opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 159 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-18
Subject: IBA Group Medical Insurance Scheme
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: L.S. Tejasvi Surya

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 159

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH NOVEMBER, 2019/ KARTIK 27, 1941(SAKA)

## IBA Group Medical Insurance Scheme

159. SHRI L.S. TEJASVI SURYA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the escalating premium cost for IBA Group Medical Insurance for retirees (senior citizens) which is now about Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 90,000, if so, the measures taken to reduce the disparity;
- (b) whether the payment of premium of IBA Group Medical Insurance should be borne by the bank for both serving employees and retirees, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government is considering to provide assistance to meet the escalating premium cost for senior citizens for Group Medical Insurance, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether the Government is considering to provide an alternate medical insurance scheme since most of the retirees are above 60 years and are opting out of IBA Group Medical Insurance scheme as they are unable to bear the cost of the high premium, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) : Government is in receipt of representations regarding bank retirees being provided free health insurance cover at par with serving bank employees. Group Medical Insurance was introduced as part of the 10 th Bipartite Settlement entered into between bank employee unions/associations and the Indian Banks Association (IBA) negotiating collectively on behalf of those member banks that gave it specific mandate in this regard. As the insurance cover is part of the settled terms and conditions negotiated by IBA, the matter is not under consideration of the government and representations in this regard have been referred by the Government.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 156 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-18
Subject: Conversion of University
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Dileshwar Kamait

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 156 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.11.2019

## Conversion of University

†156. SHRI DILESHWAR KAMAIT:

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

- (a)  the  number  of  universities  in  the  country  including  Patna  University  which  the  Government proposes to convert into Central University along with the criteria adopted for the said process;
- (b)  the  reason  as  to  why  not  even  a  single  University  in  Bihar  has  got  the  status  of  Central University; and
- (c) the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank')

(a) to (c) At present, there is no proposal for conversion of Patna University into Central University. There are already three Central Universities functioning in the State of Bihar at Gaya, Motihari and Nalanda.  However, the State Government is  yet  to hand over possession of  land for the Central University at Motihari. Besides, the Prime Minister package for Bihar also proposes to establish a new Central University near Bhagalpur at the historic site of Vikramshila University. As a policy decision, this Ministry avoids conversion of any university into Central University for reasons of legacy issues, adjustment of existing staffs and disaffiliation of affiliated colleges.

As per the 12 th Plan (2012-17), as approved by the National Development Council, the thrust is on consolidation  of  the  higher  education  system  and  expansion  is  to  be  mainly  done  by  scaling  up capacity  of  the  existing  institutions  in  place  of  setting  up  new  institutions.  Further,  'Education' being  a  concurrent  subject,  the  State  Government  may  also  take  initiative  for  establishing  new universities.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 154 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-18
Subject: Vocational Training Collaborating with States and Industries
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: Khagen Murmu, Ajay (Teni) Misra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 154 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.11.2019

## VOCATIONAL TRAINING COLLABORATING WITH STATES AND INDUSTRIES

## †154. SHRI KHAGEN MURMU: SHRI AJAY KUMAR MISRA TENI:

## Will  the  Minister  of  SKILL  DEVELOPMENT  AND  ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  scheme  to  provide  vocational training by collaborating with States and industries to provide employment to unemployed youth in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI R.K. SINGH)

(a) to (c) Vocational Training is a concurrent subject. The development of training schemes at National level,  the  evolution  of  policy,  laying  of  training  standard,  norms, conducting  of  examinations,  certification,  etc.  are  the  responsibilities  of  the  Central government,  whereas,  day  to  day  administration  including  an  admission  in  ITIs  rests with  the  respective  State  Governments  /  UTs.  Presently,  training  courses  under  the Craftsmen Training Scheme are being offered through a network of 15,510 ITIs located all over the country with total trainees enrolled 22.82 lakhs (in the trades of 1 year and 2 year durations) on NCVTMIS portal with an objective to provide skilled workforce to the industry in 138 NSQF compliant trades.

