opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2167 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: Vacancies in Kendriya Vidyalaya
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Hanuman Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2167 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2019

## VACANCIES IN KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA

## † 2167. SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL:

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

- (a) the  category-wise  details  of  the  sanctioned,  actual  and  vacant  posts  in  the Kendriya Vidyalaya situated at District Headquarters Nagaur of Rajasthan;
- (b) the time by which the vacant posts are likely to be filled up;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to open an additional Kendriya Vidyalaya considering the geographical situation of Nagaur district; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which Kendriya Vidyalaya will be opened?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The  category-wise  details  of  sanctioned  posts,  staff  in  position  and  vacant posts  in  Kendriya  Vidyalaya  (KV)  situated  at  District  Headquarters  Nagaur  of Rajasthan are as under:-
- (b) Filling up of vacancies is a continuous process and action is taken from time to  time  as  per  the  provisions  of  the  relevant  recruitment  rules  for  filling  up  of  the posts. As the process involves various methods of recruitment such as promotion, Limited  Departmental  Examination,  Direct  Recruitment  etc.  no  specific  time  frame

| S. No.   | NAME OF POST                       |   SANCTIONED POSTS |   IN POSITION STAFF |   VACANT POSTS |
|----------|------------------------------------|--------------------|---------------------|----------------|
| 1        | Vice Principal                     |                  1 |                   1 |              0 |
| 2        | TGT, English                       |                  1 |                   1 |              0 |
| 3        | TGT, Sanskrit                      |                  1 |                   1 |              0 |
| 4        | TGT, Maths                         |                  1 |                   1 |              0 |
| 5        | Librarian                          |                  1 |                   1 |              0 |
| 6        | Primary Teachers                   |                  6 |                   6 |              0 |
| 7        | PRT (Music)                        |                  1 |                   1 |              0 |
| 8        | Senior Secretariat Assistant (SSA) |                  1 |                   1 |              0 |
| 9        | Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) |                  1 |                   0 |              1 |
| 10       | Sub-Staff (Regular)                |                  2 |                   0 |              2 |
| TOTAL    | TOTAL                              |                 16 |                  13 |              3 |

can be given by when all the posts are likely to be filled up. (c) No such proposal is under consideration at present.

- (d) Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2166 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: Growth Forecast
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Anto  Antony, T.N. Prathapan

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2166 TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 2, 2019

## GROWTH FORECAST

## 2166. SHRI ANTO ANTONY: SHRI T.N. PRATHAPAN:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the international bodies like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, among others, have reduced their growth forecasts for India for the current fiscal;
- (b) if so, whether the Government anticipates a decline in investor sentiment as a result of this; and
- (c) if so, the steps being taken by the Government to address this?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):  As  per  the  World  Economic  Outlook  (WEO),  October  2019  published  by  IMF,  India's  growth forecast for 2019-20 has been revised to 6.1 percent from 7 percent forecasted in WEO update July, 2019. India remains one of the fastest growing economies amongst the G20 countries and 34 OECD countries.
- (b) & (c): IMF in its report World Economic Outlook, October 2019 mentioned that the growth rate of India will pick up to 7.0 percent in 2020. During the last five years, government has implemented major reforms  to  build  the  investment  climate  in  the  country  for  becoming  a  US  5  trillion-dollar  economy. Introduction of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) in 2016 is a significant step towards cleaning and strengthening the financial system of the country. Implementation of Goods and Services Tax in 2017 stands out as the most important measure for improving ease of doing business in the country. Make-in-India  programme  is  a  major  initiative  towards  increasing  the  indigenous  capacity  of  the country to produce world class goods and services. Continuous liberalization has resulted in record and unprecedented inflows of foreign direct investment into the country. And all along government has kept  inflation  low,  fiscal  spending  disciplined  and  current  account  deficit  manageable  to  ensure macroeconomic stability so necessary to sustaining a healthy investment climate in the country. More recently  government  has  cut  corporate  tax  rate  from  30  percent  to  22  percent  to  boost  investment activity in the country. This complements a cut in the repo rate by 135 basis points during 2019 by the Reserve Bank of India and mandating of banks to link their lending rates with external benchmarks for reducing the cost of capital for investors. These measures would lead to a positive outlook on India and would attract capital flows and stimulate investments. India continues to offer strong prospects of growth in near and medium term for the investors.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2164 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: Population Living Below Poverty Line
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Chandeshwar Prasad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2164

TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 2, 2019

## POPULATION LIVING BELOW POVERTY LINE

† 2164. SHRI CHANDESHWAR PRASAD:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether inflation is rising day by day and the Government's price control mechanism has failed completely;
- (b) if so, whether the number of poor people is increasing due to inflation; and
- (c) if so, the criteria for determining the poverty line along with the percentage of our population that comes under the category of poor people?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): No, Sir. The Consumer Price Index-Combined (CPI-C) Inflation for the last three years and of the current year up to October, 2019 may be seen in Table-1.

