opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5187 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Cultural Fund for Organising Cultural Programmes
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Dileshwar Kamait, Geeta Kora, Navneet Ravi Rana

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5187 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 th  APRIL, 2022

## CULTURAL FUND FOR ORGANISING CULTURAL PROGRAMMES

## 5187.  SHRI DILESHWAR KAMAIT: SHRIMATI GEETA KORA:

## SHRIMATI NAVNEET RAVI RANA:

Will the MINISTER OF CULTURE be pleased to state :

- (a)  whether the Government has any plan/mechanism to establish/allocate a special cultural fund for organizing cultural programmes at the district level to promote our precious  culture,  especially  the  cultural/tourist  places  in  the  State  of  Jharkhand, Bihar and Maharashtra;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the details of funds allocated to the States of Jharkhand, Bihar and Maharashtra for the said purpose and the formal procedure for co-ordination between the concerned officers and the nodal agencies for organizing such an event to promote tourism and business in these States?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a) to (d)  Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India administers various scheme components such as Cultural Function Production Grant, Repertory Grant, Cultural Organization with National Presence etc., under which grants are being given as financial  assistance  to  the  organizations  to  organise  cultural  events  across  the country including the States of Jharkhand, Bihar and Maharashtra.  Seven Zonal Cultural Centres across the country play a key role in promotion of culture through the programmes decided in consultation with their member State Government.

The concerned Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) of above mentioned three member states are as follows:-

|   Sl. No. | Member States   | ZCCs to which attached             |
|-----------|-----------------|------------------------------------|
|         1 | Jharkhand       | EZCC, Kolkata                      |
|         2 | Bihar           | EZCC, Kolkata and NCZCC, Prayagraj |
|         3 | Maharashtra     | SCZCC, Nagpur and WZCC, Udaipur    |

A part of the grant provided to concerned Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) is being utilized to organise cultural programmes in Jharkhand, Bihar and Maharashtra.
Lok Sabha Question No. 5178 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Recognition of Degrees and Diplomas of Foreign Universities
Ministry: Education
Asked by: T.N. Prathapan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5178 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2022

## Recognition of Degrees and Diplomas of Foreign Universities

## 5178. SHRI T.N. PRATHAPAN:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has developed any mechanism to categorize and recognize degrees and diplomas from different foreign universities and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether the Government has the data of foreign students studying in India and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## (DR. SUBHAS SARKAR)

- (a): As  per  Gazette  Notification  No.(45)F.15-17/94-TS.IV(.)  dated  13 th March, 1995 those foreign qualifications which are recognized/ equated by Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi are treated as recognized for the purpose of employment to posts and services under the Central Government.
- (b): As per the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) Report 2019-20, there  are  49,348  Foreign  National  Students  enrolled  in  Higher  Education Institutions (HEIs) in the country. The details are available in AISHE Report 201920 at https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload\_files/mhrd/files/statisticsnew/aishe\_eng.pdf .

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5176 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Setting up of Cultural Centres
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Gopal Jee Thakur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5176

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH  APRIL, 2022

## SETTING UP OF CULTURAL CENTRES

## 5176. SHRI GOPAL JEE THAKUR:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to set up cultural centres in different regions across the country to promote India's cultural heritage and values among the youth;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to open such cultural centre at Darbhanga, the central place of Mithila; and
- (d) if so, the time by which it is likely to be done and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) & (b) To protect and promote Indian cultural heritage and values among the youth,  the  Govt.  of  India  has  set  up  seven  Zonal  Cultural  Centres  (ZCCs).  These ZCCs  organize various cultural activities and programmes  on regular basis throughout  the  country  for  which  annual  grant-in-aid  is  provided  to  all  the  seven ZCCs. Folk artists from different parts of the country are engaged by all the ZCCs to participate in these programmes for promotion of India's cultural heritage. Details of annual grant-in-aid released to these ZCCs during the last years are as under:-

| Sl. No.   | Year    |   (Rs. in lakh) Released/ Spent |
|-----------|---------|---------------------------------|
| i.        | 2018-19 |                         5952.69 |
| ii.       | 2019-20 |                         5732.95 |
| iii.      | 2020-21 |                         4009.38 |

Besides, the Ministry of Culture also organizes Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs (RSMs) in various parts of the country to make the youth of the country aware about the cultural heritage and values of Indian culture. This Mahotsav plays a great role of representing each and every dimension of our cultural tradition and showcasing it to the country and its people including youth.

