opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4371 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-14
Subject: Recall of Indian and Pakistani Envoys
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: BALASUBRAMANIAM SENGUTTUVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4371 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2016

## RECALL OF INDIAN AND PAKISTANI ENVOYS

4371. SHRI B. SENGUTTUVAN:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  likely  to  temporarily  recall  the Indian High Commissioner and downsize the diplomatic personnel working in the Indian High Commission in Islamabad and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether this situation has arisen on account of the arrest and deportation  of  an  ISI  agent  posing  as  a  diplomatic  staff  of Pakistani High Commission indulging in espionage activities in India and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the heightened diplomatic and border tension between the two countries is a creation by ISI to dictate its terms in the matter of succession to its current chief; and
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) & (b) No. The Government made arrangements for the return of  eight  officials  of  High  Commission  of  India  in  Islamabad  in  end October/  early  November,  2016.  This  was  on  account  of  baseless allegations leveled against these officials by Government of Pakistan and Pakistan media, endangering the safety and security of these officials and their family members in Pakistan. The baseless allegation by Government of Pakistan against these officials followed  Pakistan's  decision  to  withdraw  six  Pakistani  diplomats reportedly  named  by  Mehmood  Akhtar,  who  was  apprehended  by Indian  law  enforcement  authorities  on  October  27,  2016  while indulging in anti-India activities.

The positions falling vacant in the High Commission of India, Islamabad  consequent  to  the  return  of  the  aforementioned  eight officials  to  India  are  to  be  filled  through  normal  administrative process.  There  is  no  proposal  with  the  Government  to  reduce  the strength of High Commission of India in Islamabad. (c) & (d) While  change  in  the  leadership  of  Pakistan's  State institutions,  including  its  army  is  an  internal  matter  of  Pakistan, there  has  been  a  sustained  escalation  this  year  of  cross  border terrorism  and  infiltration  of  armed  terrorists  across  International Border  (IB)  &  Line  of  Control  (LoC)  tasked  to  carry  out  acts  of terrorism in the State of Jammu & Kashmir and elsewhere in India. The Government has reminded the Government of Pakistan through military and diplomatic channels about it's responsibility to stop all terrorism  directed  against  India,  emanating  from  territories  under Pakistan's control.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 380 (STARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: Impact of Demonetisation on Tea Industry
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: CHINTAMAN NAVSHA WANAGA

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 380 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 th  DECEMBER, 2016

## IMPACT OF DEMONETISATION ON TEA INDUSTRY

## *380.  ADV. CHINTAMAN NAVASHA WANAGA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has conducted any study to assess the impact of demonetisation on the tea industry;
- (b) if so, the details and the outcome thereof along with the number of workers/ jobs affected or likely to be affected as a result thereof; and
- (c) the corrective measures taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## 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):  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 380   FOR ANSWER ON 12 th  DECEMBER, 2016 REGARDING 'IMPACT OF DEMONETISATION ON TEA INDUSTRY'

(a)  to  (c):  Though  no  specific  study  has  been  conducted  by  the  Government  to  assess  the impact of  demonetisation  on  the  tea  industry,  an  arrangement  has  been  made  by  the  State Government of Assam wherein directives have been issued to the District Administration to get wage amount deposited by estate owners in the account of District Administration and in turn concerned District Administration hand over cash to the garden management for wage payment to workers. Similar arrangements have also been made by the State Governments of West Bengal and Kerala for withdrawal of money through treasury for the payment of wages to the workers.In Tamil Nadu, arrangements are being made for opening of bank accounts for all workers and transfer of wages to such bank accounts. The banks concerned will deliver the wage in cash through their 'banking correspondents'.

