opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2193 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-02
Subject: Financial Condition of Banks
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Rajendra Dhedya  Gavit

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-+2193

ANSWERED ON- 02/08/2021

## FINANCIAL CONDITION OF BANKS

+2193. SHRI RAJENDRA DHEDYA GAVIT

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether many banks of the are in poor financial condition due to one time settlement scheme; countty
- () if so, the details thereof;
- whether half of amount of the loan is returned to the bank in place of loan and interest under one time settlement scheme;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- whether the Government contemplates to give the benefits of one time settlement scheme to small businessmen and farmers who low loans; and have
- (f) if the details thereof and if not; the reasons therefor? SO,

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

(DR BHAGWAT KARAD)

(a) and (): As per Reserve Bank of India (RBI) instructions, banks are required to have a Board-approved loan recovery   policy, which may cover; inter   alia,  negotiated settlements through compromise, under which recovery in non-performing asset (NPA) loan accounts ate to be effected to the maximum extent possible at minimum expense; with a view to help banks   promptly  recycle  their funds   with advantage, instead of resorting to expensive   recovery proceedings spread over a period   Thus, such negotiated settlements, including those under any one-time settlements (OTS) scheme of a bank, help in improving its financial health. long

- and (d): Amount recoverable under negotiated settlement depends, inter alia on the realisable value of secured assets and collateral securities, cost involved in litigation, and the same varies On a case-to-case basis. etc ,
- (e) and (f: As per inputs  received from Public Sector Banks, the last three financial years approved OTS pertaining to loans to small business and farmers in 43.90 lakh accounts involving settlement amount of Rs. 42,646 crore. during they

xxxxx
Lok Sabha Question No. 2192 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-02
Subject: Revival of RINL
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF INVESTMENT AND PUBLIC ASSET MANAGEMENT (DIPAM)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.2192 TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2021 SRAVANA 11, 1943 (SAKA)

## Revival of RINL

## 2192.   SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  agreed  to  disinvest  its  stake  in  the  Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has taken note of the concerns of the workers;
- (c) if  so,  the  details  of  the  Government's  meetings  with  the  workers  and  its response on the concerns;
- (d) whether the Government has taken note of the suggestion of Andhra Pradesh Government to revive the plant and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  explored  the  options  to  revive  the  plant  by allotting a captive mine or through financial restructuring and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## (DR. BHAGWAT KISHANRAO KARAD)

- (a): The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA), in its meeting held on 27.01.2021,  have  accorded 'in-principle'  approval  for  100  %  disinvestment  of Government  of  India  (GOI)  shareholding  in  Rashtriya  Ispat  Nigam  Limited

(RINL)  (also  called  Visakhapatnam  Steel  Plant  or  Vizag  Steel)  alongwith RINL's stake in its Subsidiaries/Joint Ventures through strategic disinvestment by way of privatisation.

- (b)&(c): In all cases of strategic disinvestment/privatisation, while deciding the terms and  conditions  of  the  strategic  sale,  legitimate  concerns  of  the  existing employees and other stakeholders are suitably addressed through appropriate provisions made in the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA)/ Business Transfer Agreement (BTA).
- (d)&(e): The Government has introduced New Public Sector Enterprise (PSE) Policy for Atmanirbhar  Bharat  which  has  been  notified  on  4 th   February,  2021  and  is applicable  to  Central  Public  Sector  Enterprises  (CPSEs),  Public  Sector  Banks (PSBs)  and  Public  Sector  Insurance  Companies  (PSICs).  As  per  this  policy, existing Public Sector Enterprises have been broadly classified under Strategic and Non-strategic Sectors (PSEs). It has also been laid down that in strategic sectors,  only  a  bare  minimum  presence  of  the  existing  PSEs  at  Holding Company  level  will  be  retained  under  Government  control.  The  remaining enterprises in strategic sector will be considered for privatisation or merger or subsidiarization with another CPSEs or for closure. PSEs in the non-strategic sectors  shall  be  considered  for  privatisation,  where  feasible,  otherwise  such enterprises  shall  be  considered  for  closure.  Steel  manufacturing  falls  in  the non-strategic sector.

