opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4630 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-22
Subject: JNU MCQ Entrance Exams
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Dibyendu Adhikari

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4630 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2019

## JNU MCQ Entrance Exams

## 4630. SHRI DIBYENDU ADHIKARI:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware of the new JNU MCQ entrance exams formats by National Testing Agency; (b)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  is  satisfied  with  such  process  of  evaluating  students  in  every subjective courses therein; (c) the fee being charged for viewing the official answer sheet and marks therefor; and

- (d) the reasons for not uploading the evaluation sheets in net?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) Jawaharlal  Nehru  University  has  informed  that  in  order  to  ensure  admission  to University in an unbiased and objective manner, the Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) format has been opted. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has been entrusted with the conduct of Jawaharlal Nehru University Entrance Examination 2019 and Combined Entrance Examination Biotechnology 2019. The stipulated fee is only for challenging the answer keys for different question papers as the process involves inviting experts who review the objection of the candidate and the correctness of the  original  answer.  Each  candidate  is  able  to  view  his  or  her  answer  key  response  for  their respective question papers and compare it with the correct answer key.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4628 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-22
Subject: Withdraw Approval to Institutions
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Sakshi Ji Swami Maharaj, Bhola Singh

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO . 4628 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22 nd  JULY, 2019

## Withdraw Approval to Institutions

†4628 . DR. SWAMI SAKSHIJI MAHARAJ: SHRI BHOLA SINGH:

- Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government proposes to withdraw the sanction given for setting up institutions in the States after a fixed time-limit if they are unable to provide land for this purpose on time; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has issued directions to all the States in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof including the reaction of the States thereto?

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

(a) to (d): Responsibility of providing land for setting up institutions lies with the State Governments.  The  long  pending  land  issues  have  been  taken  up  with  respective States.

However,  under  the  Centrally  Sponsored  scheme  of  Rashtriya  Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), State Governments/Union Territories (UTs) based on their felt needs submit proposals to the Ministry seeking central assistance under various components such as New Model Degree Colleges, New Professional Colleges etc. Central assistance under RUSA is provided for Government and Government-aided institutions coming under purview of State Governments/UT Administrations. Since, under  RUSA,  approvals  are  given  only  for  central  support  on  the  proposals  of State/UT, the issue of giving or withdrawing approvals for creation of new institutions does not arise as this matter comes under the purview of the State Government/UT Administration.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4626 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-22
Subject: National Policy for Domestic Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Raksha Nikhil Khadse

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4626 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2019

NATIONAL POLICY FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS

4626. SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE:

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

(a)whether the Government proposes to bring separately a national policy for  domestic  workers  to  recognise  their  rights  and  promote  better working conditions and to take labour reforms forward; and (b)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- (a) & (b): A draft National Policy on domestic workers is under consideration in the Central Government. The salient features of the draft policy are as  under:-
- i.
- Inclusion of Domestic Workers  in the existing legislations
- ii. Domestic workers will have the right to register as workers. Such registration will facilitate their access to rights & benefits accruing to them as workers.
- iii.
- Right to form their own associations , trade unions
- iv. Right to have minimum wages, access to social security, protection from abuse, harassment, violence
- v.
- vi.
- vii.
- Right to enhance their professional skills
- Protection of Domestic Workers  from abuse and exploitation
- Domestic Workers to have access to courts, tribunals, etc.
- viii. Establishment of a mechanism for regulation of concerned placement agencies.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4625 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-22
Subject: Changes in Admission Rules
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Harish Dwivedi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4625 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2019

## Changes in Admission Rules

## †4625. SHRI HARISH DWIVEDI:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a)  whether  the  Government  is  formulating  any  plan  to  introduce changes  in  rules for admission in M.Phil and Ph.D course in Central Universities; and (b) if so, the time by which it is likely to be introduced?

