opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1360 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-19
Subject: Economic Crisis
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: T.N. Prathapan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1360

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.09.2020

## ECONOMIC CRISIS

1360.  SHRI T.N. PRATHAPAN:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware about the warning given by some politicians on the economic crisis coming ahead since and before the COVID-19 crisis;
- (b) if so, whether the Government had taken them into consideration and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether the Government had believed that COVID-19 crisis won't affect the economy of the country and if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the current scenes of the economy of the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) Government has an effective system in place to monitor various developments in the economy and project the likely turn the economy would take in future. Active engagement with all stakeholders and  suggestions  on  the  economy  is  an  important  component  of  the  monitoring  system.  Before  the onset of COVID-19, government was aware that the global slowdown is impacting the Indian economy. Yet the economy, having been strengthened since 2014 grew at 7.4 percent in 2014-19 as compared to 6.4 percent in 2009-14.
- (c) & (d) Owing to policies implemented by Government in 2019, the Indian economy had rebounded in the  months  of  January  and  February  of  2020  to  register  high  growth  rates  in  Index  of  Industrial Production, Eight-core Industries Index and Exports. In March, data was available to show in advance countries, economic contraction along with high case fatality rate from COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020.  Giving  more  importance  to  saving  lives  Government  of  India  decided  to  enforce  one  of  the strictest  lockdowns  beginning  25  March  as  reflected  in  the  Government  Response  Stringency  Index measured by Oxford University. Consequently, the economy contracted by 23.9 percent in April-June quarter of 2020. Since then the lockdowns have been considerably eased resulting in much higher level of  activity  in  the  months  of  July,  August  and  September. This  is evident  in  growth  of  high  frequency indicators  like  PMI  Manufacturing,  index  of  eight  core  industries,  E-way  bills,  Kharif  sowing,  power consumption, railway freight, cargo traffic and passenger vehicle sales.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1359 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-19
Subject: Revamp of PMKVY
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: Pratima Bhoumik

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1359 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.09.2020

## REVAMP OF PMKVY

## 1359.  MS. PRATIMA BHOUMIK:

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

- (a)       whether it is a fact that the Government is planning to revamp its skill framework, including more targeted PMKVY and setting up of a dedicated National Institute of Skill Development (NIOSD) to centralise skill training and funding, if so the details thereof;
- (b)       whether it is a fact that the Government is looking to enhance the role of 'Sector Skills Councils'' to assess the demand generation in the informal sector; if so the details thereof;
- (c)        whether the Government has identified the States where National Institute of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship will be opened, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)       if not, the requirement/guidelines of opening of NIOSD?

## ANSWER

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

- (a), (c) and (d)           The PMKVY 2.0 (2016-20) is coming to an end on 31 st  March, 2021, and Government is examining the next version of PMKVY taking into account the lessons learnt during implementation of PMKVY 2.0. There is no proposal under examination of the Ministry for setting up a National Institute of Skill Development.
- (b)        Yes  Sir,  Sector  Skill  Councils  (SSCs)  have  been  encouraged  to  assess  the demand generation not only for formal sector but also for informal sector. For this SSCs carries  out  periodical  demand-supply  gap  analysis  and  also  engages  with  the  industry and industry associations in this sector. Further, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)  has  launched  ASEEM  (Aatmanirbhar  Skilled  Employee  Employer  Mapping) portal which is a directory of all skilled personnel in the country available to industry for recruitment. This portal also helps in identifying industry wise demand.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1358 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-19
Subject: Banking Industry
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: S. Venkatesan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1358

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 TH  SEPTEMBER, 2020(SATURDAY)/BHADRAPADA 28, 1942(Saka)

## Banking Industry

1358. SHRI S. VENKATESAN : Will the Minister of FINANCE  be pleased to state: (a) whether five days week in the banking industry will be implemented as existing in analogous institutions and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the IBA Chairman was told during the negotiation that enhancement of family pension has been sent to Ministry of Finance for the approval; and

- (c) if so, the details and the present status thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR) Act,  1881,  Government vide change in the same is currently under active consideration of the Government.