There is no proposal to review the decision of the Government in relation to RINL.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2191 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-02
Subject: Interest Rate of EPFO
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: P. Velusamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2191 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2021

## INTEREST RATE OF EPFO

## 2191. SHRI VELUSAMY P.:

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

- (a)whether  the  interest  rate  for  the  subscribers  of  the  Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has been fixed at 8.65 per cent for the year 2016-17 by the Ministry;
- (b)the total number of subscribers to EPFO and out of which the number of contributing subscribers;
- (c)the total income earned by EPFO and the amount to be disbursed as interest; and
- (d)whether  the  Ministry  has  obtained  approval  from  the  Ministry  of Finance for the rate of interest fixed; and

(e)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Yes, Sir.

- (b): As on 31.03.2017, number of accounts in Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) were 19,33,91,860 and  average  number of  contributing subscribers were 4,12,37,377.
- (c): During the year 2016-17, total income available for disbursement as interest was Rs. 39,493.84 crore and amount disbursed as interest on EPF accumulations was Rs. 39,197.93 crore.
- (d) & (e): Under  paragraph  60  of  the  Employees'  Provident  Fund  (EPF) Scheme, 1952, the rate of interest on EPF is determined by the Central Government  in  consultation  with  the  Central  Board.  The  Ministry  of Labour and Employment also consults the Ministry of Finance every year before determining the rate of interest on EPF accumulations.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2188 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-02
Subject: Adoption of New Strategies to Boost Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Ramya  Haridas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2188 ANSWERED ON 02.08.2021

## ADOPTION OF NEW STRATEGIES TO BOOST TOURISM

## 2188. MS. RAMYA HARIDAS:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  are  estimates  and/or  projections  for  revenue losses incurred by tourism sector in the year 2020-21;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Ministry  plans  to  adopt  new  strategies  to  boost tourism and if so, details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

MINISTER OF TOURISM

- (a) & (b): Ministry of Tourism, Government  of India does maintain data on revenue generated from tourism.
- not
- (c) & (d): The details of the steps taken by the Ministry of Tourism to boost tourism are given below:
- (i) In present scenario, the International travelling has been restricted  which  has  affected  the  global  economy  at large hence the  Ministry is focusing in big  way  on promotion  of  Domestic  Tourism  sites  in  the  country under  'Dekho Apna Desh' campaign which has become the prime focus of the Ministry of Tourism to rebuild the trust among the tourist and tourism fraternity.  Series of Webinars have been carried out regularly  on  uncovered themes  identified  as  domestic  tourism  products  like
- lesser known heritage sites, stories on tradition, culture, history and heritage of our country as local landing. (ii) Aerial  photography  of  key  cities  and  cultural/heritage assets (Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata,  Mumbai,  Bengaluru, Udupi, Aurangabad,  Iconic  Tourist sites) across the country during lockdown. (iii)   Social Media has also been used extensively to promote domestic Tourism. (iv) Roadshows have also been held at number of locations including Kevadia (Gujarat), Srinagar, Goa etc. to promote domestic tourism. (v) Creating  awareness  on  protocols  of  safety  &  security among the tourists as well as service providers in terms of  India  being  safe  destination  to  travel  in  post  Covid Scenario.
- (vi) Ministry  is  in  a  continuous  process  in  encouraging  the travellers through various platform to maintain the travelling protocols, at the same time has introduced an well-intended initiative for the hospitality industry under NIDHI  and  SAATHI  schemes   to  assist  the  hospitality industry  in  their  preparedness  to  continue  operations safely and  mitigate risks arising out  of  the  COVID pandemic.
- *******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2185 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-02
Subject: Indradhanush Project for North East
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Sisir Kumar Adhikari

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2185 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 nd  August, 2021

## Indradhanush Project for North East

## 2185.   SHRI SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI:

## पेोिलयम और ाकृितक गैस मंी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

(a)  the  present  status  of  import  and  in-house  production  of  Piped  Natural  Gas  (PNG)  and Compressed natural gas (CNG) in the country;

(b)  the  details  of  progress  of  Paradip-Haldia-Barauni  oil  pipeline  and  Jagdishpur-Dhamra pipeline project;

(c)  the current development of Indradhanush Gas Grid project for North East;

(d)  whether the Government proposes to set up gas storage terminal in Assam with the supply of gas by the Bangladesh Government towards business development therefor; and

(e)  if so, the details of the agreement, if any and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## पेोिलयम और ाकृितक गैस मंालय म राय मंी ( ी रामेर तेली )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

(a)  Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) are not separately produced or imported in the country.  These are both natural gas and therefore supplied out of the natural gas  imported  or  produced  in  the  country.  As  per  information  provided  by  PPAC,  13.08 MMSCMD domestic gas has been supplied in the PNG and CNG segment in FY 2020-21 in the country.

