opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 406 (STARRED), answered on 2020-03-23
Subject: Travel Grant to Indian Artists
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Nishikant  Dubey, Manoj Kumar Tiwari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 406

## FOR ANSWER ON 23.03.2020

## TRAVEL GRANT TO INDIAN ARTISTS

- *406. DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY: SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has launched any scheme for providing travel grant to Indian artists for holding events abroad to promote Indian culture;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of funds allocated for the purpose during each of the last two years and the current year?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR CULTURE AND TOURISM (I/C) (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

- (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. 406 for 23.03.2020 regarding Travel Grant to Indian Artists

Ministry  of  Culture  had  launched  the  scheme  for  'Promoting  International  Cultural Relations'  in  2014  during  the  12 th Five Year  Plan  period with the objective of disseminating  and  creating  awareness  about various  forms  of  Indian  culture  abroad. However,  no  grant  was  released  under  the  scheme  as  none  of  the  applications received  for  the  purpose  during  the  period  wasfulfilling  the  criteria  prescribed  in  the scheme. The scheme was proposed to continue beyond 12 th plan period (i.e. beyond 31 st March,  2017)  with  modification  and  renamed  as  'Travel  Grant  for  promotion  of Indian  Culture'.However,  final  decision  on  continuation  of  the  scheme  has  not  been taken.The  details  of  token  budgetaryprovisions  made  during  last  two  years  and  the current year are as under:

| Financial Year   |   Amount (Rs. in lakh) |
|------------------|------------------------|
| 2017-18          |                     50 |
| 2018-19          |                    100 |
| 2019-20          |                     50 |

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 405 (STARRED), answered on 2020-03-23
Subject: Fee Structure in Higher Education
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Janardan Mishra, Rodmal Nagar

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 405 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2020

## Fee structure in Higher Education

## † *405. SHRI JANARDAN MISHRA: SHRI RODMAL NAGAR:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  preparing  any  plan  to  bring  changes  in  the  fee structure in higher education institutions;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the future plans of the Government in this regard; and
- (d)  the  names  of  the  institutions  where  the  same  fee  system  as  that  of  J.N.U.  is being implemented?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK' )

- ( a) to (d) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

***

Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (d) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No.  405    to  be  answered  on  23.03.2020  regarding  'Fee  structure  in  Higher Education' asked by Shri Janardan Mishra and Shri Rodmal Nagar, Hon'ble MPs.

(a) and (b): Government is not working on any scheme related to change in fees of higher educational institutions. It is to be known that every educational institution is an autonomous institution. Therefore, various educational institutions take decisions through  their  regulatory  units  such  as  Finance  Committee,  Board  of  Governance, Executive Council etc.

(c): For  technical  institutions,  in  the  light  of  the  Supreme  Court  order,  AICTE  had constituted  a  committee  under  the  chairmanship  of  retired  Supreme  Court  Judge B.N. Sri Krishna to fix the  upper limit of fees in technical  institutions. In December 2015, AICTE accepted the report of this committee and after consulting the Ministry of  Education  of  the  States,  implemented  it.  Under  this,  the  upper  limit  of  fees  for various technical courses has been prescribed. Besides this, in every State a "State Fee  Regulation  Committee"  has  been  constituted.  It  is  clearly  mentioned  in  the handbook of AICTE that the technical institutes  of the States  can charge  the  fees only on the basis of the Fee Regulation Committee of the State.

(d): The fee structure of Jawaharlal Nehru University and the fee structure of other universities are determined according to the nature of the course.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 404 (STARRED), answered on 2020-03-23
Subject: Central Institute of Classical Tamil
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

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

## STARRED QUESTION NO.404 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2020

## Central Institute of Classical Tamil

## * 404.    SHRIMATI KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI :

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

- (a)  whether  the  grant  being  given  by  the  Union  Government  to  the 'Central  Institute  of  Classical  Tamil'  has  been  decreasing  considerably since 2014;
- (b) if so, the reasons for the reduction in grant; and
- (c) whether the Government has any plans to increase the grant?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK')

- (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. 404 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2020 ASKED BY SHRIMATI KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI, HON'BLE M.P. REGARDING 'Central Institute of  Classical Tamil  '

