opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1977 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-19
Subject: Foreign Investment Opportunities
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Rakesh Singh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1977

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2022

## FOREIGN INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES 1977, SHRI RAKESH SINGH

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

- (a) whether  the  foreign  investment  opportunities  has  improved  in  the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the country's current deficit will come down due to increased foreign investment opportunities and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  other  corrective  measures  need  to  be  taken  by  the Government to control the deficit; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes Sir, the total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow in the country increased from USD 81,973 million in FY21 to USD 84,835 million in FY22, reflecting increased foreign investment opportunities in the country. To promote FDI the Government has put  in  place  an  investor-friendly  policy,  wherein  most  sectors,  except  certain strategically important sectors, are open for 100% FDI under the automatic route. The Government of India  reviews  the  FDI  Policy  on  regular  basis  to  ensure  that  India remains attractive and investor friendly destination.
- (b), (c) & (d) FDI inflows finance the Current Account Deficit (CAD). The size of India's Current Account Deficit depends on several factors including exports, imports, price of crude oil among others. CAD comes down with improvement in net trade balances, increase in remittances and higher returns on investment abroad.

Government is carefully monitoring the CAD and early in the current financial year had increased customs duty on gold from 10.75% to 15% to restrain gold imports that is likely to reduce CAD. Further, RBI also announced a series of measures to increase foreign exchange inflows to finance Current Account Deficit.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1976 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-19
Subject: Study on Cultural and Religious Practices of Tribals
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1976

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.12.2022

## STUDY ON CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS PRACTICES OF TRIBALS

## †1976. SHRI JASWANT SINGH BHABHOR:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any study has been conducted to understand the unique cultural and religious practices followed by various tribal populations across the country;
- (b) the details of the geographical areas where such study was conducted;
- (c) the present status of the study along with the details of the time limit stipulated for completion of the study; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a) & (b) : Study on various tribal populations' unique cultural and religious practices have been conducted by the Anthropological Survey of India, a Subordinate Office under the Ministry of Culture, under the following four national projects :
- (i) All India Material Culture Survey,
- (ii) Contemporary Indian Tribal Ethnographic,
- (iii) People of India (POI); and
- (iv) Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)

Besides the above, the Anthropological Survey of India undertook a Research Study of 275 Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-nomadic communities spreading across the country, in which their unique cultural practices have also been covered.

These projects covered all the States across the country.

- (c)  &  (d)  :  The  above  mentioned  projects  have  already  been  completed  and  60  monographs pertaining to above study have already been  published.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1975 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-19
Subject: Proceedings under SARFAESI Act
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Dean Kuriakose

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1975

TO BE ANSWERED ON Monday, December 19, 2022/ Agrahayana  28  1944 (Saka)

## Proceedings under SARFAESI Act

## 1975. ADV.DEAN KURIAKOSE:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has the details of proceedings initiated under SARFAESI Act, 2022 in the last five years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State wise;
- (c) whether the Government will consider giving immediate interim relief to borrowers who are affected by the proceedings under SARFAESI Act, 2002;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government will consider repealing the SARFAESI Act, 2022, considering the amount of distress that it has caused to the borrowers; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance (Dr. Bhagwat Karad)

- a) & (b) Reserve Bank of India has informed that the information regarding the State wise details of proceedings initiated under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act is not maintained by RBI. However, as per Report on Trends and Progress of Banking, published by RBI for the year 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-2019, 2019-20 and 2020-21, the number of cases referred by Scheduled Commercial Banks under SARFAESI Act, for the FY 2016-17, 2017-18, 201819, 2019-20  and  2020-21  are  1,99,352, 91,330, 2,35,437,  1,05,523  and  57,331 (provisional), respectively.
2. (c)  &  (d)  The  Central  Government  administers  the  Securitisation  and  Reconstruction  of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (SARFAESI Act) which allows banks and financial institutions to recover their dues exceeding one lakh rupees by proceeding under the provisions of the SARFAESI Act. Under Section 17 of SARFAESI Act, any person (including borrower) aggrieved by any of the measures as referred to in

sub section (4) of Section 13 of the SARFAESI Act, taken by secured creditor may make an application to the Debts Recovery Tribunal having jurisdiction in the matter within fortyfive days from the date on which such measures had been taken. It is further mentioned that under Section 18 of the SARFAESI Act, any person aggrieved by any order made by the  Debts  Recovery  Tribunal  under  section  17,  may  prefer  an  appeal  to  an  Appellate Tribunal within thirty days from the date of receipt of the order of Debts Recovery Tribunal.