(a): In exercise of the powers conferred by section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments notification  dated  20.8.2015  had declared  the  second and the  fourth  Saturdays  of  every  month  as  public  holiday  for  banks  in  India.  No (b)  and  (c):  Revision  of  family  pension  is  one  of  the  demands  made  by  bank employee unions/associations during the course of their discussions with the Indian Banks Association (IBA), negotiating on behalf of its participating member banks, for the  11th  bipartite  wage  settlement.  IBA,  has  informed  that  during  the  discussions with  representative  employee  unions/associations  consensus  was  arrived  at  on

- recommending revision of family pension.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1357 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-19
Subject: Performance of NCLTs
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: Pinaki Misra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1357 ANSWERED ON SATURDAY, THE 19 TH  SEPTEMBER, 2020/ [BHADRAPADA 28, 1942 (SAKA)]

## PERFORMANCE OF NCLTs QUESTION

1357.  SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS

be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of cases pending before National Company Law Tribunals (NCLTs), including the cases under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC);
- (b) whether the Government has any plans to identify NCLT benches specifically for IBC related matters, and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether all regular staffing positions have been filled, if so, the details thereof including the total sanctioned strength for regular staff in NCLT and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government has any plans to increase the strength of NCLT benches to address the impact of COVID-19 economic pressures;
- (e) if so, the details thereof including the status of implementation of the e-courts project; and
- (f) whether the Government has any plans to expand the e-courts project, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE AND

CORPORATE AFFAIRS

वित्त एिं कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्रालर् में राज्र् मंत्री

(SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

(श्री अनुराग स ंह ठाक ु र)

- (a): As on 31 st   July, 2020, total 19,844 cases were pending before National Company  Law  Tribunal  (NCLT), including 12,438 cases under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).
- (b): No, Sir.
- (c): Total 320 posts of officers/staff have been created in NCLT. Recruitment Rules (RRs) for these posts have been notified on 21.01.2020 and NCLT has initiated action to appoint employees on these posts on regular basis. Presently, 40 posts are filled on regular basis.

(d):

No, Sir.

(e) and (f): e-court project is being implemented in all 16 benches of NCLT. So far, efiling has been started in 9 benches and it will be extended to remaining benches also. During COVID-19 pandemic, all benches are hearing cases through Video Conferencing.

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कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्री
Lok Sabha Question No. 1356 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-19
Subject: Seva Bhoj Yojana
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Parvesh Sahib Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1356 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.09.2020

## SEVA BHOJ YOJANA

## 1356: SHRI PARVESH SAHIB SINGH VERMA:

Will the MINISTER OF CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  amount  of  money  that  was  reimbursed  under  the  'Seva  Bhoj  Yojana' scheme in Delhi during the last two years ;
- (b) the details of the number of institutions in Delhi that are registered under this scheme; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  allows  Non-Governmental  Organizations  distributing  food  to reimburse their claim under the scheme and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

- (a)&(b) Sir, no charitable/religious institution has been registered under the 'Seva Bhoj Yojana' in Delhi.  Therefore,  no  charitable/religious  institution  in  Delhi  has  been  reimbursed  Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Central Government's share of Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) under the 'Seva Bhoj Yojna' during the last 02 years.
- (c)          Under  the  Scheme  of 'Seva Bhoj  Yojna', Charitable/Religious  Institutions are reimbursed Central  Goods  and  Services  Tax  (CGST)  and  Central  Government's  share  of  Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) paid by them on purchase of specific raw food items for distributing free food to public.

These Charitable/Religious Institutions should have been distributing free food in the form of  'prasad',  'langar'/bhandara (community kitchen) to at least 5000 persons in a calendar month for at least past 3 years.

## QUANTUM OF ASSISTANCE:

Financial Assistance in the form of reimbursement shall be provided where the institution has already paid GST on all or any of the raw food items listed below:

- i) Ghee

ii)

Edible oil

- iii) Sugar / Burra / Jaggery
- iv) Rice
- v) Atta / Maida / Rava /Flour
- vi) Pulses

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1354 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-19
Subject: Online Education for Children with Special Needs
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1354

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 th  September, 2020

## Online Education for Children with Special Needs

## 1354 . SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a)  the  details  of  strategies  proposed  to  be  adopted  by  the  Government  for  conducting  online classes for children with special needs and primary and upper primary students;

(b) whether it is a fact that providing Mid-Day Meal to above class of students is a big challenge and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether there are any plans before the Government to supply cooked or packed Mid-Day Meal to children at their home; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF EDUCATION

## (SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK')

(a) Various steps have been taken to ensure that the online education is accessible to Children with Special Needs (CWSN) across the country, the steps taken are as follows:

