opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4149 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-22
Subject: EPS-95 Pensioners
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Chandra Prakash Joshi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4149 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2021

## EPS-95 PENSIONERS

†4149. SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

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

- (a)the basis on which the pension is being given to EPS-95 pensioners at present;
- (b)whether the Government intends to increase this pension; and
- (c)if so, the details of the measures taken by the Government for the EPS-95 pensioners?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Employees'  Pension  Scheme  (EPS),  1995  is  a  'Defined Contribution-Defined  Benefit'  Social  Security  Scheme.  As  per  the provisions of this Scheme, the pensioners are given pension from the pooled account in which 8.33 per cent of the employee's pay (statutory limit is Rs.15000/- per month) is contributed by the Employer and 1.16 per cent of the employee's pay (upto Rs.15000/-) is contributed by the Central  Government.  Amount  of  member's  pension  is  determined  on the basis of period of service and the salary on which contribution has been  made  by  a  member  in  the  pension  fund.  The  formula  for calculating member pension under EPS, 95 is as follows:

Contd..2/-

## Pensionable Service X Pensionable Salary 70

(b) & (c): The Government has, for the first time, started providing a minimum pension of Rs. 1000 per month to the pensioners under EPS, 1995  from  01.09.2014  by providing additional  budgetary  support keeping the widespread demands although there is no provision in the Scheme for budgetary support.

It  is  not  possible  to  increase  minimum  monthly  pension amount  without  compromising  the  financial  viability  of  the  Scheme and/or  additional  budgetary  support.  The  Government  constituted  a High  Empowered  Monitoring  Committee  for  complete  evaluation  and review of the EPS, 1995. The Committee has recommended, inter-alia, enhancement of monthly pension with fulfilling of certain conditions.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4148 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-22
Subject: Programme for International Student Assessment
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Vishnu Dayal Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY

## LOKSABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4148 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2021

## Programme for International Student Assessment

## 4148. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India participates in the Programme for International Student Assessment and the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study; and
- (b) whether there is an alternative mechanism for comparing India's academic standing in comparison to other countries;
- (c) whether the Government proposes on collecting data regarding the gender gaps existing in achievements within the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK')

- (a) The Government of India has decided to participate in the Programme for International Students Assessment (PISA) 2022 to be conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). PISA is a triennial international survey that aims to evaluate education systems worldwide by testing the skills and knowledge of 15 year old students in Mathematics, Science and Reading.The schools in Union Territory of Chandigarh, as well as the Kendriya Vidyalaya (KVs) and Navodaya Vidyalaya (NVs) school systems would participate in the PISA 2022.
- (b) No, Sir.
- (c) Department of Science and Technology is supporting projects on data collection in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Recently, DST has published a report 'Research & Development Statistics at a Glance-2019-20' which also includes gender gaps existing in achievements within the fields of STEM.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4146 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-22
Subject: Scheme for Children of Single Mother
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Vishnu Dutt Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOKSABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4146 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2021

## Scheme for Children of Single Mother

## †4146. SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- a. whether the Government is proposing any scheme to provide reservation or financial assistance in the form of tax rebate or in any other form for the education of the children of single mothers;
- b. if so, the details thereof; and
- c. if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK')

(a) to (c): No, Sir. No scheme to provide reservation or financial assistance in the form of tax rebate or in any other form for the education of the children of single mother is under consideration of Ministry of Education.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4141 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-22
Subject: Allocation of Kerosene
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Manickam Tagore B

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4141 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22 ND  MARCH, 2021

## Allocation of Kerosene

4141. SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B.:

पेोिलयम और ाकृितक गैस मंी

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

- (a) whether the Government has stopped allocation of kerosene under Public Distribution System (PDS) to States;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  also  received  representations  from  State Governments to include allocation of kerosene and other essential commodities under PDS; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and response of the Government thereto?

