opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1313 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-25
Subject: Steps to Promote Tourism in Jayanti Forest
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Locket Chatterjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1313 ANSWERED ON 25.11.2019

## STEPS TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN JAYANTI FOREST

## 1313. MS. LOCKET CHATTERJEE:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  taking  any  steps  to  promote tourism in the Jayanti forest;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  make  the forest area plastic free and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  solve  the water  scarcity  problem  in  the  forests  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Ministry of Tourism promotes India as a holistic destination and as part of its on-going activities, annually releases domestic  and  international print, electronic and online  media campaigns  under  the 'Incredible India' brand-line, to  promote various  tourism  destinations  and  products  in  the  different  States and Union Territories of the country. Promotions are also undertaken through the website and Social Media accounts of the Ministry. In addition, the India Tourism Offices in India and overseas undertake  various  promotional  activities  with  the  objective  of showcasing the tourism potential and products of the Country.

West Bengal Forest Development Corporation operates 'Buxa Jungle Lodge' in Jayanti Forest area for Tourists.

(c): The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change informed  that  they  have  requested  Principal  Chief  Conservator  of Forest & Head of Forest Force of all States and Union Territories to take up awareness generation campaigns/drives, sensitization programmes  in  a  big  way  to  prohibit  single  use  plastics  in  the Forests  in  general  and  in  all  the  Tiger  Reserves,  National  Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Zoological Parks etc. in particular.

(d): The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change informed that they have requested Financial and technical assistance  to  the  State/Union  Territory  Governments  under  the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Development of Wildlife Habitat for taking up wildlife  conservation activities and habitat improvement works such as construction of waterholes, ponds, lakes etc.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1312 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-25
Subject: Quality of Education
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Veena Devi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1312 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 th  November, 2019

## Quality of Education

## †1312. SHRIMATI VEENA DEVI :

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

(a) whether the attention of the Government has been drawn towards the sub-standard quality of primary and secondary education in the country;

(b) if so, whether the Government has any plan to bring improvement in curriculum of primary and secondary education and evaluation system; and

(c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a):        Quality  of  education  is  a  comprehensive  term  that  includes  learners,  teachers,  teaching learning  process,  learning  environment,  curriculum,  pedagogy,  learning  outcomes,  assessment, etc.  To take cognizance of this, Government of India launched Samagra Shiksha-an Integrated Scheme  for  school  education,  w.e.f.  2018-19,  as  an  overarching  programme  for  the  school education  sector  extending  from  pre-school  to  class  XII  and  aims  to  ensure  inclusive  and equitable  quality  education  at  all  levels  of  school  education.  It  subsumes  the  three  erstwhile Schemes of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE).

Samagra Shiksha focuses on improvement in quality of education by providing support for  different  interventions  like  in-service  training  of  teachers  and  school  heads,  conduct  of achievement  surveys  at  state  and  national  level,  composite  school  grant  to  every  school  for providing  a  conducive  learning  environment,  grants  for  library,  sports  and  physical  activities, support for Rashtriya Avishkar  Abhiyan,  ICT  and  digital  initiatives,  School  Leadership development programme, remedial teaching for academically weaker students, support for Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat, etc.

(b) & (c): National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has been advised to take appropriate steps to review the National Curriculum Framework-2005. The Draft National Education Policy 2019 is presently under consideration. The revision of Curriculum, Syllabi and Textbooks  for  school  education  would  depend  on  the  finalization  and  approval  of  the  New Education Policy.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1308 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-25
Subject: Salem Steel  Plant
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

## SALEM STEEL PLANT

1308.  SHRI T.R. BAALU:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

(a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  project  of  Steel  Melting  Shop  (SMS)  and  the second Cold Rolling Mill Project as expansion plan of Salem Steel Plant (SSP) was commissioned  in  2010,  at  an  investment  of  Rs.  2200  crore  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;

(b) whether it is a fact that due to non-supply of raw material by sister concerns of SAIL, the production at  SSP could not  reach  its full  capacity  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;

(c) whether the Government is pursuing disinvestment leading to privatisation of Salem Steel Plant and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the Government proposes to reverse its decision to privatise Salem Steel Plant and ensure supply of raw material to its subsidiary concern by SAIL so that the unit could become profitable in the immediate future; and

- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## THE MINISTER OF STEEL

## ANSWER

## (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) Steel  Authority  of  India  Limited  (SAIL)  has  completed  modernization  & expansion plan at Salem Steel Plant in September, 2010 at an indicative revised cost estimates of Rs.2,371 crore to produce 180,000 tonnes per annum (TPA) of stainless steel  slabs.    Major  facilities  installed  under  Modernisation  and  Expansion  Plan include the following:-

-  Steel Melting Shop: Electric Arc Furnace (55T); AOD Converter (60T); Ladle furnace (60T); Single Strand Slab Caster;
-  Hot Rolling Mill : Roll Grinder;
-  Cold Rolling Mill Complex: Annealing and Pickling line; Coil Preparation Line;  20-high  Sendzimir  Mill;  Skin  Pass  Mill;  Tension  Levelling  Line; Slitting Line; Mixed Acid Recovery System; Rotary Polisher.
- (b) No, Sir.

(c)to(e): Disinvestment of 100 percent shareholding of Salem Unit of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) to strategic buyer identified through two-stage auction process was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 27 th October, 2016.

The global invitation for Expression of Interest (EOI) has been issued by SAIL on 4 th July, 2019 from interested bidders and opened on 10 th September, 2019. As per  the  qualification  criteria  mentioned  in  the  EOI,  the  bidder  should  have  prior experience in the core sectors and is required to bring in technology, efficiency and investment in steel making in this Unit. This would lead to creation of more jobs and consequent  prosperity  in  the  region.  This  would  also  give  fillip  to  downstream industries in the region.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1307 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-25
Subject: Increase in Investment of Oil and Gas
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Bharatiben Dhirubhai Shyal, Shankar Lalwani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1307

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 th  November, 2019

## Increase in Investment of Oil and Gas

## † 1307. Dr. BHARATIBEN DHIRUBHAI SHIYAL: SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI:

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

- a)  whether the Government  is  preparing  to  increase investment  in view of increasing demand of oil and gas and if so, the details thereof;
- b)  the ranking of India in power sector in the world; and
- c)  the  details  of  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  increase  the  urban gas network in the country especially in Gujarat state ?

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

- a) The Government in February, 2019 approved major reforms in exploration and licensing  policy  to  enhance  exploration  activities,  attract  domestic  and  foreign investment  and  accelerate  domestic  production  of  oil  and  gas  from  existing fields.  The  policy  reforms inter-alia aims  to  boost  exploration  activities  with greater  weightage  to  work  programme,  simplified  fiscal  and  contractual  terms, bidding  of  exploration  blocks  under  Category  II  and  III  sedimentary  basins without any production or revenue sharing to Government, early monetization of discoveries by extending fiscal incentives, incentivizing gas production including marketing and pricing freedom, induction of latest technology and capital, more functional freedom to National Oil Companies for collaboration and private sector participation for production enhancement methods in nomination fields, streamlining approval processes and promoting ease of doing business including electronic single window mechanism.

- b) As informed by Ministry of Power, in the report of World Bank: Doing Business Report 2020, India's ranking for 'Getting Electricity' has improved to 22 from 24 in the year DBR 2019.
- c) With  the  completion  of  10 th CGD Bidding  Round,  CGD  would  be  available  in 229 GAs comprising 407 districts spread over 27 states and Union Territories covering  approximately  70  percent  of  India's  population  and  53  percent  of  its geographical area. All the districts  in  the  State  of  Gujarat  have  been  covered under the CGD network.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1305 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-25
Subject: Setting up of GST Commissionerate
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Rajdeep Roy

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1305

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 25 th  NOVEMBER, 2019 4 AGRAHAYANA, 1941 (SAKA)

## 'SETTING UP OF GST COMMISSIONERATE'

## 1305: DR. RAJDEEP ROY:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the Government proposes to set up Goods and Service Tax (GST) Commissionerate  at  Silchar  covering  the  jurisdiction  of  the  whole  states  of Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Barak Valley in the state of Assam; and
- (b) If so, the details and the status thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE [SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR]

- (a) No Sir, there is no such proposal under consideration of the Government.
- (b)      In view of (a) above, question does not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1303 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-25
Subject: Kendriya Vidyalaya in Minority Areas
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Mohammad Jawed

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1303 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.11.2019

## KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA IN MINORITY AREAS

## 1303. DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to open Kendriya Vidyalayas in minorities dominated areas across the country; and
- (b) if so, the names of the areas which have been identified to open these Kendriya Vidyalayas?

