opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2138 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-02
Subject: Cryptocurrency Trading
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2138 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2021

## Cryptocurrency Trading

## 2138. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

## Will the Minister of FINANCE

be pleased to state:

(a) the status of cryptocurrency trading in India;

(b) the current regulatory regime surrounding cryptocurrency and its trading;

(c) the laws  in place  to protect traders and  investors  in  cryptocurrency  from  fraud  and  other misdemeanours in its trading;

(d) whether the Government intends to introduce regulations specific to cryptocurrency trading in India;

(e) if so, the status thereof; and

(f) the protection for investors that the same will involve?

## ANSWER

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

(a) This information is not collected by the Government.

(b) Currently,  all  entities  regulated  by  the  RBI    have  been  advised  to  carry  out  customer  due diligence processes in line with regulations governing standards for Know Your Customer (KYC), AntiMoney Laundering  (AML),  Combating  of  Financing  of  Terrorism  (CFT)  and  obligations  of  regulated entities under Prevention of Money Laundering Act, (PMLA), 2002 in addition to ensuring compliance with relevant provisions under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) for overseas remittances.

(c ) Depending upon the nature of the fraud, various laws including the Indian Penal Code 1860, are in place for protection against fraud.

(d) to (f) It  was  announced  in  the  Budget  Speech  for  2018-19  that  'The  Government  does  not consider crypto-currencies legal tender or coin and will take all measures to eliminate use of these cryptoassets in financing illegitimate activities or as part of the payment system. The Government will explore use  of  block  chain  technology  proactively  for  ushering  in  digital  economy.'  A  High-Level  InterMinisterial  Committee  (IMC)  constituted  under  the  Chairmanship  of  Secretary  (Economic  Affairs)  to study the issues related to VCs and propose specific actions to be taken in this matter recommended in its report that all private cryptocurrencies, except any cryptocurrency issued by the State, be prohibited in India.  The  Government would take a decision on the recommendations of the IMC and the legislative proposal, if any, would be introduced in the Parliament following the due process.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2137 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-02
Subject: Duration of Graduation Programmes
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Sumalatha Ambareesh, D.K. Suresh, Nalin Kumar Kateel

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2137 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2021

## Duration of Graduation Programmes

## 2137.  SHRIMATI SUMALATHA AMBAREESH: SHRI D.K. SURESH: SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  extend  duration  of  various  graduation programmes/ courses under the New National Education Policy (NEP) 2020;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  set  up  NEP  Implementation  Committee  to  formulate  the guidelines in this regard;

(d) if so, whether the Government has taken the views of various sections of the education sector to arrive at a conclusion in this regard; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) and (b): As per National Education Policy 2020, the undergraduate degree will be of either 3 or 4-year duration, with multiple exit options within this period, with appropriate certifications- a certificate after completing 1 year in a discipline or field including vocational and professional areas, or a diploma after 2 years of study, or a Bachelor's degree after a 3-year programme. The 4-year multidisciplinary Bachelor's programme shall be the preferred option since it allows the opportunity to experience the full range of holistic and multidisciplinary education in addition to a focus on the chosen major and minors as per the choices of the student. The students will have option to choose either 3 year or 4 year degree courses without any compulsion.

(c):  Department of Higher Education has constituted an Implementation Committee, consisting the representatives of concerned Ministries/Departments, to ensure timely and proper implementation of each aspect of National Education Policy 2020 in respect of Higher Education at the Central level to achieve the goals of the policy in a clear and phased manner.

(d) and (e): The National Education Policy 2020 has been finalised after a highly participative, inclusive and multi-pronged consultation process, through online, grassroots and thematic expert consultations,  involving  State/UT  Governments,  Government  of  India  Ministries,  Members  of Parliament, public etc.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2135 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-02
Subject: Petrol Pumps in Chhattisgarh
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Santosh Pandey

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2135

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 nd  AUGUST, 2021

## Petrol Pumps in Chhattisgarh

## †2135.     SHRI SANTOSH PANDEY:

## पेोलयम एवं ाक ृतक गैस मंी

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

- (a)  the number of petrol pumps operating under Regional Office Raipur, Chhattisgarh despite not having valid possession which do not comply with the rule of Gazette 636 dated 31.12.2008;
- (b)  the  number  of  petrol  pumps  for  which  correspondence  has  been  made  with  the company to shut them on being found dangerous from the security point of view by the district administration in Rajnandgaon and Kabirdhan district of Rajnandgaon parliamentary constituency; and
- (c)  whether correspondence has been made for necessary documents through official Letter no.1182 dated 1.4.2021 and no.1648 dated 22.6.2021 by Office of Collector Food Branch, Rajnandgaon to Regional Manager Office Raipur, which is received till date and if so, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