(c) & (d) Bihar  (Darbhanga)  is  the  member  State  of  Eastern  Zonal  Cultural Centre (EZCC), Kolkata and North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC), Prayagraj and these two ZCCs cater to the cultural needs of Bihar satisfactorily. Thus as of now no such proposal of starting a cultural centre at Darbhanga is under consideration.
Lok Sabha Question No. 5174 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Public Sector Insurance Companies
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: P. Velusamy, K. Shanmuga Sundaram

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5174

ANSWERED ON - 4.4.2022

## PUBLIC SECTOR INSURANCE COMPANIES

## 5174. SHRI VELUSAMY P.: SHRI SHANMUGA SUNDARAM K.:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  the  total  amount  of  claim  lodged  with  the  Government  owned  insurance companies under Covid-19 and the number of claims lodged with them;
- (b)  whether the Government owned insurance companies have incurred total loss due to the Covid-19 claims;
- (c)  if so, the details thereof including the names of the companies which have incurred huge loss from the profit earned before Covid-19 pandemic;
- (d)  whether the insurance companies are allowed to hike premium to cover the loss; and
- (e)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  reasons  for  the  loss  not  being  funded  by  the Government instead of passing the buck on the policy holders?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Till 31.12.2021, 14.92 lakh COVID-19 health claims, of a total amount of Rs. 17,537 crore, were  lodged  with  public  sector  insurance  companies,  of  which  93.3%  claims  had  been disposed of.

(b)  and  (c):  Public  sector  insurance  companies  sustained  total  loss  of  Rs.  3,450.68  crore during the one and a half financial year period from April 2020 to September 2021, as against total loss of Rs. 7,552.02 crore during the preceding one and a half financial year period (from October 2018 to March 2020). Thus, their overall profitability registered an improvement of Rs. 4,101.34 crore during the initial one and a half financial year period of the pandemic, despite absorbing the impact of the pandemic in terms of COVID-related claims.

(d)  and  (e): As per the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Health Insurance)  Regulations,  2016,  pricing  of  health  insurance  products  offered  by  insurers  is based on the age of the insured and other relevant risk factors, such as claims experience and the principles of pricing contained in these Regulations. Insurance companies are allowed to revise premium once in three years after a product has been cleared in accordance to the product filing guidelines issued by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India.

Policyholders are not required to make good any losses incurred by insurers.

During the period from March 2020 to March 2022, Government has infused Rs. 17,450 crore capital into the public sector insurance companies to improve their solvency ratios.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5172 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Irregularities in Teacher Training and Selection Exams
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Rahul Kaswan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5172 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04 TH  APRIL, 2022

## Irregularities in Teacher Training and Selection Exams

## †5172. SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a)  whether  any  complaints  are  received  about  rigging  and  irregularities  in  Teacher  Eligibility Training and selection examinations; (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  formulate  any  policy  at  the  central  level  to  bring fairness and impartiality to the examinations in the field of education; and (d) if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SMT ANNPURNA DEVI)

(a)  to  (d)  Education  is  in  the  concurrent  list  of  the  Constitution.  The  recruitment,  service conditions  and  deployment  of  teachers  come  under  the  purview  of  the  respective  State  and Union  Territory  (UT)  Government.  In  alignment  with  the  recommendations  of  NEP  2020, NISHTHA 3.0 for Foundational Literacy and Numeracy and NISHTHA 2.0 for teachers at the secondary  level  was  conducted  on  DIKSHA  platform  in  2021.  Further,  to  emphasize  the integration  of  training  structures  in  States,  the  funds  for  training  under  Samagra  Shiksha  are released through the SCERTs which are the nodal agencies for conducting in-service training. Also, States and UTs are encouraged to provide opportunities to teachers and school heads for continuous professional development.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5171 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Petroleum Products under GST
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Bhartruhari Mahtab, Ajay Nishad, Chandan Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

*****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5171

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY THE 4 TH  APRIL, 2022 CHAITRA 14, 1944 (SAKA)

## PETROLEUM  PRODUCTS  UNDER  GST

## 5171.   SHRI  BHARTRUHARI  MAHTAB:

SHRI  AJAY  NISHAD:

