opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4192 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-27
Subject: Recruitment of Sportsmen in PSBs
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Srinivas Kesineni

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4192

ANSWERED ON 27 th  MARCH, 2023 / CHAITRA 6, 1945 (SAKA)

## Recruitment of Sportsmen in PSBs

## 4192.  SHRI KESINENI SRINIVAS:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  the details of the steps taken by Public Sector Banks (PSBs) so far in recruiting sportsmen from the year 2000 and the number of sportsmen recruited;
- (b)  whether the relevant DO Letter F No. 4-3-2-91, IR, dated 16-11-1992, is being implemented by the PSBs in true spirit and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether PSU banks after the merger of small banks into large banks like State Bank of India, Union Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and Indian Bank are implementing the above DO letter for the recruitment of sportsmen in the true spirit, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d)  after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, whether sports persons were recruited in Andhra Pradesh, if so, the year-wise details since 2000 and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Public Sector Banks (PSBs) are board governed commercial entities. The recruitment of manpower, including sportspersons, is undertaken by banks, on on-going basis as per their requirement.

PSBs,  including amalgamated  entities, have  informed  that recruitment of outstanding sportspersons  is  undertaken  on  all  India  basis  as  per  the  recruitment  policy  approved  by respective bank's board, framed broadly in line with this Department's DO letter F. No. 4-3-291-IR, dated 16.11.1992.

PSBs have further informed that a total of 576 sportspersons have been recruited in various disciplines and cadres since the year 2000.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 4188 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-27
Subject: Scheme to Reduce the Weight of School Bags
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Vijayakumar (alias) Vijay Vasanth

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4188 ANSWERED ON 27 th  MARCH, 2023

## Scheme to Reduce the Weight of School Bags

## 4188. SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR (ALIAS) VIJAY VASANTH:

- Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a)  whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  scheme  to  reduce  the  weight  of school bags for students and if so, the details thereof; (b) the names of States where such scheme is being implemented at present; (c) whether the Union Government proposes to formulate such scheme to reduce the weight of school bags for students; (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  time  by  which  this  system  is  likely  to  be implemented; and (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e) : Policy on School Bag was formulated by Expert Committee comprising of members  from  National  Council  of  Educational  Research  and  Training  (NCERT), Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)and released by NCERT in 2020. The Ministry of Education has circulated the Policy across the States and UTs vide its letter dated 24 th  November 2020. The National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage has been brought out and released on 20 th  October, 2022. This framework also focuses on experimental learning and  variety of Learning-Teaching Material (LTM)  for the foundational stage rather than only on textbooks.

Education is in the Concurrent List of the Constitution of India. States & UTs have been advised to adopt relevant suggestions of the School Bag Policy and National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 and ensure the implementation of the same.

The States of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal  Pradesh,  Karnataka,  Kerala,  Madhya  Pradesh,  Maharashtra,  Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand, West Bengal and Union Territories of Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu,  Goa,  Lakshadweep  and  NCT  of  Delhi  have  issued  instructions/guidelines  to reduce the weight of school bags.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4187 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-27
Subject: High Dropout Rates due to Switch Over to Collaborative and Technology Learning
Ministry: Education
Asked by: P.R. Natarajan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 4187 ANSWERED ON - 27/03/2023

## Awards to Teachers of 33 Sainik Schools

## 4187. SHRI S. MUNISWAMY :

Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that few of the most accomplished individuals in almost all the domains hail from the 33 Sainik Schools;

(b)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  have  dedicated  awards  for  the  past  and  current teachers of these Sainik Schools;

(c) whether the Ministry of Education coordinates with the Ministry of Defence and takes the feedback from all these Sainik Schools and honors the unsung heroes who have molded few of the best citizens; and