Tea Board is also coordinating with the  State Governments of the tea growing States for facilitating smooth payment of wages to Tea Garden Workers. It has also requested the State Governments and the  Tea Producers Associations for opening of new accounts under the  Prime  Minister  Jan  Dhan  Yojana  for  all  individual  workers/employees  engaged  in  tea plantation by end of December, 2016. Reserve Bank of India has also directed the banks to open  accounts  for  Tea/Coffee  and  other  plantations  workers,  in  a  camp  mode,  with concentrated payment locations.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 374 (STARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: Education in Rural Areas
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: M. UDHAYAKUMAR

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 374 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2016

## Education in Rural Areas

- *374.  ADV. M. UDHAYAKUMAR:

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

- (a) whether majority  of  the  students  in  Indian  Institutes  of  Technology  (IITs)  are from cities and urban areas;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the details of the steps taken by the Government to improve the accessibility of students from semi-urban and rural areas to the premier institutions like IITs?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

- (a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  374  REGARDING  'EDUCATION  IN  RURAL  AREAS' RAISED BY SHRI ADV. M. UDHAYAKUMAR:

Admission in IITs in the Undergraduate courses is done on the basis of rank in the Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced).  As per the data obtained from IITBombay and IIT-Guwahati which conducted JEE(Advanced) 2015 and JEE(Advanced)  2016  respectively,  the  break-up  of  urban/rural  students  who qualified for admission in IITs is as under:

| Year               |   Student qualified |   Student from urban areas |   Student from rural areas |
|--------------------|---------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------|
| JEE(Advanced) 2015 |                9974 |                       7481 |                       2493 |
| JEE(Advanced) 2016 |               10476 |                       7857 |                       2619 |

As  could  be  seen  from  the  table  above,  nearly  75%  of  the  candidates  are from urban areas as against 25% from rural areas.  One of the reasons for the disparity  is  better  schooling  and  coaching  facilities  in  urban  areas  which  help students to prepare well for the entrance examinations.  With a view to helping those  students  who  do  not  have  access  to  such  facilities,  IIT-Delhi  is  going  to implement  a  scheme  called  IIT-PAL  under  which  Professors  of  IITs  will  offer lectures to students of class XI & XII in Maths and Science to help them prepare for JEE Exams.  It has also been planned to make the material and video content available through dedicated DTH.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 371 (STARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: Renovation of Monuments
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: OM BIRLA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION  NO. 371 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2016 AGRAHAYANA 21, 1938 (SAKA)

## RENOVATION OF MONUMENTS

* 371.        SHRI OM BIRLA:

Will the  Minister  of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has formulated any plan for the renovation of monuments including beautification of the Pushkar Temple situated in Rajasthan and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) the funds provided by the Government for preservation and maintenance  of  various  monuments  including  Pushkar  Temple  and utilisation thereof during the last three years?

## ANSWER

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

(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) &(b) A statement is laid on the table of the House

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) and (b) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. *371 dated 12.12.2016.

- (a) & (b) Conservation, preservation and environmental development work of the protected  monuments  including  Pushkar  Temple  is  a  continuous  process wherein  the  essential  work  is  attended  regularly  as  per  the  availability  of resources. The details of expenditure incurred for conservation and maintenance of protected monuments under the Archaeological survey of India (ASI) including Pushkar Temple for last three years and allocation for the current financial year are given as under.

(Amount Rs. in Lakhs)

|   Sl. No. | Year    |   Allocation |   Expenditure |
|-----------|---------|--------------|---------------|
|         1 | 2013-14 |        17114 |       16963.9 |
|         2 | 2014-15 |        23575 |       23552   |
|         3 | 2015-16 |        24915 |       23861.2 |
|         4 | 2016-17 |        22465 |       19612   |
Lok Sabha Question No. 4370 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: Setting up of Technology Institution
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4370 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2016

## Setting up of Technology Institution

## †4370.	SHRI	ASHOK	MAHADEORAO NETE:

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

(c) the names of places selected for setting up these technology institutions?

- (a) whether the Government proposes to set up certain institutions of technology across the country in collaboration with Germany; (b) if so, the details thereof; and

## ANSWER

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

(a): No Madam.

