opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3996 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-28
Subject: Restoration and Preservation of Oldest Flag
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Su Thirunavukkarasar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.3996 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2022

## RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION OF OLDEST FLAG

3996.  SHRI THIRUNAVUKKARASAR SU:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the oldest National Flag hoisted on August 15, 1947 is lying in a dilapidated condition;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the    Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI)  has  set  up  an  Expert Committee  for  its  restoration  and  preservation  and  the  estimated  cost  of  the project;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the time by which the project is likely to be completed?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The  oldest  National  Flag  hoisted  on  August  15,  1947  is  in  St.  George  Fort,
- to Chennai and is in a delicate condition.   Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has
- (d) set up an expert committee for restoration and preservation of the National Flag. Estimated cost of the project is Rs.13 Lakhs.

The scientific studies have been carried out by the ASI with the help of Textile Committee, Chennai, Govt. of India, Ministry of Textiles and Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam using non destructive techniques prior to start  of  conservation  of  the  National  Flag.  Complete  photo  and  video documentation  has  also  been  done.    On  the  basis  of  scientific  studies  and suggestions of the expert committee, the conservation and preservation work is being carried out so as to complete the project at the earliest.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3995 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-28
Subject: National Institute of Water Sports
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak, Raksha Nikhil Khadse

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3995 ANSWERED ON 28.03.2022

## NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF WATER SPORTS

## 3995. SHRI MANOJ KOTAK: SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that there is only institute in the country functioning in Goa for training and certification in water sports and related activities;
- (b) if  so, the details thereof including the details of prerequisites for  establishment  of  National  Institute  of  Water  Sports  in States in the country;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  set  up  National Institute of Water Sports in Maharashtra;
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  promote  the  water sports  in  the  country  and  if  so,  the  action  taken  in  this regards?

## ANSWER

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

- (a) to (d): National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS), Goa is a centre  functioning  under  the  Indian  Institute  of  Tourism  &  Travel Management (IITTM), a central autonomous body under the Ministry of Tourism, for training and certification in water sports and related activities. NIWS, Goa is mandated to impart training in water related sports  activities  across  all  States  and  UTs.  For  opening  of  any centre  of  a  central  autonomous  body  there  are  factors  including potential  for  tourism  development,  resource  availability,  viability, demand and other such factors and comparative advantage among

various  sites  across  States  and  UTs.    No  proposal  has  been received in the Ministry for setting up of NIWS in Maharashtra. (e): The Ministry has been taking concerted efforts to support the State  and  UT  Govts.  for  the  promotion  of  Watersports  related tourism  in  the  Country.    Ministry  of  Tourism  provides  Grant-in-aid support to the State and UT Govts. for the Island, Beach and Waterfront  development under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, to which, Watersports,  Beach  Safety  etc.  are  important  components.  In addition, the Ministry has a mechanism  for the approval of adventure tour operators in India. Through  the  National  Institute  of  Watersports  (NIWS)  Goa, support  is  provided  to  the  State  and  UT  Governments  in  matters related  to  preparation  of  Policies,  Guidelines,  SOP's,  manpower training etc.  To strengthen the activities, NIWS has already entered MOU arrangements with State and UT Governments as well as the Indian Navy Physical Training School. Over  27  courses  in  Watersports  and  related  activities  have also  been  developed  by  NIWS.  The  trainers  of  the  Institute  also imparts  training  to  different  States  and  UT's  and  undertake  offcampus training courses. NIWS also undertakes watersports awareness campaigns on both online and physical modes.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3994 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-28
Subject: Repatriation of Pension Income
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3994

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 28 th  MARCH, 2022/ CHAITRA 7, 1944

## Repatriation of Pension Income

## 3994. SHRI SANJAY JADHAV:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  it  is  mandatory  for  a  person,  being  an  individual,  to  repatriate  the pension  income  earned  from  United  Nations  outside  India  in  a  Bank  Account maintained with country outside India, when the individual was employed outside India; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the time within which it is to be repatriated?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

- (a)  &  (b)    In  general,  a  person  resident  in  India  to  whom  any  amount  of  foreign exchange is due or has accrued is duty bound to take all reasonable steps to realise and repatriate such foreign exchange to India, save as otherwise provided under the provisions of Foreign  Exchange  Management  Act,  (FEMA),  or the rules and regulations made thereunder, or with the general or special permission of the Reserve Bank.

