive social security.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 506 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-06
Subject: Free Books and Uniforms in Schools
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: SIRAJUDDIN AJMAL

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 506

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 06 th  February, 2017

## Free Books and Uniforms in Schools

## 506. SHRI SIRAJUDDIN AJMAL:

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

- (a)   whether the Government is aware of any State Government providing free books and uniforms to the school students in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)   whether the Union Government has considered providing free books and uniforms to students in schools run by institutions under its purview; and
- (c)  if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

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

- (a) : 12 States and UTs viz. Andaman & Nicobar  Islands,  Andhra Pradesh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Delhi, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and West Bengal are providing free books at elementary level (ie. Class I to VIII) whereas 9 States and UTs  viz.  Andaman  &  Nicobar    Islands,  Chandigarh,  Dadra  &  Nagar  Haveli,    Delhi,    Gujarat, Lakshadweep,  Puducherry,    Rajasthan  and  Tamil  Nadu  are  providing  free  uniform  to  students  at elementary  level.  The  Sarva  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (SSA)  framework  for  financial  norms  stipulates  that States and UTs would need to maintain their investment in elementary education at the same level as in  1999-2000  i.e  prior  to  launch  of  SSA.  The  above  mentioned  States  and  UTs  already  funded  for textbook  and  uniform  prior  to  launch  of  SSA.  However,  under  SSA,  above  mentioned  States  are getting Central grant for various other interventions.
- (b) & (c): The  Central  Government  through  its  flagship  programme  of  Sarva  Shiksha  Abhiyan (SSA) supports the States and UTs for universalization of elementary education across the country. The SSA norms provide for two sets of uniforms for all girls, and children belonging to SC/ST/BPL families in Government schools within a ceiling of Rs. 400/- per child per annum. Further, under the SSA,  textbooks  are  provided  to  all  children  in  Government/Local  Body  and  Government  aided schools, including Madarsas desirous of introducing the State curriculum, within an upper ceiling of Rs. 150/-per child at primary level and Rs. 250/- per child at upper primary level.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 504 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-06
Subject: Production and Export of Gems and Jewellery
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: JAYSHREEBEN  PATEL

Source: DGCI&S

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 504(H) TO BE ANSWERED ON 06 th  FEBRUARY, 2017

## PRODUCTION AND EXPORT OF GEMS AND JEWELLERY

## 504(H). SHRIMATI JAYSHREEBEN PATEL:

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

- (a) the  quantum  of  production  and  export  of  gems,  jewellery  and  diamonds  and  the volume of their export during the last three years in the country;
- (b) whether the production and export of old jewellery, diamond, pearls has increased or decreased during the last three years; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## 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) : The  details  of  production  of  precious  minerals/metals  (diamond,  gold  and  silver) during last three years is given below:

| Mineral/Metails   | Unit   |   2013-14 |   2014-15 |   2015-16(P) |
|-------------------|--------|-----------|-----------|--------------|
| Diamond           | crt    |     37517 |     36107 |        36070 |
| Gold              | kg     |      1564 |      1441 |         1323 |
| Silver            | kg     |    349774 |    327647 |       426443 |

(P): Provisional; Source : MCDR returns

Note : Excludes minerals declared as minor mineral vide notification dated 10.02.2015.

The details of exports of Gems, jewellery and diamond during the last three year (in value term):

## (Value in US$ Million)

| Items                                   |   2013-14 |   2014-2015 |   2015-16 |
|-----------------------------------------|-----------|-------------|-----------|
| Pearl, Precious, Semi-Precious stones   |  27159.5  |    24758.8  |  22297.3  |
| Gold                                    |   3031.84 |     2845.15 |   5573.54 |
| Silver                                  |     18.52 |        5.68 |      7.35 |
| Other Precious and Base Metals          |    321.53 |      414.05 |    447.29 |
| Gold and Other Precious Metal Jewellery |  10857.7  |    13242.4  |  10958    |
| Total                                   |  41389.1  |    41266.1  |  39283.5  |

The details of exports of Gems, jewellery and diamond during the last three year (in quantity term)

(Quantity in Thousands)

| Items   | Unit   |   2013-14 |   2014-2015 |   2015-16 |
|---------|--------|-----------|-------------|-----------|
| Gold    | kg     |     70.72 |       70.82 |    150.75 |
| Silver  | kg     |     34.25 |        7.57 |     29.95 |

Source: DGCIS

Note: The quantity figures within other commodities are not additive thus cannot be provided.

(b)  &  (c):        There  is  no  mechanism  to  trace  the  data  of  manufacturing  old  gold  jewellery, diamond and pearls or any other gem and jewellery items.

.