(a)  to  (c):    No  Sir.    The      grants    released    by  the  Government  to  Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT), Chennai  has increased by 12.5%  in 2019-20 from 2014-15.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4830 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-23
Subject: Declaration of Places of Tamil Nadu as International Tourist Spot
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: M. Selvaraj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4830 ANSWERED ON 23.03.2020

## DECLARATION OF PLACES OF TAMIL NADU AS INTERNATIONAL TOURIST SPOT

4830. SHRI M. SELVARAJ:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Government has any plan to announce Velankanni and Nagore, Tamil Nadu as International Tourist Spot;
- (b)
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a) to (c): Ministry  of  Tourism  does  not  declare  any  tourist  place  as International  Tourist  Spot.  However,  Ministry  of  Tourism,  under  the schemes viz., Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)  and  'Integrated Development  of Theme Based Tourist Circuit in the Country, Swadesh Darshan (SD)" provides Central Financial Assistance for infrastructure development and beautification of pilgrim places on receipt of suitable DPRs from the respective State Governments/Union  Territories, subject to availability of funds, liquidation of pending  utilisation certificate against  the  fund  released  earlier  and  adherence  to  the  relevant scheme guidelines.

Based on the proposal received from State Government of Tamil Nadu Ministry of  Tourism  has  approved  the  project  'Development  of Vellankani' in 2016-17 under PRASHAD Scheme at the cost of Rs.5.60 Crore. An amount of Rs.4.48 Crore has been released so far. Ministry of Tourism has not received any proposal for development of Nagore from State Government.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4828 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-23
Subject: MoU between India and Myanmar
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Andimuthu Raja

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4828 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD  MARCH, 2020

## MoU BETWEEN INDIA AND MYANMAR

4828. SHRI A. RAJA:

पैट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री Will the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has recently signed an MoU with Myanmar related to oil and gas and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the reasons therefor;
- (c) the details of the funds estimated; and
- (d) the details of the target set?

पैट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्रािय में मंत्री ( श्री धमेन्द्र प्रधान ) THE MINISTER OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a)  Yes, Sir.
- (b) to (d):  The objective of this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is to establish a  framework  for  cooperation  in  the  petroleum  products  sector  between  India  and Myanmar  with  a  view  to  develop  mechanism  for  institutional  relationship  in  the petroleum products sector on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

The MoU provides for co-operation to:

- i) Strengthen  petroleum  products  cooperation  in  the  areas  of  mutual interest,  such  as  crude  refining,  feedstock  production  and  also  those relating to downstream refined petroleum products, and investments for development of the petroleum products industry.
2. ii) Exchange information in accordance with laws and regulations governing the petroleum products business.
3. iii) Exchange  information  in  the  areas  of  new  technologies,  scientific research and Research and Development (R&D).
4. iv) Organize educational and training programs for scientific and technical personnel.
- v) Organize  seminars  and  meetings  to  promote  business  opportunities and attract investments; and
6. vi) Any  other  form  of  cooperation  as  may  be  agreed  upon  by  the  two countries.

*******

## ANSWER
Lok Sabha Question No. 4826 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-23
Subject: Safety of Mine Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Maneka Sanjay Gandhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4826 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2020

## SAFETY OF MINE WORKERS

4826. SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI:

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

- (a)whether changes in safety norms of Mines workers are being made to the existing standards to be at par with the global safety standards;
- (b)if so, the details thereof;
- (c)whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  adopt  latest  technology  for electrical safety and provision of appropriate machinery for the workers; and
- (d)if so, the total allocation of funds for these developments made by the Government?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): To  make  safety  standards  in  mines  at  par  with  global  safety standards, amendments in statutory provisions are made as and when it is required. The details of the safety devices to be mandatorily installed at the mines are stipulated under the Rules and Regulations made under the Mines Act,  1952.  Coal  Mines  Regulations  and  Oil  Mines  Regulations  have  been amended in 2017 and are in vogue. Provisions regarding safety features in Heavy  Earth  Moving  Machineries  being  used  in  opencast  mines,  Safety Management Plan, Slope stability, Coal Bed methane extraction and many others have been incorporated in Coal Mines Regulations, 2017.