However, Section 6(4) of Foreign Exchange Management Act, (FEMA), 1999 permits a person resident in India to hold, own, transfer or invest in foreign currency, foreign security or any immovable property situated outside India if such currency, security or property was acquired, held or owned by such person when he was resident outside India or inherited from a person who was resident outside India.

Foreign  Exchange  Management  (Realisation,  repatriation  and  surrender  of  foreign exchange) Regulations, 2015 prescribe the manner of repatriation and timeline for surrender of foreign exchange.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3992 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-28
Subject: Reservation for OBC Students in Hostels
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Margani Bharat

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3992 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2022

## Reservation for OBC Students in Hostels

3992. SHRI MARGANI BHARAT :

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  reservation  is  being  followed  in  all  Central  Universities  as  per  the provisions of the Constitution and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Delhi University (DU) is also a Central University;
- (c) if so, whether DU is not following reservation for OBC students in hostels;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (e) whether the scholarship is also not being provided to OBC students in DU; and
- (f)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons  therefor  along  with  the  action  taken  or proposed to be taken by the Government against concerned officials in this regard?

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

(a) to (f) The  reservation  policy  of  Govt.  of  India  is  followed  by  all  the  Central Universities  except  in minority institutions under  Article 30(1)  of the Constitution. University of Delhi, a Central University, follows the reservation policy for admission in various hostels of the University. The implementation of OBC reservation was limited in old  hostels  due to  a  judgement of  Hon'ble Supreme Court of India which necessitated implementation of reservation in the Central Educational Institutions (CEIs) be made in accordance with the expansion of capacity to ensure that seats available in unreserved category are not reduced. University of Delhi follows the reservation policy for award of UGC Non-NET Fellowship to SC, ST and OBC students.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3991 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-28
Subject: Payment of Gratuity
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: M.K. Vishnu Prasad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3991 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2022

## PAYMENT OF GRATUITY

3991. DR. VISHNU PRASAD M.K.:

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

- (a)whether the Government has received any representations for issuance  of  notification  to  provide  gratuity  up  to  Rs.20  lakh  to  the employees  for  the  intervening  period  from  January  2016  to  March 2018;
- (b)if so, the details thereof;
- (c)whether  Government  would  consider  taking  necessary  action  for issuing the said notification, as very few employees were left out with the financial burden not much and employers ready to make payment of enhanced gratuity; and
- (d)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d): The Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Act, 2018 was passed by the Parliament on 28.03.2018 enhancing the gratuity ceiling under the Act from 10 lakh to 20 lakh with effect from 29.03.2018.

₹ ₹

Representations have been received from public representatives/associations/individuals  asking  for  providing  benefits  of enhanced  gratuity  under  the  Payment  of  Gratuity  Act,  1972  to  give retrospective effect for enhancing the said ceiling.

For enhancing the ceiling on gratuity, the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 was required to be amended every time. However, the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 had been amended in 2018 empowering the Central Government to enhance the ceilings by notification, instead of amending the said Act, so that the limit can be revised from time to time as per felt need.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3990 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-28
Subject: Indian Institutes of Technology
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Sumedhanand Saraswati, Ranjeeta Koli

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3990 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2022

## Indian Institutes of Technology

## 3990. SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI: SHRIMATI RANJEETA KOLI:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  new  Indian  Institutes  of  Technology,  established  during 2008-09,  have  fallen  short  on  all  parameters  including  performance, administration, infrastructure etc.
- (b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the corrective steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The establishment of eight new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) at Ropar, Patna, Hyderabad, Jodhpur, Gandhinagar, Bhubaneswar, Indore and Mandi during 2008-09 faced time and cost overruns primarily due to delay in identification,  selection  and  transfer  of  the  land  by  the  respective  State Governments.  Other  factors  which  contributed  to  delay  in  infrastructure development  include  grant  of  various  clearances  by  respective  State/local authorities,  change  of  approved  project  cost  as  per  revised  CPWD  rates, exclusion of critical cost components like site specific expenditures, Covid-19 pandemic situation resulting in less availability of material and labour due to restricted  mobility,  etc.  All  these  IITs  are  functioning  from  their  permanent campus. The progress was reviewed regularly by the Government and also by the concerned IIT in their Building and Works Committee, Finance Committee and Board of Governors.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3987 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-28
Subject: Digitisation of Health Record
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Jaskaur Meena