(b) & (c): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4369 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: Job Opportunities for Tribal Youths
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: SURESH KODIKUNNIL, KAUSHAL KISHORE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4369

TO BE NSWERED ON 12.12.2016

## JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRIBAL YOUTHS

- 4369 . SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH: SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any plan/scheme for increasing/creating more job opportunities for tribal youths and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to provide reservation for tribals in private sector and increasing ST quota in Government jobs; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI JASWANTSINH BHABHOR)

- (a) Various initiatives are being taken to ameliorate the situation of unemployment among ST population across the country.  Ministry of Tribal Affairs under its Special Area Programme of  Special  Central  Assistance  to  Tribal  Sub-Plan  (SCA  to  TSP)  and  other  Central  Sector  / Centrally Sponsored schemes provides funds as an additive to the State Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) for economic development of tribals in the States covering skill development and employmentcum-income generation activities.

(b) to (c) This does not pertain to Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4368 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: Online Trading
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: PR. SENTHILNATHAN

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4368. TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 12 TH  DECEMBER, 2016.

## ONLINE TRADING

## 4368.  SHRI PR. SENTHIL NATHAN:

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

## वाणिज् यवव द्यग ं ्री

- (a) whether the Government has collected any data on the business done by the online  trading  companies  after  the  announcement  of  demonetisation  on  8th November 2016;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the modalities adopted to check and monitor the trading activities in this regard;
- (c) whether there is any increase in the online trade activities in the country after the demonetisation; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof, company-wise?

## 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 .
- (c): No such assessment has been conducted by the Government.
- (d): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4367 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: National Renewal Fund
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: SHIVKUMAR CHANABASAPPA UDASI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4367 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2016

## NATIONAL RENEWAL FUND

## 4367. SHRI SHIVKUMAR UDASI:

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

- (a)whether there are apprehensions that the thrust lent to Digital India programme  might  result  in  mass  retrenchment  of  employees  in various sectors and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b)the  safeguards  mooted/put  in  place  by  the  Government  to  protect the  interests  of  employees,  particularly  the  semi-skilled  and  unskilled workers;
- (c)whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  to  revive  the  National Renewal Fund (NRF) whereby the workers' social security can be ensured to a certain extent, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d)whether  the  Government  proposes  to  give  thought  to  create  or institute  an  alternate  source  on  the  lines  of  NRF  for  both  the organised and non-organised sectors; and
- (e)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): No such reliable data is available.
- (c) to (e):   No such proposal is under consideration of this Ministry.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4365 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: Development of Mangarh Dham
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: ARJUNLAL MEENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†4365

## LOK SABHA ANSWERED ON 12.12.2016

## DEVELOPMENT OF MANGARH DHAM

## †4365. SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  made  efforts  and  started  a scheme or proposal to develop the Mangarh Dham located at the  borders  of  Rajasthan,  Madhya  Pradesh  and  Gujarat  as  a religious tourist place;
- (b)
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The Ministry of Tourism has launched Swadesh Darshan Scheme - Integrated Development of Theme-Based Tourist Circuits in the year 2014-15. Spiritual Circuit is one of the thirteen thematic circuits  identified  for  development  under  the  scheme.  All  the spiritual and religious places in the country are covered under this Circuit.

The projects under the scheme are identified for development in  consultation  with  the  State  Government/UT  and  are  sanctioned subject  to  availability  of  funds,  submission  of  suitable  detailed project  reports,  adherence  to  scheme  guidelines  and  utilization  of funds released earlier.

No project for the development of the Mangarh Dham has been sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme. ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 4364 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: Intermediate Education in Kasturba Gandhi Girls Vidyalaya
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Y. S. AVINASH REDDY

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4364 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12 .201 6

## Intermediate Edu cation in Kasturba Gandhi Girls Vidyalaya

## 4364. SHRI Y.S AVINASH REDDY :

W ill the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state :

- (a) whether it is a fact that Government is plan ning to introduce Intermediate E ducation in Kasturba Gandhi Girls  Vidyalayas  (KGG Vs) throughout the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether theGovernment has received any representation from various State Governments including Andhra  Pradeshwith  regard  to  sanction  of  f unds  for  starting  Intermediate Education in KG G V schools and if so, the details thereof; State /UT-wise;
- (c)the response of the Government to the request and the quantum of funds being allocat ed for this purpose, State - wise; and
- (d)if not, the reasons therefor?