## A N S W E R

( ी धम धान )

## पेोिलयम और ाकृितक गैस मंी

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

- (a) to (d) No Sir, the allocation of PDS Kerosene made in last two years and current year is as under:

| Year    |   PDS Kerosene allocation in KL |   %REDUCTION |
|---------|---------------------------------|--------------|
| 2018-19 |                         4432994 |        11.62 |
| 2019-20 |                         3121328 |        29.59 |
| 2020-21 |                         2315008 |        25.83 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 359 (STARRED), answered on 2021-03-19
Subject: Financial Assistance to FM industry
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Margani Bharat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*359 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2021

## 'FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO FM INDUSTRY'

*359. SHRI MARGANI BHARAT:

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  FM  Radio  industry  has  suffered  huge financial loss due to Covid-19 Pandemic and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  his  Ministry  has  received  any  representation  from  FM  Radio  industry seeking financial aid/assistance;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the action taken by the Government thereon?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE; MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES

(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

- (a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

******

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*359 FOR ANSWER ON 19.03.2021

(a) to  (d)      Association  of  Radio  Operators  for  India  (AROI)  has  informed  the Government that COVID-19 crisis has resulted in massive drop in advertisements on Private FM Radio. Since these advertisement are the only source of revenue for this free to air media,  AROI raised certain demands for FM radio industry seeking financial assistance in the form of waiver of one year license fee, waiver of tower rentals and other charges, waiver of spectrum fees, Zero or 5% GST, restoration of Government advertisements  to  normal  levels,  full  waiver  of  minimum  guarantee  of  2.5%  of  NonRefundable  One  Time  Entry  Fee  (NOTEF)  till  end  of  license  period  and  two-year extension  in  terms  of  license  period,  etc.  Due  to  COVID-19  pandemic,  Government deferred the payment of license fee of Quarter-1 FY 2020-21 up to 15 th July 2020 for private FM Radio broadcasters.

Government on 15 th June 2020 intimated the FM Radio industry that in terms of provisions of FM Phase-III policy guidelines, there is no provision in the FM Radio Policy Guidelines, 2011 to grant any waiver in either the annual or the quarterly fee, which  is  due  to  the  Government.    It  is  also  not  possible  to  modify  the  annual  fee formula.    The  other  demands  of  the  Radio  Industry  were  also  taken  up  with  the concerned Ministries  of  the  Government.  Further,  the  private  FM  broadcasters  were also apprised of the special economic and comprehensive package announced by the Government  called Aatma  Nirbhar  Bharat  Abhiyaan of  more  than  Rs.20  lakh  crore equivalent to 10% of India's GDP, in the fight against COVID-19.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 358 (STARRED), answered on 2021-03-19
Subject: Pathological Investigations under Medical Services
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Omprakash Bhupalsinh alias Pawan Rajenimbalkar, Hemant Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 358 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH MARCH , 2021

## PATHOLOGICAL INVESTI GATIONS UNDER MEDICA L SERVICES

## *358. SHRI OMPRAKASH BHUPALSINH ALIAS PAW AN RAJENIMBALKAR: SHRI HEMANT SRIRAM P ATIL:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  fixed  parameters  regarding  results  of  the pathological tests/ investigations under medical services;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that some pharmaceutical companies in col on with doctors are selling medicines by terming the parameters fixed as wrong;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the number of companies and doct whom action has been taken during each of the last three years and the cur State/UT - wise; and
- (e)  other  corrective  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government direction?

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## ANSWER (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a)to ( e)A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEME NT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 358* FOR 1 9 TH MARCH , 2021

(a) and (b):  The Government of India has enacted the Clinical Establishme 2010  and  notified  Rules  thereunder  for  registration  and  regulation  of establishments  including  pathological  laboratories.    For  grant  of  registra clinical establishment is required to fulfil conditions which among others a compliance to Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) issued by Centre/ Governme nt  from  time  to  time.    So  far , Ministry  of  Health  and  Family  Welfare (MoHFW),  Government  of  India , has  issued  STGs  for  227  medical  conditions  i Allopathy  and  18  conditions  in  Ayurveda.  Treatment  guidelines  have  also prescribed under various National Health Programmes. The Act, however ,does not bestow mandate to fix parameters regarding results of various patho tests/investigations  under  medical  services.      In  fact  such  parameters defined  by  consensus  of  medical  experts  or  professio nal  a ociations,  based  on outcomes of clinical studies and are usually prescribed in standard medical on the respective subjects.