Table 1: Consumer Price Index-Combined (CPI-C) Inflation

|                            |   2016-17 |   2017-18 |   2018-19 |   April-October, 2019 |
|----------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------------------|
| CPI-C Inflation (per cent) |       4.5 |       3.6 |       3.4 |                   3.5 |

Source: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2163 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: ESI Contribution Rate Cut
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Imtiaz Jaleel Syed, Asaduddin Owaisi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2163 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2019

## ESI CONTRIBUTION RATE CUT

## 2163. SHRI SYED IMTIAZ JALEEL: SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

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

- (a)whether the Government has recently announced ESI contribution rate cut to widen its scope and cover more workers in the industry, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)the contribution of Government in ESI scheme and benefits likely to be given to employees after this rate cut;
- (c)the further steps taken or being taken by the Government for social security  and  improving  working  conditions  of  labourers  in  the country;
- (d)whether in order to widen social security, improving conditions of workers  and  move  to  improve  the  ease  of  doing  business  in  the country, Government has announced ESI contribution rate cut, if so, the details thereof;
- (e)the extent to which this step of the Government is likely to benefit employer and employee; and
- (f)the  total  burden  of  the  Government  after  taking  this  step  and  the other steps taken or being taken by Government for social security of labour and ease of doing business?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Yes,  Sir.  The  rate  of  the  Employees'  State  Insurance  (ESI) contribution  has  been  reduced  from  6.5%  (employer's  share  -  4.75% and employee's share - 1.75%) to 4% (employer's share - 3.25% and employee's share - 0.75%) with effect from 01.07.2019.

- (b): ESI is a self-financing scheme and no grant/aid is provided by the Government of India.  All the benefits as available before the rate cut even after this reduction.
- (c): ESI  Scheme,  which  is  now  available  in  566  districts  of  the country,  is  to  be  gradually  extended  to  entire  country  by  the  year 2022.
- (d): The rate of ESI contribution has been reduced, w.e.f. 01.07.2019, from 6.5 % to 4%, as detailed in part (a) above, to bring more and more employees under the ambit of ESI Act, 1948.
- (e): The reduction in rate of contribution will reduce the burden on employer & employees and improve the coverage as well as compliance.
- (f): As ESI is self-financing scheme where the expenditure is met out from  the  ESI  fund  generated  through  contribution  received  from  the employers and employees, there is no burden on the Government.

Further, in line with the recommendations of the Second National Commission on Labour, the Government has taken steps for drafting four  Labour  Codes  i.e.  the  Code  on  Wages;  the  Code  on  Industrial Relations, the Code  on Occupational Safety, Health &  Working Conditions & the Code on Social Security by simplifying, amalgamating and  rationalizing  the  relevant  provisions  of  the  existing  29  Central Labour Laws.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2162 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: Transgender Students
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Anumula Revanth Reddy

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2162 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2019

## Transgender Students

2162. SHRI ANUMULA REVANTH REDDY:

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

- (a)  the  University-wise  details  of  Number  of  Transgender  students  studying  in  various Central Universities of the country;
- (b)  the  University-wise  details  of  Number  of  Transgender  Teaching  Staffs  in  various Central Universities of the country;
- (c)  the  University-wise details of Number of Transgender Non-Teaching Staffs in various Central Universities of the country;
- (d)  the  Year-wise  details  of  steps  taken  during  last  five  years  to  ensure  increase  in participation of the transgender community in the higher education; and
- (e) the details of further measures being taken by the Government for the same?

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

(a) to (c) : As informed by the Central Universities under administrative control of Ministry of Human  Resource  Development, no Transgender student is studying in these Universities except Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) where a  total of 814 Transgender students have been enrolled during the last 5 years. There is no Transgender Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff in various Central Universities of the country.

