opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 791 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-23
Subject: Natural Gas Trading Hub
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, SUDHEER GUPTA, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., T. RADHAKRISHNAN, S. RAJENDRAN, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 791

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2018

## Natural Gas Trading Hub

## 791. KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

SHRI S. RAJENDRAN:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS पेट्रोल ियम और प्राक ृ तिक गैस मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether despite being the world's biggest importer of natural gas, India does not have a free market regime for gas and if so, the details thereof and the reasons for the same;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to launch a natural gas trading hub in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  sought  bids  to  hire  a  consultant  to  help  to  develop  a regulatory framework for operationalising the gas trading/exchange hub; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  time  by  which  the  said  plan  is  likely  to  be conceptualised/formulated?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) The supply of domestic gas is being governed as per the Gas Pricing and Utilization Policy of the Government issued/amended from time to time. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is imported  under  open  general  license  on  the  terms  and  conditions  mutually  agreed  upon between the buyers and sellers and it is being traded on market based mechanism. Further, to promote the development of free  gas  market,  Government  has  notified  a  policy  in  March, 2016  to  grant  marketing  and  pricing  freedom  with  a  price  ceiling  on  gas  produced  from discoveries  in  Deep-water,  Ultra  Deep-water,  and  High  pressure-High  Temperature  areas. Government has also provided marketing and pricing freedom for the sale of crude oil and natural gas to be produced under the Discovered Small Fields Policy-2015 and Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy.

(b) It has been conceptually agreed to establish the gas trading hub(s)/exchange(s) in the country  wherein  the  natural  gas  can  be  freely  traded  and  supplied  through  a  market mechanism.

(c)  & (d) Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has hired a consultant to develop a regulatory framework for operationalizing the gas trading hub(s)/ exchange(s) in the  country.  In  view  of  the  administrative,  legal,  operational  issues  involved  a  precise timeframe for operationalizing the gas trading exchange/hub cannot be indicated at this stage.
Lok Sabha Question No. 789 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-23
Subject: Education Loans
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: MAUSAM NOOR

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

(c)  to  (e):There  is  no  such  scheme  which  provides  interest  free  education  loan.  However,  the Government  is  implementing  the  following  interest  subsidy  schemes  on  education  loans  for  higher education:(i) Central Sector Interest Subsidy Scheme (CSIS): Under the Scheme, full Interest Subsidy is provided for the moratorium period (course period plus one year), on the educational loan up to Rs. 7.5 lakh taken by students belonging to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) having annual parental income up to Rs.4.5 lakh, from Scheduled Banks under the Model Educational Loan Scheme. (ii)  Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies: The Scheme is implemented by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The objective of the scheme  is  to  provide  interest  subsidy  to  meritorious  students  belonging  to  Other  Backward Classes  (OBC)  and  Economically  Backward  Classes  (EBC)to  provide  them  opportunities  to pursue higher education abroad in the field of  Arts,  Engineering,  Medical  and  Agriculture.  The income ceiling is Rs. 8 lakh per annum for OBCs and Rs.2.5 lakh per annum for EBCs. (iii)  PadhoPardeshScheme: The Scheme is implemented by Ministry of Minority Affairs. Under the scheme, interest subsidy is provided  to  minority  students  to  pursue  Master's  Level  Courses,  M.Phil.,  and  Ph.D.  in  foreign Universities  in  the  field  of  Arts,  Engineering,  Agriculture  and  Medical.  The  income  ceilingis  Rs.

6.00 lakh per annum.

