opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1640 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-02
Subject: Employment Index
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: Sanjay(Kaka) Ramchandra Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1640 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.03.2020

## EMPLOYMENT INDEX

## 1640. SHRI SANJAY KAKA PATIL:

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

- (a) whether the action has been taken by the Government till date to promote the employment  index  of  the  skilled/technical  workforce  in  the  country  as  majority  of  the technical graduates in the country are remained unemployable which is also known as Industry-Institute Gap; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) The  Ministry  of  Skill  Development  and  Entrepreneurship,  in  order  to enhance employability of trainees graduating from Industrial Training Institutes (ITI), has increased  duration of curricula of employability skill from the session 2019-20 from110 hours to 160 hours in the 1st year of ITIs. In addition to this, web based employability skills  has  been  introduced  as  additional  components  of  80  hours  in  the  2nd  year courses of  ITIs.  Similarly,  entrepreneurship  orientation  module  of  40  hours  integrated training under the Life Skill Course module in the PMKVY has been introduced. Further, the  All  India  Council  for  Technical  Education  (AICTE)  in  association  with  various organisations  carries  out  employability  Skill  Test  of  pre-final  and  final  year  graduate students of AICTE approved institutions annually. The results have indicated that there has been a constant rise in employability of technical graduates in India over the last 5 years.  To  increase  the  employability  of  graduates  in  the  country,  Ministry  of  Human Resource  Development  is  working  along  with  Sector  Skill  Councils  (SSCs)  under National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to undertake Apprenticeship/Internship embedded degree programmes with core focus on development of knowledge, skills, aptitude and on-job training.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1638 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-02
Subject: Insurance Scheme for Labourers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Abdul Khaleque

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1638 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.03.2020

## INSURANCE SCHEME FOR LABOURERS

1638. SHRI ABDUL KHALEQUE:

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

- (a)whether the Government has under its consideration any insurance scheme for labourers;
- (b)if not, whether the Government proposes to consider such schemes and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)whether  there  are  any  guidelines  under  which  in  case  of  any disaster  in  any  factory  the  casual  labourers  or  their  families  get
- some kind of wage support for a certain period; and (d)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Government  enacted the Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act, 2008. This Act stipulates formulation of suitable welfare schemes for unorganised workers on matters relating  to:  (i)  life  and disability cover, (ii) health and  maternity benefits, (iii) old age protection  and  (iv)  any  other  benefit  as  may  be  determined  by  the Central  Government.  Life  and  disability  cover  is  provided  through Pradhan  Mantri  Jeevan  Jyoti  Bima  Yojana  (PMJJBY)  and  Pradhan Mantri  Suraksha  Bima  Yojana  (PMSBY)  to  the  unorganised  workers depending upon their eligibility. The health and maternity benefits are addressed through Ayushman Bharat scheme.

In case of disaster in the factory, compensation to employees  is  determined  as  per  the  provisions  of  the  Employee's (previously Workmen's) Compensation Act, 1923.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1634 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-02
Subject: Retirement Benefits for Kendriya Vidyalaya Teachers
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Kapil Moreshwar Patil

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1634 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.03.2020

## RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA TEACHERS

## 1634. SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL:

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

- (a) whether the requirement of funds has been projected in the revised estimates of the year 2019-20 or Budget Estimate of the year 2020-21 with a view to ensure that all the teachers of Kendriya Vidyalayas of Bhopal Region who retired in the last  Financial  Year  (2018-19  till  March,  2019)  get  their  Retirement  Benefits  of Gratuity and Commuted Pension at the earliest;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the time for which the retired teachers of KVs of Bhopal Region would have to  wait  for  their  retirement  benefits  in  the  absence  of  which  they  are  suffering financially and unable to bear medical expenses of self and spouse in their old age?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK')