(d)  for  a  better  understanding  of  the  contribution  of  these  unsung  teachers  whether  the Ministry further coordinates with the office of the Vice-President of India who himself is an alumnus  of  a  Sainik  School  apart  from  few  other  law  makers,  highly  decorated  soldiers, entrepreneurs, artists, lawyers and civil servants amongst other alumnus of Sainik Schools?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes, Sir. The Government is aware of the importance of Sainik Schools who have truly created nation builders and illustrious leaders.
- (b) As  per  the  information  received  from  Ministry  of  Defence,  Sainik  Schools recognize its teachers who are instrumental in shaping the future of their students. Towards this,  a  proposal  to  give  a  special  award  to  the  eligible  and  best  amongst  all  the  current teachers of Sainik Schools, is under consideration of Sainik Schools Society.
- (c) to (d) As per the extant guidelines for National Awards to Teachers, all States/UTs/Organisations  send  the  list  of  shortlisted  candidates  subject  to  the  prescribed maximum  number  to  Independent  Jury  at  National  Level.  Sainik  School  Society  after conducting their internal selection process, nominates one candidate for consideration by the Independent Jury at National Level.   The  Independent  Jury  at  National  Level  as  constituted by  the  Hon'ble  Education  Minister,  Government  of  India  reviews  the  list  of  candidates received from the States/UTs/Organisations and recommends names of the best candidates based on their performance. There is no quota fixed for any of the States/UTs/Organisation at National Level.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4186 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-27
Subject: Capital Infusion in PSBs
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Margani Bharat

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4186

To be answered on the March 27, 2023/Chaitra 6,1945 (Saka)

## Capital Infusion in PSBs

## 4186. SHRI MARGANI BHARAT:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of capital infused in Public Sector Banks (PSBs) during the last five years;
- (b) whether the Government has reviewed the effects of such capital infusion in PSBs;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government is planning further support and capital infusion for weak PSBs; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): Banks require capital on an ongoing basis for both business growth and meeting regulatory norms. Government has infused capital in Public Sector Banks (PSBs) from time to time to supplement their efforts to meet capital requirement. Total amount of recapitalisation of PSBs during last five years (FY2017-18 to FY 2021-22) amounts to Rs 2,86,043 crore.

Enabled by upfront capital infusion by the Government and implementation of comprehensive reforms, the financial health of PSBs has improved significantly, enhancing their ability to raise capital (in the form of both equity and bonds) from the market. Since FY 2017-18, PSBs have mobilised capital of Rs. 2,64,002 crore from the market.   Improvement in financial health of PSBs is reflected in the following:

- (i) All-time high annual net profit of Rs. 66,540 crore was recorded during FY2021-22, with all the PSBs turning profitable. Further, record net profit of Rs.70,167 crore has been registered during first 9 months of the FY2022-23.
- (ii) Asset quality has improved significantly, with Gross NPA and Net NPA ratios reducing from 14.58% and 7.97% in March 2018 to 5.53% and 1.45% in December 2022, respectively;
- (iii) Capital  to  Risk-weighted  Assets  Ratio  (CRAR)  has  improved  from  11.66%  in  March  2018  to 14.45% in December 2022, and
- (iv) Provision  Coverage  Ratio  (PCR)  has  improved  from  62.71%  in  March  2018  to  89.91%  in December 2022.

As on 31.12.2022, CRAR of PSBs are well above the regulatory requirement. All the PSBs have now come out of the RBI's Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framewor k. In view of strong capital position of the PSBs  and  their  ability  to  raise  capital  from  the  market,  no  recapitalisation  requirement  for  PSBs  is envisaged currently.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4184 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-27
Subject: Separate Budget for Agriculture
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Anto  Antony

## Government of India Ministry  of Finance Department  of Economic  Affairs

tr*rk

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4184 ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 27,2023 (CHAITRA  6, r945-SAKA)

## Separate Budget for Agriculture

4184. SHRI ANTO ANTONY

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state?

- (a) whether  the Govemment has any plan to introduce a separate budget for Agriculture in the country;
- (c) whether the Government  has received any request in this regard; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) Ifso. the details thereof  and the response ofthe Government  thereto?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d) There is no proposal  to introduce a separate budget  for agriculture. However, Department  of Agriculture & Farmer Welfare is the nodal Department of Union Govemment for  operating various schemes/programmes  for the development of agriculture & welfare of farmers in the country.  Government of India provides top most priority to this sector, which is also the backbone of the Indian economy.  This is reflected in the fact that budget allocation fbr the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare has been substantially increased from Rs.27662.67 crore in BE 2013-14  to Rs.125035.79  crore in 882023-24.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4171 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-27
Subject: EPF Subscribers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: A. Ganeshamurthi

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4171 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2023

