opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5634 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-02
Subject: Ranking and Accreditation System
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: NINONG ERING

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5634 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.04.2018

## Ranking and Accreditation System

## 5634. SHRI NINONG ERING :

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

- (a) whether the Government is planning to introduce a national ranking and accreditation system to identify quality institutions;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  current  status  of  the  system  and  the  time  by which it would get fully functional;
- (c) the manner in which the system would help to encourage private players; and
- (d)  the  extent  to  which  it  is  likely  to  help  in  achieving  excellent  education  and  facilitate Research and Development in Higher Education?

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

## (DR. SATYA PAL SINGH)

(a) : The Ministry of  Human  Resource  Development  has  launched  the  National Institutional  Ranking  Framework  (NIRF)  on  29 th   September,  2015  to  rank  institutions across  the  country.  The  parameters  for  ranking  broadly  cover  'Teaching,  Learning  and Resources,'  'Research  and  Professional  Practices,'  'Graduation  Outcomes,'  'Outreach and Inclusivity,' and 'Perception'.

In India, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)  does the institutional assessment and accreditation, while National Board of Accreditation (NBA) does programmatic accreditation of technical programmes and courses.

(b)  : India  Rankings  2016  and  2017  have  already  been  released  which  are  available  at 'https://www.nirfindia.org/Home'. India Rankings, 2018 is set to release in the first week of April 2018.

The  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  has  issued  the  Mandatory  Assessment  and Accreditation  of  Higher  Educational  Institutions,  Regulations,  2012,  whereby  all  eligible Higher Educational institutions are required to get themselves accredited.

To rationalize the expansion of courses in engineering / technical, management etc. and to bring  quality  in  technical  education,  AICTE  has  made  it  mandatory  to  have  NBA Accreditation for institutions seeking new courses / expansion of existing courses.

(c)  : Ranking promotes competition among the Universities and drive them to strive for excellence.  Government  has  also  started  a  scheme  called  'Institutions  of  Eminence'  in which 20 institutions both public and private, would be selected on challenge method and they would be actively supported to come up in the global rankings.

(d) : In NIRF, to promote Research and Development in Higher Education, ' Research and Professional  Practices'  has  been  given  the  highest  weightage  of  40%,  for  ranking Universities.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5630 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-02
Subject: India’s Stand on e-Commerce at WTO
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: K. ASHOK KUMAR

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5630 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02 nd  APRIL,2018

## INDIA'S STAND ON E-COMMERCE AT WTO

## 5630. SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR:

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

- (a) whether  India  had  taken  a  hard  stand  at  the  World  Trade  Organisation  (WTO) meeting held in Buenos Aires on e-commerce, investment facilitation and norms for small firms access to the global marketplace;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it  is  true  that  on  e-commerce,  India  had  laid  preconditions  for  giving  its consent for extension of a moratorium that constrains member nations from levying customs duties on electronic transmission; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jh lh- vkj- pkS/kjh½

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

(a) & (b) : At the Eleventh Ministerial Conference that took place at Buenos Aires, Argentina during 10-13 December 2017, many countries including India did not agree to multilateral decisions  on  Investment  Facilitation  and  MSMEs  proposed  by  some  countries,  for  which there was no consensus/mandate.

As regards e-commerce, India is a part of the multilateral decision arrived at Buenos Aires  which  inter-alia  reaffirms  to  continue  to  work  under  the  'Work  Programme  on Electronic Commerce" adopted by the WTO in 1998 and extends the current practice of not imposing customs duty on electronic transmission until the next WTO Ministerial Conference to be held in 2019. Along with this India is also a part of the multilateral decision on a two year moratorium on TRIPS non violation and situation complaints.

(c) & (d): Yes Madam. India had laid the following preconditions for giving its consent for extension of a moratorium that constrains member nations from levying customs duties on electronic transmission:

- i. Similar moratorium on TRIPS Non-Violation and Situation Complaints at the WTO; and
- ii. To continue to work under the "Work Programme on Electronic Commerce" adopted by the WTO in 1998.

