opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 255 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-24
Subject: Pollution Control Device in Steel Plants
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Ramapati Ram Tripathi

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.255 FOR ANSWER ON 24/06/2019

## POLLUTION CONTROL DEVICE IN STEEL PLANTS

255. DR. RAMAPATI RAM TRIPATHI:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the pollution control device i.e. Electrostatic Precipitator system has now  become  outdated  due  to  which  the  environment  is  getting  polluted  across various steel plants of the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  remedial  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

(SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

THE MINISTER OF STEEL

- (a) No,  Sir.    The  air  pollution  control  device  i.e.  Electrostatic  Precipitator  (ESP) system has not become outdated. It is an integral part of  the  Air  Pollution  Control measures in an integrated steel plant and a proven air pollution control equipment to keep  the  particulate  matter  emission  within  the  stipulated  environmental  norms.  It may  be  used  to keep the particulate matter emission within the stipulated environmental  norms  at  the  Blast  Furnace,  Steel  Melting  Shop,  Sinter  Plant  and Thermal Power Plant.

(b)&(c): Does not arise.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 254 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-24
Subject: Promotion of Tourism in Karnataka
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Umesh G. Jadhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.254 ANSWERED ON 24.06.2019

## PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN KARNATAKA

## 254.  DR. UMESH G. JADHAV:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the measures taken by the Government to promote tourism in Karnataka especially in Kalaburagi;
- (b) whether  there  has  been  a  decline  in  the  number  of  foreign tourists in Karnataka during the recent past;
- (c) if  so,  the details thereof during the last three years including current year; and
- (d) the reasons behind the decline of tourists along with the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a): The  Ministry  of  Tourism,  as  part  of  its  on -going  activities, annually releases print, electronic, online and outdoor media campaigns  in  the  international  and  domestic  markets,  under  the Incredible India brand -line, to promote various tourism destinations and  products  of  the  country,  including  those  in  the  state  of Karnataka . In addition, the Indiatourism Offices in India and overseas disseminate information and undertake various promotional activities with the objective of showcasing the varied tourist destinations and products of the country .

- (b) to (d): Details of foreign tourist visits to the state of Karnataka during the years 2015, 2016 and 2017 are as follows :

|   2015 |   2016 |   2017 |
|--------|--------|--------|
| 636502 | 461752 | 498148 |

(Data for 2018 not yet available)

To  further  increase  the  foreign  tourist  visits,  promotion  of tourist destinations and products of Karnataka is being undertaken by  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  through  its  website,  on  Social  Media, Print Advertisements and during Road Shows and other promotional events organised overseas . A special key influencer programme was organised  in  2018,  wherein  International  bloggers  were  invited  to travel on the luxury trains in India with the objective of promoting them  and  the  tourism  destinations  covered,  in  overseas  markets . These included the Golden Chariot covering various tourist destinations in Karnataka .

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 251 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-24
Subject: Cultural Centres and Cultural Development Programmes
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Nishikant  Dubey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 251 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 TH JUNE, 2019

## CULTURAL CENTRES AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES

## 251. DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY:

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

- (a) whether the Government has established/proposes to establish cultural centres in  various  States  including  Jharkhand  for  creating  awareness  among  people about cultural heritage of our country;
- (b) whether the Government has taken any steps to promote cultural development programmes in various parts of the country including Jharkhand;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the schemes formulated/being implemented in this regard; and
- (d) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to promote culture of our country?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c)    To  protect,  preserve  &  promote  various  forms  of  folk  art  and  for  creating awareness among people about cultural heritage of our country, the Government of India has set  up  seven  Zonal  Cultural  Centres  (ZCCs)  with  headquarters  at  Patiala,  Nagpur,  Udaipur, Prayagraj, Kolkata, Dimapur and Thanjavur. To promote cultural development programmes, Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) at Kolkata is undertaking various cultural activities and events in its member States including Jharkhand. The EZCC has organized Rabindra Jayanti, International  Day  of  Yoga,  Jagannathpur  Mahotsav,  Swachhata  Pakhwada,  150 th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Workshops on Kathak & Seraikela Chhau Dance, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas and Jharkhand Rajya Sthapana Divas during 2018-19.

