opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2521 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Leather Exports
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: GAURAV GOGOI, ARKA KESHARI DEO

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2521 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 st JULY, 2017

## LEATHER EXPORTS

## 2521.   SHRI GAURAV GOGOI: SHRI ARKA KESHARI DEO:

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

- (a) whether the leather export from the country has increased in recent years and if so, the details of leather export in terms of rupees during the last three years and the current year;
- (b) the names of the first top five leather exports countries during the said period;
- (c) whether the Government has any plan to increase leather exports in the next two years and if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken in this regard;
- (d) the number of people employed directly in the leather industry along with the value of leather exports to India; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  put  in  place  any  alternate  employment  measures  to safeguard the people employed in the leather industry who have been affected by the ban on trade of cattle for slaughter and if so, the details thereof?

## 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) No Madam. The export value of leather, leather products & footwear during last 3 years and current year (in million rupee) terms is as follows:

(Figures in million rupees)

|   2014-15 |   2015-16 |   2016-17 |   2017-18 (April-May, 2017) (P) |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|---------------------------------|
|    397119 |    383322 |    380024 |                         58851.9 |

P- Provisional

## (b)      Year-wise ranking of leather exporting countries:

|   Rank | 2014-15          | 2015-16          | 2016-17          |
|--------|------------------|------------------|------------------|
|      1 | China            | China            | China            |
|      2 | Italy            | Italy            | Italy            |
|      3 | Vietnam          | Vietnam          | Vietnam          |
|      4 | Hong Kong, China | France           | France           |
|      5 | France           | Hong Kong, China | Hong Kong, China |

(Source:Council for Leather Exports(CLE))

(c) Yes,  Madam.  Steps  have  been  taken  for  quality  up-gradation  of  leather products to improve competitiveness in international markets. Also, the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme(MEIS), Interest Equalisation Scheme, Export Promotion Capital  Goods  Scheme (EPCG), Market Access Initiative  Scheme (MAI) and Duty Free Import Scheme (DFIS) have provisions to boost exports of leather and leather products.

(d) The number of people employed directly in the leather industry is estimated at 3.09  million.  The  value  of  exports  of  leather  and  leather  products  to  India  during 2016-17 was USD 1215.52 million (Source: CLE).

(e) Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2519 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Changes in School Curriculum
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2519 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2017

## Changes in School Curriculum

## 2519. SHRI  RAYAPATI  SAMBASIVA  RAO:

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

- (a) the details of major initiatives taken/proposed by the Government to bring about changes in the curriculum in the secondary education during the last three years;
- (b) whether any Committee has been set up during the said period to go into curriculum to bring about changes;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the last instance when the changes were brought about by the in curriculum in secondary education in the country?

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

## (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

- (a) The curriculum is reviewed every year on the basis of suggestions received in this regard. The review broadly pertains to rectification of factual errors, if any, and updation of data.
- (b) to (d) The review is done internally by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). No specific committee has been set up for this purpose.
- (e) The  National  Curriculum  Framework  (NCF)  2005  is  the  latest  National  Curriculum Framework. The last review was done in the year 2016.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2518 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Navodaya Vidyalaya in Andaman and Nicobar
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: BISHNU PADA RAY

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2518 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.7.2017

## Navodaya Vidyalaya in Andaman and Nicobar

2518. SHRI BISHNU PADA RAY:

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

- (a) whether the Government has received a proposal from the Andaman & Nicobar Administration for establishment of a Navodaya Vidyalaya at South Andaman District and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of action taken in this regard; and
- (c) whether any petition has been received by the Government from the people's representative of Andaman & Nicobar for the establishment of the said school and if so, the details of the action taken by the Government on the said petition?

