opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1756 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-13
Subject: Statutory Auditors
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: P. Velusamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1756

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 13 TH  FEBRUARY, 2023

[MAGHA 24, 1944 (SAKA)]

## STATUTORY AUDITORS QUESTION

1756.     SHRI VELUSAMY P.:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)     whether the Government is having any proposal to ban statutory auditors from taking up non-audit work on public interested companies;
- (b)      if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  having  any  proposal  to  implement joint-audit for all companies;
- (d) if  so,  whether  the  Government  has  invited  comments/opinions from Institute of Chartered Accountants in this regard; and
- (e)      if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF  STATISTICS  AND  PROGRAMME  IMPLEMENTATION;  MINISTER  OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING; AND

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS.

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) to (e):     Pursuant to the Section 144 of the Companies Act, 2013 (Act) [Auditor not to render certain services], auditors are not allowed to  provide  certain  non-audit  services  to  the  company  or  its  holding company or subsidiary company. Section 139(3) of the Act allows the members of a company to resolve to provide that the audit shall be conducted by more than one auditor.

The Company Law Committee in its Report (2022) has given certain recommendations  on  these  issues,  on  which  public  comments  were invited. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has provided comments on the recommendations.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1753 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-13
Subject: Approved Projects under Various Schemes
Ministry: DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
Asked by: Tokheho Yepthomi

## Government of India

## Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1753

To be answered on Monday, February 13, 2023/ 24 Magha, 1944 (Saka)

## QUESTION

## Approved Projects under Various Schemes

1753.  Shri Tokheho Yepthomi:

Will the Minister of Development of North Eastern Region be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  approved  projects  under  North  Eastern  Council,  Non-Lapsable Central  Pool  of  Resources,  North  East  Special  Infrastructure  Development  Scheme, North  Eastern  State  Roads  Investment  Programme,  Prime  Minister's  Development Initiative for North East Region from March 2018-2022 from Nagaland;
- (b) the  total  amount  of  funds  released  from  March  2018  till  date  under  the  said schemes; and
- (c) the number of projects completed, under the said schemes in Nagaland, if not, the reasons therefor?.

## ANSWER

## The Minister of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region [Shri G. Kishan Reddy]

- (a)  to  (c)    The  details  of  approved  projects,  funds  released  and  completed  projects under     'Schemes of North Eastern Council (NEC)', 'Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources(NLCPR) Scheme', 'North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS)'and  'North  Eastern  State  Roads  Investment  Programme  (NESRIP)'  for Nagaland from March, 2018 to 2022 are as under:-

|   Scheme | Number of Sanctioned projects   |   Fund released (in Crore) | Number of projects completed   |
|----------|---------------------------------|----------------------------|--------------------------------|
|       65 | Rs. 2693.13                     |                         16 | Schemes of NEC                 |
|       17 | Rs. 333.80                      |                         27 | NLCPR/NESIDS                   |
|       00 | 00                              |                         00 | NESRIP                         |

Under  'Prime  Minister's  Development  Initiative  for  North  East  Region  (PMDevINE)  Scheme',  livelihood  projects  relating  to  Special  Development  of  Eastern Nagaland by Department of Under Developed Areas (DUDA), at a cost of Rs. 180 crore has been selected for sanction in 2022-23.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1752 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-13
Subject: Safety of Women in Universities in HEIs
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Ranjanben Dhananjay Bhatt

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1752

ANSWERED ON 13 TH  FEBRUARY, 2023

## Safety of Women in Universities in HEIs

†1752.  SHRIMATI RANJANBEN DHANANJAY BHATT:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  release  any  guidelines  to  make arrangements for safety of women in the Universities and Higher Educational Institutes (HEI) of the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  steps  taken  or  proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  the safety of women in educational institutes?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUBHAS SARKAR)