.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5629 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-02
Subject: Complaints of Harassment
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RATTAN LAL KATARIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5629 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2.4.2018

## COMPLAINTS OF HARASSMENT

## 5629. SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  some  of  the  Scheduled  Caste/  Scheduled Tribe  (SC/ST)  employees  have  lodged  complaints  for  harassment  on  the  basis  of Casteism in Ministry;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  mechanism  adopted  for  redressal  of grievance/complaints/representations of scheduled caste and scheduled tribe employees;
- (c) the number of Complaints received and disposed of during the last three years; and
- (d)  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  for  their  speedy  disposal  and  to safeguard the interest of SC/ST employees in the Ministry?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT ( DR. SATYA PAL SINGH )

(a) to (d) The Centrally funded institutions of MHRD are autonomous bodies which are governed by their  own  Acts,  Statutes,  Ordinances  and  Regulations  made  there  under. The  Acts  of the respective institutions, stipulate that the institutions shall not discriminate  on  grounds  of  caste,  religion.  Institutions  are  competent  to  take  all administrative decisions including to prevent all kinds of harassment and discrimination against  any  section  of  employees/students.  Accordingly,  complaints  received  in  this Ministry are forwarded to concerned Autonomous Bodies /Educational Institutions for appropriate action. UGC informed that in few cases of complaints, comments/views are sought from the concerned University/College and on the receipt of the reply the same is forwarded to the applicant for his/her information. Data on caste-based harassment/discrimination is not centrally maintained.

CPGRAMS is the  platform  based  on  web  technology  which  primarily  aims  to enable  submission  of  grievances  by  the  aggrieved  citizens  including  employee  from anywhere  and  anytime  (24x7)  basis  to  Ministries/Departments/Organisations  who scrutinize and take action for speedy and favorable redress of these grievances. Tracking grievances  is  also  facilitated  on  this  portal  through  the  system  generated  unique registration number.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5627 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-02
Subject: Commercial Crops
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: SAUGATA ROY

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5627 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02 nd  APRIL,2018

## COMMERCIAL CROPS

## 5627. PROF. SAUGATA ROY

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

- (a) the details of reasons for the steep fall in prices of various commercial crops;
- (b) whether the reduction in import duty is likely to affect almost all commercial crops cultivation in the country;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  so  far  to  ensure  the  cost  of  production  to commercial crops?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jh lh- vkj- pkS/kjh½

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) The prices of commercial crops, like other agricultural products, depend on several factors  such  as  demand  &  supply  situation  (both  domestic  and  international),  trade policies of major consumer and producer countries, quality, prices of alternatives/substitutes etc.
- (b  &  c)  The  rates  of  import  duties  on  agricultural  products  are  fixed  keeping  in  mind  the interests  of  consumers  as  well  as  the  domestic  producers.  At  present,  there  is  no proposal for reducing the import duty on any of the major commercial crops. In fact, the  Government  has  increased  the  import  duty  on  Natural  Rubber  to  protect  the interests of domestic producers.
- (d) The Government takes all possible steps to ensure that the prices of commercial crops cover  the  cost  of  production.  For  instance,  in  the  case  of  Natural  Rubber,  the Government has increased import duty and imposed port restrictions (imports allowed only from Chennai and NhavaSheva) to protect the interests of domestic producers. The  Tea  Board  declares  the  monthly  district-wise  minimum  benchmark  green  leaf price,  based  on  auction  average  of  CTC  teas.  The  government  also  announces Minimum Support Price for commercial crops like Cotton and Jute.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5625 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-02
Subject: Empanelment of Private Transport Agencies to Promote Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: HARI OM PANDEY, (SMT.) RATNA DE(NAG), SANTOSH KUMAR, MAMTAZ SANGHAMITA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5625 ANSWERED ON 02.04.2018

## EMPANELMENT OF PRIVATE TRANSPORT AGENCIES TO PROMOTE TOURISM

5625. SHRI HARI OM PANDAY: DR. RATNA DE (NAG): SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR:

DR. MAMTAZ SANGHAMITA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to empanel private transport agencies like Uber and Ola in its ambit to promote tourism in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  in  this  regard  in  various States/UTs including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  issued  any  guidelines  so  far  in this regard; and
- (e)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI K.J. ALPHONS)

(a) to (e): No, Madam.