( c)  to (e)No  such  incidence  has  been  reported  to  Ministry  of  Health  and  F Welfare.
Lok Sabha Question No. 357 (STARRED), answered on 2021-03-19
Subject: Dedicated Channels for Farmers
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: D. M. Kathir Anand, Prathap Simha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.*357

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2021)

## DEDICATED CHANNELS FOR FARMERS

*357. SHRI D.M. KATHIR ANAND: SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA:

Will  the  Minister  of  INFORMATION  AND  BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  initiatives  taken  by  the  Government  towards educating the farmers through Radio/TV;
- (b) whether the Government is operating any dedicated channels for this purpose, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  funds  allocated  and  utilized  on  running  such  dedicated channels so far?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND  CLIMATE CHANGE;  MINISTER  OF  INFORMATION  AND  BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## ***********************

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.*357  FOR  ANSWER  ON 19.03.2021 (a) & (b): Prasar Bharati broadcasts 'DD Kisan', a 24X7 satellite TV channel exclusively dedicated to the farmers and the agriculture  sector  to  serve  the  farming  and  rural  community  in India and to reach the remotest parts of the country, to inform and  educate  the  rural  populace  and  work  towards  creating  a holistic environment for sustainable and inclusive growth of the farmers.  Some  major  programmes  telecast  on  this  channel  are Kisan Samachar, Chaupal Charcha, Gaon Kisan, Mausam Khabar Live, Hello Kisan Live, Krishi Darshan, Swastha Kisan etc.  As per Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) data, there are 3.4 million average weekly viewers for DD Kisan channel at present. In  addition,  Prasar  Bharati  broadcasts  a  30  minute,  six  days  a week, dedicated interactive programme 'Kisanvani', in respective regional languages over 96 AIR stations across the country and 'Kisan Ki Baat' programme over FM Gold Channel in Delhi, for the farming community in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India.

Further,  programmes  towards  educating  farmers  on  various aspects are also being carried on AIR and DD Network across the country.

(c)  The  funds  are  allocated  on  annual  basis  as  per  requirement for the operations of 'DD Kisan' channel.  The expenditure during the last three years for DD Kisan Channel  is as under:

|   S. No. | Year    | Expenditure     |
|----------|---------|-----------------|
|        1 | 2017-18 | Rs. 34.47 crore |
|        2 | 2018-19 | Rs. 19.31 crore |
|        3 | 2019-20 | Rs. 16.43 crore |

The  funds  are  utilised  for  creating  variety  of  programmes  with in-house production and outsourced content for benefit of farmers of India.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 355 (STARRED), answered on 2021-03-19
Subject: Irregularities in Admission in MBBS Course
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Gangasandra Siddappa Basavaraj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 355 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH MARCH , 2021 IRREGULARITIES IN AD MISSION IN MBBS COUR SE

## *355. SHRI G.S. BASAVARAJ:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of the financial penalty imposed Apex Court on a medical college in Uttar Pradesh recently for granting admi students  in  violatio n  of  MCI  regulations,  while  safeguarding  the  interests  o students enrolled in MBBS course in the college;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto; an
- (c) the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government in light of the said verdict to ensure fair admission process in medical colleges?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a)to ( c)A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEME NT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 355* FOR 1 9 TH MARCH , 2021

(a)  &  ( b)  The Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  of  India  has  imposed  penalty  on  a  medical college in Uttar Pradesh vide Judgment dated 24.02.2021 in WP (C) No. 40/2 SaraswatiEducational  Charitable  Trust  &  Anr.  Vs  Union  of  India  &  Ors.  I directed  the  College  to  deposit  Rs.  Five  Crore  in  its  Registry.    Nation Commission  (NMC)  was  also  directed  to  constitute  a  Trust  which  shall  i Accountant  General  of  State of  Uttar  Pradesh,  an  eminent  educationist  and representative  of  State  of  Uttar  Pradesh  as  members  of  the  Trust  for  man amount.  The  Trust  shall  extend  financial  assistance  to  needy  students admission to medical college in Uttar Pradesh.