## 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. These Vidyalayas are fully funded by Government of  India  whereas  the  State  Government/UT  Administration  has  to  provide  suitable  land  for construction of permanent school building and also suitable rent free temporary accommodation till the  construction  of  the  permanent  building.  Proposal  for  opening  of  new  JNVs  in  62  uncovered districts of the country (as on 31.05.2014) was approved by the Competent Authority in November, 2016 including one JNV in South Andaman District.
- (c):  Yes  Madam.  The  petition  was  forwarded  to  the  Navodaya  Vidyalaya  Samiti  (NVS)  for indicating progress of action taken and updated status. NVS has informed that the orders for opening of  the  JNV  in  South  Andaman  District,  during  the  current  academic  year,  have  been  issued  on 11.7.2017.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2516 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Tourism Potential of Allahabad
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: SHYAMA CHARAN GUPTA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2516 ANSWERED ON 31.07.2017

## TOURISM POTENTIAL OF ALLAHABAD

## †2516. SHRI SHYAMA CHARAN GUPTA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has conducted any study to access the tourism potential of Allahabad;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  regarding  potential  of  tourism  and  plans  for development of tourism in Allahabad; and
- (c) the  number  of  tourism  projects  under  consideration  of  the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): Conducting  study  to  assess  the  tourism  potential  for development of tourism of a tourist spot is primarily the responsibility of the  State  Governments  and  Union  Territories including the State Government of Uttar Pradesh.

Based  on  these  assessments,  the  State  Governments  and Union Territories prepares Detailed Project Report (DPR) and submits it to the Ministry of Tourism for Central Financial Assistance as per the existing Scheme Guidelines.

The State Government of Uttar Pradesh has received Central Financial  Assistance  for  development  of  Allahabad  to  the  tune  of Rs.23.00 crore which pertains to Shringverpur in Allahabad district in Ramayana Circuit under Swadesh Darshan Scheme out of a total of Rs.69.45 crore extended to them.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2515 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Impact of GST on Education
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: MIDHUN REDDY

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2515 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2017

## Impact of GST on Education

## 2515 . SHRI P.V. MIDHUN REDDY: Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state :

- (a) whether it is a fact that with the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST), higher education would be beyond reach for the poor students;
- (b) if so the details thereof; and
- (c) 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), (b) and (c): The services provided by the Education sector are exempt from GST. But the services provided to educational institutions are not exempted. All educational institutions have been informed of the changes in the tax regime after GST.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2514 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Vice Chancellors
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. 2514 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2017

## Vice Chancellors

## †2514. SHRI HARI MANJHI:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that posts of Vice Chancellors in several Central Universities are lying vacant;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  time  since  when  these  posts  have  been  lying vacant and the reasons therefor delay in filling these vacant posts; and
- (c) the times by when these posts are likely to be filled?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (c)  At  present,  there  are  41  Central  Universities  under  the  purview  of  this Ministry and the Vice Chancellor's posts are vacant only in three Central Universities as per the following details:

| Name of the Central University   | Date of vacancy   |
|----------------------------------|-------------------|
| Visva Bharti                     | 16.02.2016        |
| Mizoram University               | 18.5.2016         |
| Pondicherry University           | 04.07.2016        |

The  process is a time consuming  exercise which involves getting Executive Council/Court's  nominee(s)  of  the  concerned  Central  University,  constitution  of Search-cum  Selection  Committee,  advertisement  of  posts,  scrutiny  of  application, interaction  with  the  shortlisted  candidates,  getting  vigilance  clearances,  approval  of the competent authority, etc. , hence, no time-frame can be indicated.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2513 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Coal Bed Methane
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: P. KUMAR

## 2513.   SHRI P. KUMAR

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2513 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 ST JULY, 2017

## COAL BED METHANE

पेट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री

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

- (a)    whether  the  Government  extracts  coal  bed  methane  from  coal  mines  and  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (b) whether there has been any delay in auction of coal blocks resulting in wastage of Coal Bed Methane and if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

पेट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्रािय में राज्य मंत्री ( प्राार रन्त्िवत्र ( ) प्रााप्र ामेवध ीी )

## MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS

## (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a):  In order to exploit Coal Bed Methane (CBM) potential in the country, the Government formulated CBM policy in 1997. Under CBM policy, 33 exploration blocks were awarded, out of  these,  currently  14  blocks  are  operational,  15  blocks  are  under  relinquishment  and  4 blocks have been  relinquished. Out of 14 operational blocks 5 blocks are under production/incidental production. The details of CBM production during last three years and current year is as under:

(MMSCM)

| Block/Field    |   2014-15 |   2015-16 |   2016-17 |   2017-18 (till June-2017) |
|----------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|----------------------------|
| RANIGANJ EAST  |    91.331 |   236.499 |   385.471 |                     85.464 |
| RANIGUNJ SOUTH |   132.351 |   152.924 |   169.596 |                     49.856 |
| SOHAGPUR WEST  |     1.506 |     1.382 |     6.352 |                      8.59  |
| JHARIA*        |     2.479 |     2.04  |     3.083 |                      1.039 |
| SOHAGPUR EAST* |     0.572 |     0.023 |     0.087 |                      0.002 |
| Grand Total    |   228.239 |   392.869 |   564.589 |                    144.952 |

- (b):    CBM in the coal remains intact in adsorbed state. No CBM wastage is stipulated as CBM blocks were undisturbed by  either  coal  mining  or  any  other  operation  leading  to  its escape.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2509 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Setting up of Bhushan Sanskrit Anusandhan Sansthan
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: DEVENDRA (ALIAS) BHOLE SINGH SINGH

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2509 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2017

## Setting up of Bhushan Sanskrit Anusandhan Sansthan

† 2509. SHRI DEVENDRA SINGH BHOLE:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a)  whether  the  Government  intends  to  set  up  Bhushan  Sanskrit  Anusandhan Sansthan  at  Tikwapur,  Kanpur  city  the  birth  place  of  great  poet  Bhushan  in  his memory; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a) to (c) No, Madam. Government has also not received any such proposal.

- ******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2506 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Safety of Oil Companies
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION  No. 2506

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 31 st  July, 2017

## SAFETY OF OIL COMPANIES

2506.  PROF. RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD: पेट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री

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

- (a) whether the Government has entered into any contract with private agencies with regard to safety as well as environment protection aspects in various Oil Companies and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the funds spent by the Government in this regard during the current year; and (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure safety of
- labourers / employees engaged in Oil companies?

## ANSWER

पेट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्रािय में राज्य मंत्री ( स्विंत्र प्रभार ) ( श्री धमेन्द्र प्रधान )

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS

(SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) & (b) : Safety and environment aspects of operative locations are taken care by  the  respective  oil  companies.  Private  agencies/consultants  are  also  hired  for imparting training and carrying out the Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) Studies, Risk  Analysis  and  preparation  of  Disaster  Management  Plan  (DMP),  etc.  as  per requirement. Services of Pollution Control Board's approved agencies are hired for treatment and handling of oily sludge.  Locations are established after taking due approvals  from  the  Statutory  Authorities  like  Petroleum  and  Explosives  Safety Organisation (PESO), Pollution Control Board (PCB), Factory Inspectorate, Central Electricity Authority (CEA) etc.  The infrastructure and firefighting equipments are designed and provided in line with the applicable Oil Industry  Safety  Directorate (OISD) standards.

(c) : Oil  companies  have  well-defined  safety,  health  environment  mechanism  to ensure safety of labourers/employees.  Various measures are taken for the safety of labourers/employees such as training, health check-up, use of mandatory personal protective equipment, safety skill training, safety audits, safety promotional activities, safety committees, emergency planning and response, safety awareness, identification of hazard and risk assessment, emergency response and mock drills, reporting of near miss incidents, etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2505 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Retrenchment of Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: SUNIL KUMAR SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2505 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2017