## A N S W E R

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

(a): No Madam, as per existing Kasturba Gandhi Girls Vidyalayas (KGBVs) financial norms, which  is  a  part  of  Sarva  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (SSA) there  is  no  provision  for  Intermediate Education.

(b) : Madam, No representation has been received from State Government of Andhra Pradesh for exp anding the  Kasturba Gandhi GirlsVidyalaya(KGG V) scheme to include  intermediate education . Only one representation has been received fr om the State Government ofTela ngana forexpanding the  Kasturba Gandhi Girls Vidyalaya (KGGV) scheme to include intermediate education .However, no other details have been received along with the representation.

(c) & (d) : The request cannot be agreedto as per the existing norms under the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya ( KGBV )scheme.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4363 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: Shortage of Staff in IIAS
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: VIRENDER KASHYAP

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4363 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2016

## Shortage of Staff in IIAS

## 4363. SHRI VIRENDER KASHYAP:

(a) whether the Government is aware that Indian Institute of Advanced studies (IIAS), Shimla is running short of its working people and if so, the details thereof;

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

(b) whether the institute is suffering due to shortage of staff; (c) whether there is any policy adopted by the Government to fill up the vacancies and the policy for the regularisation of contractual staff; and

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

(d) the details of various activities going on in the said institute?

(a) & (b): Out of 124 sanctioned posts in Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla, 84 posts are presently occupied.

(d): IIAS, Shimla is governed as per its Memorandum of Association (MoA) and its activities are mentioned therein. The main activities are as follows:

(c): IIAS, Shimla is an autonomous organisation, which fills up its vacancies as per its recruitment  rules.  There  is  no  policy  of  the  Government  for  the  regularisation  of contractual staff.

- (iii) Inviting research scholars to deliver lectures or conduct research. (iv) Providing  financial  assistance  for advanced  study  for  teachers  and  other scholars.
- (v) Selective publishing of periodicals, monographs, books etc. for the development of its objectives.
- (i) Offering fellowship in the field of humanities and social sciences. (ii) Organizing and conducting conferences,  seminars,  symposia and schools  on various themes.
- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4361 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: List of Journal for Points
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: K. GOPAL

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4361 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2016

## List of Journal for Points

## 4361. DR. K. GOPAL:

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

- (a) whether it is true that the University Grants Commission (UGC) is considering to make a list of journals for academic;
- (b) if so, whether the UGC is planning to set up sub-committee of experts for each subject in this regard;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether suggestions are being sought from all universities for the said list which the UGC will vet; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

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

## ANSWER

(a) to  (e): Yes, Madam. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has informed that it has  constituted  a  Standing  Committee for  the  purposes  of identifying a list  of  journals covering different domains of knowledge. The Standing Committee has decided to set up Sub-Committees  of Experts of various disciplines/subjects to identify appropriate journals/books in different domains of knowledge for placing these before the Standing Committee for final approval.

The UGC has requested Universities to share list of journals for  consideration of Sub-Committees of Experts constituted under the Standing Committee to finalize the list of journals.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4359 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: IGNOU-FDDI tie-up
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: CHANDRAKANT RAGHUNATH PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4359 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2016

## IGNOU-FDDI tie-up

## 4359. SHRI C.R. PATIL:

- Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has tied up with the Footwear  Design  and  Development  Institute  (FDDI)  for  its  courses  for  the  academic year 2015-16, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether it is within the mandate of IGNOU Act, if so, the details thereof; (c)  whether  the  tie  up  has  been  approved/cleared  by  the  Board  of  Management  of IGNOU; (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and (e) 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 (e): As  per  the  information  furnished  by  the  Indira  Gandhi  National  Open University  (IGNOU)  that  based  on  the approval  of  the  124 th Meeting  of  the  Board  of Management (BoM) of the University held on 23 rd January, 2016, the first batch of the students in  six  (06)  undergraduate  and  postgraduate courses under  IGNOU-FDDI Project were enrolled in January, 2016 session of the University through the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode as envisaged under the IGNOU Act, 1985.

*******************