opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1910 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-30
Subject: Demand for Animal Products
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: RADHESHYAM BISWAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1910

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 30 th  JULY,2018

## DEMAND FOR ANIMAL PRODUCTS

## 1910. SHRI RADHESHYAM BISWAS:

Will  the  Minister  of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाͨणÏय  एवं  उɮयोग  मंğी ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is a high domestic demand for animal products leaving lesser surplus for exports and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  there  is  a  prohibition  on  export  of  beef  and  beef  products  under  the  Foreign Trade Policy and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether strict sanitary and Phytosanitary conditions have been imposed by a number of importing countries and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jh lh- vkj- pkS/kjh½

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a)   Yes,  Madam.  There  is  a  large  consumption  base  for  animal  products  in  India. However, India has been able to export animal products like buffalo meat, Sheep/Goat meat, Poultry products etc.
- (b)  Yes,  Madam. As per the existing Foreign Trade Policy, the export of beef (includes meat and edible offal) of cows, oxens and calf, is prohibited and is not permittedto be exported.
- (c)  Yes,  Madam.  International  trade  in  animal  products  is  allowed  as  per  the  sanitary conditions stipulated in the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of World Organization for Animal Health(OIE). Certain countries evaluate market access for frozen buffalo meat from India based on incidences of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1908 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-30
Subject: Financial Assistance to NGOs
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: HARISHCHANDRA DEORAM CHAVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†1908

## LOK SABHA ANSWERED ON 30.07.2018

## FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO NGOs

## †1908. SHRI HARISHCHANDRA CHAVAN:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the names of NGO's which have received financial assistance in the State of Maharashtra under the ongoing schemes of the Ministry;
- (b) the  NGO-wise  and  scheme-wise  details  and  amount  of  such assistance provided during each of the last three years; and
- (c) the  details  of  NGOs  who  have  been  found  to  be  involved  in irregularities in implementing the said schemes alongwith the action  taken  against  them  during  the  said  period,  State/UTwise?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI K.J. ALPHONS)

(a)  to (c):  The  Ministry  of  Tourism extends  financial assistance  to various Private Organizations including Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) located in various parts of the country which includes the State  of Maharashtra  for events organized at national  / international  level that have potential for  the  promotion  of tourism to  and  /or  within  the  country  and for Capacity  Building for Service Providers.  The  details  of  financial  assistance  provided  in respect of the above during last three years is mentioned below:-

(Rs. in Lakh)

| Year    |   Amount Sanctioned |
|---------|---------------------|
| 2015-16 |               88.83 |
| 2016-17 |              167.14 |
| 2017-18 |              491.3  |

Ministry  of  Tourism  has  not  received  any  report  as  on  date about irregularities by the organizations to which the above mentioned support has been extended.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1907 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-30
Subject: Vacancies under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1907 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2018

## Vacancies under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan

- †1907. SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV: Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) the present number of vacant posts of teachers under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in the country, particularly in Maharashtra; (b) the steps taken/being taken to fill them up in a time bound manner; (c) whether there is any scheme to initiate a special recruitment drive to fill up the said posts; (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

(a)  to  (e):  A  total  number  of  417057  out  of  1933398  teachers  posts  sanctioned  under  the erstwhile Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) are vacant in the country as reported by all States and Union  Territories.  The  State  of  Maharashtra  has  reported  no  vacant  post  out  of  15387 sanctioned teacher posts under SSA in their Annual Work Plan & Budget(AWP&B) 2017-18.

The recruitment, service conditions and deployment of teachers come under the purview of the State/ Union Territory (UT) Government. Ministry of Human Resource Development has been requesting all the State/UT Governments including Government of Maharashtra for filling-up the vacant posts of teachers and their rational deployment, for which the Ministry has issued advisories to all States and UTs.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1905 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-30
Subject: Euro VI Emission Norms
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: ASADUDDIN OWAISI

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1905 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30 th JULY, 2018

## Euro VI Emission Norms

1905. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

पैट्रो ल ियम और प्राक ृ तिक गैस मंत्री Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has made/had proposed to make available Euro VI petrol and diesel in all the retail outlets in the National Capital from 1 st April, 2018 and if so, the details thereof? (b) the extent to which introduction of this fuel has helped/is likely to help to reduce pollution in the city; and (c) whether the Government proposes to introduce this fuel in other major cities where vehicular pollution level is very high and if so, the details thereof along with

- plan chalked out by the Government for other States in this regard?