The  provision  of  private  transport  services  to  tourists  falls under the ambit of Private Enterprises.

However, Ministry of Tourism provides recognition for Tourist Transport  Operators  to  encourage  quality  standard  services  for tourists  to  promote  tourism  in  India.  This  is  a  voluntary  scheme open to all agencies.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5623 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-02
Subject: Details of Restoration Works Abroad by ASI
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5623 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.04.2018

Details of Restoration Works Abroad by ASI

## 5623. SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR:

Will the  Minister  of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) carries out/undertakes restorations works in foreign countries; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the expenditure incurred on such works during the last ten years, year-wise and country-wise?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE.

(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) Yes Madam.  Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), on request from Ministry of
- & External Affairs (MEA), has taken up conservation work of Ta Prohm Temple in
- (b) Cambodia, Vat Phou Temple in Lao PDR, Ananda Temple in Myanmar and My Son Group of Temples in Vietnam. The funds for these works are allocated by the MEA to respective Embassies of India abroad who keeps on providing amount to ASI teams executing the conservations works at different sites as per need. The conservation works at these sites are executed in consultation with the authorities in these countries and our Embassies.
Lok Sabha Question No. 5622 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-02
Subject: Subscribers Details in EPFO Accounts
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: DUSHYANT CHAUTALA

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5622

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.04.2018

## SUBSCRIBERS DETAILS IN EPFO ACCOUNTS

5622. SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA:

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

- (a)whether  it  is  a  fact  that  out  of  around  80  million  accounts  of Employees  Provident  Fund  Organisation,  a  very  large  number  of records reportedly do not have adequate/complete details about the subscribers, including their date of joining, date of birth and father's name etc. and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)whether the Government has established any Scrutinizing Committee to ensure the availability of details of the subscribers in the EPFO accounts; and
- (c)if so, the details thereof and  the other steps taken  by the Government in this regard?

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

## (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- (a): There  are  certain  accounts  where  details  of  the  subscribers including date of birth is not available in records. The accounts where date of joining, date of birth or father's name is not available are as under:
- (b) & (c): Completion of all details relating to all  members  of Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), is a regular and on-going exercise.

| Record not available   |   No of Accounts |
|------------------------|------------------|
| DOB(Date of Birth)     |         83804469 |
| DOJ(Date of Joining)   |         78306246 |
| Father's Name          |        110731613 |

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5620 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-02
Subject: Technology Development Centres
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: DHARMENDRA YADAV, Shrirang Appa Barne, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5620 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 02.04.2018

## TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CENTRES

5620.   SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV: SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE: DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE: SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO: SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  planning  for  upgrading  and  expanding  the  network  of Technology Centres (TCs)/Tool Rooms and Technology Development Centres in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MEMEs) is upgrading the existing TCs and installing 15 new TCs under the Technology Centre Systems Programme (TCSP) and if so, the details thereof and the expenditure likely to be incurred thereon;
- (c) whether the World Bank has agreed to support the TCSP and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the names of the States who have allotted land free of cost for TCSP; and
- (e) the manner and the extent to which these TCs will be beneficial for the development and in fulfilling the needs of MSMEs and the progress made so far in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) For MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

(a)to(c):    Yes,  Madam.  The Ministry  of  Micro,  Small  and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has Technology Centre Systems Programme (TCSP) to set up 15 new Technology Centres (TCs) and  upgrade  existing  TCs,  with  an  estimated  cost  of  Rs.2200  Crore  with  the  support  from World Bank.

- (d): The  States  which  have  allotted  land  for  TCSP  are:  Andhra  Pradesh,  Chhattisgarh, Haryana,  Himachal  Pradesh,  Jammu  &  Kashmir,  Karnataka,  Kerala,  Madhya  Pradesh, Manipur, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar and Tamilnadu.
- (e): The Program's Development Objective is to enhance the productivity of MSMEs by improving their access to technology and business advisory services as well as skilled workers through systems of financially sustainable Technology Centres (TCs).