Adequate provisions regarding electrical safety and appropriate machineries/appliances to be provided to workers in mines exist in Mining part  of  The  Central  Electricity  Authority  (Measures  relating  to  Safety  and electric  supply)  Regulation,  2010  under  Electricity  Act,  2003.  Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) under Ministry of Labour & Employment has been  issuing  circulars  from  time  to  time  regarding  adoption  of  latest technology for electrical safety and provision of appropriate machinery.

No separate fund is allocated for technological development to DGMS.  However, there is detailed budgetary outlay for DGMS for activities carried out by them.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4825 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-23
Subject: PM Vidya Lakshmi Karyakram Scheme
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Kirit Premjibhai Solanki

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOKSABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4825

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 23 rd MARCH, 2020, CHAITRA 3, 1942 (SAKA)

## PM VIDYA LAKSHMI KARYAKRAM SCHEME

4825. DR. (PROF.) KIRIT PREMJIBHAI SOLANKI:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the Pradhan Mantri (PM) Vidya Lakshmi Karyakram scheme along with its salient features;

- (b) the total number of banks that have registered on the portal;

(c) the total number of educational loan schemes that are available for application on the portal; and

(d) the total number of students that have used the portal to apply for an educational loan since its inception?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

(a) : To operationalise the announcement made regarding the Vidya Lakshmi Karyakram Scheme in the budget speech for financial year 2015-16, the Vidya Lakshmi Portal was set up in August, 2015 as a single window, online solution for students to access information regarding education loan schemes and also apply for education loans to banks. The portal also provides facility to apply for Government Scholarships, and has the following salient features:

- (i) information about educational loan schemes of banks;
- (ii) common educational loan application form for students;
- (iii) facility to apply to multiple banks for education loans;
- (iv) facility for banks to download students' loan applications;
- (v) facility for banks to upload loan processing status;
- (vi) facility for students to email grievances/queries relating to education loans to banks;
- (vii) dashboard facility for students to view status of their loan applications; and
- (viii) linkage to National Scholarship Portal for information and application for Government Scholarships.

(b) to (d): As on 12.03.2020, 36 banks have registered on the Vidya Lakshmi portal, and 90 education loan schemes are available on the Portal. Further, as on 12.03.2020, 5,27,563 number of students have applied for education loan on the portal since its inception.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4824 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-23
Subject: Direct Tax Immunity Scheme
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Gangasandra Siddappa Basavaraj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4824

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY 23 RD  MARCH, 2020 CHAITRA 3, 1942 (SAKA)

## DIRECT TAX IMMUNITY SCHEME

## 4824. SHRI G.S. BASAVARAJ:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that with more than 5,00,000 cases still pending at different levels of tax pipeline with  disputed  amount  worth  Rs.7-8  trillion,  the  Government  proposes  to  launch  an  immunity scheme for the direct tax assessees and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether amnesty or immunity schemes affect the firmness of tax laws and would discourage tax payers from filing their dues accurately and at the same time be unfair to honest taxpayers and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  think  again  on  continuing  with  such  amnesty/immunity schemes  keeping  in  view  the  hindsight  gained  from  the  results  of  such  amnesty  or  immunity schemes since 1950 and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

(a)to(c) During the Union Budget, 2020 presentation, the 'Vivad se Vishwas' Scheme was announced to  provide  for  dispute  resolution  in  respect  of  pending  income  tax  litigation.  Pursuant  to  Budget announcement, the Direct tax Vivad se Vishwas Act (3 of 2020) (hereinafter 'the Act') was enacted on 17.03.2020. Subsequently the Direct tax Vivad se Vishwas Rules, 2020 have been notified vide S.O. No. 1129(E) in the Official Gazette on 18.03.2020.