- Study material has been developed in Digitally Accessible Information System (DAISY), a technical standard for digital audiobooks, periodicals and computerized text. These lessons are broadcast on Gyanamrit, Channel 30 of Swayam Prabha ।

https://www.swayamprabha.gov.in/index.php/channel\_profile/profile/30

- NIOS has also developed more than 270 Videos in Sign Language in 7 subjects to provide educational  access  to  learners  at  secondary  level  and  Yoga  course.  These  videos  are available at

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXBn5q8Zv4Bz-LZXWWD7Jxw/playlists

- Accessibility in School Curriculum-NCERT's Initiatives can be found here https://ciet.nic.in/pages.php?id=accesstoedu&ln=en&ln=en
- The recorded content is sent to Hearing Impaired learners on DVD.

The steps taken by all the states for all students including Children With Special Needs (CWSN) are shown in this report - India Report Digital Education June 2020.

https://www.mhrd.gov.in/sites/upload\_files/mhrd/files/India\_Report\_Digital\_Education\_0.pdf

Para 3.4 of the Pragyata Guidelines issued by Ministry of Education focuses to Support the Online Learning of Children With Special Needs (CWSN).

https://www.mhrd.gov.in/sites/upload\_files/mhrd/files/pragyata-guidelines\_0.pdf

(b) to (d) Since, it is not possible to provide hot cooked meal under the prevailing circumstances (COVID-19), State Government and UT Administrations were advised to provide Food Security Allowance  (FSA)  comprising  of  foodgrains,  pulses,  oil  etc  (equivalent  to  cooking  cost)  to  all eligible  children  till  such  time  their  schools  are  closed.  The  modalities  for  this  purpose  may  be decided by the respective States and UTs, suitable to the prevailing circumstances.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1353 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-19
Subject: Share of GST Dues
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Raghu Ramakrishna Raju Kanumuru

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA

UN-STARRED QUESTION NO.1353

TO BE ANSWERED ON SATURDAY, THE 19 TH  SEPTEMBER, 2020

BHADRAPADA 28, 1942 (SAKA)

## Share of GST Dues

## 1353.  SHRI KANUMURU RAGHU RAMA KRISHNA RAJU:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  released  the  States'  share  of  GST  dues  to  the States or any backlog is still there to release and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is a fact that the Government is not in a position to pay the GST share of States as per the current revenue sharing formula;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  whether  this  has  been  expressed  by  the  officials  in  the  Parliamentary  Standing Committee meeting and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN MINISTRY OF FINANCE (Shri Anurag Singh Thakur )

- (a):  As  per  the  GST  (Compensation  to  States)  Act,  2017,  the  admissible  GST compensation  for  2017-18,  2018-19  and  2019-20  has  been  released  to  all  the States/UTs and the details of the pending bi-monthly compensation payable to States are as per Annexure.
- (b)  &  (c):  During  transition  period,  the  States'  revenues  are  protected  at  14%  growth rate  per  annum  over  the  base  year  revenue  (2015-16).  Accordingly,  the  States  are required  to  be  compensated  for  any  shortfall  against  their  protected  revenue.  The details of cess collected and released year-wise to the States are as under: -

(Figures in Rs. Crore)

|                                    | 2017- 18   | 2018- 19   | 2019-20   | 2020-21              |
|------------------------------------|------------|------------|-----------|----------------------|
| Compensation Cess collected        | 62,612     | 95,081     | 95,444    | 21355 (till July,20) |
| Compensation released for the year | 49276      | 81887      | 165302*   | -                    |

*Centre had transferred Rs. 33412 crore from CFI to cess fund as part of an exercise to apportion balance IGST pertaining to 2017-18.

Section  10(2)  of  the  GST  (Compensation  to  States)  Act,  2017  requires  that  all compensation to the States shall be released from the GST Compensation Fund. Due to inadequate balance in the Compensation  Fund, admissible bi-monthly  GST Compensation payable to states as per said Act is pending for the period April-July'20 as per Annexure.