(e) & (f).   There is no such proposal.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1974 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-19
Subject: Scheme for Tribal Forest Areas
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Vivek Narayan Shejwalkar

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-† 1974

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 19/12/2022

## SCHEME FOR TRIBAL FOREST AREAS

## †1974. SHRI VIVEK NARAYAN SHEJWALKAR:

Will the Minister of Tribal Affairs be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the schemes being run for the youth living in the tribal forest areas for earning along with education;
- (b) the details of the scheme is being run in the tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh; and
- (c) the number of youth benefited from the scheme?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  is  implementing  the  scheme  of  Pradhan  Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) under which financial support for procurement of notified Minor Forest Produce (MFP) at Minimum Support Price (MSP) is provided to the State Governments for safeguarding the livelihood of STs in general including the youth. Under the scheme, around Rs. 319 crores have been released to various State Governments for procurements of MFPs since 2013-14.

- (b) & (c): Some schemes being run in the tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh, as informed by the Government of Madhya Pradesh are as follows:
1. Bhagwan Birsa Munda Swarojgar Yojna: Under this scheme the eligible tribal youths  are  financed  from  Rs.  01.00  to  50.00  lakh  bank  loan  for  their  self employment.  The  govt.  provides  5%  quarterly  interest  subvention  &  loan guarantee. The number of beneficiaries under the scheme during 2020-21 and 2021-22 is 201.
2. Tantya  Mama  Arthik  Kalyan  Yojna:  Under  this  scheme  the  eligible  tribal youths  are  financed  from  Rs.  10000  to  100000  lac  bank  loan  for  their  self employment.  The  govt.  provides  7%  quarterly  interest  subvention  &  loan guarantee. The number of beneficiaries under the scheme during 2020-21 and 2021-22 is 169.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1973 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-19
Subject: Commission to Insurance Agent
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Hibi Eden

## 1973. SHRI HIBI EDEN:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry is handing over the information from regulatory authorities such as IRDA directly to the Minister's office without cross-checking the information provided on it;
- (b) whether the Government admits that a factual mistake has happened in the answer file which contained information/facts submitted to answer an unstarred question number 3628 dated 08-08-2022;
- (c) whether  the  Government  will  initiate  steps  against  the  officials  of  IRDA,  who  wrongly informed that no complaints were received regarding the 'cut and pay' system;
- (d) whether the Government has noticed that the insurance regulator in an order dated 10 June 2020, fined one of the companies for violation of third party premium norms and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether the Ministry is aware that misrepresentation of facts in favour of private insurance companies happened in the above-said answer and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): The response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3628 dated 08.08.2022 regarding 'Commission  to  Insurance  Agents'  was  framed  based  on  inputs  received  from  Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) as the matter relates to IRDAI and is governed as per para 17(b) and para 21 of 'Guidelines on Product Filing Procedures for General Insurance Products' dated 18.02.2016, issued under the provisions of Section 14 (2) (i) of the IRDA Act, 1999.

In this regard, IRDAI has informed that they had received a complaint dated 08.06.2018 from individual agents of one of PSU General Insurers regarding allegations of offering cash back by a private general insurer to educational institution vehicles third party insurance in premium tariff, violating the guidelines fixed by IRDAI.

On examination of the complaint by IRDAI, it was found that discount was offered on 'Own Damage(OD)' component of the policy and not on 'Third Party Liability Premium', as alleged in the complaint.

On consideration of the complaint, IRDAI, in exercise of its powers under Section 102 of the Insurance  Act,  1938,  issued  Order  dated  10.06.2020,  imposing  penalty  on  the  insurer  on violation of Product Filing Guidelines on the 'Own Damage' portion of the premium which was outside the range of discount/rates filed by the insurer with the IRDAI and not for violation of 'Third Party' premium norms.

*****

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1973

ANSWERED ON - 19.12.2022

## COMMISSION TO INSURANCE AGENT
Lok Sabha Question No. 1970 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-19
Subject: Health Insurance Facilities
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: T.N. Prathapan, Kirit Premjibhai Solanki

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1970

ANSWERED ON - 19.12.2022

## HEALTH INSURANCE FACILITIES

1970. SHRI T.N. PRATHAPAN: DR. (PROF.) KIRIT PREMJIBHAI SOLANKI:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  as  per  the  Insurance  Regulatory  and  Development  Authority  of  India  (IRDAI), insurers  are  allowed  to  choose  new-age  healthcare  service  providers  for  expanding cashless facilities in the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  introducing  a  cashless  insurance  facility  for patients  availing  services  from  new-age  healthcare  service  providers,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (c) whether IRDAI has asked insurers to ensure easy availability of health insurance coverage to patients seeking healthcare services from new age healthcare service providers and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to facilitate the integration of newage healthcare service providers with the existing insurance networks, thereby increasing the coverage of health insurance to all people?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has informed that there are no provisions as such relating to 'new-age healthcare service providers' in the IRDAI Health Insurance Regulations as well as Guidelines.