(a)  to  (c)  With  a  view  to  ensuring  that  all  the  teachers  who  retire  get  their  retirement benefits without any delay, the requirement of funds is projected when Budget Estimates (BE)  and  Revised  Estimates  (RE)  proposals  for  the  particular  year  are  called  for. Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) had projected a requirement of Rs. 1967.02 crore under RE 2019-20 -Grant-in-Aid (GIA) General to meet out the Pension and Pensionary benefits  to  all  employees  who will  retire  up  to  March  2020  and  had  also  projected  an amount of Rs. 2064.98 crore in BE 2020-21 under GIA-General for payment of Pension and pensionary benefits to all the employees who will retire up to March 2021 including teachers of KVs of Bhopal Region. Over and above the approved BE of Rs. 980 crore under  GIA  -  General  so  far,  an  additionality  of  Rs.  484.64  crores  has  been  made available to KVS during the year 2019-2020 in First Batch of Supplementary Demands for  Grants  to  meet  the  requirement  of  pension,  pensionary  benefits  and  arrears  of pension.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1630 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-02
Subject: Strike by Bank Employees
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Ganesan Selvam, Vinayak Bhaurao Raut, Sunil Dattatray Tatkare, Gangasandra Siddappa Basavaraj, Gautham Sigamani Pon, Parvatagouda Chandanagouda Gaddigoudar, Heena Vijaykumar Gavit, Dhanush M Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1630

TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 nd MARCH, 2020(MONDAY)/ PHALGUNA 12, 1941 (Saka)

## Strike by Bank Employees

1630. SHRI SELVAM G.: SHRI VINAYAK RAUT: SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE: SHRI G.S. BASAVARAJ: SHRI G AUTAM SIGAMAANI PON: SHRI P.C. GADDIGOUDAR: DR. HEENA GAVIT: SHRI DHANUSH M. KUMAR

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: (a) whether the employees' unions of Public Sector Banks have gone on nationwide strike recently;

(b) if so, the details of demands of the bank unions/ associations and their impact on banking sector alongwith the estimated loss suffered by the Government from such strikes;

(c) whether the Government has considered the demands of the striking bank employees and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has taken any decision to ward off any future strikes by banks that hinders the daily routine of the customers across the country and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor and the stand of the Government in this regard; and

(e) the steps being taken by the Government to avoid recurrence of such strikes in future?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR) (a) to (e): Some of the unions of Public Sector Bank (PSB) employees went on strike on 31.1.2020 and 1.2.2020 in support of their employment condition related demands for, inter alia, wage revision settlement, five-day banking, improvements sought in pension benefits, etc. Such employment condition related matters are considered by the banks themselves, whose managements also directly engage with employee unions in this regard on an ongoing basis. The impact of such demands is felt only in the event of a demand being acceded to. In the event of employees union giving a call for strike, bank management and employee unions try to resolve issues through mutual discussions. Banks take suitable steps to ensure smooth operations during periods of strike so that customers and business are not adversely impacted. Government also advises banks to take appropriate steps to maintain banking operations during the strike and avoid inconvenience to the general public, including adequate loading of cash in ATMs, ensuring operation of clearing houses, internet banking and core banking solution, etc. As regards loss, it is stated that PSBs have posted net profit of Rs. 507 crore in the first three quarters of the current financial year.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1629 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-02
Subject: Opening of Government Degree College
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Jugal Kishore Sharma, Francisco Cosme Sardinha, Devji Mansingram Patel, Riti Pathak

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  1629 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND  MARCH, 2020

## Opening of Government Degree College

† 1629. SHRI JUGAL KISHORE SHARMA: SHRI COSME FRANCISCO CAITANO SARDINHA: SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL: SHRIMATI RITI PATHAK:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a)  the  number  of  districts  at  present  in  the  country  which  do  not  have  any Government Degree College; (b)  whether the Government proposes to open Government Degree Colleges in all the districts of the country including Goa and Sivohi district of Rajasthan; (c)  if  so,  the  time  by  when  the  said  plan  will  likely  to  be  implemented  and  fund allocated for infrastructure; (d)  whether  the  Government  has  received  any  complaint  against  NGO's  that  after getting  grants/  assistance  from the  Government they either close or cut short their academic programmes; and (e) if so, the State/UT-wise details of such NGOs during the last three years till date?

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

(a): As per All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2018-19, 14 districts do not have a Government degree college.