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.789 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2018

## EDUCATION LOANS

789. SHRIMATI MAUSAM NOOR:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  waive  the  interest  payable  on  education  loans availed  by  the  Scheduled  Caste/Scheduled  Tribe/Other  Backward  Caste  (SC/ST/OBC)  and  Minority community students pursuing higher studies in professional institutes; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c)  whether  the  Government has taken any decision to grant interest-free education loan for SC/ST & OBC as well as Minority community students up to Postgraduate level; (d) if so, the details thereof; and

- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

## (DR. SATYA PAL SINGH)

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 787 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-23
Subject: Unemployment Rate
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: JITENDRA CHAUDHURY

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.787

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD JULY, 2018

## UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

## 787.  SHRI JITENDRA CHAUDHURY:

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

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  around  31  million  people  in  the  country  are currently looking for jobs and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is a fact that highest unemployment rate has been witnessed in  the  last  15-10  months  according  to  the  Centre  for  Monitoring  Indian Economy (CMIE); and
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  alongwith  the  action  taken/being  taken  by  the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a):As  per  the  results  of  available  labour  force  surveys  on  EmploymentUnemployment conducted by Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour and Employment, the estimated unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above on usual status basis in the country in 2011-12,  2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 was 3.3%, 4.0%, 3.4% and 3.7% respectively.

(b):  According  to  the  Centre  for  Monitoring  Indian  Economy  Pvt  Ltd.  (CMIE), unemployment  rate  is  in  the  range  of  3.39%  to  5.67%    during  July,  2017  to June, 2018.

(c): Employment generation and improving employability has been the priority concern of the Government. The Government is implementing various programmes in this direction like encouraging private sector of economy, fast tracking  various  projects  involving  substantial  investment  and  increasing public  expenditure  on  schemes  like  Prime  Minister's  Employment  Generation Programme (PMEGP), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme  (MGNREGS),  Pt.  Deen  Dayal  Upadhyaya  Grameen  Kaushalya  Yojana (DDU-GKY) and Deendyal Antodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM).

In order to improve the employability of youth, around 22 Ministries/Departments run skill development schemes across various sectors. MUDRA  and  START  UPS  schemes  are  initiated  by  the  Government  for facilitating self-employment.

Government has implemented the National Career Service (NCS) Project which comprises a digital portal that provides a nation-wide online platform for the  job  seekers  and  employers  for  job-matching  in  a  dynamic,  efficient  and responsive manner and has a repository of career content.

Pradhan  Mantri  Rojgar  Protsahan  Yojana  has  been  launched  by  the Ministry  of  Labour  and  Employment  in  the  year  2016-17  for  incentivising industry for promoting employment generation. Under this scheme, Government  is  paying  entire  employer's  contribution  (12%  or  as  admissible) towards EPF and EPS for all eligible new employees for all sectors for 3 years.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 786 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-23
Subject: Quality Assurance of Universities
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: DUSHYANT SINGH

## MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.786 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2018

## Quality Assurance of Universities

786. SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH: Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Ministry  has  a  mechanism  for  Quality  Assurance  of  the  universities under Grant for Graded autonomy;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

- (c)  whether  there  is  a  provision  to  hire  foreign  faculties  for  Universities  under  the University Grants Commission (UGC);
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e)  the  mechanism  by  which  the  Government  plans  to  balance  the  reservation  in faculty  hiring  and  appointment  of  foreign  faculties  in  varsities  under  the  UGC  in  the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (Dr. SATYA PAL SINGH)

(a)  &  (b):  Yes,  Madam.  Recognising  the  need  to  create  an  enabling  environment whereby  Higher  Educational  Institutions  (HEIs)  can  become  institutions  of  global excellence,  autonomy  is  pivotal  to  promote  and  institutionalize  excellence  in  higher education.  The  regulatory  framework  has  recognized  this  need  and  towards  this direction, the  UGC  (Categorisation  of  Universities  (Only)  for  Grant  of  Graded Autonomy)  Regulations,  2018  have  been  notified  on  12 th February,  2018.  These regulations are aimed to provide autonomy to the HEIs based on quality benchmarks.

Under these Regulations, Universities having NAAC scrore of 3.51 or above or those who have received a corresponding score/grade from a reputed accreditation agency empanelled by the UGC or have been ranked among top 500 of reputed world rankings are placed in Category-I. Universities having NAAC score of 3.26 and above, upto 3.50 or have received a corresponding accreditation grade/score from a reputed

Accreditation  Agency  empanelled  by  the  UGC  are  placed  in  Category-II.  The Universities  which  do  not  come  under  the  above  two  categories  are  placed  in Category-III.