Further, in order to enhance employability of trainees graduating from ITIs, from the session 2019-20, duration of curricula of employability skill has been increased from 110  hrs  to  160  hrs  in  the  first  year  of  ITIs.  Besides,  web  based  Employability  Skills would be of an additional component of 80 hrs in 2 nd year. In addition, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is implementing Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas  Yojana  (PMKVY  2.0)  2016-20  on  pan-India  basis  with  an  objective  to  provide skilling  to  one  crore  people  over  four  years  (2016-2020).  Under  the  scheme,  as  on 11.11.2019, 64.27 lakhs candidates have been trained, out of which 14.43 lakhs have been placed.

The  MSDE,  through  the  National  Skill  Development  Corporation  (NSDC),  has taken  up  multiple  initiatives  to  connect  with  industries  for  partnership  under  the  Skill India Mission. 38 Sector Skill Councils have been set up as Industry led bodies which help  in  training  need  analysis,  curriculum  development,  rolling  out  of  training  and assessment and certification.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 150 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-18
Subject: Suggestion on Tax Cut
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

## 150. SHRI T.R. BAALU:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware of the suggestion of Nobel Prize, 2019 awardee for economics that the Government should consider reversing the recent corporate tax cuts because it will further increase the fiscal burden and instead, that money should be spent through higher allocation to PM- KISAN Scheme and enhancing MGNREGA Wages;

(b)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  will  come  forward  to  consider  the  suggestions  in  the  interest  of improving the economy of the country; and

(c) if not, the reasons thereof?

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 150

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY 18 TH  NOVEMBER, 2019 KARTIKA 27, 1941 (SAKA)

## SUGGESTION ON TAX CUT

## ANSWER

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

(a), (b) and (c)  Rates of corporate taxes have been reduced with an intent to attract fresh investment, create jobs and stimulate overall economic growth. These measures are expected to result in revenue loss of Rs 1,45,000/- cr.

However, the stimulus provided by the corporate tax cuts is expected to have a multiplier effect in the economy. Fresh investment into India are expected to not only result in new job creation but also lead to increased incomes and hence increased tax collection in the medium to long run.

Every suggestion is examined during the preparation of the Union Budget and the response of the Government is reflected in the budget that is presented annually.

--------
Lok Sabha Question No. 147 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-18
Subject: Emerging Employment Patterns
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Suresh Kodikunnil

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 147 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH  NOVEMBER, 2019

## EMERGING EMPLOYMENT PATTERNS

## 147. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  informed  through  a  study  of  Government  data commissioned by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, titled, 'Emerging  Employment  Patterns  of  21st  Century  India',  that  the  organised sector in India has increased non-contractual employment;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  whether  the  Government  has  been  further informed that such non contractual employment results in decreased payment of wages and unsatisfactory working conditions and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if so, the details of the various structural reforms initiated by the Government to improve the working conditions of the labour force in the country?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The study titled  'Emerging Employment Patterns of 21st Century India' is  only  one  of  the  studies  commissioned  by  Economic  Advisory  Council  to  the Prime Minister (EAC-PM). This study is available at www.indicus.org/publications.php The findings of this study have been contested by  other  studies,  including  another  study  commissioned  by  EAC-PM  which  is available at https://eacpm.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/populationeducation-and-employment-in-India-1983-2018.pdf. Thus, the conclusion of different studies vary.

