opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3030 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-31
Subject: Exploitation of Child/Women Labour
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3030 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.12.2018

## EXPLOITATION OF CHILD/WOMEN LABOUR

†3030. SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

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

- (a)whether  the  Government  has  received  any  complaints  regarding  sexual
- exploitation of Child labourer including both male and female children in the country;
- (b)if  so,  the  details  thereof  during  each  of  the  last  three  years  and  the current year, State/UT-wise;
- (c)the steps taken by the Government to stop the growing incidence of such crimes in the country;
- (d)whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  a  high  level  committee  to
- punish people involved in such crimes; and
- (e)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): Government has an online portal PENCiL (Platform for Effective Enforcement for No Child Labour) which was launched on 26.9.2017. One of the main components of PENCiL portal is complaint corner on which anybody can lodge a complaint regarding child labour.

However, as far as sexual exploitation of Child Labourers is concerned, no such data is collected or maintained centrally.

- (c) to (e): Government has enacted the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016 which came into force w.e.f. 1.9.2016. The Amendment  Act  inter  alia  provides  for  complete  prohibition  of  work  or employment of children below 14 years in any occupation and process and prohibition  of  adolescents  in  the  age  group  of  14  to  18  years  in  hazardous occupations  and  processes.  The  Amendment  Act  also  provides  stricter punishment for employers for violation of the Act and has made the offence as cognizable.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3029 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-31
Subject: Unclaimed Funds in EPFO
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: MALLIKARJUN  KHARGE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3029 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.12.2018

## UNCLAIMED FUNDS IN EPFO

3029. SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE:

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

- (a)whether  a  huge  amount  belonging  to  the  poor  labourers  of  the country  was  lying  unclaimed  in  the  Employees'  Provident  Fund Organisation (EPFO) as on year 2014;
- (b)if so, the details thereof;
- (c)whether  the  Government  has  taken  necessary  and  appropriate steps to make available the aforesaid unclaimed funds to the rightful beneficiaries during the last four years; and
- (d)if so, the details thereof along with the amount of funds disbursed to/made available to the rightful beneficiaries so far and the time by which the remaining amount is likely to be provided?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): There  is  no  unclaimed  amount  in  Employees'  Provident Fund (EPF). However, as per para 72 (6) of the Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 1952, certain accounts are classified as Inorperative Accounts.  All  such  Inoperataive  Accounts,  however,  have  definite claimants.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3028 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-31
Subject: Digital Board
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: G. HARI

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3028 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.12.2018

## Digital Board

3028. Shri G Hari:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that the digital board across 15 lakh class rooms in the country in the next four years is likely to change the face of education in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also true that the Government has taken the benefit of digital revolution to educate 15 lakh teachers and making education available online and offline; and (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (DR. SATYA PAL SINGH)

- (a) & (b) An Expert Committee has been constituted to formulate the overall framework under  'Operation  Digital  Board'  initiative.  The  Committee  is  expected  to  prepare  the concept note and an approach paper, which would define the specifications, modalities, financing models of the project.

(c)  &  (d)  Yes,  the  government  has  taken  various  initiatives  of  Technology  Enabled Learning aimed at the students and general learners. Study Webs of Active Learning for Young  Aspiring  Minds  (SWAYAM)  is  India's  own  Massive  Open  Online  Courses (MOOCs) platform is offering online courses, for  students  and  non-students  learners. This  technology  platform  is  also  being  used  to  train  the  teachers,  enhancing  their capacity building.

The  Diploma  in  Elementary  Education  program  for  about  15  lakh  untrained teachers  has  been  administered  through  the  indigenous  online  Education  Platform SWAYAM.

Annual  Refresher  Program  in  Teaching  (ARPIT)  is  a  new  initiative  from  the Ministry of Human Resource Development, aiming to provide refresher course training to  the  higher  education  faculty,  through  online  courses,  hosted  on  Swayam  platform. These  online  courses  are  developed  by  75  reputed,  identified  National  Resource Centres (NRCs)

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3027 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-31
Subject: Setting up ROs/Gas Agencies
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: KHAN SAUMITRA