SHRI  CHANDAN SINGH:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to bring petroleum and its by products under the purview of Goods and Services Tax (GST);
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the details of the measures being taken to widen the ambit of GST;
- (d) whether the State Governments have given any suggestions to bring the petroleum products in the ambit of GST and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to introduce use of clean fuels as a criterion for giving subsidies to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a), (b), (c) and (d): Article 279 A (5) of the Constitution prescribes that the Goods and Service Tax Council shall recommend the date with effect from which the goods and services  tax  would  be  levied  on  petroleum  crude,  high  speed  diesel,  motor  spirit (commonly known as petrol), natural gas and aviation turbine fuel (ATF). Also, as per the  section  9(2)  of  the  CGST  Act,  inclusion  of  these  products  in  GST  will  require recommendation of the GST Council. So far, the GST Council, in which the states are also represented, has not made any recommendation for inclusion of these goods under GST.

- (e): No such scheme is planned at present.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5169 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Four Years Undergraduate Program
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Hibi Eden

## 5169. SHRI HIBI EDEN:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is planning to introduce the Four Years Undergraduate Program in the States with the rolling of the New Education Policy;

(b) if so, the proposed timeline for the same;

- (c) whether the Government prepared any roadmap for addressing the existing infrastructural crisis of colleges across the country before advancing it into four-year mode and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the New Education Policy is likely to affect the existing approximately 4500 adhoc/temporary teachers' future with regard to their regularization in University of Delhi and its constituent colleges and if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a)  &  (b):  In  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  National  Education  Policy  (NEP),  2020,  the University Grants Commission (UGC) has developed a draft curricular framework and credit system  for  Four  Years  Undergraduate  Program  (FYUGP)  to  equip  students  with  the capacities in fields across the arts, humanities, languages, natural sciences, social sciences, soft skills such as complex problem solving, critical thinking, creative thinking, communication skills, along with rigorous specialization in one or more subject areas. The draft FYUGP has been placed in public domain for seeking suggestions from stakeholders.
- (c):  The  UGC  has  informed  that  in  the  existing  structure  of  degree  programme,  the  total duration of Under Graduate (UG) and Post Graduate (PG) programmes is 5 years (3 year UG and 2 year PG). The total duration of the UG & PG programmes recommended in the NEP, 2020 is also 5 years leading to not much change in the infrastructure requirement.
- (d):  The  UGC  and  University  of  Delhi  have  informed  that  there  is  no  provision  for regularization of Ad-hoc/Temporary teachers either in the UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and other Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2018 or in the Act, Statutes and Ordinances of the University of Delhi.

*****

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5169 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2022

## Four Years Undergraduate Program
Lok Sabha Question No. 5164 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Universal Pension Scheme
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Midhun Reddy, Kotagiri Sridhar

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

## LOK SABHA

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 th  APRIL, 2022 (MONDAY)/ CHAITRA 14, 1944 (SAKA)

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5164 UNIVERSAL PENSION SCHEME

5164. Shri P.V. Midhun Reddy Shri Sridhar Kotagiri:

Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has started Universal Pension Scheme in India;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Ministry is willing to provide Universal Pension Scheme in line with the YSR Pension Kanuka scheme of Andhra Pradesh Government; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) was launched by the Hon'ble Prime Minister on 9th May, 2015,  and  is  being  implemented  with  effect  from  1st  June,  2015.  The  Scheme  aims  to  provide monthly pension to eligible subscribers not covered under any organized pension scheme. APY is open to all  bank and post office account holders in the age group of 18 to 40 years.  Under this Scheme any subscriber can  opt  for  a  guaranteed  pension  of  Rs  1,000,  Rs.  2,000,  Rs.  3,000,  Rs. 4,000 and Rs 5,000 receivable at the age of 60 years. The contributions to be made vary based on pension amount chosen and the age at time of enrolment.

The  Central  Government  co-contributed  50%  of  the  total  contribution  or  Rs.  1000  per  annum, whichever  was  lower,  for  a  period  of  5  years  for  those  eligible  subscribers  joining  the  scheme between  the  period  1st  June,  2015  and  31st  March,  2016  and  who  were  not  members  of  any statutory social security scheme and who were not income-tax payers.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5163 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Digital Univrsity
Ministry: Education
Asked by: V. Kalanidhi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5163 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2022

## Digital Univrsity

## 5163.   DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  the details of the funds estimated for setting up Digital University in the Country;
- (b)  the time by which it is likely to be set up; and
- (c)  whether the Government plans to achieve its target especially in rural areas where there is no internet or wifi connectivity so far and if so, the details thereof?