- --- x ---
Lok Sabha Question No. 503 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-06
Subject: Setting up of Trade Centres
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 503(H) TO BE ANSWERED ON 06 th  FEBRUARY, 2017

## SETTING UP OF TRADE CENTRES

## 503 (H). SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  for  setting  up  of  trade  centres  in  the
- country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise along with the time by which these trade centres
- are likely to be set up; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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  setting  up  and  expansion  of  Trade  Centres  is  normally  planned under the aegis  of the respective Public Sector Undertaking, set up for the purpose. India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), a Government  of  India  Enterprise  has  an  established  trade  centre  in Pragati Maidan, the redevelopment of which has recently been sanctioned at a cost of Rs. 2,254 Cr for Phase-I by the Government. The  redevelopment  plan  includes  setting  up  an  exhibition  space  of 1,19,445 Sqm with a convention Hall of 7,000 persons seating capacity and an underground parking of4,800 Passenger Car Units (PCU) apart from  other  development  measures  in  Phase-I.  In  addition,  ITPO  in  a joint  venture  with  the  respective  State  Government,  i.e.  Tamil  Nadu Trade  Promotion  Organisation  (TNTPO)  and  the  Karnataka  Trade Promotion Organisation (KTPO),has established two trade centres, one each  at  Chennai  and  Bangalore.  As  an  expansion  plan  for  the Bangalore Centre, the Board of Directors (BoD), KTPO has approved a proposal to construct a new  Exhibition cum  Convention  Hall  of

400/5000 sq. mtrs.  BoD of TNTPO has also approved an expansion plan  to  construct  16000-17000  sq.  mtrs.  of  exhibition  space  at  their facility.

Further,  the  BoD  of  ITPO  has  also  approved  setting  up  of  a  Joint venture between ITPO and Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KINFRA) with plan to set up an International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre at Kochi.

In  addition,  the  Department  of  Industrial  Policy  Promotion  (DIPP)  has planned for creation of an Exhibition cum Convention Centre, comprising a host of independent and mutually beneficial facilities like exhibition  halls,  convention  centres,  banquet  halls,  auditoria,  arena, financial  centre,  hotels,  Food  &  Beverage  (F&B)  outlets  &  retail services in Dwarka, New Delhi.  Planning and Development activities for  the  project  have  commenced.    The  Delhi  Development  Authority (DDA) has transferred 89.58342 Ha. of Land to DIPP for the purpose in September, 2016.

(c): Doesn't arise. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 501 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-06
Subject: Ban on Import of Chinese Toys
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 501 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06 th  FEBRUARY, 2017

## BAN ON IMPORT OF CHINESE TOYS

## 501. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

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

- (a) whether the Government has imposed a ban on the import of toys from China due to the reported toxic contamination which is harmful to children;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  indicating  the  period  for  which  the  said  ban  has  been imposed; and
- (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to prevent such imports and also to protect the indigenous industry?

## 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) to(c ): Import of  Toys is 'free' subject to prescribed standards. Import of Toys (all items under EXIM Codes 9503 0010, 9503 0020, 9503 0030 and 9503 0090) are permitted freely when accompanied by the following two types of certificates:
- (i) A  certificate  that  the  toys  being  imported  conform  to  the  standards prescribed in
- (a) ASTM F963 or
- (b) ISO 8124 (Parts I-III) or
- (c) IS 9873 [Parts I-III] or
- (d) EN 71; and
- (ii)   A  Certificate  of  Conformance  from  the  manufacturer  that  representative sample of the toys being imported have been tested by an independent laboratory which  is  accredited  under  International  Laboratory  Accreditation  Cooperation (ILAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) and found to meet the specifications indicated in (i) above. The certificate would also link the toys in the consignment  to  the  period of manufacture  indicated  in the Certificate of Conformity.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 499 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-06
Subject: Schemes for Promotion of Folk Artists
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: RAMA DEVI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 499 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH FEBRUARY, 2017

## SCHEMES FOR PROMOTION OF FOLK ARTISTS

## † 499.  SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI:

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

- (a) the names of centrally sponsored schemes being run at present to promote folk artists and music of Bihar; and
- (b) the  amount  of  funds  spent  under  this  scheme  and  number  of persons benefitted therefrom during the last three years?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) The  mandate  of  the  Ministry  of  Culture  is  to  protect,  preserve  & promote various forms of folk art and culture throughout the country and to meet this  objective,  the  Government  of  India  has  set  up  seven  Zonal  Cultural  Centres (ZCCs) with headquarters at Patiala, Nagpur, Udaipur, Allahabad, Kolkata, Dimapur and  Thanjavur  to  promote  folk  artists  and  music  in  all  the  States/UTs  of  India including  Bihar.  These  ZCCs  organize  various  cultural  activities  and  programmes during the year and the folk artists from all over India are engaged to perform in these activities and programmes. Annual grant-in-aid is provided to all these 7 ZCCs by  the  Government  of  India  for  carrying  out  these  activities.  The  grant-in-aid released to these ZCCs during the last three years is as under:

## (Rs. In lakh)

|   Sl. No. | Year    |   Amount |
|-----------|---------|----------|
|         1 | 2013-14 |  4246.22 |
|         2 | 2014-15 |  3974.88 |
|         3 | 2015-16 |  6834.33 |
Lok Sabha Question No. 498 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-06
Subject: National Artistes Welfare Fund
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: PRATHAP SIMHA, MURALI MOHAN MAGANTI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  498 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6.2.2017

## NATIONAL ARTISTES WELFARE FUND

## 498.    SHRI  PRATHAP SIMHA: SHRI M. MURALI MOHAN :

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has formulated a National Artistes Welfare Fund and  Artistes  Pension  Scheme  and  Welfare  Fund    for  the  welfare  of cultural artists of various fields;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the funds released, allocated and spent under these schemes during the last three years;
- (c) the number of artistes benefitted under these schemes during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to increase the financial assistance of artists   and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the provisions of financial assistance under Welfare Fund of Artistes Pension Scheme  is under review and if so, the details thereof?