- (d)  &  (e)  :  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  has  taken  following  actions  to  ensure increase in participation of the transgender communities in the higher education:
1.  The forms/proforma of all the schemes being operated by UGC to have a column for the Transgender in gender category. 2.  UGC has communicated to Universities from time to time: a) to  include  a  column for  Transgender category  in  all  application  forms/academic testimonial and all other relevant documents processed by them and as well as their affiliated colleges; b) to include Transgender as a third gender under the various scholarships/fellowships schemes of UGC; c) to  take  other  affirmative  action  to  get  the  transgender  students  adequately acclimatized without facing fear, stigma or shame; d) to  encourage the faculty members to undertake major research projects funded by the UGC on the life and culture of the Transgender community; e) to chalk out an action plan for the issues pertaining to transgender persons. 3.  The Transgender community is permitted to appear in the UGC NET under same category  with  the  same  relaxation  in  fee,  age,  eligibility  conditions  and  qualifying criteria for NET as are available to SC/ST/PWD categories.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2161 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: Permanent Status to Finance Commission
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2161 TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY 2 nd  December, 2019 [11 Agrahayana, 1941 (SAKA)] 'PERMANENT STATUS TO FINANCE COMMISSION'

## No. 2161. SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU

Will the MINISTER OF FINANCE be pleased to state:

- a) whether  there  is  any  proposal  before  the  Government  to  give  permanent  status  to  the  Finance Commission;
- b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- c) whether it is true that the Reserve Bank of India is also in favour of giving permanent status to the Finance Commission; and
- d) if so, the details thereof?

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

- a) No,  Government  of  India  is  not  considering  any  proposal  to  give  permanent  status  to  Finance Commission.
- b) Does not arise.
- c) Reserve  Bank  of  India  is  also  not  considering  any  proposal  to  give  permanent  status  to  Finance Commission.
- d) Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2160 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: New Pension Scheme
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2160 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2019

## NEW PENSION SCHEME

## 2160. SHRI MANOJ KOTAK:

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

- (a)whether the Government has planned a new pension scheme where the labourers after their retirement age will be entitled for pensions; (b)if so, the details thereof;
- (c)whether  it  is  true  that  new  law  is  being  made  to  ensure  welfare  of  the labourers; and
- (d)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): For old age protection in the form of monthly pension, Ministry of Labour & Employment has launched Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan Yojana which is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for providing monthly minimum assured pension of Rs. 3,000/- on attaining the age of 60 years.  The  unorganised  workers  in  the  age  group  of  18-40  years  whose monthly income is Rs.15,000/- or less and not a member of EPFO/ESIC/NPS can join the scheme. Under the scheme, 50% monthly contribution is payable by  the  beneficiary  and  equal  matching  contribution  is  paid  by  the  Central Government. The enrolment is being done through the country-wide network of 3.50 lakh Common Service Centres under the Ministry of Electronics and Information  Technology.    Facility  has  been  made  for  online  enrolment. Monthly subscription is being deducted through auto-debit facility.

(c) & (d): Draft  code  on  Social  Security,  2019  has  been  prepared  by amalgamating,  simplifying  and  rationalizing  the  relevant  provisions  of  the existing  Nine  Central  Labour  Acts  relating  to  social  security  for  organised and unorganised sector workers which aims towards expansion of coverage of social security.  Presently, the draft code on Social Security 2019 is under pre-legislative consultative process.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2159 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: Identification of Banknotes by Visually  Impaired
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2159

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2019

## IDENTIFICATION OF BANKNOTES BY VISUALLY IMPAIRED

## 2159. SHRI HIBI EDEN

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  there  is  any  proposal  under  consideration  of  the  Government  for  aiding  visually impaired in identification of denomination of banknotes;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether there is also a proposal under consideration of the Government to increase the life of Indian banknotes; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  &  (b)  :  Indian  banknotes  have  several  features  which  enable  the  visually  impaired  (colour blind, partially sighted and blind people) to identify them, viz., intaglio printing and tactile mark, variable banknote size, large numerals, variable colour, monochromatic hues and patterns. Once the  old  series  banknotes  are  withdrawn  from  circulation,  identification  of  the  new  series banknotes  will  automatically  become  easy  for  the  visually  impaired.  As  indicated  in  the Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies of June 6, 2018, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)  has  embarked  upon  exploring  alternative  technological  solutions  to  help  the  visually impaired  in  identifying  the  denomination  of  banknotes.  Accordingly  RBI  is  in  the  process  of developing  a  mobile  application  (both  iOS  and  Android)  for  aiding  the  visually  impaired  in identification of denomination of banknotes.
- (c) & (d): RBI  will  introduce  varnished  banknotes  of ₹ 100  denomination  in  Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series on a field trial basis in order to increase the life of Indian banknotes.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2158 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: Assessment of CRAs
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Rameshbhai Lavjibhai Dhaduk