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

(a)  &  (b)  Government  of  India  in  its  Budget  2022-2023  has  announced  establishment  of  Digital University. The University will provide access to students across the country for world-class quality universal  education  with  personalised  learning  experience  at  their  doorsteps.  This  will  be  made available  in  different  Indian  languages  and  Information  &  Communication  Technology  (ICT) formats. The University will be built on a networked hub-spoke model, with the hub building cutting edge ICT expertise. The best public universities and institutions in the country will collaborate as a network of hub-spokes. The Department of Higher Education, in consultation with University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and other stakeholders has initiated the process to ensure the early start of this digital university.

(c) To ensure the last mile connectivity in rural areas, BharatNet project is being implemented by the Department  of  Telecommunications.  Under  this  project  broadband  connectivity  mainly  through Optical Fiber Cable is provided to the Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country.

Further, where there is low internet connectivity, educational contents are being provided through SWAYAM Prabha DTH channels
Lok Sabha Question No. 5161 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Establishment of National Rural Bank of India
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Y. S. Avinash Reddy

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Financial Services

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5161

To be answered on the April 04, 2022/14 Chaitra, 1944 (SAKA)

## Establishment of National Rural Bank of India

5161: SHRI Y.S. AVINASH REDDY:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken note that there is a demand for establishment of National Rural Bank of India, in view of the present unhealthy state of Regional Rural Banks;
- (b) whether any proposals have been received in this regard from any quarters;
- (c) whether  the  Parliamentary  Standing  Committee  on  Finance  has  also  endorsed  the same view; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the stand of the Government in this regard ?

## Answer Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance

## (DR. BHAGWAT KARAD)

(a) to (d)  The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance (2003) in their 55 th Report had, inter alia , recommended that Government may consider the setting up of an apex body viz. National Rural Bank of India (NRBI). Government has been receiving various representations from time to time in this regard.

In the Action Taken Report on the said recommendations, it was, inter alia, stated that the proposal for consolidating the RRBs under a National Rural Bank or NABARD had not found favour with most of the States, who suggested state level amalgamation of RRBs.

Moreover,  creation  of  NRBI  might  lead  to  a  structure  which  would  also  dilute  the regional character of RRBs.

With a view to minimize overhead expenses, optimize the use of technology, enhance the  capital  base  and  the  area  of  operation,  amalgamation  process  of  RRBs  was  initiated during the year 2004-05.  Consequently, the number of RRBs has reduced from 196 during 2004 to 43 at present.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5160 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Common Test in Central Universities for UG and PG Courses
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Sanjay(Kaka) Ramchandra Patil

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5160 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2022

## Common Test in Central Universities for UG and PG Courses

5160.  SHRI SANJAY KAKA PATIL :

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  logic  and  justification  of  the  Government  for  a  common  test  from  2022-23 academic  year  in  all  Central  Universities  for  Undergraduate  and  Post  Graduate courses;
- (b)  whether  it  is  reasonable  to  ask  children  coming  from  different  and  low  socioeconomic  background  to  sit  together  and  write  centrally  set  paper  after  studying State syllabus to compete with CBSE syllabus and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  whether  the  score  in  the  entrance  is  also  being  used  for  admission  into  Ph.D. and, if so, the reasons therefor?

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

(a) to (c)  In pursuance of the National Education Policy, 2020, it has been decided to conduct    common  entrance  test  for  admission  in  central  universities  from  the academic year 2022-23 to  reduce the burden on students, universities and the entire education system.The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for undergraduate programme is to assess the students  of  different  boards  at  the  same  level,  giving them  equal  opportunity.  Students  may  apply  to  more  than  one  universities  as  per their  choice  with  one  application  form thereby  reducing  financial  burden  and increasing  access.  They  can  appear  in  the  test  in  13  languages  over  hundreds  of examination centres for admission.The syllabus for undergraduate level is based on the understanding of subject at class XII level, irrespective of affiliations to any board like  CBSE,  making  a  desirable  change  for  the  students  of  low  socio-  economic background.  The CUET is concerned with Undergraduate (UG) and Post Graduate (PG) programmes only.

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