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

(a)  Yes, Madam. National Artistes Welfare Fund  and Artistes Pension Scheme and Welfare Fund  are ingredients of a single Scheme titled 'Artistes  Pension Scheme and Welfare Fund'.

(b)  As per the extant guidelines of the Scheme titled 'Artistes Pension Scheme and Welfare Fund' financial assistance from the Government is provided in the form of monthly allowance to the Artistes recommended under the Centre-State Quota on sharing basis between Centre and State Government /UT Administration concerned, with the latter paying a monthly allowance of at least Rs.500/- per month per beneficiary. The monthly allowance contributed by the Central Government in such cases shall not exceed Rs. 3500/- per month per beneficiary.  The  details  of  funds    allocated  &  released  to  Life  Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) for disbursement of pension to the beneficiaries under the above  scheme during  the last 3 years are as under:-

## (Rs. In Crore)

| Year    |   Funds allocated |   Funds released | Funds spent           |
|---------|-------------------|------------------|-----------------------|
| 2014-15 |             19    |            17.64 | 15.63                 |
| 2015-16 |             18.45 |            17.78 | 13.86                 |
| 2016-17 |             18    |            13.68 | 13.17(up to Feb 2017) |

(c)    Information  is  being  collected    from  LIC  and  the  same  will  be  laid  on  the table of the House.

- (d)   No, Madam.
- (e)   No, Madam
Lok Sabha Question No. 497 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-06
Subject: Promotion of Tourism in Marwad and Brij Area
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: SONA RAM CHOUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†497 ANSWERED ON 06.02.2017

## PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN MARWAD AND BRIJ AREA

†497. COL. SONARAM CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the Government  has  formulated any  scheme  to promote tourism in Marwad  and  Brij area in Rajasthan including eco-tourism;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  financial  assistance  provided  for  the  development  and conservation of tourist places in these areas; and
- (d) the schemes formulated for development of facilities at tourist places in these areas?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Formulation,  development,  promotion  and  conservation of tourist places including for eco-tourism is primarily the responsibility  of  the  respective  State  Government/Union  Territory (UT) Administration. The Ministry of Tourism  extends Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to various State Governments and Union Territory Administrations for tourism projects identified in consultation with them for each financial year, subject to receipt of Detailed Project Report (DPR), liquidation of Utilization Certificates, availability of funds and adherence to existing scheme guidelines.

No specific proposal to promote tourism including eco-tourism in Marwad and Brij area in Rajasthan has so far been received from the State Government.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 496 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-06
Subject: Privatisation of Higher Education
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: R. PARTHIPAN

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 496 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.02.2017

## Privatisation of Higher Education

## 496. SHRI R. PARTHIPAN:

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

- (a)  whether the country has the largest higher educational system in the world;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether the Government is planning to privatise the higher education system as in the developed States of the world; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to  (b):  There  has  been  an  upsurge  in  the  demand  for  higher  education  after  independence, resulting in a substantial expansion in the number of universities and colleges in the country. India has the second largest higher education system in the world. As per UGC Annual Report 2014-15, as on 31.03.2015, the number of Universities had gone up to 711 (46 Central, 329 State, 205 State Private, 128 Deemed to be Universities, three Institutions established under State Legislation) and 40760 colleges in the Higher Education sector. The Indian higher education has already entered a stage  of  massification  and  the  Gross  Enrolment  Ratio  in  higher  education  in  2015-16  is  24.5 percent,  which  is  3.45  crore  in  absolute  numbers.  The  current  target  is  to  increase  Gross Enrolment Ratio to 25.2 percent in 2017-18 and further to 30 percent in 2020-21.

(c)  to  (d):  No  Madam.  The extant  National  Policy  on  Education (NPE) provides for a National System of Education which implies that, up to a given level, all students, irrespective of caste, creed,  location  or  sex,  have  access  to  education  of  a  comparable  quality.  The  Government  is committed to provide equitable access to quality education to all, by enhancing access to public funded education across all levels ranging from elementary to higher education.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 495 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-06
Subject: Construction of Slurry Pipelines
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: ANURAG SINGH THAKUR

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.495

FOR ANSWER ON 06/02/2017

## CONSTRUCTION OF SLURRY PIPELINES

495. SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to construct slurry pipelines in the country through which iron ore can be transported at a lower cost as compared to Railways and road ways; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR STEEL

(SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)

(a)&(b): No, Madam.  Specific decisions on setting up of Slurry Pipeline are taken by individual steel companies/investors on the basis of various commercial considerations.

- ********