(b) & (c): Education  being  in  the  Concurrent  List, creation  of  new  institutions  is the responsibility of both Central and State Government. However, recognising the need for central assistance,   the   Central   Government has   implemented   various schemes supporting State Governments. Under the erstwhile scheme of setting up of Model Degree College (MDC) in 374 Educationally Backward Districts (EBDs), University Grants Commission had approved  assistance  to  64  Model  Degree  Colleges.  The  Centrally  Sponsored Scheme  of  Rashtriya  Uchchatar  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (RUSA),  which  subsumed  the above  mentioned  erstwhile  scheme  has  further  approved  central  support  to  130

Model Degree Colleges.

(d)  &  (e):  Under  RUSA,  no  central  grants  are  released  from  the  Ministry  to  Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs). The central grants are released directly to the State Government/UTs.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1624 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-02
Subject: National Institutional Ranking Framework
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Bhola Singh, Vinod Kumar Sonkar, Raja Amareshwara Naik, Sukanta Majumdar, Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, Jayanta Kumar Roy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1624

## LOK SABHA TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.03.2020

## National Institutional Ranking Framework

1624. SHRI BHOLA SINGH: SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR: SHRI RAJA AMARESHWARA NAIK: DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR: SHRIMATI SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO: DR. JAYANTA KUMAR ROY: Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether Ind-SAT is proposed to be held in Asian and African countries under 'Study in India' programme; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has accorded permission to run the degree level fullfledged online education program by Top-100 institutions in the National Institutional Ranking Framework; (d) if so, the details thereof; and

- (e) the other important steps being taken by the Government in this regard?

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

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir.  The Ind-SAT exam has been introduced to select foreign students for granting scholarships to  foreign  students  under  'Champion  Services  Sector Scheme'  being implemented under ' Study in India (SII)'  programme. In the first year the exam will be conducted in 13 of the  target countries under SII. The exam will be conducted  by  National  Testing  agency  (NTA)  and  after  evaluation,  the  final  list  of deserving candidates will be published.

(c) to (e) : Yes,  Sir.  In  order  to  provide  quality  education  to  students  of  deprived sections of the society as well as those who do not have access to higher education, Government of India has started degree level full-fledged online education programme. This  can  be  offered  only  by  the  Higher  Educational  Institutions,  which  fulfills  the following  conditions  (i)  existence  of  Universities/  institutes  for  at  least  5  years,  (ii) minimum NAAC score of 3.26 and (iii) should be top 100 in overall category in NIRF for at least 2 years during previous 3 years. So far 7 Universities with 37 courses of different levels have been approved.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1623 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-02
Subject: Tourism Potential of Khandadhar Waterfall in Odisha
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Jual Oram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1623 ANSWERED ON 02.03.2020

## TOURISM POTENTIAL OF KHANDADHAR WATERFALL IN ODISHA

1623. SHRI JUAL ORAM:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the tourism potential of Khandadhar waterfall in Odisha;
- (b) if  so,  the  steps  taken  to  provide  adequate  facilities  for  the tourists for their stay and to enjoy the beautiful waterfall both in Sundargarh and Khandadhar districts of the State; and
- (c) the  other  steps  taken  to  increase  the  tourist  potential  of Khandadhar?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  under  the  Swadesh  Darshan Scheme - Integrated Development of Theme- Based Tourism Circuits provides financial assistance to State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations for development of tourism infrastructure and facilities in the country.

The projects for development under the scheme are identified in consultation with the State Governments/UT Administrations and sanctioned  subject  to  availability  of  funds,  submission  of suitable  detailed  project  reports,  adherence  to  scheme  guidelines and utilization  of  funds  released  earlier.  Ministry  has  not  received any proposal from the State Government of Odisha for development are of waterfalls in Sundargarh and Khandadhar districts in Odisha.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1622 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-02
Subject: GST Laws
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: K. Shanmuga Sundaram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1622

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 02, 2020/PHALGUNA 12, 1941 (SAKA)

## GST LAWS

## 1622. SHRI SHANMUGA SUNDARAM K.:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that the GST laws do not address the taxability of goods and services provided by companies as part of their CSR activities despite CSR for large companies becoming mandatory and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether cash donation to the companies is subject to GST regulations and it is linked to a specific beneficiary;

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

(d) whether the Government is having any proposal to exempt charitable trusts who are entrusted with the work of complying charitable services under CSR irrespective of the ceiling of Rs. 20 lakhs;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the steps taken by the Government to rope in companies under CSR regulations to fulfill the objectives of the Government's social obligations?