पेोलयम और ाक ृतक गैस मंालय म राय मंी ( ी रामेवर तेल )

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

- (a)          As  on  30.6.2021,  Public  Sector  Oil  Marketing  Companies  (OMCs)  have 1276 Retail Outlets  (ROs) operational under Raipur territory,  Chhattisgarh  with valid statutory approvals/licenses.
- (b)     District Administration has not issued any order to Public Sector OMCs to shut petrol pump in Rajnandgaon and Kabirdham district.
- (c) Hindustan  Petroleum  Corporation  Limited  has  informed  that  ownership issue of Retail Outlets' land is sub-judice at Chhattisgarh Rent Control Tribunal, Raipur.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2133 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-02
Subject: Unexploited Areas in Higher Education
Ministry: Education
Asked by: S. Jagathrakshakan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2133 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2021

## Unexploited Areas in Higher Education

2133. SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  that  higher  education  is  an  area  that  remains under-exploited despite the potential for enhanced cooperation; (b) if so, the details thereof, and if not, the reasons therefor;

- (c)  whether  the  Government  is  exploring  possibilities  for  opening  branches  in  the  Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and also making concentrated efforts to attract  students  from Gulf countries to join its higher educational institutions for professional courses; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) to (d):  It has always been the endeavour of the Government to explore the possibilities of cooperation in the field of higher education with the aim of enhancing cooperation with foreign countries, including increasing the number of inbound international students in India to make India a preferred hub for foreign students and also to improve the research ecosystem of India.

The World Class Institutions scheme has been launched in the year 2017 under which the private  educational  institutions  granted  the  status  of  'Institution  of  Eminence  Deemed  to  be University' are allowed to start new off-shore campuses with the prior approval of the Ministry of  Education after receiving No objection certificate from the Ministry of External affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs. To  facilitate  Internationalization  of  Higher  Education  in  India,  the Study  in  India programme was launched on 18.04.2018. Students from all over the world can apply under this  flagship  programme  and  the  focus  is  on  45  target  countries  across  South-East  Asia, Middle East and Africa. Five gulf countries, viz. Oman, Iraq, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, are amongst the countries being focused upon. Out of these 5 countries, four are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council. University  Grants  Commission  has  also  brought  out  guidelines  for

Further, the Internationalisation of Higher Education in India.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2132 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-02
Subject: Production of TMT Bars
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: P. Ravindhranath

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2132

FOR ANSWER ON 02/08/2021

## PRODUCTION OF TMT BARS

2132.  SHRI P RAVINDHRANATH:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  sustain  the  Steel  Industry  in  the light of the lockdown, followed by the Covid-19 pandemic situation ;
- (b) whether there is any proposal to grant fiscal and other relief to those domestic manufactures of Thermo Mechanically Treated (TMT) bars, particularly used in the construction sector, towards controlling its recent huge upswing in prices; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## THE MINISTER OF STEEL

## ANSWER

(SHRI RAM CHANDRA PRASAD SINGH)

- (a) The steps taken by the Government include the following:-
- (i) Ministry  of  Steel  requested  all  Chief  Secretaries  of  the  State  Governments, vide D.O Letter dated 24.03.2020, not to impose restriction on the operation of the steel plants (both ISPs as well as secondary steel).
- (ii) The  issues  raised  by  the  stakeholders  in  their  meetings  during  April-May, 2020, were taken up with different Ministries like Ministry of Coal, Department of Commerce, Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Mines, Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Changes and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
- (iii) Some of  the  issues  raised  by  the  steel  sector  were  addressed  through  the Government initiatives like reduction of tax burden for vulnerable firms such as SMEs, relaxation  of  NPA  norms,  waiver  of  fixed  charges  such  as  electricity charges for small business, extension of validity of licenses/approval/NOC for 6  months  to  ensure  sustained  operations,  deferred  payment  of  mining  dues including royalty, GST credit/rebate for salary paid during lockdown, ASIC/EPF payment relaxation etc.
- (iv) Announcements  of  Schemes  like  National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), Housing for all,  Jal  Jeevan  Mission,  Bharatmala  Project,  Sagarmala  Project, Construction of dedicated freight corridor and UDAN initiative etc. which  will lead to additional demand in coming years.
- (v) In  the  budget  announcement  for  FY  2021-22,  custom  duty  on  scrap  and CRGO has been reduced which will further benefit the steel sector  including secondary steel plants.
- (vi) Government has approved inclusion of 'Specialty Steel' under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme with a 5-year financial outlay of ₹ 6322 Crore to  promote  the  manufacturing  of  'Specialty  Steel'  within  the  country  by attracting capital investment and promote technology up-gradation in the steel sector.