(b)  Indian  Oil  is  executing  Paradip-Haldia-Barauni  oil  pipeline  project.  As  on  30.06.2021, physical progress of 67.40% has been made under the project. Laying of pipeline is in progress and around 92% of pipeline has been welded. GAIL is executing Jagdishpur-Haldia & BokaroDhamra natural gas pipeline. As on 23.07.2021, Section-1 of 750 Km has been completed and around 1033 Km out of total scope of 1905 Km of Section-II has been lowered.

(c) Indradhanush  Gas  Grid  Limited  (IGGL)  is  executing  North  East  Gas  Project.  The construction activities of the North East Gas Project is under progress in 386 Km of GuwahatiNumaligarh Section in the state of Assam.

(d)  and  (e)  At  Present,  there  is  no  proposal  for  setting  up  a  separate  gas  storage  terminal  in Assam.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2184 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-02
Subject: Audit of Digital Education in Rural Areas
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Kumbakudi Sudhakaran, Anto  Antony, Faizal P.P. Mohammed

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2184 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02 ND  AUGUST, 2021

## Audit of Digital Education in Rural Areas

## 2184. SHRI KUMBAKUDI SUDHAKARAN: SHRI ANTO ANTONY: SHRI MOHAMMED FAIZAL P.P.:

- Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has conducted an audit on the status of digitalisation of the rural education system; (b) if so, the details of the audit conducted on disbursement of funds under relevant digital infrastructure schemes, by States, for the period March 2020 till date; (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and (d) whether the Government has conducted an audit on number of rural schools digitalised
- and are operational i.e. they are equipped with an internet connection, computers/handheld devices, webcams and other instruments to aid online learning?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) to (c)  Education is in the concurrent list of the Constitution and majority of the schools, colleges and universities are under the domain of respective State and UT Governments. The state governments have been advised to act based on the situation prevailing at every place  to  meet  the  demands  of  all  students  for  providing  them  with  the  digital  access required for learning digitally. The Central Government is constantly advising States/UTs through  guidelines  and  meeting  with  respect  to  interventions  for  reducing  impact  of

- pandemic on education across the nation.

Central government maintains UDISE data on certain parameters for all states/UTs, such as number of ICT labs, Internet connectivity, etc. As per UDISE data of 2019-20, a total of 65,356 ICT Labs and 29,178 digital classrooms are there in schools and a total of 1,19,581 schools across the country are there with internet facility.

- (d) A  total  of  1.2  Lakh  government  schools  across  the  are  equipped  with  internet connection. Also, under the BharatNet programme, the CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd  (CSC-SPV)  of  MeitY  has  been  assigned  the  task  of  providing  Fibre  to  the  Home (FTTH)  connectivity  to  the  Government  Institutions,  including  schools.  About  63,100 Schools have been provided FTTH connections through BharatNet so far.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2183 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-02
Subject: Career Guidance for Students
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Jayant Sinha

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2183 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2021

## Career Guidance for Students

## 2183.  SHRI JAYANT SINHA:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  conducts  career  guidance  sessions  for  students  from  higher secondary schools, and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  there  is a  centralized  portal  or  web/  mobile  application  with  details  of scholarships and grants for students studying in Government schools and if so, the details thereof and if not, whether the Government plans to introduce the same;
- (c) whether there are any academic collaborations with foreign Universities that can benefit students studying in Government schools, and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF EDUCATION

## ( SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN )

(a): Central  Board  of  Secondary  Education  (CBSE)  organizes  a  two  day  capacity  building programme for the teachers on career guidance of students. The trained teachers take sessions with senior students in their respective schools. The programme focuses on dimensions of career information, strategies  and  resources  used  in  imparting  career  information,  setting  up  a  career resources  room  in  a  school,  role  of  a  teacher  in  imparting  career  guidance  and  understanding career development.

In Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) services of counselors are engaged on part time contractual  basis  in  all  Kendriya  Vidyalayas  across  the  country.  There  is  also  a  provision  of inviting experts from different fields to sensitize students about the career options available for them to pursue.

In Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV) career guidance sessions are conducted regularly by  the  Counselors,  Teachers  and  Vice  Principals.  Special  sessions  are  also  conducted  for students in JNVs by inviting eminent experts of various fields.

(b): National  Scholarship  Portal  (NSP)  is  one-stop  solution  through  which  various  services starting  from  student  application,  application  receipt,  processing  and  disbursal  of  various scholarships to students are enabled. The main objective of NSP is to ensure timely disbursement of scholarships to students and to provide a common portal for various scholarships schemes of Central and State Governments. National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) of D/o SE&L is on-boarded on NSP. The details are available on the NSP Portal. The link is as follows: https://scholarships.gov.in

(c): Neither  Kendriya  Vidyalaya  Sangathan  (KVS)  nor  Navodaya  Vidyalaya  Samiti  (NVS) has entered into any academic collaborations with foreign Universities that can benefit students studying in their schools.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2179 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-02
Subject: Import of Iron Ore
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Balubhau (Alias Suresh Narayan) Dhanorkar

THE MINISTER OF STEEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2179

## FOR ANSWER ON 02/08/2021

## IMPORT OF IRON ORE

2179.  SHRI BALUBHAU ALIAS SURESH NARAYAN DHANORKAR:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has to import iron ore despite its production in the country;
- (b) if  so, the demand of iron being made by the public sector and private sector steel plants set up in the country;
- (c) whether we are able to supply ore as per the demand of private sector and PSUs;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if  not,  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  supply  iron  ore  to these steel plants?

## ANSWER

(SHRI RAM CHANDRA PRASAD SINGH)

(a)to(e): The details of import, production and supply of iron ore during the last three years are as follows:-

## ( in million tonnes)

| Items               |   2018-19 |   2019-20 |   2020-21* |
|---------------------|-----------|-----------|------------|
| Import of Iron Ore  |    12.804 |      1.24 |       0.76 |
| Iron Ore Production |   206.49  |    246.08 |     204.28 |
| Iron Ore Demand     |   177     |    175    |     166    |

[Source: DGFT & JPC/IBM, *provisional]

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2178 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-02
Subject: Adi Prashikshan Portal
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. † 2178

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2021

## ADI PRASHIKSHAN PORTAL

†2178. SHRI JASWANT SINGH BHABHOR:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether 'Adi- Prashikshan Portal' has been launched by the Government for ST PRI members;
- (b) if so, the objective thereof; and
- (c) the measures being taken by the Government to give more information of this portal to the tribal people of Gujarat?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) &(b) Yes Sir, Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) has launched  'Adi-Prashikshan Portal' on 16th June 2021 to act as a central repository of all training programs conducted by Ministry of Tribal Affairs, State Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs), National Society for Education of Tribal Students (NESTS) and other organizations funded by the Ministry for  strengthening the capacities (in terms of knowledge, skills, attitude) of government functionaries, ST PRI members, Teachers, SHG women, Youth and Tribal Communities.

The main objective of the portal   is to create an end-to-end centralized online interactive training platform on tribal development which brings together training organizers, thematic experts/resource persons, master trainers, trainees and training material at one place.

- (c) All  Tribal  Research  Institutes  including  Gujarat  Tribal  Research  &  training  Society, Gandhinagar have been given training on the functionality of the portal. All trainers, trainees and master trainers related to the  training programs organized or funded by the Ministry are required to be registered through this portal.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2175 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-02
Subject: Money Laundering Case
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Gurjeet Singh Aujla

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION NO. 2175

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, AUGUST 02,2021 SRAVANA 11, 1943 (SAKA)

## Money Laundering Case

## 2175. SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state

- (a) whether the Enforcement Directorate is investigating the money laundering scam involving the Managing Director and  others of Indian Farmers Fertilisers Co-operative Limited;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- whether some NRIs and foreign ~based companies are also involved in the alleged Rs.685/- crore illegal commissions scam; and
- (d) if the details therefore?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes sir:
- (b) The Directorate of Enforcement is carrying out investigation under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 based on FIR registered by CBI at New Delhi.
- (c) Yes sir.
- (d) Some of persons are NRIs. Disclosures of further details of the case may not be in larger public interest as the same may impact the ongoing investigation of case.