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3027

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 st  DECEMBER, 2018

## Setting up ROs/Gas Agencies

## 3027.       SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN:

पेट्रोलियम एवं प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री

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

- (a)  the  details  of  petrol  pumps/gas  agencies  operating  in  the  Indus  Block  of Bankura district of West Bengal;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  schemes  under  which  the  Government  intends  to  extend benefits to West Bengal and particularly to Indus Block of Bankura district;
- (c)  the  details  of  applications  received  for  starting  petrol  pumps  in  Bankura district; and
- (d)  whether  any  quota  has  been  fixed  for  the  families  of  martyred  soldiers  in allocation  of  new  petrol  pumps  and  gas  agencies  and if  so,  the  details  thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

पेट्रोलियम एवं प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री (श्री धमेन्द्र प्रधान)

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

- (a) to (c) Oil  Marketing  Companies  (OMCs)  have  reported  that  they  do  not have any petrol pump in Indus Block, Bankura District, West Bengal. However, there is one LPG distributorship of BPCL in Indus Block of Bankura District of West Bengal.

As on 27.12.2018, OMCs have released 3.24 lakh LPG connections under  Pradhan  Mantri  Ujjwala  Yojna  in  Bankura  District  of  West Bengal.

OMCs  have  advertised  112  locations  in  Bankura  district  of  West Bengal  for  setting  up  of  retail  outlet  dealerships  on  25.11.2018. Procedure  /  Norms  /  Criteria  /  Reservation  Policy  for  allotment  of Retail  Outlet  Dealerships/LPG  distributorships  in  the  country  are available on the respective websites of the OMCs i.e. www.iocl.com, www.bharatpetroleum.com & www.hindustanpetroleum.com .

OMCs  had  also  released  advertisement  inviting  applications  for appointment of LPG  Distributors in West Bengal. The Field Verification  of  Credentials  of  the  candidates  is  in  progress.  The detailed guidelines namely 'Unified Guidelines for Selection of LPG Distributorships' are available on the website http://www.petroleum.nic.in.

- (d) The  guidelines  for  selection  of  Retail  Outlet  dealerships  and  LPG distributorships have a provision of 8% reservation under Combined Category 1 and Government Personnel category respectively, which includes  Defence  Personnel,  Para  Military  Personnel  /  Central  / State Government and Central / State PSU employees. The detailed guidelines are available at the websites referred to in reply (a) to (c) above.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3026 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-31
Subject: Setting up of ESIC Dispensary in Maharajganj
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: PANKAJ CHOWDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3026 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.12.2018

## SETTING UP OF ESIC DISPENSARY IN MAHARAJGANJ

†3026. SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY:

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

- (a)whether the Government has received correspondence/letter No. MP/ MRJ/1495/18  dated  17.10.2018  regarding  setting  up  ESIC  dispensary-cumbranch office in District Maharajganj of Uttar Pradesh;
- (b)if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon;
- (c)whether the Government proposes to establish ESIC dispensary-cum-branch office in Maharajganj district of Uttar Pradesh; and
- (d)if so, the details thereof and the time by which it is likely to be set up and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Yes, Madam.  The said reference was received  for opening of Dispensary Cum Branch Office.
- (b): Maharajganj District falls under non- implemented area of ESI Scheme. ESIC provides medical facilities only in implemented areas. The Hon'ble MP has been  apprised  by  ESIC  vide  letter  No.A-45/20/14/2018-E.III  dated  31.10.2018 stating  that  the  matter  is  under  consideration/examination  for  opening  of Dispensary Cum Branch Office in district Maharajganj.
- (c): All  districts  of  Uttar  Pradesh  are  to  be  implemented/covered  under  ESI Act, 1948 by 2022 as per Vision 2022 and one Dispensary Cum Branch Offices is to be opened in each implemented District.
- (d): After implementation of ESI Scheme in Maharajganj district, necessary action will be initiated in respect of opening of Dispensary Cum Branch Office in Maharajganj.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3024 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-31
Subject: Admissions in Kendriya Vidyalayas
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: P. C. MOHAN

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3024 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.12.2018

## ADMISSIONS IN KENDRIYA VIDYALAYAS

## 3024. SHRI P.C. MOHAN:

- Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  establish  more  Kendriya  Vidyalayas (KVs)  in  Karnataka  considering  the  fact  that  the  demand  for  admissions  in KVs in Karnataka is increasing heavily; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government intends to take any special steps to speed up the land acquisition process by the State Government for establishing KVs; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): The Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) are opened primarily to cater to the educational needs of the children of transferable Central Government employees including Defence and Para-Military personnel by providing a common programme of education. Proposals for opening of new KVs are considered only if sponsored by Ministries or Departments of the Government of India/State Governments/ Union Territories Administrations thereby committing resources for setting up a new KV as well as the availability of necessary sanction of the Government. The proposals received from various sponsoring authorities for  opening  of  new  KVs  also  have  to  compete  among  other  proposals  under  the 'Challenge Method'. At present there are 1196 KVs in the country including 50 KVs in the state of Karnataka. (c)  &  (d):  Kendriya  Vidyalaya  Sangathan  (KVS)  does  not  acquire  land  for  the  KVs.