(b)&(c):  Steel  is  a  deregulated  sector  where  prices  are  a  function  of  global  market conditions, trends in price of raw materials, logistics cost, power and fuel cost etc. In the Union Budget 2021-22, import duty on steel scrap (previously at 2.5%) has been exempted for a period up to 31 st March, 2022.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2131 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-02
Subject: Quality of Middle and High Level Education in Bihar
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Alok Kumar Suman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2131

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2021

## QUALITY OF MIDDLE AND HIGH LEVEL EDUCATION IN BIHAR

## 2131.   DR. ALOK KUMAR SUMAN:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the scheme of Eklavya Model Residential Schools was introduced to provide quality middle and high-level education to Scheduled Tribe students in remote areas including in Bihar and; (b) if so, the details thereon and number of schools sanctioned to Bihar?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SMTI RENUKA SINGH SARUTA):

(a) & (b):  In order to provide quality education to tribal students in their own environment, a separate Central Sector scheme was carved out in 2018 to improve the geographical outreach of Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) to every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons (as per census 2011).  Prior to 2018, 288 EMRSs were sanctioned under 275(1) of constitution, where  in  grants  are  given  to  States  by  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs.   Under  the  revamped  scheme, 452  blocks have been identified for establishment of EMRS schools.  A total of 740 EMRSs (288+ 452) schools  would   be  sanctioned  by   2022  based  on  provision  of  suitable  land  by  the  States.  For establishment of EMRSs, construction cost of Rs. 20.00 crore per school with an additional 20% for schools in North East, hilly areas, difficult areas and areas affected by Left Wing Extremism is released by the Ministry.

Each EMRS will have 480 students including 240 boys and 240 girls, studying in class VI to XII. An amount of Rs.1.09 lakhs per student per annum is released to meet the recurring expenditure on these students including food, uniform, books etc.

As on date,  632 EMRSs have been sanctioned, which include 288 under the old scheme and 344 in the new scheme. Three EMRSs have been sanctioned for the State of Bihar as per details given below:

| District        | Block/Taluka   | Village/Habitation   | Whether functional/ non-functional   |
|-----------------|----------------|----------------------|--------------------------------------|
| West Champaran  | Gaunaha        | Belsandi             | Non-functional                       |
| Jamui           | Jhajha         | Jhajha               | Non-functional                       |
| Kaimur(Bhabhua) | Adhaura        | Kham Khurd           | Non-functional                       |

National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) as an autonomous body under the Ministry has been setup to provide overall support and policy directions to the schools in order to bring uniformity in the administration of the schools. The State/UT EMRS Societies at the State/UT level have been set up for day-to-day management of the schools. There are total 367 functional EMRSs across the country with around 85,232 students currently enrolled.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2129 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-02
Subject: Disbursement of Funds
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Aparupa  Poddar, Vincent H Pala, Mohammad Jawed, Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, Hibi Eden, T.N. Prathapan, Kani K. Navas

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2129 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2021

## Disbursement of Funds

2129. SHRIMATI APARUPA PODDAR:

SHRI VINCENT H. PALA: DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED: SHRI SAPTAGIRI SANKAR ULAKA: SHRI HIBI EDEN: SHRI T.N. PRATHAPAN: SHRI K. NAVASKANI:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  an  audit  has  been  conducted  on  the  disbursement  of  funds  under  the  various schemes introduced to facilitate online learning;
- (b) if  so,  the  details thereof and the details of disbursement and utilisation of funds, from the date  of  implementation  of  said  schemes  till  May,  2021,  State-wise  for  the  following schemes-
- i. SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds),
- ii. DIKSHA,
- iii. e-PG Pathshala,
- iv. National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL),
- v. Virtual Labs
- vi. E-ShodhSindhu,
- vii. National Digital Library of India (NDLI)
- viii. Swayam Prabha; and
- (c)   if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a) to (c) Yes Sir, the funds are disbursed under these schemes based on progress, utilization certificates and after due diligence. The details of releases/ expenditure of funds, are as under:

| Scheme/ Project Name                                            | Details of Funds released/expenditure (Rs. in Cr.)   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|
| SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) | 459.97                                               |
| DIKSHA                                                          | 10.61                                                |
| e-PG Pathshala                                                  | 60.00                                                |
| National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL)      | 263.28*                                              |
| Virtual Labs                                                    | 154.76                                               |
| E-ShodhSindhu                                                   | 1129.96                                              |
| National Digital Library of India (NDLI)                        | 62.15                                                |
| Swayam Prabha                                                   | 175.86                                               |

Utilization of funds is ascertained from utilization certificate submitted by the concerned Project Coordinator/ National Coordinator.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2124 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-02
Subject: Central Taxes on Petroleum Products
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: S.R. Parthiban

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2124

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 02 ND  AUGUST, 2021

## Central Taxes on Petroleum Products

## 2124. SHRI PARTHIBAN S.R.:

## isVªksfy;e vkSj izkÑfrd xSl ea=h

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

- (a) the number of times central tax was increased on petroleum products such as petrol, diesel and LPG during January 2019 to January 2021;
- (b)  the  amount  of  tax  being  collected  from  petrol  and  diesel  per  litre  as  a  result  of  frequent increase in taxes on petroleum products; and
- (c) whether there is any mechanism for assessing the impact of increase in prices of petrol and diesel on general public?