- (a)  to  (c):  In  order  to  improve  the  safety  of  all  women,  including  students  and employees, and to provide a healthy and secure atmosphere for them on the campus in Higher Educational Institutes (HEIs), following initiatives have been taken:-
- i. University Grants Commission (UGC) has notified UGC  (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2015, which being statutory in nature, are binding on Universities and Colleges. This regulation is available on UGC website i.e. www.ugc.ac.in.
- ii. Advisories have been issued from time to time for taking action in order to sensitize  the  issue  related  to  maintenance of  safe  working  environment for female  employees  as  per  "Sexual  Harassment  of  Women  at  Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013'.
- iii. All HEIs have been mandated to have Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) under  the  provision  of  Section  4  of  Sexual  Harassment  of  Women  at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
- iv. UGC has set  up  Toll  free  No.  1800-111-656  for  registration  of  grievances related to Women and sexual harassment.
- v. HEIs have been mandated to constitute an Anti-Ragging Committee.
- vi. Seminars/ awareness workshops etc. are conducted for Gender Sensitization in HEIs. Recently, a special drive was also conducted in HEIs to observe the 25 th   November  as  the  International  Day  for  the  Elimination  of  Violence against Women, to observe Discrimination against Women Pakhwada from 25 th   November to 10 th  December, 2022 and for ICCs to review the pending cases and take appropriate action thereon.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1750 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-13
Subject: Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Jayadev Galla

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1750

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 13/02/2023

## ADIVASI MAHILA SASHAKTIKARAN YOJANA

1750. SHRI JAYADEV GALLA:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  total  number  of  proposals  received  and  sanctioned under the Adivasi  Mahila  Sashaktikaran Yojana for the recent financial year, State-wise, including Andhra Pradesh, district-wise;
- (b)  whether an evaluative parameter has  been established to assess whether the income generation activities are being carried out successfully post the sanction, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the number of accounts that have turned into Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) despite receipt of the loan, since the inception of Yojana, State-wise?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC), a Central Public Sector  Enterprise  (CPSE)  under  the  Ministry  of  Tribal  extends  concessional  loans  to  the  eligible Scheduled Tribe persons for undertaking any income generation activities/ self-employment through its implementing agencies. Adivasi MahilaSashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY) is an exclusive scheme of NSTFDC for economic development of Scheduled Tribes Women under which loans upto 90% for project costing upto ₹2.00 lakh is provided. NSTFDC has not received any proposal under AMSY from  the  agencies  in  the  State  of  Andhra  Pradesh.  However,  the  Corporation  also  implement  an exclusive scheme for women Self-Help Groups and this scheme is being implemented through Stree Nidhi Credit Co-operative Federation in the State of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. An amount of ₹10.00  crore  covering  of  2000  women  beneficiaries  has  been  disbursed  in  the  State  of  Andhra Pradesh during 2021-22.

The  detail  of  state  wise  number  of  proposals  received  and  approved  under  AMSY  during 2021-22 is given below:

| State       |   Number of proposals received | Number of proposals approved   |
|-------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
| 02          |                             02 | Chhattisgarh                   |
| 01          |                             01 | Jammu &Kashmir                 |
| 01          |                             01 | Karnataka                      |
| Kerala      |                             03 | 03                             |
| West Bengal |                             02 | 02                             |

- (b): The  officials  of  NSTFDC  undertakes  field  visits  in  co-ordination  with  the  implementing agencies to assess the implementation of the schemes. Further, third party evaluation studies are also carried out for assessing the impact of the schemes of the Corporation.
- (c): There is no account under AMSY which may be classified as Non-Performing Assets since the inception of the scheme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1745 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-13
Subject: Jan Shikshan Sansthans (JSS)
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: S. Muniswamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1745

ANSWERED ON 13.02.2023

## JAN SHIKSHAN SANSTHANS (JSS)

1745. SHRI  S. MUNISWAMY:

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

- (a) the  number  of  Jan  Shikshan  Sansthan  (JSS)  are  likely  to  be  allotted  in  the  near future;
- (b) whether any application from the districts of Kolar and Chikballapur in Karnataka, has been received by the Government, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  set  a  deadline  to  finalize  these  centers  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (d) the total yearly budget allocated to the JSS Centers?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  SKILL  DEVELOPMENT  AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

(SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR)

- (a) The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship is implementing the Scheme of Jan Shikshan Sansthan through NGOs to impart skill training in non-formal mode to nonliterate, neo-literates, persons with rudimentary level of education upto 8 th and school dropouts upto 12 th standard in the age group of 15-45 years in rural areas and urban slums. The priority groups are women, SC, ST, minorities and other backward sections of the society. The objective of the JSS Scheme is to increase household income by promoting self/wage employment. The vision of the Ministry is to expand the network of Jan Shikshan Sansthan in every district of the country in a phased manner.