## ANSWER

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

(a) No  such  proposal  is  under  consideration  at  present.  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.

- (b) Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1302 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-25
Subject: Implementation of Schemes of the Government
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: Vijay Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  1302

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.11.2019

## IMPLEMENTATION OF SCHEMES OF THE GOVERNMENT † 1302 BY SHRI VIJAY KUMAR

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

- (a) Whether work of implementation of several schemes of the Government is entrusted to several non-Governmental organizations/agencies at regional level;
- (b) If  so,  whether  the  required  payment  has  been  made  to these organizations/agencies which were entrusted with the work of  imparting  training  in  the  most  under-developed  areas  through Tailoring/Embroidery centers or other socially useful programmes;
- ( c) If not, the details thereof and the reasons for not making the payment; and
- (d) Whether the government proposes to set up any concrete payment mechanism so as to ensure the payment on completion of work?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d) : Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is implementing a  Scheme called Jan Shikshan Sansthan through Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) for skilling  of    Nonliterate, Neo-literate and persons having rudimentary education.

.............2/-

There are 231 eligible Jan Shikshan Sansthans for the implementation of the Scheme spread all over India.  There is a provision of  Annual  Grant  of  Rs.  50,00,000/-  (Rupees  Fifty  Lacs)  for  each    Jan Shikshan Sansthan.

Payments are being made through Grant-in-aid in two instalments. The  First  Instalment  of  Annual  Grant  is  released  at  the  beginning  of Financial  Year  after  obtaining  the  provisional  Utilization  Certificate  and provisional  statement  of  Accounts  of  the  previous  Financial  Year.  The second  instalment  of  Grant  is  released  after  the  issuance  of  Utilization Statement by the Government of India on the basis of audited statement of  Accounts  and  Utilization  Certificate  of  the  preceding  Financial  Year. While  doing  so,  the  unspent  balances  available  with  the  JSSs  or reimbursements, if any due to them, is also adjusted.

.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1297 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-25
Subject: Opening of Tourism Industry to Private  Stakeholders
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Diya Kumari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1297 ANSWERED ON 25.11.2019

## OPENING OF TOURISM INDUSTRY TO PRIVATE STAKEHOLDERS

## 1297. MS. DIYA KUMARI:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  open  the  tourism industry to private stakeholders;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by the Government to attract private stakeholders; and
- (c)
- if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): Development of tourism infrastructure such as accommodation units and travel trade in the country is undertaken by the private sector. The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India only  classifies  operational  hotels  under  its  voluntary  scheme  of classification/approval of hotels and approves various categories of operational Travel Trade Service Providers.

However, the 'Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan''    project,    a  collaborative  effort  by  the  Ministry  of Tourism,  Ministry  of  Culture  and  Archaeological  Survey  of  India, State/ UTs Government for developing tourism amenities at heritage/  natural/  tourist  sites  across  India  aims  to  encourage companies  from  public  sector,  private  sector,  corporate  citizens, NGOs, individuals and other stakeholders to take up the responsibility of developing and upgrading the basic and advanced tourist amenities at heritage/natural/ tourist sites. They would also look  after  the  Operation  &  Maintenance  of  the  same.  Under  the project, 26 Memorandum  of Understanding (MoU) have been awarded  to  12  agencies  for  twenty-four  (24)  sites  and  two  (2) Technological interventions across India.

Further, in order to allow participation of the private sector in the    'Hunar  Se  Rozgar  Tak'  (HSRT)  initiative  of  the  Ministry  of Tourism for creation of employable skills amongst the youth above the age of 18 years, on a scale higher than hitherto and to enhance the programme reach and delivery, the private sector Institutes also have been allowed to implement the programmes in four Hospitality Trades  viz  Multi  Cuisine  Cook,  Food  Beverage  Service-steward, Room  Attendant  and  Front  Office  Associate.  So  far,  Thirty  Eight private institutions have been empanelled under this initiative.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1296 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-25
Subject: Cashew Sector Employees
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Suresh Kodikunnil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1296 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.11.2019