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

(a)  GST  is  a  levy  of  the  supply  of  goods  or  services  or  both.  Those  CSR  (Corporate  Social Responsibility) activities of a company which fall under the ambit of 'supply' shall be taxable under GST.

(b)  & (c)  Cash  donation to companies, being in the nature of transaction in money, is not covered under the ambit of 'supply' of goods or services. Thus, it is not taxable under GST.

(d) & (e) There is no such proposal at this stage.

(f)  Ministry  of  Corporate  Affairs  (MCA)  has  taken  various  initiatives  to  rope  in  companies  under CSR regulations  to  fulfill  the  objectives  of  the  Government's  social  obligations.  Two  High  Level Committees  (HLC-2015  and  HLC-2018)  on  CSR  have  been  constituted  to  review  the  existing framework and to guide and formulate a roadmap for a coherent policy on CSR. Reports of these HLCs are available in the public domain and can be accessed at www.mca.gov.in. A National CSR Data  Portal  (www.csr.gov.in)  was  launched  on  19.01.2018  and  is  available  in  public  domain. National CSR Awards have been instituted to recognize corporate initiatives and excellence in the area of CSR and to achieve inclusive growth and sustainable development.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1621 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-02
Subject: Public Procurement
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: T.N. Prathapan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED LOK SABHA QUESTION NO. 1621 TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020/PHALGUNA 12, 1941 (Saka) 'PUBLIC PROCUREMENT'

## 1621. Shri T.N.Prathapan

## Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that India's public procurement is currently 30 per cent of the GDP;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  bring  a  comprehensive  legislation  on public procurement;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the measures taken by the Government to adopt or include the recommendations/observations of the Task Force on Sustainable Procurement in the public procurement policy/legislation?

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

- (a) &(b) There is no official estimate in this regard.
- (c) &(d) No Sir.
- (e) The recommendations/ observations of the Task Force on Sustainable Procurement have not been received by the Government.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1619 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-02
Subject: Status of Kakinada-Vijayawada-Nellor Gas Pipeline
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Margani Bharat

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1619 TO BE ANSWERED ON  2.03.2020

## Status of Kakinada-Vijayawada-Nellor Gas Pipeline

## 1619. SHRI MARGANI BHARAT:

## पेट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री

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

- (a) the current status of Kakinada-Vijayawada-Nellore natural gas pipeline;
- (b) whether there is any time and cost overrun in the project;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the time when the project was started; and
- (d) the time by which the project is going to be completed and details of villages and number of households that are going to be benefited by the proposed line?

## ANSWER

पेट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक 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 to lay, build, operate or expand gas pipeline and for the development of City Gas Distribution (CGD) network in Geographical Areas (GAs) as per PNGRB Act, 2006. PNGRB has informed that they have authorized 667 Km long KakinadaVijayawada-Nellore Natural Gas Pipeline to IMC Limited, a private company, on 19.02.2018, with the completion schedule of 18.02.2021. IMC has completed technoeconomic feasibility survey, detailed route survey and population density index of the pipeline. This pipeline is passing through the districts of East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore of Andhra Pradesh. PNGRB has authorized East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna and  Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore districts for development of City Gas Distribution (CGD) Networks. As per minimum work programme, the authorized CGD entities have to provide about 11.50 Lakh PNG domestic connections to household in these four districts.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1615 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-02
Subject: Reliability of Official Data
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Behanan Benny

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARETMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1615

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.03.2020

## RELIABILITY OF OFFICIAL DATA

## 1615. SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has noticed the ongoing debate in India and abroad about the reliability of official data about Indian economic sector;
- (b)  if so, the measures taken by the Government to end such unhealthy debates; and
- (c)  whether such a debate has any bearing on the investment rating of India by international agencies and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c):  Government  brings  out  various  macroeconomic  aggregates  and  short  term  indicators pertaining to economy for facilitating better understanding and assessment of progress of the economy as well as for promoting evidence based policy formulation. These statistical products/ outcomes are consistent with the relevant international standards and guidelines.  The Government of India adopted the United Nations Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics (UNFPOS) in May 2016. Government is committed to produce relevant, appropriate and reliable estimates by adhering to internationally agreed professional and scientific standards.

******