## ANSWER

## पैट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री (श्री धमेन्द्र प्रधान)

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

(a) As per direction of Government, Oil Marketing Companies have started supplying BS-VI auto fuels in NCT of Delhi w.e.f 01.04.2018. (b) As per the assessment made by R&D Wing of IOCL, usage of BS-VI auto fuels in the non BS-VI compliant fleet of automobiles would  reduce the emissions to some extent in NCT of Delhi.  However, full benefits will be realised after BS-VI  compliant vehicles are introduced in the country. (c  )  Government  has  decided  to  implement  BS-VI  auto  fuel  norms  in  the  entire

- country including major cities w.e.f 01.04.2020.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1904 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-30
Subject: Administration of Universities
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: ANOOP MISHRA

## MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1904 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2018

## Administration of Universities

1904. SHRI ANOOP MISHRA:

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

(a) whether the Government has made any changes in the administration of the universities with the proposal for proper utilisation of funds and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has made any policy check and balance to employ to ensure proper administration;

(c) if so, the details thereof; and

- (d)  if  not,  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  monitoring  Universities  administration properly?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (Dr. SATYA PAL SINGH)

(a)  to (d): No, Madam. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has informed that it has not made any changes in the administration of the universities. Although Universities are autonomous institutions created by a Central Act or a State Act and are independent to take decisions regarding their academic and administrative matters, the provisions contained in the General Financial Rules (GFRs), 2017 formulated by Ministry of  Finance,  Department  of  Expenditure  are  applicable  to  Autonomous  Bodies  also.  All  the matters including the matters relating to financial involvement are being placed before the Statutory bodies i.e. Finance committee/Executive Council/Academic Council. Through these statutory bodies, the financial matters/activities of the Central Universities  are  being monitored. The  accounts  of  Central Universities are mandatorily subjected to audit by the Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG) of India every year and the Annual Accounts, duly audited, are required to be tabled in both Houses of the Parliament.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1902 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-30
Subject: Temporary Licensing on Selected Items
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNPURIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1902(H) TO BE ANSWERED ON 30 th  JULY,2018

## TEMPORARY LICENSING ON SELECTED ITEMS

## 1902(H). SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNAPURIA:

Will  the  Minister  of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाͨणÏय  एवं  उɮयोग  मंğी ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to implement temporary licensing on selected items in view of imports from China route;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government and other agencies monitor the quantity of imports in view of fall in prices of goods;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jh lh- vkj- pkS/kjh½

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) & (b): No, Madam.
- (c)  to  (e):  The  Government  has  constituted  an  Inter  -  Ministerial  Committee  under  the Chairmanship of Secretary, Department of Food & Public Distribution to monitor prices of essential agricultural goods including edible oil, pulses, sugar, wheat, rice and onion. Among  others,  Secretaries  of  Department  of  Agriculture,  Cooperation  &  Farmers Welfare, Department of Consumer Affairs, Department of Commerce, Director General of Foreign Trade are members of this Committee. The Committee holds its meeting at regular intervals to review supply/demand/prices of these essential items in the market and recommends various measures with a view to ensuring better prices for farmers, to improve  domestic  supply,  control  prices  and  .  Measures  like  Customs  duty  hike  on import of edible oil, restriction on import of pulses (Tur, Urad, Moong and Peas) have been taken in the recent past based on the recommendations of this Committee.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1901 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-30
Subject: Educational Fee
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: DUSHYANT CHAUTALA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1901 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2018

## Educational Fee

## 1901. SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has formulated guidelines to regulate educational fee in major private institutions;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  whether  the  Government  has  also  received complaints regarding higher fees in private higher institutions;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the actions have been taken by the Government to monitor the fees fixed by private educational institutions across the country?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (DR. SATYA PAL SINGH)

(a) to (d): The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)  had constituted a Committee under the Chairmanship of Justice B.N. Srikrishna, former Judge of Hon'ble Supreme Court to recommend the fee to be charged by private technical  institutes  in  the  country.  The  committee  has  recommended  maximum limit of tuition and development fee to be charged by these institutions. Further all the State/ UT Governments have been directed to comply with the recommendations  of  the  Fee  Committee.  Accordingly  State/  Fee  Regulatory Committees have been constituted to fix the limit of tuition and development fee to be charged by these institutions.