These  ZCCs  are  implementing  a  number  of  schemes  viz.  Award  to  Young  Talented Artistes,  Guru  Shishya  Parampara  Scheme,  Theatre  Rejuvenation  Scheme,  Research  & Documentation Scheme, Shilpgram Scheme, Octave and J&K Festivals and National Cultural Exchange  Programme  (NCEP)  for  promotion  of  cultural  development  programmes  in  the country.

(d) To  promote  the  culture  of  our  country,  the  Government  of  India  has  organized Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs (RSMs) at New Delhi (November, 2015 and October, 2016), at Varanasi (December, 2016), at Bengaluru & Tawang (March, 2017), at Gujarat (October, 2017), at Karnataka (January, 2018) and at Madhya Pradesh (February, 2018). Other major festivals viz.  Sanskriti  Mahotsav  at  Varanasi,  Uttar  Pradesh  (February,  2018),  Kabir  Festival  'Anhaad Naad' at Maghar, Uttar Pradesh (June, 2018) and Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh (January to March, 2019) were also organized.

In addition to these Mahotsavs & Festivals, all the ZCCs also organize various cultural activities and programmes on regular basis throughout the country for promotion of culture for which annual grant-in-aid is given to them by the Government of India.
Lok Sabha Question No. 250 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-24
Subject: Sanctioning of Gandhi Circuit
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Sanjay Jaiswal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.250 ANSWERED ON 24.06.2019

## SANCTIONING OF GANDHI CIRCUIT

## 250.  DR. SANJAY JAISWAL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  sanctioned  a  Gandhi  circuit  to commemorate centenary of Champaran Satyagraha;
- (b) if so, the details along with the progress achieved so far; and
- (c) the details of the funds sanctioned so far and the timeline by which the circuit is likely to be completed?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  sanctioned  the  project 'Development  of  Bhitiharwa  -  Chandrahia  -  Turkaulia  under  Rural Circuit theme of Swadesh Darshan Scheme' for development of East Champaran and West Champaran districts in Bihar in the year 201718  for  Rs.44.65  crore  and  has  released  Rs.21.24  crore  under  the project, till date. The sites taken under the project are  associated with  Mahatma  Gandhi  and  Champaran  Satyagraha  Movement.  The work on the project is under progress.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 246 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-24
Subject: Fraud in Granting Maternity Leave
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Pankaj Chowdhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 246 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.06.2019

## FRAUD IN GRANTING MATERNITY LEAVE

†246. SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY:

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

- (a)whether the cases of fraud in granting maternity leave with full salary in Employees' State Insurance Corporation have come to the notice of
- the Government;
- (b)if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)whether  the  Government  is  likely  to  take  any  effective  measure  to check fraud in granting maternity leave with full salary?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Yes, Sir. Suspected cases of fraud have been detected in granting Maternity benefit under Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Act, 1948.
- (b): The  Internal  audit  while  conducting  the  regular  audit  observed irregularities  in  maternity  benefit  payments  in  Sector  23  &  27  Branch offices  of  Faridabad  in  Haryana  Region.  Prima-facie,  the  fraud  was detected  to  have  been  done  in  collusion  with  the  ESIC  staff  and  some Employers for availing maternity benefit under ESI Act.  A complaint has been registered with the Central Bureau of Investigation, Chandigarh for further investigation. Thirteen officials including Managers of the Branch offices and other staff in question,   have been placed under suspension so far.

(c): The ESIC has already taken the following actions in the aftermath of detection of this suspected fraud: -

- i) Special Audit of all the maternity benefit payments made in all Branch  offices  of  ESIC  during  last  three  years  has  been ordered.
2. ii) Instructions  have  been  issued  to  all  Regional  Directors  and Sub-Regional office-in charges to ensure strict adherence with the established procedure/Rules/Regulations while making maternity  benefit  payment.  They  have  also  been  directed  to keep  strict  vigil  on  the  payments  being  made  through  the Branch Offices under their jurisdiction.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 245 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-24
Subject: Special Category Status to States
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Kaushalendra Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. †245

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, June 24, 2019/Ashadha 3, 1941 (Saka)

'Special Category Status to States'