## CASHEW SECTOR EMPLOYEES

## 1296. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

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

- (a)whether the Government is considering to treat all cashew sector employees  as  seasonal  factory  employees  as  defined  under  Para 2(kk)  of  the  employees  PF  scheme  1952  read  with  explanation  to para 9 (a) to the employees pension scheme 1952;
- (b)if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)the steps taken by the Government in this regard;
- (d)whether the Government is aware that the PF sub regional office, Kollam has denied PF pension benefits to poor cashew workers as per  amendment to para 9 of the employees pension scheme 1995 replacing actual service by contributory service;
- (e)if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (f)whether the Government is intending to conduct PF Adalat at Taluk level, if so, the details thereof along with status of the same?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (c):  The  cashew  sector  employees  are  already  treated  as seasonal workers under the provisions of Para 2(kk) of the Employees' Provident  Funds  (EPF)  Scheme,  1952  read  with  explanation  to  para 9(a) to the Employees' Pension Scheme 1995.

Contd..2/-

(d) & (e): Clarification  was  sought  by  the  Zonal  Office,  Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) Kerala on the issue of eligibility of cashewnut workers for pension and the same was provided by EPFO Head Office and as per available information with EPFO Head Office, RO, Kollam is processing the pension claim applications in respect of cashewnut workers, treating them as employees employed in seasonal establishments.

(f): Nidhi Aapke Nikat, which was earlier known as Bhavishya Nidhi Adalat is conducted on 10 th  of every month (on next working day in case of holiday). Nidhi Aapke Nikat is conducted by field offices of EPFO within and outside office including Taluk level. Total Number of 103 Nidhi Aapke Nikat  (Bhavishya Nidhi Adalats) were conducted at Taluk level during 2019-20 till month of November.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1295 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-25
Subject: Tamanna Aptitude Test
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Nand Kumar Singh Chauhan

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1295 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.11.2019

## Tamanna Aptitude Test

## †1295.  SHRI NAND KUMAR SINGH CHAUHAN:

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

- (a) the details of the 'Tamanna' aptitude test developed by CBSE and NCERT; and
- (b) the  details  of  the  number  of  seats  allotted  by  the  Government  for  EWS beneficiaries in Kendriya Vidyalayas?

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

- (a): The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the National Council of Educational  Research  &  Training  (NCERT)  have  developed  TAMANNA  (Try  and Measure Aptitude and Natural Abilities) - An aptitude test for Senior School Students to enable stakeholders to know the aptitude of students of Class IX & Class X.  The details about  use  of  aptitude test,  dimensions  measured  in  the  test,  construction  and standardization of the test, administration and scoring and understanding the meaning of  aptitude  test  scores  are  available in  the  test  manual.  The  text  booklet  and  manual have  been  uploaded  on  the  websites  of  Ministry  of  Human  Resource  Development (MHRD), CBSE and NCERT.
- (b): Economically  Weaker  Section (EWS)  students are included in the  25% reservation in Class-I in Kendriya Vidyalayas as per The Right of Children to free and Compulsory  Education  (RTE)  Act,  2009  and  the  Kendriya  Vidyalaya  Sangathan Admission Guidelines 2019-20.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1292 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-25
Subject: Schemes for Conservation of Archaeological Sites
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Ramdas Chandrabhanji Tadas, Sangamlal Kadedin Gupta, Ravi Kishan Shukla, Chandra Prakash Joshi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 1292 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.11.2019

## SCHEMES FOR CONSERVATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

1292.  SHRI  RAMDAS  C. TADAS:

SHRI  SANGAM  LAL GUPTA:

SHRI  RAVI  KISHAN:

SHRI  CHANDRA  PRAKASH JOSHI:

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

- (a) the  names  of  the  schemes  being  implemented  by  the  Government  for conservation of archaeological sites throughout the country;
- (b) the details of the works carried out by the Government for conservation  of  archaeological  sites  in  Uttar  Pradesh,  Rajasthan  and Maharashtra;
- (c) whether  the archaeological sites are likely to face any  kind of risk and if so, the details of the said likely risks; and
- (d) the arrangements  made  for  protection of the said sites against the likely risks or damages?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Conservation work of protected monuments is executed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the budgetary head/scheme as 'Conservation of ancient monuments'
- (b) Conservation & maintenance work of protected monuments in the country including  Uttar  Pradesh,  Rajasthan  and  Maharashtra  is  a  continuous process wherein essential repair work  is attended as per requirements of different sites and availability of resources.
- (c) Regular care is taken of protected monuments to guard against any threats
- & and they are in a good state of preservation.