## ANSWER

isVªksfy;e vkSj izkÑfrd xSl ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h

( ी रामेवर तेल )

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

- (a) & (b): The central taxes on petrol and diesel have been increased three times during the period January 2019 to January 2021. There has been no increase in central tax on LPG during the same period.

The amount of tax being collected from petrol and diesel (at Delhi) per litre as on 28.07.2021 is given below:

| Elements    | Unit   |   Petrol |   Diesel |
|-------------|--------|----------|----------|
| Excise Duty | Rs/Ltr |     32.9 |    31.8  |
| VAT         | Rs/Ltr |     23.5 |    13.14 |

(c): The  impact  of  increase  in  prices  of  petrol  and  diesel  can  be  seen  in  their  impact  on inflationary  trends  measured  by  Wholesale  Price  Index  (WPI).  The  weightage  of  petrol  and diesel in the WPI index is 1.60% and 3.10% respectively.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2118 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-02
Subject: LPG Connections under PMUY
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Shyam Yadav Singh

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2118 TO BE ANSWERED ON  2 nd  AUGUST, 2021

LPG Connections under PMUY

2118. SHRI SHYAM SINGH YADAV:

पेोलयम एवं ाक ृतक गैस मंी Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  total  number  of  households  that  have  been  provided  LPG  connections  under Ujjwala Scheme so far; and
- (b) the steps taken by the Government to increase the speed of the scheme in Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh; and
- (c) the time by which the Government intends to provide all rural households in Jaunpur district with LPG connections?

## ANSWER पेोलयम एवं ाक ृतक गैस मंालय म राय मंी ी रामेवर तेल MINISTER OF STATE IN MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS

( ) (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

(a)  to  (c)  Oil  Marketing  Companies(OMCs)  have  released  about  8  crore  LPG connections  under  Pradhan  Mantri  Ujjwala  Yojana(PMUY)  including  3.05  Lakh  in Jaunpur District of Uttar Pradesh. Further, Hon'ble Finance Minister, during her budget speech  on  1st  February,  2021,  has  announced  to  provide  1  crore  more  LPG connections  under  PMUY  in  addition  to  8  crore  LPG  connections  already  released. Jaunpur district is also covered under these additional connections as per norms. Those households  which  are  not  eligible  under  Ujjwala  can  get  LPG  connection  under  the normal provisions.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2115 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-02
Subject: Government and Private Colleges in Rajasthan
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Rahul Kaswan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.2115 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2021

## Government and Private Colleges in Rajasthan

## †2115. SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of Government and Private Colleges functional in Rajasthan;
- (b) the number of Private Colleges receiving Grants from University Grants Commission;
- (c) the reasons for providing grants to private colleges; and
- (d)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  encourage  quality  education  in  private  and Government Colleges?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a): As per All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) Report 2019-20, the number of Government and Private Colleges functional in Rajasthan are 668 and 2433 respectively.

(b)  &  (c):  The  Private-self-financing  colleges  presently  do  not  receive  any  development grants from the University Grants Commission (UGC) and they are eligible to receive the grants-in-aid only in teacher and student centric schemes if recognized by the UGC under section 2(f) and 12B of the UGC Act, 1956. The number of private colleges in Rajasthan which have received grants in these schemes during XII Plan are 37.

(d):  The  UGC  is  committed  to  constant  improvement  of  the  quality  of  higher  education and defining excellence in the process of teaching, learning and research. The initiatives taken  by  UGC  under  quality  and  excellence  are  Deeksharambh,  Learning  Outcome based Curriculum Framework (LOCF) in 37 subjects, Curriculum on Life Skills (Jeevan Kaushal), Social and Industry Connect, Evaluation Reforms  in Higher Education Institutions in India, Student Career Progression and Alumni Network, Faculty Induction Programme  (FIP),  Consortium  for  Academic  and  Research  Ethics  (CARE),  Good Academic Research Practices (GARP) and Paramarsh.

In order  to ensure  that  the  quality of  higher  education  is  sustained  and  further streamlined, UGC has notified various regulations which are mandatory for compliance to every institution of higher education across the country.

******