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3987 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2022

## DIGITISATION OF HEALTH RECORD

†3987. SHRIMATI JASKAUR MEENA:

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

- (a)whether the Government has formulated any scheme for digitization of health record of all the insured persons covered under ESIC and ESIS in the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)whether the Government has also formulated any scheme to integrate its data with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission;
- (c)if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  estimated  amount  of  funds likely to be spent on this;
- (d)the details of health facilities to be provided thereunder; and

(e)the time by which the same is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): Information Technology (IT) system and software are available for digitization of health record of the insured persons, covered under the ESIC and ESI Scheme (ESIS), seeking medical services. The IT systems has a centralized database/ application to be used by respective health centres under the ESI Scheme for documentation of clinical information about the patients.

ESIC  has  approached  National  Health  Authority  (NHA)  for technical feasibility to integrate ESIC health database with   Aayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)  to facilitate exchange of data.

For digitisation of clinical records and for other IT Infrastructure, a budgetary provision of Rs.231.23 crore for the year 202223 has been made by the ESI Corporation for its all health centres under ESI Scheme.  Digitisation of health records is a continuous process.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3985 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-28
Subject: Stand-up India Scheme
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Reddeppa Nallakonda Gari, Nandigam Suresh, Midhun Reddy, Beesetti  Venkata Satyavathi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA

## UN-STARRED QUESTION NO. 3985

Monday, March 28, 2022/Chaitra 7, 1944 (Saka)

## Stand-up India Scheme

3985.  SHRI N. REDDEPPA: SHRI NANDIGAM SURESH: SHRI P.V. MIDHUN REDDY: DR. BEESETTI VENKATA SATYAVATHI:

Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:

- (a)  the details of beneficiaries under the Stand-Up India Scheme in Andhra Pradesh during the last three years;
- (b)  whether the Ministry is to provide entrepreneurial training to the beneficiaries to enhance their businesses; and
- (c)  if so, the details thereof?

## Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance (Dr. BHAGWAT KARAD)

(a) to (c) A total number of 3,248 loans amounting to Rs. 787.81 crore have been extended under Stand Up India Scheme in the State of Andhra Pradesh, during the last three years and current financial year, upto 28.02.2022. Year-wise details of loans sanctioned under this Scheme are as follows:

| (Amount in Rs. Crore)   | (Amount in Rs. Crore)   | (Amount in Rs. Crore)   |
|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|
| Financial year (FY)     | Number of accounts      | Sanctioned Amount       |
| 2018-19                 | 1,362                   | 347.92                  |
| 2019-20                 | 913                     | 230.58                  |
| 2020-21                 | 469                     | 106.41                  |
| 2021-22 upto 28.02.2022 | 504                     | 102.9                   |
| Total                   | 3,248                   | 787.81                  |

Apart from linking prospective borrowers to banks for loans, the online portal www.standupmitra.in developed by Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) for Stand Up India Scheme is also providing guidance to prospective entrepreneurs in their endeavour to set up business enterprises, starting from training to filling up  loan  applications,  as  per  bank  requirements.  Through  a  network  of  more  than  8000  Hand  Holding Agencies,  this  portal  facilitates  step  by  step  guidance  for  connecting  prospective  borrowers  to  various agencies with specific expertise viz. Skilling Centres, Mentorship support, Entrepreneurship Development Program Centres, District Industries Centre, together with addresses and contact number.

*****

## ANSWER
Lok Sabha Question No. 3984 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-28
Subject: Amendment in Biological Diversity Act, 2002
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Manickam Tagore B

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3984

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2022

## Amendmnet in Biological Diversity Act, 2002

## 3984.  SHRI MANICKAM  TAGORE  B.:

Will  the  Minister  of  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND  CLIMATE  CHANGE  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the environmentalists have expressed concern over amendments to the  Biological  Diversity  Act,  2002  as  it  prioritizes  intellectual  property  and  commercial trade at the cost of the Act's key aim of conserving biological resources;
- (b) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  Bill  will  undo  all  the  efforts  made  in  the  last  few  years  to implement the Biological Diversity Act;
- (c) whether the changes do not increase the stake of local communities in sustainable growth; and
- (d) whether  it  is  also  true  that  the  amended  Bill  will  benefit  the  traditional  medicine manufacturers, seed sector and industry and researchers and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) to (d) The proposed amendments to the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 aim to enable fast-tracking of research, patent application process, transfer of research results while utilising the biological resources available in India. Therefore, the efforts towards the implementation of the Biological Diversity Act, would remain intact and even more  effective, including further strengthening the Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) as communities would continue to get benefits through the provisions of Access and Benefit Sharing. The amendments provide exemption to seed companies or farmers who have an approval or a right granted under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act, 2001.