## GOVERNMENT OF NNDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2158 TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, DECEMBER/ AGRAHAYANA 11,1941 (SAKA) 2ND

## ASSESSMENT OF CRAS

## QUESTION

## 2158. SHRI RAMESHBHAI LAVJIBHAI DHADUK:

Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is deeply assessing the functioning of various Credit Rating Agencies (CRAs) as various financial institutions and banks provide loan on the basis of the rating of these agencies;
- b) if s0, the complete details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- agencies in the country? rating

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Credit Rating Agencies (CRAs) in India are registered with SEBI and are governed by SEBI (Credit Agencies) Regulations, 1999 While SEBL regulates CRAs for rating of securities issued through public rights issues; CRAs are also accredited by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as External Credit Assessment Institutions (ECAIs) for rating of bank loans/facilities, commercial papers, etc. Rating

Both SEBI and RBL are regularly assessing the functioning of CRAs through continuous monitoring and regulatory disclosures which involves annual joint inspections by SEBI and RBI, annual review of the   accreditation of the agencies by RBI, mandatory half-yearly disclosures by CRAs and mandatory half-yearly internal audits for  all CRAs   coupled with   compulsory   rotation  of internal auditors. rating

(c): In the recent past vide circulars dated 23 September 2019 and 4 November 2019, SEBI has taken steps to   improve the functioning by way of   mandating enhanced governance and accountability standards, enhanced disclosure standards and by revising rating review process / criteria.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2157 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: Renovation of Buddhist Sites of Uttar Pradesh
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Sanghamitra Maurya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2157

## LOK SABHA ANSWERED ON 02.12.2019

## RENOVATION OF BUDDHIST SITES OF UTTAR PRADESH

## †2157. DR. SANGHMITRA MAURYA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the Buddhist Dhamma in village Majhia under Baduan Parliamentary Constituency in Uttar  Pradesh  that  bears  the  evidence  of  the  founder  and patron of Buddhism, Lord Tathagat Buddha and is corroborated by  the  history  is  today  in  a  dilapidated  condition  as  its remnants;
- (b) whether  there  is  any  scheme  for  beautification  of  the  said place  in  order  to  promote  tourism  and  bring  it  on  the  world tourism map;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  renovate  one  of  the important Buddhist sites of Uttar Pradesh located at Sankisa (district Farrukhabad), a famous Buddhist pilgrim centre where hundreds of devotees visit the place every day and which is presently in a shambles;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  connect  it  with  main route besides ensuring availability of potable water, accommodation and facility of Sulabh toilets for pilgrims; and
- (e)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): Ministry of Tourism has identified Buddhist Circuit as one of the fifteen thematic circuits for development under the Swadesh Darshan  Scheme.  All  sites  in  the  country  related  to  Buddhism including the ones in Uttar Pradesh are covered under this Circuit.

The projects under the scheme are identified for development in consultation with the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations and are sanctioned subject to availability of funds, submission of suitable detailed project reports, adherence  to scheme guidelines and utilization of funds released earlier. The  Ministry  has  sanctioned  a  project  for  Development  of Buddhist  Circuit:  Srawasti,  Kushinagar,  &  Kapilwastu  in  Uttar Pradesh  under  the  Buddhist  Circuit  theme  in  the  year  2016-17  for Rs.99.97 crore. The State Government of Uttar Pradesh has informed that they have  carried  out  works  related  to  development  of  toilet  blocks, canopy, submersible pumps, footpath, parking, horticulture, railing and benches etc. for Rs.104.96 lakhs during 2016-17 and 2017-18 at

Majhia in Baduan District.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2156 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-02
Subject: Excavation at Purana Quila
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Santokh Singh Chaudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2156

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2019

## EXCAVATION AT PURANA QUILA

## 2156. SHRI SANTOKH SINGH CHAUDHARY:

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

- (a) whether the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is excavating Purana Quila in Delhi to establish the site's association with the epic Mahabharata and if so, the details thereof;  and
- (b) whether the previous excavations by ASI have failed to establish such a link and if so, the reasons for launching another excavation?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No, Sir.
- (b) Question does not arise. .