## †245  SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and certain economically backward States have been making a demand to grant the status of special State to them;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is considering the said demand as genuine and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the industries which are to be set up in these States are likely to be exempted from central  taxes  due  to  the  said  status  of  special  State  as  a  result  of  which  more  and  more industries will be set up in these States for overall development of the State; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## FINANCE MINISTER (Smt. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a) to (c): The Central Government is receiving requests for grant of Special Category Status from Odisha, Rajasthan, Bihar, Telangana, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh. Special Category Status for plan assistance has been granted in the past by the National Development Council (NDC) to  some  States  that  are  characterized  by  a  number  of  features  necessitating  special  consideration. These features include: (i) hilly and difficult terrain (ii) low population density and / or sizeable share of tribal population (iii) strategic location along borders with neighbouring countries (iv) economic and infrastructural backwardness and (v) non-viable nature of state finances. Special Category Status for  plan  assistance  to  any  state  has  been  granted  based  on  an  integrated  consideration  of  these criteria. However, there is no proposal under consideration of the Central Government for grant of Special Category Status.

(d)  &  (e):  The  Special  Category  Status  for  plan  assistance  granted  by  the  National  Development Council does not provide for any specific measure for growth of industries.

******

## ANSWER
Lok Sabha Question No. 244 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-24
Subject: Criteria for Conservation of Heritage Sites and Projects under PPP
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Manoj Rajoria, Giridhari Yadav, Rama Devi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 244 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.06.2019

## CRITERIA FOR CONSERVATION OF HERITAGE SITES AND PROJECTS UNDER PPP

244. DR. MANOJ RAJORIA: SHRI GIRIDHARI YADAV AND: SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  steps  for  facilitating  the  Public  Private Partnership in conservation of heritage sites and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  monitoring  the  progress  of  conservation  projects which are being implemented under PPP mode and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the criteria set up by the Government for the private companies which have been entrusted the responsibility of maintaining the historical and heritage sites;
- (d) whether the said companies are complying with these norms and criteria; and
- (e) if not, the action taken by the Government against these companies including the outcome of the said action taken?

## ANSWER

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

- a) Yes  sir.  National  Culture  Fund  (NCF)  was  set  up  as  a  trust  under  Ministry  of Culture in the year 1996 with a purpose to augment government efforts and to facilitate public-private partnership in the field of heritage conservation and promotion.  Under NCF  it  is  possible  for  a  donor  to  identify  project  along  with  any  specific  location aspects for funding and also an agency for execution of the project.

The NCF receives proposals from the Archaeological Survey of India for Nationally Protected Monuments and other agencies promoting intangible culture, for being taken forward for partnership with Public Sector Undertakings and Private Sector Enterprises.

- b)  Yes Sir. Conservation Projects being implemented through the funds received from NCF are monitored regularly by a PIC (Project Implementation Committee) which is chaired by DG, ASI.
- c)  The works of conservation and maintenance of Centrally Protected Monuments are done  by  the  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  only.  However,  in  few  cases  only infrastructural  development  works  are  carried  out  by  various  PSUs  on  behalf  of ASI.
- d) & e) Does not arise.
Lok Sabha Question No. 240 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-24
Subject: Scrap Fee Subsidy in Educational Institutions
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Supriya Sadanand Sule, Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Sunil Dattatray Tatkare, Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Heena Vijaykumar Gavit

(a): No	Sir.

- (b):	Does	not	arise.

## MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 240 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.06.2019

## Scrap Fee Subsidy in Educational Institutions

## 240. SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE:

SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE:

DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

DR. HEENA GAVIT:

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

- (a)	 whether	 the	 Government	 has	 any	 proposal	 to	 scrap	 fee	 subsidy	 in	 top	 educational institutions	like	Indian	Institutes	of	Technology	(IITs)	and	if	so,	the	details	thereof	and	the reasons	therefor; (b)	 whether	 the	 Government	 has	 worked	 out	 any	 mechanism	 to	 help	 weaker	 section students	 who	 would	 be	 affected	 as	 a	 result	 thereof,	 to	 avail	 subsidy	 for	 study	 in	 top educational	institutions; (c)	whether	the	Government	is	also	planning	to	set	up	a	national	crowdfunding	platform and	if	so,	the	details	thereof	and	the	objective	behind	the	move; (d)	 whether	 the	 Government	 has	 also	 launched	 nationwide	 movement	 called	 Each	 One, Teach	One	urging	families	to	support	the	educational	needs	of	at	least	one	student; (e)	if	so,	the	number	of	students	who	got	benefited	out	of	this	national	movement;	and (f)	 the	 other	 steps	 taken	 by	 the	 Government	 to	 make	 this	 movement	 successful	 one	 and
- achieve	the	objective	for	which	it	was	set	up?