250 new Jan Shikshan Sansthans are proposed to be allotted to the selected NGOs in near future in different parts of the country.

- (b) 25 online applications from  NGOs for setting up JSS in Chikballapur in Karnataka have been received.  At present, no applications were invited for setting up JSS in Kolar district.
- (c) No deadline has been set up to finalize new centres.
- (d) Each JSS is provided recurring grants-in-aid of Rs.50.00 lakh on annual basis and one-time non-recurring grant of Rs.20.00 lakh at the time of sanction of new JSS.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1741 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-13
Subject: Guidelines for Telecom Companies
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: A.K.P. Chinraj

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

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1741

TO BE ANSWERED ON: Monday, February 13, 2023/Magha 24, 1944 (Saka)

Guidelines for Telecom Companies

## QUESTION

## 1741. SHRI A.K.P. CHINRAJ:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  finalized  the  procedure,  method,  rate  of conversion, mix of equity and preferential capital, if any, compliance with SEBI and other relevant guidelines for option for telecom companies converting its interest liabilities into equity arising out on account of deferred spectrum auction instalments  and  AGR  dues  pertaining  to  the  moratorium  period  and  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (b) whether  the  infusing  of  the  Government  equity  into  private  companies  is  in contradiction  with  the  new  Public  Sector  Enterprise  (PSE)  Policy  notified  on  4th February  2021,  which  calls  for  bare  minimum  presence  of  the  Government  in strategic sectors and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto.

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

- (a) Yes sir, Mechanism for conversion of interest liability of telecom companies into equity was finalized t hrough 'Reforms and Support Package of Telecommunications Sector'. Pursuant  to  this  decision ,  detailed  guidelines  on  'Payment  of  Interest Amount on Account of Protection of NPV on Deferred Spectrum Auction dues and AGRrelated  dues' were issued  vide  OM  No.  3/2/2021  dated  13th  October  2021, available on TRAI website.
- (b)  No  sir,  The  conversion  of  the  interest  liability  into  equity  is  without  any management control by the Government.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1740 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-13
Subject: Study on Economic and Social Benefits of Migrant Labourers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Abdul Majeed Ariff

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1740

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2023

## STUDY ON ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL BENEFITS OF MIGRANT LABOURERS

1740. ADV. A.M. ARIFF:

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

- (a)whether it is true that the average daily wage in Kerala is more than double the national average and if so, the details thereof including State/UT-wise and the sector average daily wage in the country;
- (b)whether the Government has taken note of the fact that due to the highest  daily  wage  in  the  country,  migrant  labourers  are  coming down to Kerala in large numbers and if so, the details including the number of such migrant labourers;
- (c)whether it has come to the notice of the Government that several migrant  labourers  are  bringing  their  families  also  to  Kerala  in anticipation of better educational opportunities for their wards; and
- (d)if so, whether the Government intends to commission a study on the economic  and  social  benefits  of  migration  to  the  State  of  Kerala and to support the State accordingly and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

(a) to (d): The annual average daily wage rates for general agricultural  labourers  and  non-agricultural  labourers  in  the  State  of Kerala are  Rs.736.31 and Rs.684.90 respectively in 2021-22.

Migration  of  workers  from  one  area  to  another  area  is  a continuous process and the migrant workers keep on moving from one area to another area in search of work.