Moreover, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has constituted a Committee under the chairmanship of Prof. R.C. Deka, Former Director, AIIMS, New Delhi to regulate the fees chargeable by self-financed Deemed to be Universities in Medical and Dental Courses.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1897 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-30
Subject: Funds to Uttarakhand
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAMESH POKHRIYAL NISHANK

## DEVELOPMENT

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †1897 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2018

## Funds to Uttarakhand

## †1897. DR. RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK':

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

- (a) the funds allocated by the Government to various hilly States including Uttarakhand for various schemes under the Ministry during the last five years;
- (b) the amount spent so far out of the said allocated funds by the States along with the amount not spent, State -wise;
- (c) the reasons for not spending the entire amount; and
- (d) the steps taken/ being taken by the Government to spend the entire funds in a time bound manner?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. SATYA PAL SINGH)

- (a) to (d) : The information is being collected and will be laid on the table of the House.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1893 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-30
Subject: Splitting of GAIL
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: ADVOCATE NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1893 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2018

Splitting of GAIL

## 1893. ADV. NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR:

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS पेट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a proposal to split Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), a public sector enterprises is under active consideration of the Government and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has held consultation with all the stakeholders in this regard;
- (c) if so, the details and outcome thereof;and
- (d)  whether  the  proposed  split  will  add  transparency  in  the  operations  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) In year 1984, GAIL was established for transportation, processing and marketing of  natural  gas  and  for  establishing  and  managing  gas  pipelines  and  related  installations.    At present, GAIL has developed about 11,000 km long gas pipeline network and is also developing about 4,200 km long pipelines projects in the country.

In the year 2006, the Government issued the Policy for Development of Natural Gas Pipelines and City or Local Natural Gas Distribution Networks. In terms of this policy and the provisions of the Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) Act, 2006, all authorized entities including  GAIL  have  to  provide  mandatory  open  access  to  its  gas  pipeline  infrastructure  on common  carrier  principle  at  non-discriminatory  basis,  at  transportation  rates  determined  by PNGRB.  In the long run and with the maturing of gas markets, it is envisaged in the policy that the authorized entities will have transportation of natural gas as their sole business activity and will not have any business interest in the gas marketing or city or local gas distribution networks.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1892 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-30
Subject: EPF Investment
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: V. SATHYABAMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1892 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2018

## EPF INVESTMENT

## 1892. SHRIMATI V. SATHYA BAMA:

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

- (a)whether the Government has invested EFP amount in various Public Limited  companies  and  in  shares  and  equities  of  various  Private Limited  companies  as  well  as  blue  chip  shares  of  some  private companies;
- (b)if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  total  amount  invested,  top  ten company-wise;
- (c)the steps taken by Government to protect/safeguard the interests of EPF subscribers;
- (d)whether  the  Government  has  made  any  efforts  to  bring  in  more employees  in  both  organized  and  unorganized  sectors  under  the ambit of EPF; and
- (e)if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  extent  of  success  achieved therefrom?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Employees'  Provident  Fund  Organisation  (EPFO)  is  investing  in Exchange  Traded  Funds  (ETFs)  based  on  Nifty  50,  Sensex,  Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and Bharat 22 Indices. EPFO does not invest in shares and equities of individual companies.
- (b): The total amount invested by EPFO in ETFs as on June, 2018 is Rs. 48,946 crore.

