opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5295 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-05
Subject: Local Self Government Institutions in Kerala
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Rajmohan Unnithan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5295 ANSWERED ON 05.04.2022

## LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS IN KERALA

## 5295. SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- (a) whether as per Government Order and draft rules, the Kerala Government has initiated the  process  of  fintegrating  the  Commissionarate  of  Rural  Development  Department (CRD)/MGNREGA/DRDA (PAU) with  the  Local  Self  Government  Institutions  of Kerala  when  such  line  departments  are  abolished  and/or  form  part  of  a  new Department/LSGD, the functional nature and priorities may change accordingly, if so, whether the objectives of these Central schems may be derailed by the civic bodies with variant political motives and priorities;
- (b) whether the Government has noticed that there is concern over whether central funds will be affected as the Line Departments will be abolished as part of the Panchayati Raj Integration initiative in Kerala;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any study and investigation or consequences of this State Government policy and if so, the details of outcome of the report; and
- (d) the details of suggestions/solutions to be given to the State Government on this issue?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ

## (SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL)

(a) to (d) As per the information furnished by the State Government of Kerala, the State and District  Level administrative offices have been integrated only for functional purposes and there is no change in the institutions of local self government. Their functions will continue as they  do  at  present.  The  State  Government  has  also  intimated  that  no  department  has  been abolished. So, there is no reason for any concern over the receipt of expenditure of Central funds and implementation of Central schemes.
Lok Sabha Question No. 5293 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-05
Subject: Inclusion of New Work and Manpower in MGNREGS
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Ganesh Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5293

ANSWERED ON 05/04/2022

## INCLUSION OF NEW WORK AND MANPOWER IN MGNREGS

## 5293.   SHRI GANESH SINGH:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken measures to include new works and manpower in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme(MGNREGS) from time to time;
- (b) if so, the steps taken to check the crop damage caused by stray animals to the farmers in the country;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to increase the capacity of sheds that have 100 bovine presently and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to cover large cow sanctuaries and open areas, if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether provision will be made in MGNREGS to set up a fodder and straw bank and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether the Government is aware that the scheme of setting up a fodder and straw bank will be very beneficial in preventing the farmers who burn stubble which has an adverse effect on the environment and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a)  &  (b):      Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Scheme  (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS) is a demand driven wage employment programme. The core objective of the Scheme  is  to  provide  not  less  than  100  days  of  unskilled  manual  work  as  a  guaranteed employment in a financial year to every household in rural areas as per demand, resulting in creation of productive assets of prescribed quality and durability.

As  per  Schedule  -I  of  the  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Act (Mahatma Gandhi NREGA), "works which are non-tangible, not measurable, repetitive such as, removing grass, pebbles, agricultural operations, shall not be taken up".

There are 262 permissible works under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA. Adding new works under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS is a regular exercise and new works are added on the basis of merit in alignment with focus and objectives of the Act.

- (c) Construction of cattle shelter on community or individual land is permissible activity under the Scheme.
- (d) to (f) No, Sir. As per the provisions of the Act, such activities are not permissible.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5292 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-05
Subject: Reservation in Private jobs
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Andimuthu Raja

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5292 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2022

## RESERVATION IN PRIVATE JOBS

## 5292. SHRI A. RAJA:

Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government would a model legislation to provide for reservation for local youth in private sector jobs at the non-executive level; bring
- (6) if s0, the details thereof and the time by which it is likely to be done;
- (c the number of States where this provision is existing; and
- d the  manner in which the Government ensure that local residents are given preference in private sector employment especially when land and other resources are taken away from the local residents?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI A. NARAYANASWAMY)

- (a), (b) & (d): There is no such proposal with the Government;
- (c) No such information is maintained in the Department

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5291 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-05
Subject: Appointment Criteria in Primary Cooperative Banks
Ministry: COOPERATION
Asked by: Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COOPERATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 5291

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05 TH  APRIL, 2022

## APPOINTMENT CRITERIA IN PRIMARY COOPERATIVE BANKS

5291. SHRI LAVU KRISHNA DEVARAYALU:

Will the Minister of COOPERATION सहकारिता मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) the  circular  issued  in  June,  2021  by  the  RBI  on  appointment  criteria  in  primary urban cooperative banks;
- (b) whether the above circulars bars MPs, MLAs, Municipal Corporators from holding the  position  of  Managing  Director  or  whole-time  Director  of  urban  cooperative banks;
- (c) if so, the reasons therefor and whether it does not resort to proxy appointments and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether this would lead to the centralization of the cooperative sector and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF COOPERATION सहकारिता मंत्री (SHRI AMIT SHAH)