(c) The  Regulations  on  Graduate  Medical  Education  and  Post  Graduate  Medi Education provide for conducting common counselling through the merit of Na Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). The Common Counseling for admission t India Quota seats , Central Institutions and Deemed Universities is conducted Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) of Directorate General of Health Servic Centre level. The common counselling for all the seats of Super - Specialty courses is also conducted by the M CC. The Common Counseling for admission to State Quota seats,  Private  Medical  Colleges  including  those  run  by  Religious  and  L Minorities  affiliated  to  State  Universities  is  conducted  by  the  conce Government or its designated authority.

U nder the common counselling, medical seats are allotted to candidates basis of merit and as per the choices exercised by the candidate through Counseling  Software.  The  whole  allotment  process  is  online  without  any interference. A new regulatory body, National Medical Commission (NMC) has been constituted under the provisions of the NMC Act, 2019 with effect 25 th September, 2020. The NMC Act, 2019 also provides for common counselling.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 354 (STARRED), answered on 2021-03-19
Subject: Import of Medicines
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Virendra  Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 354 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH MARCH , 2021 IMPORT OF MEDICINES

## †*354. DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government imports medicines from other countries;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  any  provision  to  send  drug  inspectors  t countries to ensure adherence to the norms related to quality; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a)to ( d)A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEME NT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 354* FOR 1 9 TH MARCH , 2021

(a) & (b): Import of 'Drugs' as defined under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945 thereunder is regulated under the Chapter III of the said Act For import of drugs, the foreign manufacturing site and the drugs to be im require d to be registered and import licence is required to be obtained fro Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

CDSCO has granted Registration Certificate and Import Licence for impo various medicines manufactured in China, Germany, United States of America, Italy, Singapore, Japan, Switzerland, Spain, United Kingdom, etc.

(c) & (d): There is a provision under Rule 24(A)(5) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945,for inspection or visit of the manufacturing premises of drugs, by the ng authority or by any persons to whom powers have been delegated in this behal Licensing Authority under Rule 22 of the said rules.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 353 (STARRED), answered on 2021-03-19
Subject: Eco-Sensitive Zones
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav, Krupal Balaji Tumane

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION N0. *353

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2021

## Eco-Sensitive Zones

## *353.       SHRI SANJAY JADHAV: SHRI KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  a  number  of  proposals  from  the  State  Government  of  Maharashtra  for  the purpose of declaring wildlife sanctuaries as Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) are pending with the Union Government for approval/notification;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the status of the said proposals; and
- (c) the time by which the said proposals are likely to be approved?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

- (a) to (c)   A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARAS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  353  DUE  FOR  REPLY  ON  19.03.2021  REGARDING 'ECO-  SENSITIVE  ZONES'  RAISED  BY  SHRI  SANJAY  JADHAV  AND  SHRI KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE.

- (a) and (b) There are 54 (fifty-four) Protected Areas(PAs) in the State of Maharashtra. Out of fifty-four (54) Protected Areas:
- (1) Final  Eco-Sensitive  Zone  notifications  published  for  41  (forty-one)  Protected Areas.
- (2) Draft Eco-Sensitive Zone notifications published for 4(four) Protected Areas.
- (i) Bor  Tiger  Reserve  comprising  of  3(three)  Protected  Areas  namely  Bor Wildlife Sanctuary, New Bor Wildlife Sanctuary and Extended New Bor Wildlife Sanctuary, issued on 05.02.2021, pending for public comments as time period of 60 days is not over.
- (ii) One (1) Protected Area namely Karanja Sohol Wildlife Sanctuary has been recommended  by  the  Expert  Committee  on  ESZ.  State  has  provided requisite  information  on  4 th March,  2021.  Process  is  on  for  seeking approval for finalisation of the notification.
- (3) Proposal for 3 (three) Protected Areas for draft notification is being processed in the Ministry.
- (4) Proposals for 6 (six) Protected Areas awaited from the Government of Maharashtra.
- (c) Decision  on  pending  proposals  for  four  (4)  Protected  Areas  [one  (1)  for  final notification and three (3) for draft notification] would be taken as quickly as possible.

****