Government has taken several initiatives to improve working conditions of the labour force. Government has undertaken amalgamation and rationalization of different  labour  laws  into  4  labour  codes    viz  The  Code  on  Wages,  the  Code  on Industrial  Relations,  the  Code  on  Social  Security  and  Welfare  and  the  Code  on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions. The Labour Codes envisage extension  of  minimum  wages  and  timely  payment  of  wages  to  all  workers, provision  of  appointment  letter,  annual  medical  check-up,  grievance  redressal mechanism for workers, and safety and other welfare measures.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 143 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-18
Subject: Vocational Education
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Nishikant  Dubey

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 143 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.11.2019

## Vocational Education

## 143. DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY:

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

- (a)  the details of measures being taken by the Government to boost vocational education in the country;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to set up Special Educational Zones to serve higher education and skill development in the country; and
- (c)  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): To boost vocational education in the country,  University Grants Commission (UGC) is providing skill based courses (through 188 Community Colleges, 289 Institutes offering B.Voc programmes  and  68  DDU  KaushalKendras)  to  68,663  students  and  All  India  Council  for Technical  Education  (AICTE)  is  running  vocational  degree/diploma  courses  through  473 institutions  with  approved  intake  strength  of  35,450  students.  Also,  Ministry  is  working  along with  Sector  Skill  Councils  (SSCs)  under  National  Skill  Development  Corporation  (NSDC)  to undertake  Apprenticeship/Internship  degree  programmes  with  core  focus  on  development  of knowledge, skills, aptitude and on-job training. Some of the sectors like Logistics & Retail have commenced Degree Apprenticeship programmes in 15 institutions. (b) & (C): No, sir.

* * * * *
Lok Sabha Question No. 142 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-18
Subject: Fiscal Deficit Target
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Thomas Chazhikadan

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Economic Affairs

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 142 ANSWERED ON - 18.11.2019

## FISCAL DEFICIT TARGET

## 142. SHRI THOMAS CHAZHIKADAN:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government plans to meet the fiscal deficit target of 3.3 per cent;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  details  of  revenue  stream  through  which  the Government plans to compensate for the fall;
- (c) if not, the likely shortfall as a result thereof; and
- (d) the manner in which the Government plans to meet the likely shortfall?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

- (a) Yes sir.
- (b), (c) & (d)   Fiscal Deficit at the end of the year 2019-20 has been budgeted at ₹7,03,760 crore which works out to 3.3% of GDP. As per Section 7 (1) of the FRBM Act, 2003, a half-yearly review of the trends in Receipts and Expenditure in relation to the Budget is undertaken and the outcome is placed before both Houses of Parliament.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 137 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-18
Subject: Gas Pipeline work in Jhanshi, UP
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Anurag Sharma

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 137 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.11.2019 Gas Pipeline work in Jhanshi, UP

†137. SHRI ANURAG SHARMA:

पेट्रोल ियम और प्राक ृ तिक गैस मंत्री

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

(a) the status of the first phase of supply of cooking gas by pipeline in 15 districts of Uttar Pradesh including Jhansi Lalitpur;

(b) the name of agency through which the supply of cooking gas by pipeline is being done in Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh;

(c) the time by which the said work is likely to be completed and the time by which supply of gas will begin; and

(d) the proposed amount of funds to be spent on the scheme in a phased manner?

## ANSWER पेट्रोल ियम और प्राक ृ तिक गैस मंत्री (श्री धमेन्द्र प्रधान)

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

(a) to (d) Petroleum  &  Natural  Gas  Regulatory  Board  (PNGRB)  is  the  authority  to  grant authorization  to  the  entities  for  the  development  of  City  Gas  Distribution  (CGD)  network  in Geographical Areas (GAs) as per PNGRB Act, 2006. PNGRB identifies GAs for authorizing the development of CGD network in synchronization with the development of natural gas pipeline connectivity  and  natural  gas  availability.  Providing  Piped  Natural  Gas  (PNG)  i.e.  cooking  gas connections to households is part of the development of CGD Network and the same is carried out by the entities authorized. In the state of Uttar Pradesh, 37 GAs covering 66 districts has been authorized till  10 th CGD bidding round. PNGRB has authorized Jhansi GA to Central UP Gas Limited  (CUGL)  under  2 nd CGD  bidding  round.  Remaining  part  of  Jhansi  district  has  been authorized  to  Adani  Gas  Limited  (AGL)  as  a  part  of  Jhansi  (Except  Area  already  authorized) District,  Bhind,  Jalaun,  Lalitpur  and  Datia  Districts  GA  under  10 th CGD  bidding  round.  The commitment of  CGD entities  are  required  to  be  achieved  over  a  period  of  8  years  and  under normal  conditions,  gas  supply  to  this  GAs  is  to  commence  from  the  second  year  onwards. PNGRB has informed that to develop the CGD network in their authorized GA, the CGD entity are expected to invest approximately Rs.400 crore per district.
Lok Sabha Question No. 135 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-18
Subject: Recognition of Ram Setu as Monument of National Importance
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Sanjay Jaiswal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.135 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.11.2019