(a) to (d): The Reserve Bank of India under the powers conferred under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (as amended), vide Circular dated June 25, 2021 issued directions regarding  appointment  of  Managing  Director  (MD)  /  Whole-Time  Director  (WTD)  in Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks. Para 3.5 of the above Circular states that Member of Parliament or State Legislature or Municipal Corporation or Municipality or other local bodies are not eligible for appointment as Managing  Director/ Whole-Time Director in Urban Cooperative Banks. They cannot hold the post of a Managing Director / WholeTime Director in Urban Co-operative Banks as these posts are in the nature of full-time employment.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 459 (STARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: School Development Fund
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Deepak Baij

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

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.459 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2022

## SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT FUND

## † *459. SHRI DEEPAK BAIJ:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of amount charged from the guardians of the children studying in Kendriya Vidyalayas from class 1st to class 12th under various  heads  including  School  Development  Fund  (SDF)  during COVID-19 pandemic; (b) the details of the works carried out from the said amount charged under various heads during this period; (c) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  return  such  amount collected  under  various  heads  including  SDF  from  unemployed guardians of the students of Kendriya Vidyalayas; and (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

******

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 459 RAISED BY SHRI DEEPAK  BAIJ,  HON'BLE  MEMBER  OF  PARLIAMENT  TO  BE ANSWERED ON 04/04/2022 REGARDING SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT FUND. (a) & (b) Tuition Fees, Computer Fund and Vidyalaya Vikas Nidhi (VVN) are  standard  part  of  the  Kendriya  Vidyalaya  Sangathan  (KVS)  fee structure  and  charged  at  nominal  rate  from  the  students.  During pandemic also, the same fee structure was continued. However, some exemptions are provided to the specified categories of students of KVs for  payment  of  these  fees.  Exemption  of  various  types  of  fees  is  not allowed  to  the  children  of  Government  employees  (including  wards  of KVS  employees) as they are getting reimbursement of Children Education  Allowance  from  their  Departments.  Funds  collected  under VVN and computer fund are utilized for student welfare activities as well as upkeep of Vidyalaya, academic transactions and are essential for the developmental activities in the school.

(c) & (d) No such proposal is under consideration of the Government to return  the  amount  collected  under  various  heads  to  the  unemployed guardians of the students of KVs.

- ******
Lok Sabha Question No. 457 (STARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Survey on Blackbucks
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Rajiv Pratap Rudy

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 457

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2022

## Survey on Blackbucks

## *457. SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  survey  of  blackbucks  in  the country and if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
- (b) whether it is a fact that blackbucks have been causing huge damage to the crops across the country and if so, the details thereof along with the steps to curtail the losses caused by them;
- (c) whether  blackbucks  are  responsible  for  road  accidents  due  to  uncontrolled movement from rural to urban areas and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  formulated  a  policy  to  control  the  menace  of blackbucks and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV)

(a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

****

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a), (b),(c) AND (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*457REGARDING 'SURVEY ON BLACKBUCKS' BY SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY FOR REPLY ON 04.04.2022.

- (a) Census of tigers and elephants is undertaken at the national level. However, census of  other  wild  animals  is  undertaken  at  the  State  level  by  the  respective  State Governments/Union Territory Administrations periodically. The Ministry does not collate the details of population of blackbucks in the country.
- (b) Management of wildlife and its habitat is primarily the responsibility of concerned States/Union Territories. The Ministry provides financial assistance to States/Union Territories under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of 'Development of  Wildlife  Habitats'  for  conservation  of  wildlife  and  its  habitats.  This  also includes  assistance  for  management  of  human  wildlife  conflict  situations,  and activities like habitat enrichment, water augmentation, solar fencing, animal proof trenches around forest, water augmentation, fodder plantations, awareness generation, etc.

The  reports  received  in  the  Ministry  from  the  States  do  not  indicate  that blackbucks have been causing huge damage to the crops across the country.