## ANSWER

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

(c)	:	No	Sir,	the	Government	is	not	planning	to	set	up	a	national	crowd	funding	platform. (d);	 No	 Sir,	 the	 Government	 has	 not	 launched	 nationwide	 movement	 called	 Each	 One, Teach	One.	However,		Government	has	launched	a	number	of	schemes	for	education	for	all like	SWAYAM	PRABHA-group	of	32	DTH	channel	devoted	to	telecasting	of	high	educational programs	24x7,	SWAYAM-to	provide	best	teaching	learning	resources	to	all	including	the most	 disadvantaged,	 Samagra	 Shiksha-	 for	 improving	 school	 effectiveness	 measured	 in terms	of	equal	opportunities	for	schooling	and	equitable	learning	resources. (e)	&	(f):	Does	not	arise.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 237 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-24
Subject: Kendriya Vidyalaya in Kolar in Karnataka
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: S. Muniswamy

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.237 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.6.2019

## KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA IN KOLAR IN KARNATAKA 237. SHRI S. MUNISWAMY:

Will  the  Minister  of  HUMAN  RESOURCE  DEVELOPMENT  be  pleased  to state: (a) whether the Government has any plan to start Kendriya Vidyalaya at Kolar in Karnataka and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  representation/  request  in  this regard and if so, the details thereof; and

- (c) the action taken/to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c):  Proposals  for  opening  of  new  Kendriya  Vidyalayas  (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'. Kendriya  Vidyalaya  Sangathan  has  informed  that  it  has  not  received  any representation / request, so far, from the district administration for opening of a new KV at Kolar.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 235 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-24
Subject: Women Reservation in Central Universities
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Ajay (Teni) Misra

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 235 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.06.2019

## Women Reservation in Central Universities

## †235. SHRI AJAY MISRA TENI:

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

- (a) whether the Government is considering to implement 33 percent reservation for women in Central Universities with a view to provide higher education to the women/girls of the country;
- (b) if so, the percentage of women/ girls likely to be benefited through it; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c) Sir, no such decision has been taken in this regard.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 234 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-24
Subject: Formulation of a National Library Policy
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Sukanta Majumdar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 234 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.06.2019

## FORMULATION OF A NATIONAL LIBRARY POLICY

## 234. DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether there is an urgent need for formulation of a National Library Policy for coordinated development of the libraries in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether a large number of posts in libraries under the administrative control of the Ministry are lying vacant and if so, the details of sanctioned posts and vacant posts, library/institution-wise and steps  being taken by the Government to fill up vacant posts;
- (c) whether due to shortage of fund and resources, libraries are in state of despair including the National Library, Kolkata and if so, the details thereof along with the Government's reaction thereto; and
- (d) the other measures taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## Minister of State (Independent Charge) For Culture and Tourism (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL) ANSWER

- (a)  Library  is  a  state  subject  and  Libraries  in  States/Union  Territories  function  under  the administrative  control  of  the  respective  State/Union  Territory  authority.  National  Knowledge Commission, established in 2005, constituted a working group on Libraries which recommended setting up a National Mission on Libraries to revamp Library and Information Services  sectors.  Based  on  the  recommendations,  National  Mission  on  Libraries  has  been setup to achieve the goal of creating a knowledge society.
- (b)  No, Sir. Most of the live posts in the libraries under the administrative control of this Ministry are filled up.
- (c)  No, Sir.
- (d)  Ministry  of  Culture  through  matching  and  non-matching  schemes  of  Raja  Rammohun  Roy Library Foundation and through National Mission on Libraries is providing financial assistance for various purpose e.g. construction/renovation of library buildings, upgradation of infrastructure with furniture and equipment, modernization, procurement of books and reading resources, organization of seminar/training and capacity building of library professionals/workshop/outreach  programmes,  establishment  of  children  corner,  opening  of various sections, creating facilities for specially-abled, braille corner etc.