(c): The Central Board of Trustees (CBT), Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) in its 207 th  meeting held on 31.03.2015 decided to invest only in Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) in the category of equity and related investments. (d) & (e): The Benefits under the Schemes framed under Employees' Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions (EPF & MP) Act, 1952 are available  to  workers  engaged  in  establishments  to  which  EPF  &  MP Act, 1952 is applicable. The EPF & MP Act, 1952 is applicable to every establishment employing 20 or more persons which is either a factory engaged  in  any  industry  specified  in  Schedule-I  of  the  Act  or  an establishment  to  which  the  Act  has  been  made  applicable  by  the Central Government by notification in the Official Gazette. An Employees' Enrolment Campaign was launched by EPFO during the period 01.01.2017 to 31.03.2017, which was  further extended to 30.06.2017. During the Campaign, various incentives were offered  to  establishments  to  enroll  such  workers  who  remained  unenrolled for any reason between 01.04.2009 and 31.12.2016. An employer, whether already covered or yet to be covered, could  enroll  employees  who  remained  un-enrolled  for  any  reason between 01.04.2009 and 31.12.2016 by making a declaration of such employees  during  the  campaign  period.  As  a  result,  around  1  crore employees were enrolled during the campaign.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1891 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-30
Subject: Cyber Safety
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: K. MARAGATHAM

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1891

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2018

## Cyber Safety

## 1891.  SHRIMATI K. MARAGATHAM:

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

- (a) whether  it  is  true  that  the  NCERT  has  issued  guidelines  to  school  and  parents  on cyber security safety;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also true that students should be taught not to engage or argue with cyber bullies as it might encourage even worse behaviour and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether  it  is  also  true  that  the  teachers  have  been  advised  to  monitor  students  for behavioral  changes  and  difference  in  their  attitude  and  if  so  the,  details  thereof  and  the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

- (a) & (b) National Council of Educational Research and  Training  (NCERT)  has developed guidelines on Cyber Safety and Security for students, teachers and schools, which have  been  disseminated  among  the  States/Union  Territories  on  May  17,  2018  for  their reference, use and further dissemination.  The guidelines on cyber safety and security have been placed on the NCERT's website for disseminating among all the stakeholders, including parents.
- (c) Yes Madam. The guidelines on Cyber Safety and security for teachers prepared by NCERT clearly advise not to engage or argue with cyber bullies as it might encourage even worse behaviour.  The teachers are expected to advise and guide the students in this regard suitably.
- (d) Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has Capacity Building Programme for teachers  in  the  area  of  Life  Skills  and  Gender  Sensitivity  through  which  teachers  are empowered to manage the behavioral changes of students, create right attitudes among them and  integrate  the  positive  behavior  change  in  their  students  as  a  part  of  curriculum transactions.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1890 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-30
Subject: Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: K.R.P. PRABAKARAN

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1890 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2018

## Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan

## 1890. SHRI K.R.P. PRABAKARAN:

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

- (a)   whether there is reportedly the absence of primary schools/education guarantee schemes/alternate schools, etc. under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan in many parts of the country particularly in rural areas;
- (b)  if so, the facts thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (c)   the corrective action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

(a) to (c) The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 provides for access to elementary schools for children within the defined area or limits of neighbourhood. Section 6 of the Act provides that 'the appropriate government and local authorities' shall establish, within the area or limits of a neighbourhood, a school, where it is not already established, within a period of three years from the commencement of the Act. In pursuance to Section 6 of the Act , the Central Government  has  notified  the  area  or  limits  of  neighbourhood  as  one  kilometre,  within  which  a primary  school  has  to  be  established  by  the  appropriate  Government  or  the  local  authority. Accordingly, the States have notified area or limits of their neighbourhood norms, factoring in their State  specific  condition,  for  opening  of  schools.  As  reported  by  States/UTs  in  their  Annual  Work Plan  and  Budget,  2018-19,  97.15%  of  habitations  in  the  country  are  covered  by  primary  schools. The habitations that remain uncovered are mostly small or sparsely populated in difficult areas where opening of school is not feasible.

The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) was implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in partnership with State Governments for universalizing elementary education across the country by opening  new  elementary  schools,  construction  of  schools  &  additional  classrooms  etc.  Since  its inception, the scheme has provided 2.04 lakh primary schools for ensuring universal availability of schooling facilities. For the remaining habitations, there is a provision of giving transport and escort facility, and opening of residential schools and hostels.

****