As  per  Census  2011  data,  the  total  number  of  inter-State migrant  workers  in  the  country  are  4,14,22,917,  of  which  7,13,934

migrant workers are in the State of Kerala.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1739 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-13
Subject: Global Exchange Programme to Promote Indian Cultural Activities
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Chandra Sekhar Bellana

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1739

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2023

## Global Exchange Programme to Promote Indian Cultural Activities

## 1739.SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR BELLANA:

- Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: (a)  whether  the  Government  has  implemented  any  global  exchange  programmesto promote Indian cultural activities on an international scale; (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c) whether the Government  has  taken any steps to promote such  exchange programmes on a school and university level to ensure greater youth participation; (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and during
- (e) the total funds sanctioned and spent on such activities, if any the last five years?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a)  to  (d) Ministry  of  Culture  promotes  Indian  cultural  activities  on  an  international scale through signing of Cultural Agreements & Cultural Exchange Programme and their  implementation by  concerned  agencies  with  mutual  discussions  through diplomatic  channels.  Ministry  of  Culture  also  promotes  Indian  Cultural  activities abroad  through  Global  Engagement  Scheme  under  which  Festivals  of  India  are organized showcasing folk art and other cultural events. Under the scheme, Grantin-aid  is  also  given  to  Indo-Foreign  Friendship  Cultural  Societies  for  organizing programmes  &  activities  including  folk  art &  other  cultural activities for their promotion abroad.

Indian  Council  for  Cultural  Relations,  an  organization  under  Ministry  of  External Affairs, also promotes Indian Culture worldwide through its Cultural Centres abroad and its activities in various fields including inter-alia, visit of International Students of Hindi  subject  under  Visitors  Programme;  supporting  Chairs  of  Indian  Studies  in various foreign universities.

- (e)         The total funds of Rs.85.69 crore (approx.) had been sanctioned and spent on Festival of India abroad and Grant in Aid to Indo Foreign Friendship Societies in last five years.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1736 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-13
Subject: Capital Infusion in Insurance Sector
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Gautham Sigamani Pon

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1736

ANSWERED ON - 13.2.2023

## CAPITAL INFUSION IN INSURANCE SECTOR

1736. DR. PON GAUTHAM SIGAMANI:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the insurance industry would need a capital infusion of Rs. 50,000 crores per year to double its penetration in the next five years;
- (b) if so, whether it is also true that the Government aims to double penetration in the next five years and to insure all by the year 2047, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the overall penetration for insurance is 4.2 per cent as of FY 2021 and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has appealed to business conglomerates to channelize funds into the sector as the return on equity is at a healthy 14 per cent for life insurers and 16 per cent for non-life insurers, while in the case of top five insurance companies, it goes up to 20 per cent as well; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (DR. BHAGWAT KARAD)

(a) to (e): As per the annual report of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) for financial year 2021-22, the insurance penetration in the country stands at 4.2, as compared to global average of 7.0.

The  Government  has  taken  various  initiatives  to  enhance  insurance  penetration  and coverage, especially for the underserved and unserved population of the country, through its flagship  social  security  schemes  like  Pradhan  Mantri  Jeevan  Jyoti  Bima  Yojana  covering approximately 14.8 crore lives, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana covering approximately 31.9 crore lives, and Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana covering approximately 21.4 crore families, against life, accident and health risks respectively, as on December, 2022.

Further,  IRDAI  (Obligations  of  Insurers  to  Rural  and  Social  Sectors)  Regulations,  2015 stipulates that every insurer shall undertake a specified percentage of total number of policies or premium in rural and social sector on a year-on-year basis. This ensures the growth and penetration of insurance coverage in the rural and social sectors of India.

In order to attract fresh capital into the insurance sector, IRDAI has eased the process of setting  up  an  insurance  company, viz .  No  Objection  Certificate  (NOC)  portal,  creation  of Facilitation  Cell  for  guiding  applicants  during  the  course  of  registration  process,  and revamping Registration regulations to promote ease of doing business. The norms pertaining to investments of promoters/ investors in the insurance companies have also been eased.

Further, with a view to enhance penetration and growth and augment domestic capital in the insurance  sector,  the  Government  enhanced  FDI  limit  to  74%  for  the  Indian  insurance companies in 2021.

*****