- (c) Details  of  cases  of  road  accidents  due  to  blackbucks  are  not  collated  in  the Ministry.
- (d) The  Ministry  has  issued  an  Advisory  to  the  States/Union  Territories  on  6 th February 2021 to deal with Human wildlife conflict. The Advisory recommends coordinated interdepartmental action, identification of conflict hot spots, adherence  to  Standard  Operating  Procedures,  establishment  of  rapid  response teams, formation of State and District level committees to review the quantum of ex-gratia relief, issuing guidance/instructions for expedited payments etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 451 (STARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Waiving off Educational Loans
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Vijayakumar (alias) Vijay Vasanth, Ravneet Singh

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *451 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 04 th  APRIL, 2022, CHAITRA 14, 1944 (SAKA) Waiving off Educational Loans

## *451. SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR (ALIAS) VIJAY VASANTH:

SHR

I RAVNEET SINGH BITTU:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a large number of students returning from Ukraine have availed of education loan from India;

- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Government  has  any  data  of  such  loans  sanctioned  to  the  students returning from Ukraine and if so, the details thereof;

- (c) whether the Government has made any assessment regarding the impact of this crisis on the returnee students and if so, the details thereof;

- (d) whether the Government has any proposal to waive off the loans of the returnee students from the war torn Ukraine or further to reduce the rate of interest or to extend the tenure for such borrowers; and

- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

FINANCE MINISTER (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

******

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (A) TO (E) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NUMBER *451 FOR 04 th  APRIL, 2022 REGARDING WAIVING OFF EDUCATIONAL LOANS BY SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR (ALIAS) VIJAY VASANTH ADN SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, around 22,500 Indian nationals, mostly students, have returned from Ukraine to India safely since 1 st February 2022. Government provided all possible assistance in terms of shelter, food and medical attention where required, to displaced Indians who crossed over to the western neighbours of Ukraine, and they were eventually evacuated through flights operated under Operation Ganga. Welfare of Indians abroad, including students, is a top priority for the Government of India.

As per information received from public sector banks and, in respect of 21 private sector banks, from  the  Indian  Banks'  Association,  as  on  31 st December  2021,  1,319  students  had  availed  of education loan for study in Ukraine with outstanding balance of Rs. 121.61 crore.

The current situation is fluid and Government is closely monitoring developments. Implications of the  ongoing  conflict  can  be  assessed  and  remedial  steps  considered  only  once  the  situation  has stabilised. In the meantime, Government has decided to ask the Indian Banks' Association to assess the impact of the conflict on outstanding education loans of the returnee students and to initiate stakeholder consultations in this regard.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 442 (STARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: National Strategy for MICE
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Sanjeev Kumar Singari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *442 ANSWERED ON 04.04.2022

## NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR MICE

- *442.  DR. SANJEEV KUMAR SINGARI:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  adopt  a  national strategy for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) which is one of the important segments of business tourism;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  details  of  India's  share  of  Global  market  in  this  MICE segment of business tourism currently; and
- (d) the proportion of Indians going abroad or outbound for such tourism along with the details thereof?

## ANSWER

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

MINISTER OF TOURISM

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

**********

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*442 ANSWERED ON 04.04.2022 REGARDING NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR MICE

(a) & (b): Ministry of Tourism has drafted a National Strategy and Roadmap  for  MICE  Industry.    To  promote  the  growth  of  MICE industry  in  the  country  and  India  as  a  MICE  destination,  the following  strategic  interventions  have  been  identified  in  the  draft strategy document:

- (i). Institutional support for MICE
- (ii). Developing Eco-system for MICE
- (iii).  Enhance competitiveness of Indian MICE industry
- (iv). Enhance ease of doing business for MICE events
- (v). Marketing India as a MICE destination
- (vi). Skill development for MICE industry

(c): The Ministry  of  Tourism  had  commissioned  a  study on  'MICE Market in India and the Role of India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB) in Promoting MICE Tourism Products' through a professional agency in 2019. The Report has estimated 0.96% as India's share of the global MICE industry.