## RECOGNITION OF RAM SETU AS MONUMENT OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE

## 135. DR. SANJAY JAISWAL:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Ram  Setu  is  recognised  as  a  monument  of  National  Importance under the AMASR Act,1958;
- (b) if not, the reasons for its non-inclusion;
- (c) the steps taken for its protection;
- (d) the number  of heritage sites freed from encroachments  during the last three years; and
- (e) the reason behind the slow pace of action taken for removal of encroachments?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c) The matter is pending with the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India.
- (d) The Centrally protected monuments freed from encroachment during the last three years are given at Annexure.
- (e) Archaeological Survey of India is completely dependent on State Governments for removal of encroachment.

## ANNEXURE

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.135 FOR 18.11.2019

## Details of encroachments partially removed from the centrally protected monuments during the last three years

|   Sl. No. | Name of monument          | Locality        | District          | State         |
|-----------|---------------------------|-----------------|-------------------|---------------|
|         1 | Mahadev Temple            | Belpan          | Bilaspur          | Chhattisgarh  |
|         2 | Chaiturgarh Fort          | Lapha           | Korba             | Chhattisgarh  |
|         3 | Danteshwari Devi Temple   | Dantewada       | South Baster      | Chhattisgarh  |
|         4 | Asafi Imambara            | Lucknow         | Lucknow           | Uttar Pradesh |
|         5 | Warren Hasting's House    | Barasat         | North 24 Parganas | West Bengal   |
|         6 | Ther Mound                | Sirsa           | Sirsa             | Haryana       |
|         7 | Mosque of Ali Vardi Khan, | Sarai Ala Vardi | Gurgaon           | Haryana       |
Lok Sabha Question No. 129 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-18
Subject: Impact of Demonetisation on Exports
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: K. Jayakumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 129

TO BE ANSWERED ON NOVEMBER 18, 2019

## IMPACT OF DEMONETISATION ON EXPORTS

129. DR. K. JAYAKUMAR:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of annual growth of exports in dollars since 2014 along with annual growth rate, yearwise;
- (b) the details of the impact of demonetization on exports, year-wise;
- (c) the details of the policy measures taken by the RBI to contain price rise of essential commodities and increase of GDP; and
- (d) the details of the impact of the above measures?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The details of annual growth of exports in dollars since 2014-15 along with annual growth rate, year-wise is given in table below:
- (b) The country's exports are impacted by a number of factors which include structural, external, fiscal and monetary factors. Therefore, it is not possible to pinpoint the impact of demonetization on exports.
- (c) & (d) The Government and Reserve Bank of India are closely monitoring the prices of essential commodities  and  GDP  on  an  on-going  basis  and  are  calibrating  policies  or  regulations  to  support robust macroeconomic outcome.

| Year / Month                                    | Exports in US$ billion                          | %Growth                                         |
|-------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|
| 2014-15                                         | 310.3                                           | -1.3                                            |
| 2015-16                                         | 262.3                                           | -15.5                                           |
| 2016-17                                         | 275.9                                           | 5.2                                             |
| 2017-18                                         | 303.5                                           | 10                                              |
| 2018-19                                         | 330.1                                           | 8.8                                             |
| 2019-20 (April-October) P                       | 185.9                                           | -2.2                                            |
| Source: Department of Commerce. P : Provisional | Source: Department of Commerce. P : Provisional | Source: Department of Commerce. P : Provisional |