## EPF SUBSCRIBERS

## 4171. SHRI A. GANESHAMURTHI:

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

- (a)whether the companies and EPF subscribers have sought for further clarifications on how to opt for higher pension under EPS;
- (b)if so, the response of the Government, thereto;
- (c)whether those subscribers who have less salary and do not want to contribute  higher  amount  and  whether  minimum  monthly  pension will be increased in their cases;
- (d)if so, the details thereof;
- (e)whether  clarifications  or  guidelines  being  issued  for  method  of deducting the interest for higher pension in case of companies with
- their own private PF Trust; and
- (f)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (f): As  per  directions  contained  in  paragraph  44(ix)  read  with paragraph  44(v)  and  44(vi)  of  the  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  judgment dated  04.11.2022,  online  applications  were  called  by  Employees' Provident  Fund  Organisation  (EPFO)  on  29.12.2022  from  pensioners who had retired before 01.09.2014 and had exercised joint option for contributing in pension fund on salary exceeding wage ceiling before their retirement but whose joint options were rejected by the EPFO (on account  of  cut-off  date). Joint  options  were  to  be  filed  on  or  before 03.03.2023. Now this date has been extended up to 03.05.2023.

Further,  as  per  directions  contained  in  paragraph  44(iii)  & paragraph 44 (iv) read with paragraph 44(v) of the judgment of Hon'ble Supreme  Court  dated  04.11.2022,  instructions  have  been  issued  by EPFO  on  20.02.2023  for  online  joint  options  to  be  filed  by  the employees who were in service prior to 01.09.2014 and continued to be in service on or after 01.09.2014 but could not exercise joint option under  erstwhile  proviso  to  paragraph  11(3)  of  Employees'  Pension before

Scheme  (EPS), 1995. Joint options can be filed on or 03.05.2023.

The  Government,  for  the  first  time,  in  the  year  2014, provided a minimum pension of Rs. 1,000/- per month to the pensioners under  the  EPS,  1995  by  providing  budgetary  support,  which  was  in addition to the budgetary support of 1.16 per cent of wages provided annually towards EPS to EPFO.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4170 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-27
Subject: New KVs in Kerala
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Amar Singh

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4170 ANSWERED ON 27.03.2023

## NEW KVs IN KERALA

## 4170. DR. M.P. ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received any proposal from the Government of Kerala to set up new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs);
- (b) if so, the details thereof and status thereon; and
- (c) whether the Government is aware of the fact that the KV in Malappuram district in Kerala is inadequate to admit the students and there is need for additional KVs in the District?

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

- (a)  &  (b)  As  per  information  received  from  Kendriya  Vidyalaya  Sangathan  (KVS),  one proposal to set up a new Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) at Thodupuzha (Distt. Idduki) has been received  from  the  State  Government  of  Kerala.  Opening  of  new  KVs  is  a  continuous process.  KVs  are  opened  primarily  to  cater  to  the  educational  needs  of  the  wards  of transferable Central Government Employees including Defence & Para-military personnel, Central  Autonomous  Bodies,  Central  Public  Sector  Undertakings  (PSUs)  and  Central Institute  of  Higher  Learning  (IHL)  by  providing  a  common  programme  of  education throughout the country. Proposals for opening of new KVs may be sponsored by Ministries or Departments of the Government of India / State Governments / Union Territories (UTs) Administrations,  with  commitment  to  provide  requisite  resources  including  land  and temporary  accommodation  for  setting  up  a  new  KV  as  per  norms.    The  proposals  are subject to approval of the competent authority. At present, 38 KVs are functioning in the State of Kerala.
- (c) KV Malappuram is functioning with 02 sections having student strength 1021. No proposal for opening of additional KV at Malappuram has been received by KVS from the State Government of Kerala.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4163 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-27
Subject: Winding up of Companies
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: Bharatiben Dhirubhai Shyal, Arvind Kumar Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION NO. 4163

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2023/CHAITRA 6, 1945(SAKA)