The objective of the Act is to inter alia reduce pending income tax litigation, generate timely revenue for the Government and benefit taxpayers by providing them peace of mind and certainty with respect to  their  tax  liability.  Upon  payment  of  the  taxes  due  to  the  Government,  interest  is  waived  and immunity  is  granted  from  penalty  and  prosecution  under  the  Income-tax  Act,  1961  subject  to fulfillment  of  certain  conditions  as  mentioned  in  the  Act.  Further,  the  Act  excludes  certain  class  of persons,  if  there  is  inter-alia  prosecution  initiated  under  Conservation  of  Foreign  Exchange  and Prevention  of  Smuggling  Activities  Act,  1974,  the  Unlawful  Activities  (Prevention)  Act,  1967,  the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 or the Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988.  Also  cases,  where  prosecution  has  been  initiated  or  conviction  is  made  in  respect  of  offence under Indian Penal Code (IPC) by Income-tax Department are also excluded.

------
Lok Sabha Question No. 4822 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-23
Subject: Vocational Training in Tribal Areas
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Geeta Kora

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. † 4822

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2020

## VOCATIONAL TRAINING IN TRIBAL AREAS

## †4822. SHRIMATI GEETA KORA:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the types of schemes implemented for vocational training in tribal areas especially in Jharkhand during the last five years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  number  of  tribes  benefitted  by  such  schemes  in  Jharkhand  during  the  last  five years; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SMT. RENUKA SINGH SARUTA)

(a) to (d) : Various developmental programmes are implemented by the Government for upliftment of people  including those from tribal communities including in the  State of Jharkhand.  Schemes  of  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  under  which  support  is  given  for vocational trainings to tribals are Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme (SCA to TSS), Institutional Support for Development & Marketing of Tribal Products/Produce, Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution, Development for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal  Groups  (PVTGs)  and  grants  provided  under  the  scheme  of  Aid  to  Voluntary organizations working for the welfare of STs.

Funds are given for all Scheduled Tribes and are generally not for any  specific tribes.    Fund  released  under above mentioned scheme during current  year (2019-20) is given below:

(Rs. in Lakh)

|   SCA to TSS |   PVTG |   Article 275(1) |   Aid to Voluntary organizations |
|--------------|--------|------------------|----------------------------------|
|      1330.16 | 249.99 |           2661.8 |                          7833.04 |
Lok Sabha Question No. 4821 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-23
Subject: Tax Assessing Officers
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Mahabali Singh

(a) & (b):

## Indirect Taxes

There is statutory procedure enumerated in Customs Act, 1962, Finance Act, 1994, Central Excise Act, 1944 and CGST Act, 2017 by which proper officers have been empowered to recover the payment of outstanding taxes from any person, including individual corporates, within their jurisdiction.

## Direct Taxes

The Tax Assessing  Officers  have  the  statutory  authority  and  responsibility  to  recover  the payment of outstanding taxes from individual corporates as provided in Chapter XVII-D of the Income tax Act, 1961. It is not correct that the Government is not having any record of the outstanding amount against the Individual corporates.

- (c) The question does not arise in view of the reply above.

*****

Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4821

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 CHAITRA 3, 1942 (SAKA)

## TAX ASSESSING OFFICERS

†4821. SHRI MAHABALI SINGH:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  tax  assessing  officers  have  been  granted  statutory  jurisdiction  to  recover  the payment of outstanding taxes from individual corporates but the Government is not having any record of the outstanding amount against the individual corporates;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the strategy made by the Government in this regard in the absence of information regarding the outstanding taxes of individual corporates so that the outstanding taxes could be recovered?

## ANSWER MINSTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)
Lok Sabha Question No. 4820 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-23
Subject: Employment in Rural and Urban Areas
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Chandeshwar Prasad

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4820 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD  MARCH, 2020

## EMPLOYMENT IN RURAL AND URBAN AREAS

4820.   SHRI CHANDESHWAR PRASAD:

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

- (a) whether  there  is  a  significant  decline  in  the  number  of  people seeking  employment in  rural  and  urban  areas  during  the  last  few years; and
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  measures  taken  by  the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No, Sir.
- (b):   Question does not arise.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4819 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-23
Subject: Hostels in Kendriya Vidyalaya
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shiromani Ram

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4819 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2020

## HOSTELS IN KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA

## † 4819. SHRI RAM SHIROMANI:

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

(a) whether the Government proposes to set up Kendriya Vidyalayas across the country with hostel facilities; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK')

(a) No  such  proposal  is  under  consideration  of  the  Government  at present. (b) Does not arise.

- ******