(d):  In  view  of  the  provisions  in  Rule  275(3)  of  Rules  of  Procedure  and  Conduct  of Business  in  Lok  Sabha,  evidence  given  before  a  Committee,  shall  not  be  published unless  it  has  been  laid  on  the  table,  provided  such  evidence  be  confidentially  made available to members on specific direction of Hon'ble Speaker before it is formally laid on the Table.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1351 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-19
Subject: Revival of Sivagiri Tourism Circuit
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Adoor Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1351 ANSWERED ON 19.09.2020

## REVIVAL OF SIVAGIRI TOURISM CIRCUIT

1351. ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has approved the revival of Sivagiri Tourism Circuit project in Kerala;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the present status thereof; and
- (c) the  details  of  the  plan  prepared  for  implementation  and  the time by which the project is likely to be completed?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The   Ministry  of   Tourism  has   approved   revival   of   a Tourism   project   'Development   of   Sivagiri  Sree   Narayana  Guru Ashram -Arruvipuram -Kunnumpara Sree Subrahmania -Chembazhanthi Sree  Narayana  Gurukulam'  for  a sanctioned  cost of   Rs.69.47  Crore  in   June,  2020.   India  Tourism  Development Corporation (ITDC)  has been appointed as  the  implementing agency for this project.  As per the  initial  sanction  order  issued  to  ITDC, the   project   should   be   completed   and   commissioned   within   a period  of  24 months.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1350 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-19
Subject: Identification of Less Preferred Tourism Spots
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Jagdambika Pal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1350 ANSWERED ON 19.09.2020

## IDENTIFICATION OF LESS PREFERRED TOURISM SPOTS

## 1350. SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  steps  proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  for resumption of the robust tourism industry in India, along with its details;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  identified  tourism  areas  and spots which are less preferred by the tourists due to reasons of safety and/or sanitation and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)
- if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a): The Ministry is making all out efforts to ensure resumption of the tourism industry in India and the following activities/initiatives have been undertaken to promote Domestic Tourism:

- i. Regular  consultations  with  industry  stakeholders     on issues related to opening up of Tourism sector, handling of  tourists,  protocols  of  safety  and  security,  service standards etc.
- ii. Dekho  Apna  Desh Campaign  is undertaken through Webinars, social media and other digital platforms.  The main  focus  is  to  rebuild  the  trust  of  the  domestic  & international  travelers  in  terms  of  India  being  the  safe destination to travel in post-Covid scenario.
- iii. Through the overseas India Tourism Offices, the Ministry proposes  to  participate  in  travel  fairs  and  exhibitions, advertise  in  the  local,  Print,  electronic,  outdoor  and digital  media,  organize  webinars  to  highlight  success stories  around  COVID-19  in  India,  organize  road  shows, India  evenings,  Know  India  seminars  and  workshops, joint  advertising  with  airlines  and  joint  promotion  in collaboration with Indian Missions abroad etc.

(b) & (c): Ministry of Tourism promotes India as a holistic destination  and  as  part  of  its  on-going  activities,  releases  print, electronic and online media campaigns under the 'Incredible India' brand to promote various tourism destinations and products in the different States/UTs in addition to taking every possible measure to address the concerns pertaining to safety and sanitation etc.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1348 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-19
Subject: Upkeep of Historical Monuments by Corporates andLocal Citizens
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: L.S. Tejasvi Surya, Prathap Simha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1348 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.09.2020

## UPKEEP OF HISTORICAL MONUMENTS BY CORPORATES AND LOCAL CITIZENS

- 1348 SHRI  L.S. TEJASVI SURYA: SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any plan of approaching corporate organisations in order to seek their contribution in the upkeep of popular historical monuments, if so, what has been the response to these efforts; and
- (b) the measures taken by the Government to meet the increasing expenditure for the  same  and  whether  the  Government  is  considering  any  policy  of  involving local citizens by inculcating a sense of ownership among them towards such monuments?

## ANSWER

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

(PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

- (a) National Culture Fund (NCF) has been set up in 1996 by the Ministry of Culture, Government  of  India  for  providing  a  platform  for  corporate  organisations  to contribute  in  the  upkeep  of  historical  monuments,  providing  facilities,  etc. Further, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India is implementing 'Adopt-aHeritage'  scheme  where  corporate  sector  is  involved  as  'Monument  Mitra'  for providing facilities and maintaining thereof at historical monuments.
- (b) The  expenditure  on  conservation,  preservation  and  annual  maintenance  of centrally protected monuments is being met out from regular budget allocated to the Archaeological Survey of India. The NCF and Adopt-a-Heritage scheme is an  attempt  to  involve  others  in  conservation  and  preservation  of  our  national heritage.

*****