## WINDING UP OF COMPANIES

## QUESTION

4163. SHRI DR. BHARATIBEN DHIRUBHAI SHIYAL SHRI DR. ARVIND KUMAR SHARMA:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is considering to make closing/winding up of business  especially  private  limited  companies  less  cumbersome  &  time consuming and an economical affair;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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),(b)&(c):  Section  248  of  the  Companies  Act,  2013  (The  Act),  inter-alia provides for removal of name of company from the Register of Companies, if  it  is  not  carrying  on  any  business  or  operation  for  a  period  of  two immediately preceding financial years and has not made any application within the said period for obtaining the status of a Dormant Company under Section 455 of the Act. Further, Ministry of Corporate Affairs has decided to establish a Centre for Processing Accelerated Corporate Exit (C-PACE) at Manesar,  Gurgaon,  Haryana  to  process  and  dispose  of  applications  for removal  of  names  from  the  Register  of  Companies  filed  by  companies (including Private limited companies) under sub-section (2) of Section 248 of  the  Act,  vide  notification  No.  S.O.  1269(E)  dated  17.03.2023.  This initiative  is  likely  to  provide  ease  to  such  companies  for  closing  their business as per provisions of chapter XVIII and getting their names removed from  the  Register  of  Companies.    The  afore-mentioned  notification  shall come into force with effect from 01.04.2023.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 4160 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-27
Subject: AYUSH Treatment under Health Insurance
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Dibyendu Adhikari

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4160

ANSWERED ON - 27.3.2023

## AYUSH TREATMENT UNDER HEALTH INSURANCE

4160. SHRI DIBYENDU ADHIKARI:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that expenses incurred for Ayurvedic/Homeopathic/Unani treatment are admissible up to 25 per cent of the sum insured, provided the treatment for illness or injury is taken in a Government hospital or in any institute recognized by the Government and/or  accredited  by  Quality  Council  of  India/National  Accreditation  Board  on  Health under Health Insurance, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  extend  both  outdoor  and  indoor  in-patient treatments under all the private and public Health Insurance Schemes; and
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  proposal  of  the  Government  to  support  free AYUSH treatment at nominal premium charges to cover people at large scale under Health Insurance?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Insurance  Regulatory  and  Development  Authority  of  India(IRDAI)  has  informed  that admissibility of treatment cost under Health Insurance, is subject to the terms and conditions and nature of coverage offered in their products by insurers.

Further, IRDAI has informed that as regards the category of hospitals considered under health insurance, IRDAI, vide clause 43 of Circular Ref. No. IRDAI/HLT/REG/CIR/193/07/2020  dated  22.07.2020,  has  defined  the  term  'AYUSH Hospital'  and  as  such  insurers  shall  cover  expenses  incurred  by  policyholders  in  the hospitals falling within the said definition, subject to terms and conditions of the policies.

(b) and (c): Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has informed that Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri - Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) is the health assurance scheme which aims to provide health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary  care  hospitalization  to  12  Crore  families.  Further,  AB  PM-JAY,  in  addition  to  inpatient hospitalization, also covers services including pre-hospitalization expenses up to 3 days, and post-hospitalization expenses, including drug expenses, for up to 15-days.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4159 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-27
Subject: Marking Centenary of Martyrdom of Gurdwara Panja Sahib
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Harsimrat Kaur Badal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No . 4159

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 th  MARCH, 2023

## MARKING CENTENARY OF MARTYRDOM OF GURDWARA PANJA SAHIB

## 4159.  Shrimati Harsimrat Kaur Badal:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government's attention is drawn to the demands of various Sikh organizations  for  giving  nod  for  marking  centenary  of  martyrdom  of massacre of Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib;
- (b) whether the said proposal is receiving Government's attention;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (d)   No such proposal has been received from any organization.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4158 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-27
Subject: Amendment in Environmental Protection Act
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Ritesh Pandey

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4158

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2023

## Amendment in Environmental Protection Act

## 4158. SHRI RITESH PANDEY:

Will the MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of amendment orders issued under the rules and notifications under the Environmental Protection Act by the Ministry during the last three years;
- (b) the  details  of  the  number  of  amendments  to  Environment  Protection  Rules  and Environment Impact Assessment during the last three years;
- (c) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  Government  has  waived  off  the  requirement  of  public notice under EIA 2006 by using Rule 5(4) of the Environmental Protection Rules on multiple occasions during the last three years; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) A total of sixty two (62 Nos.)  amendments have been made in the various rules and  notifications  under  Environment  (Protection)  Act,1986  by  the  Ministry during the last three years;
- (b) The Environment Protection Rules has been amended eighteen (18) times in the last three years whereas Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 has been amended twenty (20) times in last three years.
- (c) &  (d)  In  the  last  three  years,  the  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forests,  and  Climate Change  has  issued  nineteen  (19)  notifications  by  using  rule  5  (4)  of  the Environment (Protection) Rules,1986.

****