For IPR and research activities, only registration process has been introduced for Indian  controlled  entities,  to  make  the  process  simpler.  However,  when  these entities  go  in  for  commercialization,  they  will  have  to  seek  approval  from NBA/SBB, as the case may be.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3981 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-28
Subject: Tax on Raw Materials of Sanitary Napkins
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Aparajita Sarangi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE *****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3981

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY THE 28 TH  MARCH, 2022 CHAITRA 7, 1944 (SAKA)

## TAX ON RAW MATERIALS OF SANITARY NAPKINS

## 3981. SHRIMATI  APARAJITA SARANGI:

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

(a) whether the Government plans to review and remove any taxation currently levied on the raw materials required for production of sanitary napkins and if not, the reasons therefor;

(b)  whether the Government has plans to remove taxation on other essential menstrual hygiene products  such  as  tampons,  menstrual  cups,  menstrual  cloth,  and  like-products  and  if  so,  the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government plans to subsidise pan-India menstrual hygiene products and if so, the reasons therefor; and

(d whether tax-exemption from GST has led to a reduction in the selling price of sanitary pads and tampons and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and  (b): GST rates are fixed based on the recommendations of the GST Council. The GST rate for 'Sanitary towels (pads) or sanitary napkins; tampons' as prescribed by the GST Council is 'Nil' with effect from 26.07.2018. As regards raw materials required for production of sanitary napkin, at present there is no recommendation of the GST Council for reduction in GST rates on such raw materials.

(c): The Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene among adolescent girls in the age group of  10-19  years  is  being  implemented  by  the  Ministry  of  Health  &  Family Welfare  since  2011. Since 2015-16, the said scheme is being supported under the National Health Mission through the  route  of  State  Programme  Implementation  Plans  (PIP),  based  on  the  proposals  received from the States/UTs. Under this scheme the sanitary napkins are sold to the adolescent girls at a subsidized rate of Rs. 6 for a pack of 6 napkins within the community by the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA)

(d): Since GST is charged as per the specified rate on the value of the supply, any reduction in the  rate  of  GST  should  generally  result  in  a  reduction  in  the  final  prices.  However  price  of production also depends on other cost elements and factors; it may not be feasible to exactly assess the impact of GST reduction on prices.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3980 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-28
Subject: Playgrounds in Schools
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Mimi Chakraborty

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

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3980 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2022

## Playgrounds in Schools

## 3980. MS. MIMI CHAKRABORTY:

Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that a play ground is a pre- requisite condition for a CBSE affiliated school as per the rules;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  affiliation  rules  for  both  school  and  day-cum  residential  boarding schools therein and affiliated schools therefor, State-wise;
- (c) the  number  of  schools  having  systematic  monitoring  infrastructure  and  running  with proper facilities thereof, State-wise ;
- (d) whether it is  also  a  fact  that  there  are  complaints  with  more  than  350  CBSE  affiliated schools including residential schools in the country having no playgrounds and teaching experts and mandatory student teacher ratio; and
- (e) if  so,  the  detail  of  action  taken  by  the  Government  and  proposals  on  the  complaints thereto.

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SMT. ANNPURNA DEVI)

(a) and  (b):    The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)  grants affiliation to the school on fulfilment of mandatory conditions as laid down in Affiliation Bye-laws 2018, which can be accessed on CBSE website. http://saras.cbse.gov.in/cbse\_aff/Welcome\_aff.aspx .

As per rule 4.7.9 of Affiliation Bye-Laws, school shall have adequate ground to create outdoor  facilities  for  at  least  200  meter  Athletics  Track,  facilities  for  Kabbadi,  Kho-Kho, Volleyball, basketball etc.

(c ): The  Board  grants  upgradation  /  extension  of  affiliation  on  fulfilment  of  essential conditions as per Affiliation Bye Laws.

(d) and (e): The Board deals with complaint received from its stakeholders. Further action as specified in the Affiliation Bye-laws of the Board is taken thereafter.

*****