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

(a)  &  (b)  :  The  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  has  constituted  an  Expert Committee  to  review  issues  relating  to  research  like  promoting  quality  research  by faculty  and  creation of  new knowledge  and its  terms  of  reference  inter-alia  include to review  the  existing  M.Phil  /Ph.D  Regulations  comprehensively  and  to  suggest  new Regulations  keeping  all  the  stake  holders  in  mind.  The  report  of  the  Committee  has been received.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4623 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-22
Subject: Investment Bankers and Economists in EPFO
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4623 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2019

## INVESTMENT BANKERS AND ECONOMISTS IN EPFO

4623. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

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

- (a)whether his Ministry is considering to establish an in-house team of competent investment bankers and economists in the EPFO, which can make strategic investment plans to improve  the utilization  of pension funds;
- (b)whether  the  Ministry  is  considering  to  empower  the  EPFO  with independent statutory powers to enable the organization to develop its  own asset allocation policy with minimal interference from the Government;
- (c)if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): The funds of Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) are being invested by professional Portfolio Managers appointed  by  Central  Board  of  Trustees  (CBT),  Employees'  Provident Fund (EPF),  as  per  the  Pattern  of  Investment  notified  by  the  Central Government.  There  is  no  interference  of  the  Government  in  asset allocation of EPFO for investment of funds.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4621 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-22
Subject: Audit of National Skill Development Corporation
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4621 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2019

## AUDIT OF NATIONAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

## 4621. SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY:

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

- (a) whether  any  audit  of  the  National  Skill  Development  Corporation  has  been conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Yes Sir. The audit of National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has been conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) of India. C&AG has conducted the audit related to governance mechanism and activities of NSDC for the period from 2008-09 to 2013-14. Further, C&AG has conducted the transaction audit of NSDC for the period from 2014-15 to 2016-17.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4620 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-22
Subject: Facilities in Scheduled Tribes Areas
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Chandeshwar Prasad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †4620

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2019

## FACILITIES IN SCHEDULED TRIBES AREAS

†4620. SHRI CHANDESHWAR PRASAD:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has prepared any programme for the development of infrastructural facilities  like  water  supply  and  housing  in  Scheduled  Tribes  areas  in  various  States  including Bihar;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has allocated and sanctioned fund for the said programmes in the current financial year; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SMT. RENUKA SINGH SARUTA)

(a)& (b): Scheduled  Tribe  Component  (STC)  /  Tribal  Sub-Plan  (TSP)  isthe  dedicated source of fund for tribal development across the country including Bihar.  40 Central Ministries has been mandated to earmark Tribal Sub-Plan funds in the range of 4.3% to 17.5% of their total Scheme  allocation  every  year  for  tribal  development.  Infrastructure  development  in  all  areas including  tribal  dominated  areas  in  the  country  is  carried  out  through  these  schemes  / programmes of concerned Central Ministries and the State Governments. These schemes relate to  various sectors including rural development, housing, drinking water & sanitation, nutrition etc.

(c) & (d): Union Budget 2019-20 has been placed before Parliament and may be accessed at www.indiabudget.gov.in.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4618 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-22
Subject: Moral Education in Medical and Engineering Field
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Sumedhanand Saraswati

(a) to (c)

No Sir.

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4618 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2019

## Moral Education in Medical and Engineering Field

†4618. SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARSWATI:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to start the teaching of moral education in the field of higher education like medicine and engineering and in daily life;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the manner in which it will be implemented to achieve its objectives?

## ANSWER

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

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 4614 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-22
Subject: Tribal Art and Culture
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4614 TO BE ANSWERE ON 22.07.2019

## TRIBAL ART AND CULTURE

## 4614: SHRI HIBI EDEN

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the Government is aware of existing programs or schemes that help promote tribal art in the international art forum;
- (b) If so, the details thereof;
- (c) Whether the Government plans on promoting the tribal paintings and handicrafts on ecommerce sites which will also help generate income for the artists; and
- (d) If so, the details thereof and the process by which it is likely to be achieved?