Till date expenditure of about Rs. 242 Crore has been incurred on buildings and procurement of machinery etc.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 5619 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-02
Subject: Pay Revision in Steel PSUs
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: BALABHADRA MAJHI, FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE

## PAY REVISION IN STEEL PSUs

5619.  SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI: SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken any initiative to implement the second and third pay revisions in the steel Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) keeping in mind the specific conditions of their financial performance during the year 2015-16;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with steps taken by the Government for granting relaxation to the provisions of affordability clause of the DPE OM dated 03.08.2017 in case of SAIL and RINL, PSU-wise;

- (c) if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the financial performance of Indian steel companies have been badly affected due to unexpected increase in the prices of coal at International level; and

(e) if  so,  the  details  thereof  during  the  last  three  years  and  the  corrective  steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR STEEL

(SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)

(a) There are two steel manufacturing Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) in  the  country  namely  Steel  Authority  of  India  Limited  (SAIL)  and  Rashtriya  Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL).  Pay revision effective from 01.01.2007 based on the 2 nd Pay Revision Committee Report has been implemented in SAIL and RINL. However, pay revision effective from 01.01.2017 based on the 3 rd Pay Revision Committee Report has  not  been  implemented  in  SAIL  and  RINL  in  view  of  the  provisions  of  the affordability clause in DPE Guidelines dated 03.08.2017.

(b)&(c): Government has not issued any guidelines for relaxation to the provisions of the  affordability  clause  for  steel  sector  CPSEs.  Affordability  clause  stated  in  DPE guidelines is applicable across all the CPSEs.

(d)&(e): The cost of production of steel and in turn the financial performance of steel CPSEs  is  dependent  on  price  of  various  inputs  such  as  power,  labour,  plant efficiency,  logistics  apart  from  iron  ore  and  coking  coal.  The  average  procurement price  of  coking  coal  has  increased from  USD  85  per  tonne  (approx)  in  2015-16  to USD 188 per  tonne  (approx)  in  2017-18.  As  the  cost  of  coking  coal  and  iron  ore constitute  more  than  50%  of  total  cost,  the  increase  had  serious  impact  on  the financial performance of the steel CPSEs. In order to increase competitiveness and getting  advantage  of  prices,  new  suppliers  have  been  added  to  the  existing  Long Term suppliers. Steel CPSEs are also increasing the usage of indigenous coking coal in the blend.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5618 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-02
Subject: JNVs and KVs
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: MOHANBHAI KALYANJIBHAI KUNDARIYA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5618 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2.4.2018

## JNVs and KVs

## 5618. SHRI KUNDARIYA MOHAN BHAI KALYANJI BHAI:

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

- (a) whether the Government has approved opening of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and Kendriya Vidyalayas in each newly carved Morbi district and the uncovered districts of Gujarat;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof,  district-wise  along  with  the  number  of  students  expected  to  be benefitted by this move of the Government;
- (c) whether the Government has fixed any target for opening of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and Kendriya Vidyalayas in newly carved Morbi district and the uncovered districts of Gujarat; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  &  (b):  The  Navodaya  Vidyalaya  Scheme  provides  for  opening  of  one  Jawahar  Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) in each district of the country. New JNVs have been sanctioned in 62 uncovered districts  of  the  country  (as  on  31.5.2014)  including  eight  districts  of  Gujarat  viz.  Morbi,  Dwarka, Sabar Kantha, Surat, Junagarh, Botad, Mahisagar and Chhota Udepur. A full-fledged JNV will cater to 560 students and accordingly, an aggregate number of 4480 students are expected to benefit from these JNVs.

Kendriya Vidyalayas are opened primarily to cater to the educational needs of the wards of transferable Central Government Employees including Defence personnel on receipt of a proposal in the prescribed proforma from a Ministry / Department of Government of India / State Governments / Union Territory Administration and committing thereby availability of requisite resources for setting up a new KV as well as on availability of necessary sanction of the Government. Final decision regarding  setting  of  the  KV  would  depend  upon  the  feasibility  report,  qualifying  under  the 'Challenge Mode' and approval of Competent Authority. Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) has informed  that  it  has  received  eight  proposals  for  opening  of  new  KVs  in  the  State  of  Gujarat including one in Morbi district. However, none of these proposals have been found feasible as per the norms of KVS.

(c): No such target has been set.

(d): Does not arise.

****