(c) to (e): Yes, Madam. Category I & II Universities may hire foreign faculty, without approval of the Commission, who have taught at an institution appearing in top five hundred of any of the world renowned ranking frameworks such as the Times Higher Education World University Rankings or QS  Rankings upto 20% of over and above of their total sanctioned faculty strength. Universities will have the freedom to hire foreign faculty on 'tenure/contract' basis as per the terms and conditions approved by their Governing  Council/Statutory  bodies.  Since  the  recruitment  of  foreign  faculty  is  over and  above  the  sanctioned  strength  of  an  Institution,  the  implementation  of  the reservation policy of the Government in teaching positions will not be disturbed.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 782 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-23
Subject: Making NCERT Books Mandatory
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: VISHNU DAYAL RAM

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†782 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 rd  July, 2018

## Making NCERT Books Mandatory

## †782. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government/Central  Board  of  Secondary  Education  (CBSE)  has decided  to  make  National  Council  of  Educational  Research  and  Training (NCERT) textbooks mandatory in all the schools affiliated with CBSE across the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the NCERT is ready to make the textbooks of all the subjects available in sufficient number through their district sellers;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether  any  cell  has  been  set  up  to  deal  with  the  complaints  of  guardians regarding non-availability of NCERT books on time; and
- (f) if  not,  the  manner  in  which  the  Government/CBSE  is  likely  to  address  the complaints of guardians?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): No, Madam.
- (b): Does not arise.
- (c)&(d):  National  Council  of  Educational  Research  and  Training  (NCERT)  is  ready  to provide adequate number of textbooks. All NCERT sales outlets are equipped with adequate stock to supply textbooks.Further, for the purpose of distribution of  textbooks,  NCERT has enlarged its distribution network of vendors across the  country.  The  details  of  such  895  vendors  have  been  uploaded  on  the NCERT website for the convenience of the schools and parents.
- (e)&(f):  NCERT has developed a dedicated portal to ensure availability of text books to all. Telephone numbers and e-mail address on which the complaints regarding non-availability of textbooks can be registered have been prominently displayed on the portal. The Publication Division of NCERT is continuously monitoring the progress  of  availability  of  textbooks.  Complaints  regarding  non-availability  of textbooks,  if  any,  received  are  attended  to  and  resolved  by  the  Publication Division of NCERT promptly.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 781 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-23
Subject: Impact of Maternity Benefit Amendment Act
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: E. T. MOHAMMED BASHEER

- (a):

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 781 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2018

## IMPACT OF MATERNITY BENEFIT AMENDMENT ACT

## 781. SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

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

- (a)whether  the  Government  has  made  any  study  on  the  impact  of implementing the maternity benefit amendment Act in the employment sector for women and if so, the details and the outcome thereof;
- (b)whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  that  the  participation  of women in jobs has reduced following the implementation of the said Act; and
- (c)if so, the details and the reasons therefor including the steps taken by  the  Government  to  increase  the  women  participation  rate  in workforce?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- No such type of study has been conducted by the Government.
- (b):    Though  no  such  data  is  maintained  by  Central  Government,  the Government  is  of  opinion  that  with  enforcement  of  the  Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017, more and more women workers would be inclined to seek employment which will lead to increase in women labour participation across the country.
- (c):  The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, is enforced and implemented by the respective State Governments in all sectors except in the Mines and  Circus  industries.    Time  to  time,  advisories  are  issued  to  State Governments for strict enforcement and compliance of the provisions of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 779 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-23
Subject: Khadi Villages
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: KURUPPASSERY VARKEY THOMAS

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTIONNO. 779 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2018