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

## (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

## ANSWER

- (a)  &  (b):    Government  of  India  has  a  number  of  schemes  to  promote  tribal  art  both  in domestic  as  well  as  international  market.  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  has  been implementing a scheme 'Institutional Support for Development and Marketing of Tribal Products/Produce'. Under the scheme, Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development  Federation  of  India  (TRIFED)  has  been  implementing  retail marketing activity in which TRIFED  procures various tribal handicrafts, handloom and natural products  and  markets  the  same  through  a  network  of Tribes India outlets and exhibition across the country. Ministry of Culture also operates a scheme for promotion of international cultural relations under which Festivals of India are organized abroad showcasing various art forms including tribal arts.
- (c) & (d):   Besides through retail outlets and exhibitions across the country, TRIFED also has  made  arrangements  with  various  online  marketing  portals  for  promotion and  sale  of  tribal  handicraft,  handloom  and  natural  products  including  tribal paintings. TRIFED has been promoting and selling these tribal products on its own  e-commerce  portal  www.tribesindia.com  and also through other emarketing channels like Amazon.com, Flipkart.com, Paytm, Snapdeal.com and GeM  so  as  to  make  these  tribal  products  available  to  masses  in  India  and abroad. The above online portals are being promoted through Social Media like facebook, Youtube, google, etc. for creating awareness among masses.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4612 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-22
Subject: Forest Villages in Maharashtra
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Bharti Pravin Pawar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4612

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22/7/2019

## FOREST VILLAGES IN MAHARASHTRA

## † 4612. DR BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR;

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state;

- (a) the number of Forest Villages in Maharashtra at present;
- (b) the criteria for declaring a village as a forest village;
- (c)  the  development  works  being  implemented  in  the  said  Forest  Villages  and  the  amount spent in this regard during the last three years;
- (d) whether the Government has reviewed the development works in the forest village; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SMT. RENUKA SINGH SARUTA)

- (a) As per information received from the Government of Maharashtra, presently, there are no forest villages in the State of Maharashtra.
- (b) Section 2 (f) of The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition  of  Forest  Rights)  Act,  2006  (FRA  in  short)  provides  that  forest  villages means  the  settlements  which  have  been  established  inside  the  forests  by  the  forest department of any State Government for forestry operations or which were converted into forest  villages  through  the  forest  reservation  process  and  includes  forest  settlement villages,  fixed  demand  holdings,  all  types  of  taungya  settlements,  by  whatever  name called, for such villages and includes lands for cultivation and other uses permitted by the Government;
- (c) (d) and (e) Questions do not arise in view of reply to part (a) above.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4609 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-22
Subject: Promotion of Tourism Sector
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Ranjanben Dhananjay Bhatt

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†4609 ANSWERED ON 22.07.2019

## PROMOTION OF TOURISM SECTOR

## †4609. SHRIMATI RANJAN BEN DHANANJAY BHATT:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is seriously contemplating to promote the tourism sector and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to take any effective steps in this regard;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)
- if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): The  Ministry  of  Tourism,  under  its  different  Schemes, takes  various  measures  for  the  development  and  promotion  of tourism in the country.

Under its schemes  of Swadesh  Darshan,  PRASHAD  and Assistance  to  Central Agencies,  the  Ministry provides  Central Financial  Assistance  to  State  Governments/Union  Territory  (UT) Administrations/Central Agencies for development of thematic tourist circuits in the country, for holistic development of identified pilgrimage  and  heritage  destinations  and  for  the  development  of infrastructure. The projects under these schemes are identified for development in consultation with the State Governments/UT 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.

As part of its on-going activities, the Ministry annually releases  print,  electronic,  online  and  outdoor  media  campaigns  in the international and domestic markets, to promote various tourism destinations  and  products  of  the  country.  Promotions  are  also undertaken through the Social Media accounts and website of the Ministry. In addition, the Indiatourism Offices in India and overseas disseminate information and undertake various promotional activities  with  the  objective  of  showcasing  the  varied  tourist destinations and products of the country.