## RETRENCHMENT OF WORKERS

## 2505. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH:

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

- (a)whether the Government is aware that certain multinational companies are illegally terminating their employees in large scale without following due procedure under the law of the land;
- (b)if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor; and
- (c)the steps taken by the Government to protect the interests of the retrenched employees across the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): No,  Madam.  As  per  the  information  received  from  Chief  Labour Commissioner (Central) & Labour Bureau, Shimla no such information is available with them.
- (b): Does not arise in view of reply to part (a) of the question above.
- (c): Interests  of  retrenched  employees  are  protected  under  various provisions  of  Industrial  Disputes  Act,  1947,  the  implementation  of which is ensured by issuing directions/instructions from time to time.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2503 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: New Scholarship Schemes
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNPURIA, RAMESH BIDHURI

## MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2503 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2017

## New Scholarship Schemes

†2503. SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNAPURIA: SHRI RAMESH BIDHURI:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to launch any new scholarship scheme to promote higher education in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the University Grants Commission (UGC) has submitted any proposal to the Ministry in this regard and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the categories of students likely to be benefited by this scheme; and

- (d) the time by when the Government is likely to take decision in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a):  The University Grants Commission (UGC) administers a wide range of scholarships viz  Post  Graduate  (P.G.)  Scholarship  for  Professional  Courses  for  SC/ST  candidates; P.G.Scholarship for GATE/GPAT qualified students for pursuing M.Tech/M.E./M.Pharma; Indira Gandhi P.G. Scholarship for Single Girl Child; Post Doctoral Fellowship to Women Candidates; P.G. Scholarship for University Rank Holders; Ishan Uday Special Scholarship  Scheme for  North  Eastern  Region.  Further,  UGC  is  operating  an  exclusive fellowship  'National  Fellowship  for  Persons  with  Disabilities'  to  cater  to  the  needs  of persons with special needs. UGC has informed that it has no proposal under consideration to launch any new scholarship scheme to promote higher education. (b) to (d): In view of above, do not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2502 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Solar Panel Case at WTO
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: OM BIRLA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2502 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 st JULY, 2017

## SOLAR PANEL CASE AT WTO

## 2502(H). SHRI OM BIRLA:

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

- (a) whether the solar panel manufacturers of the United States of America (USA) had expressed  their  resentment  in  solar  panel  procurement  case  last  year  and  lodged complaints  with  the  World  Trade  Organisation  (WTO)  in  this  regard  wherein judgement was given in their favour;
- (b) if  so,  the  reaction  of  the  Government  thereto  and  the  strategy  being  devised  for procurement policy in the future;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to seek changes in the existing laws of WTO to give protection to the domestic industries and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government is also contemplating to give up the membership of the WTO and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government has taken any decision to formulate National Procurement Policy to give preference to the domestic manufacturers in Government purchases and if so, the details thereof?

## 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 United States (US) filed a dispute before the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB)of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on India's domestic content requirements(DCR) in its procurement of solar cells and modules in some of the projects under Phase I and Phase II of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), claiming inconsistency with the WTO obligations. Based on the findings  and  recommendations  of  WTO  Appellate  Body/Panel,  the  DSB  ruled  that  India's  stated measures, which mandates DCR for the private developers, is inconsistent with its obligations under the  WTO and hence India should bring its measures in conformity with its obligation under WTO within the reasonable period of time as mutually agreed upon.

(c) & (d) : Government of India (GoI) is neither considering approaching WTO for amendment of the WTO text for allowing DCR nor withdrawing from the membership of WTO on this account.

(e) : General Financial Rules (GFR)  2006 and the manuals, notifications/orders issued thereunder, governing the Central Government procurement (GP), provides for preference to domestic manufacturers.  Apart  from  this,  certain  policy  documents  like  the  National  Electronics  policy,  the Telecom Policy etc have mandatory DCR provisions on GP, which are based on the discipline on GP under WTO. GoI also facilitates such procurement through other ways as well, including subsidising domestic manufacturers, wherever required and feasible.

****