- Suitable  piece  of  land  is  to  be  provided  by  the  sponsoring  authority  free  of  cost  to establish the KV. The identified and demarcated land is also required to be transferred by the State Government / District Authority to KVS.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3023 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-31
Subject: Centre of Excellence
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: NAGARAJAN P.

## MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3023 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.12.2018

## Centre of Excellence

## 3023. SHRI P. NAGARAJAN:

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

- (a) whether the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi has decided to set up a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (AI) to promote research in the  technology  and  offer  solutions  to  complex  problems  in  fields  such  as medicine, finance and customer support and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether IIT, Delhi has plans to promote data driven researches through AI;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the modalities and methods of operations/functions of proposed AI; and
- (e) the time by which the said AI would be functional?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): Yes, Madam. The Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Artificial Intelligence (AI) will carry out research in areas related to application of artificial intelligence, data analytics, machine learning and related areas of interest to industry and society. The objective is to direct the research activities towards solving industry related problems, organize training programmes for students and industry professionals, and  hackathons  involving  students  in  research  and  innovation.  Under  CoE, proposals in the related field are invited from faculty, which, after review by an Advisory Committee are selected and supported by the research funds of the CoE. As  regards  timelines  for  the  CoE  to  be  functional,  AI  including  techniques developed at IIT Delhi is already functional in a variety of domains with different degrees of success. However, the domain of AI is one of continuous and endless development, and will become more and more effective with breakthroughs taking place through further research.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3022 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-31
Subject: Compensation Policy of SAIL
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: ABHIJIT MUKHERJEE

## COMPENSATION POLICY OF SAIL

## 3022.  SHRI ABHIJIT MUKHERJEE:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

(a) the  compensation  policy  of  SAIL  and  its  allied  units  in  the  event  of  an operational casualty;

(b) the amount (in rupees) spent towards compensation for operational casualties during each of the last four years and the current year; and

(c) the steps taken by the Government to prevent operational casualties?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR STEEL

## (SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)

(a) In Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), the compensation in case of death or permanent  total  disablement  of  employees  due  to  accident  arising  out  of  and  in course of employment is provided as per the Employees' Compensation Act, 1923.

SAIL also has guidelines for providing compassionate appointment to one of the eligible  dependents  in  case  of  death  or  permanent  total  disablement  of employees due to accident arising out of and in course of employment and in cases of Medical Invalidation of employees suffering due to specified debilitating diseases. Further,  SAIL  also  operates  an  Employees  Family  Benefit  Scheme  (EFBS)  which provides for monthly payment equal to last drawn basic pay & DA of the deceased employees  to  dependents  till  notional  date  of  superannuation  of  the  employee concerned,  subject  to  depositing  an  amount  equivalent  to  Provident  Fund  and gratuity.  The  amount  withheld  is  returned  after  completion  of  benefits  under  the scheme.  EFBS is provided in lieu of employment.

(b) The  amount  spent  towards  compensation  for  operational  casualties  during each of the last four Calendar Years and the current year is as under:-

| Year                  | 2014        | 2015      | 2016      | 2017      | 2018 (till 30.11.2018)   |
|-----------------------|-------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|--------------------------|
| Amount Spent (in Rs.) | 2,55,91,614 | 73,64,556 | 42,99,800 | 81,26,497 | 5,40,78,720              |

(c) Both SAIL and Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) have taken a number of measures  to  avoid  occurrence  of  accidents.  These  measures,  inter-alia,  include adherence  to  maintenance  schedule,  thrust  on  systematic  approach  to  safety management, strict adherence to safety procedures, regular inspection, mandatory training and special training on safety awareness, conduct of safety audit, enforcing use of personal protection equipment and proper implementation of emergency plan prepared as per the provisions of the Factories Act, 1948 etc.  Further, based upon accident analysis, area specific safety workshop involving all major steel producers, have been organised in recent past to facilitate learning from good practices.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3020 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-31
Subject: Maternity Benefits in KVS
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: L.R. Shivaramegowda, ANJU BALA, Tejpratap Singh,Yadav