These  promotional  activities  are  undertaken  by  the  Ministry under its schemes of (i) Domestic Promotion and Publicity including Hospitality for promotion of Domestic Tourism, and (ii) Restructured Scheme  of  Overseas  Promotion  and  Publicity  including  Marketing Development  Assistance  to  promote  Indian  tourism  in  Overseas Market.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4608 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-22
Subject: Delays in Release of Wages to Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Hemant Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4608 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2019

## DELAYS IN RELEASE OF WAGES TO WORKERS

## 4608. SHRI HEMANT SRIRAM PATIL:

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

- (a)whether  it  is  true  that  there  are  significant  delays  in  release  of  wages  to workers under various Government schemes;
- (b)if so, the details thereof, Statewise and year-wise since 2014; and
- (c)whether  the  Government  has  developed  a  Central  Monitoring  System  to ensure regular and timely release of wages to scheme workers and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (c):  No  sir,  The  Payment  of  Wages    Act,  1936  has  been  amended  by Payment of Wages (Amendment) Act, 2017 (effective from 28.12.2016) to enable the employers to pay wages to their employees by (a) cash or (b) cheque or (c) crediting  to  their  bank  account.  The  amendment  in  the  Act  also  enables  the appropriate  Government  to  specify  the  industrial  or  other  establishment,  by notification  in  the  Official  Gazette,  the  employer  which  shall  pay  to  every person employed in such industrial or other establishment, the wages only by cheque or by crediting in his bank account.

For  the  Government  schemes  like  MGNREGA,  Government  has  been making  all  efforts  to  pay  wages  in  time.  States/UTs  have  been  advised  to generate pay orders in time. This has resulted in considerable improvement in the  status  of  timely  generation  of  pay  order  and  leading  to  improvement  in actual time taken to credit wages in the workers account. During the current financial  Year  2019-20  (as  on  18.07.2019),  98.03%  pay  orders  have  been generated  within  15  days.  The  delay  in  payment  of  wages  are  due  to implementation  issues  in  the  States  which  include  inadequate  staffing,  nontimely recording  and  reporting  of  attendance,  measurement,  data  entry, generation of wage list, Fund Transfer Order (FTO), etc.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4607 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-22
Subject: Policy on Pilgrimage
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Pushpendra Singh Chandel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†4607

## LOK SABHA ANSWERED ON 22.07.2019

## POLICY ON PILGRIMAGE

## †4607. SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken cognisance of the natural calamities continuously occurring for the last few years during the pilgrimages in hilly areas;
- (b) whether the Government is reviewing the policy on pilgrimages in these areas;
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government is making special efforts to control the number of devotees during pilgrimages and to ensure the safety  of  women,  children  and  elderly  people  in  case  of calamities and to provide health facilities to them;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) the  details  of  the  number  of  casualties  of  pilgrims  during various pilgrimages during the last three years along with the details of compensation given to them?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d):  Ministry  of  Tourism does not have any policy/scheme on pilgrimage or religious tours.

The 'Public Order' and 'Police' are State subjects.  As such, safety and security of tourists including Pilgrimage tourists are the primary responsibility of the State Governments/Union Territories.

(e) and (f): Ministry of Tourism does not compile any data regarding the number of casualties of pilgrims during various pilgrimages and amount of compensation paid to their families.

- ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 4603 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-22
Subject: Investment for Quality Education
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Vellalath Kochukrishnan Nair. Sreekandan

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4603 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22 nd JULY, 2019

## Investment for Quality Education 4603. SHRI  V. K. SREEKANDAN:

- Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a)  whether  the  education  quality  upgradation  and  inclusion  programme  is  likely  to involve investment of Rs. 1.5 lakh crores over the next five years; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether much of the said demand will have to be met from the market; and
- (d) if so, whether the  Government plans to raise it from the market?

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

(a) to (d): The Government has received recommendations of 10 Experts Groups under Education Quality Upgradation and Inclusion Programme (EQUIP). The recommendations have been sent to State Governments and other related departments of Government of India for suggestions and comments. The Government has not taken a final decision on the recommendations, their likely financial implications and source of funding.

****