## KHADI VILLAGES

## 779.   PROF. K.V. THOMAS:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to start Khadi Villages under Centre for Rural Employment and Economic Development in the country; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a): As of now, there is no proposal for Khadi Village under Centre for Rural employment and Economic Development. However, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is implementing the following schemes for the development  of  Khadi  and  Village  Industries  in  the  country:-  (i)  Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), (ii) Market Promotion  Development  Assistance  (MPDA),(iii)  Interest  Subsidy  Eligibility Certificate  (ISEC)  Scheme,(iv)  Workshed  Scheme  for  Khadi  Artisans,(v) Strengthening  infrastructure  of  weak  Khadi  institutions  and  assistance  for marketing  infrastructure,  (vi)  Khadi  Reform  and  Development  Programme (KRDP).

- (b): Does not arise.

* * *
Lok Sabha Question No. 778 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-23
Subject: Digital Library
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. 778 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2018

## Digital Library

## 778. SHRI R. PARTHIPAN:

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

- (a)  whether the Government has recently launched National Digital Library of India (NDLI) project;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it would make digital educational resources available to all citizens of the country to empower, inspire and encourage learning; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

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

## (DR. SATYA PAL SINGH)

(a) to (b)  The National Digital Library of India project was launched by Hon'ble Minister of  Human  Resource  Development  at  Vigyan  Bhawan  on  19/06/2018  and  the  portal (www.ndl.gov.in) has been dedicated to the Nation.

(c) & (d)  National Digital Library of India is an open digital library implemented as part of  National  Mission  on  Education  through  ICT  (NMEICT)  programme.  It  is  a  24*7 learning resource and can be accessible by anyone, from anywhere and anytime, free of cost. It is a key enabler by forming a centralized knowledge platform by collecting and indexing  metadata  from  individual  and  institutional  Digital  Repositories.  The  NDLI platform  is  becoming  the  reference  for  various  e-learning  systems  through  which schools,  boards  and  other  educational  platforms  can  provide  structured  courses  in diverse  levels  and  complexities  of  study.  NDLI  is  Open  and  Inclusive.  It  allows  all learners of all ages to access any subject to any degree of proficiency irrespective of location and geography. It is available in 200+ languages in the form of e-book, journals and articles, simulations, animations and other forms of digital learning resources. As on date over 1.75 crore content is available on NDL, over 35 lakhs users are registered and  more  than  9000  institutions  are  using  it.  NDL  integrates  an  absolute  wealth  of knowledge available to the user through a single window, forming a fundamental part of Technology Enable Learning Environment.

- ******
Lok Sabha Question No. 777 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-23
Subject: Welfare of Film Industry Worker
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: KIRIT SOMAIYA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 777 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2018

## WELFARE OF FILM INDUSTRY WORKER

## 777. DR. KIRIT SOMAIYA:

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

- (a)whether the Government is aware that a huge number of workers such as light  men,  spot  boys,  painters  etc.  are  working  in  the  Film  Studios  in Mumbai and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  they  are  reportedly  denied/not provided  with  the  basic  facilities  like  ESIS,  PPF,  Pension,  Leave,  Fixed working hours, etc. under Labour Law by the Film industry and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)whether the Government will make a survey to find out the condition of this  workforce  in  the  film  studios  and  take  action  so  that  they  get  all facilities under Labour Law including ESIS, PPF etc; and
- (d)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- (a): As on date, 7,208 such workers have been issued identity cards by the Labour Welfare Organization, for the purpose of extending benefits of various welfare schemes being implemented by this Organization.
- (b): No information with regard to denial of basic facilities like ESIS, PPF, Pension, Leave, Fixed working hours, etc. has been received.
- (c) & (d): Vide notification number SO 3455 dated 4th November 1988, the Central  Government  has  delegated  all  the  powers  related  to  the  Working Conditions  and  Welfare  of  Cine-Workers  and  Cinema  Theatre  Workers,  as defined under the Cine Workers and Cinema Theatre Workers (Regulation of Employment) Act, 1981, except power to make rules, to the State Governments.

In the light of the above, the State Governments are mandated to conduct such surveys.

********