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3020 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.12.2018

## MATERNITY BENEFITS IN KVS

## 3020.  SHRI L.R. SHIVARAME GOWDA: SHRIMATI ANJU BALA: SHRI TEJ PRATAP SINGH YADAV:

- Will  the  Minister  of  HUMAN  RESOURCE  DEVELOPMENT  be  pleased  to state: (a) whether despite women comprises almost 50 per cent of total employees, the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan has not formulated any policy for implementing the provisions of the Maternity Benefit Act, 2017 and if so, the reasons therefor; (b) whether it is a fact that the Maternity Benefit Act, 2017 mandates that every office/establishment  with  50  and  more  employees  is  required  to  provide  a child care facility for working mothers and if so, the details thereof; and (c) whether lack of creche facility in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) pose difficulties to women staff of KVs in maintaining balance of their family-office life and if so,
- the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Kendriya  Vidyalaya  Sangathan (KVS)  has  informed  that  it  is  implementing  the provisions of the Maternity Benefit Act i.e. Paid Maternity leave of 26 weeks for women employees and also for Adoptive & Commissioning Mothers.
- (b) Yes,  Madam.   In  terms  of  the  provisions  of  the  Maternity  Benefit  (Amendment Act), 2017, every establishment having fifty or more employees shall have the facility of crèche  within  such  distance  as  may  be  prescribed,  either  separately  or  along  with common facilities.
- (c) No such instance has been reported by KVS.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3019 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-31
Subject: Acquisition of Overseas Assets
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3019

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 ST  DECEMBER, 2018

## Acquisition of Overseas Assets

## 3019. DR. GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU:

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

- (a) whether the Government has approved the acquisition of 23.9 per cent stake in JSC Vankorneft and 29.9 per cent in LLC Taas-Yuryakh from Rosneft Oil Company and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether the acquisition would add 8.06 MMTOE to India's overseas oil and gas  assets  and  also  provide  an  opportunity  to  public  sector  oil  and  gas companies to absorb newer technologies with Rosneft and British Petroleum and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes,  Madam.  On  28 th September  2016,  Cabinet/Government  approved  the acquisition of 23.9% stake in JSC Vankorneft and 29.9% stake in LLC TaasYuryakh from M/s Rosneft Oil Company (Rosneft), the National Oil Company (NOC) of Russian Federation (Russia) by an Indian Consortium comprising Oil India Limited (OIL), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Bharat Petro Resources Limited (BPRL).
- (b) As per production plan at the time of acquisition, the acquisition of 23.9% stake in  Vankorneft is estimated to provide 4.8 MMTOE and 29.9% stake in TaasYuryakh is estimated to provide 2.1 MMTOE per year. Working closely with British Petroleum in Tass-Yuryakh and Rosneft in Vankorneft will expose the officers  of  participating  Indian  PSUs  to  new  technologies  and  industry  best practices.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3017 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-31
Subject: Fire at Petrol Pumps
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: SAVITRI THAKUR

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3017 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 ST  DECEMBER, 2018

## Fire at Petrol Pumps

## 3017.    SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR:

पैट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री

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

- (a)   whether  the  Government  has  noticed/received  reports  of  fire  at petrol pumps caused by/due to use of Mobile Phones in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether the Government has any proposal to install the jammers or other safety devices in the premises of petrol pumps , LPG and CNG stations across the country; and
- (c)   if so, the details thereof and the time by which the said proposal is likely to be approved/accepted by the Government?

## A N S W E R

पैट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री रश्रन्दे ध  श्र ना ( प्र )

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

- (a) Public  Sector  Oil  Marketing  Companies  (OMCs)  have  informed that they have not received any report of fire at petrol pumps on account of usages of mobile phones.
- (b)&(c) OMCs have informed that there is no proposal to install jammers in  the  premises of petrol pumps and LPG stations. Indraprastha Gas  Limited  (IGL)  and  Gas  Authority  of  India  Ltd.  (GAIL)  have also informed that there is no proposal to install jammers in the premises of CNG Stations.

*****