- (d): Data  on  outbound  MICE  tourism  is  not  being  maintained  by Ministry of Tourism.
- *******
Lok Sabha Question No. 441 (STARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: GST on Health Insurance
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Behanan Benny

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

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *441

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

## GST ON HEALTH INSURANCE

## *441.  SHRI BENNY BEHANAN: ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  intends  to  reduce  the  rate  of  Goods  and  Services Tax(GST)  applicable  on  health  insurance  or  to  exempt  it  from  GST,  given  the increased cost of health insurance coverage during the Covid-19 pandemic;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the rationale for an 18 per cent tax on health insurance on par with luxury items, when  a  majority  of  medical,  hospital  and  consulting  services  are  exempted  from GST?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF FINANCE SHRIMATI NIRMALA SITHARAMAN

- (a) to (c): A statement is placed on the Table of the House .

*****

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  THE  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION  NO.  441  RAISED  BY  SHRI  BENNY  BEHANAN  &  ADV  ADOOR PRAKASH FOR 04 TH  APRIL, 2022 ON GST ON HEALTH INSURANCE

(a)  and  (b): GST  rates  and  exemptions  on  all  services  (including  GST  on  health insurance premium) are prescribed on the recommendations of GST Council which is  a  constitutional  body  consisting  of  Union  Finance  Minister  and  Ministers  as nominated by respective State/Union Territory Governments. At present, Goods and Services Tax (GST) on health insurance services is levied at standard rate, i.e., 18 per cent. Specific health insurance schemes catering to the needs of economically weaker  sections  of  the  society  and  differently  abled,  such  as  Rashtriya  Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), Universal Health Insurance Scheme, Jan Argoya Bima Policy and Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme are fully exempt from GST.

(c): Health  insurance,  like  majority  of  other  taxable  supplies  is  standard  rated  at 18%.  In  pre-GST  regime  also,  health  insurance  was  standard  rated.  A  significant relief  in  GST  has  been  provided  by  way  of  exemption  to  above  stated  insurance schemes  catering  to  economically  weaker  sections  of  the  society  and  differently abled. Further, healthcare services are also exempt from GST. Representations to reduce the GST on health insurance were placed before the GST Council in its 31st meeting  held  on  22.12.2018  and  in  its  37th  meeting  held  on  20.09.2019.  GST Council did not make recommendation for reduction of GST.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 5287 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Training on Cyber Security
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Manickam Tagore B

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-5287

ANSWERED ON - 4.4.2022

## TRAINING ON CYBER SECURITY

## 5287. SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B.:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that according to experts there is a need for internet users to train themselves on the cyber security to ensure safe digital economy of the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has asked banks to make digital transactions more secured; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## (DR. BHAGWAT KARAD)

(a)  and  (b):  Reserve  Bank  of  India  (RBI)  has  initiated  various  measures  regarding  financial awareness and safe banking practices which include, inter  alia ,  focused campaigns on financial awareness, inclusion of  financial awareness content in the education curriculum of school students in coordination with the National Centre for Financial Education (NCFE), initiatives for creating customer awareness with respect to digital transactions frauds, multi-media campaign on safe digital banking aimed at building awareness on Unified Payments Interface, frauds and  Aadhaar Enabled Payment System.

All  these  campaigns are aired on Doordarshan  and All  India Radio, and in other national/local dailies to help in reaching the rural areas. These campaigns also form a part of the popular TV series 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', which is widely watched by public in rural areas.

- (c) and (d):  To make digital transactions more secure, card networks have been advised by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to ensure the following measures in respect of for all face-to-face / card present transactions performed using cards issued and acquired by banks in India:
- (i) PIN authentication should be mandatory for all transactions performed using credit, debit and prepaid cards.
- (ii)  While processing a magnetic stripe or Europay, MasterCard and Visa (EMV) Chip and PIN card,  fall  back  to  magnetic  stripe  option  shall  be  enabled  only  if  the  transaction  cannot  be completed as a chip-based transaction, i.e., ab initio processing of EMV chip and PIN-based cards on the basis of magnetic stripe data should not be done. Further, specific code for all such fall  back  transactions  shall  be  indicated  in  the  transaction  message  sent  to  the  issuer  and acquirer banks shall be liable for any loss to customers in case of failure to ensure adherence.

Further, all mobile banking transactions involving debit to the account is to be permitted only by validation through a two-factor authentication.

RBI has also issued Master Direction on Digital Payment Security Controls on 18.2.2021, wherein banks are advised to protect the integrity of data.

*****