However,  the  existing  health  insurance  regulatory  framework  allows  insurers  to  provide cashless services to the policyholders through network providers (hospitals) under a written agreement with the insurer, where there is either a direct arrangement, or by way of a tripartite agreement amongst (i) Health Services Provider, (ii) the Third-Party Administrator (TPA) and (iii) the insurer, where the service is offered through a TPA. IRDAI has further stated that the health insurance framework takes cognizance of new and alternative methods of treatment offered by healthcare providers and insurers are constantly encouraged to expand cashless services and empanel more healthcare providers (hospitals) in their network.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1967 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-19
Subject: Vacancies in SFIO
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: Goddeti Madhavi, Talari Rangaiah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1967

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 19 th  DECEMBER, 2022

AGRAHAYANA 28, 1944 (SAKA)

## VACANCIES IN SFIO QUESTION

1967. SHRIMATI GODDETI MADHAVI : DR. TALARI RANGAIAH:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS कारपोरेट कार्य मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a)    the  number  of  sanctioned  post  and  vacancies  in  the  Serious  Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) at present;
- (b)    the total number of cases pending before the SFIO at present;
- (c)    whether the large number of vacancies has affected the functioning of SFIO and increased pendency of cases; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the corrective steps taken by the Government to address  the problem?

## 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) At present, total sanctioned posts are 238. Out of which, 88 posts are filled and 150 posts are vacant.

(b) to (d): At present, there are 92 cases under investigation by the different units of SFIO across the country.  These are cases of serious and complex fraud which require  thorough  and  in-depth  investigation  including  data  gathering  from different agencies and across different companies.  Efforts are continuously made by the SFIO to complete investigations in a time bound manner.

Out of 238 sanctioned strength, 105 additional posts have been recently approved by the Government in February 2021.  A large number of posts are meant to be filled up on deputation basis which are usually conducted through Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This whole process takes some time and efforts are continuously made to fill up these posts in close coordination with UPSC.

- ******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1965 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-19
Subject: Increase in Minimum Pension under EPF
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Chinta Anuradha

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1965 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.12.2022

## INCREASE IN MINIMUM PENSION UNDER EPF

1965.  SHRIMATI CHINTA ANURADHA:

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

- (a)whether  it  is  true  that  the  Parliamentary  Standing  Committee  on
- Labour has recommended increase in minimum pension under EPF;
- (b)whether  the  Government  had  any  discussion  in  regard  with  the Finance Ministry and other stakeholders; and
- (c)whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  increase  such minimum pension and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): Yes,  Sir.  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  Employees'  Pension  Scheme  (EPS),  1995  by providing  budgetary support, which was in addition to the budgetary support of 1.16% of wages  provided annually towards EPS to Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1962 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-19
Subject: Employment in Foreign Countries
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: Mohan Mandavi, Sunil Kumar Soni, Arun Sao, Sanjay Seth

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1962

ANSWERED ON 19.12.2022

## EMPLOYMENT IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES

† 1962 SHRI MOHAN MANDAVI: SHRI ARUN SAO:

SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SONI: SHRI SANJAY SETH:

Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:

a. whether  the  Government  is  working  on  any  scheme  to  provide  employment  to  the skilled workers abroad;

- b. if so, the details thereof;
- c. the names of the countries identified by the Government for this purpose; and
- d. the estimated number of skilled workers likely to be provided with employment abroad in next five years?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

## (SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR)

- (a)  &  (b)  Sir,  with  the  vision  of  facilitating  gainful  employment  for  the  country's  youth, leveraging the positive demographic dividend, and seizing the opportunity to cater to the evergrowing global skilled workforce requirement, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship  (MSDE)  has  envisioned  'Skill  India  International  (SII)'.   Under  the  SII,  two Skill India International Centers have been setup one at Varanasi and the other one at SDI, Bhubaneswar.  SII  is  aiming  to enhance  global  career  mobility  opportunities  for  aspiring candidates in an international benchmarked quality skills ecosystem.
- (c) Sir, in order to ascertain focus countries on the basis of skilled man force requirements, a study has been conducted by NSDC-International for the following 16 countries: Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Germany, Japan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Romania, Singapore, Sweden, United States of America, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.

Further, MSDE along with Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) and Ministry of Education (MoE) jointly organized the 1 st  Virtual Global Skills Summit  on  15 th   of  November  2022  with  the  Indian  Ambassadors/High  Commissioners representing  Indian  Missions  of  ten  countries,  namely  Australia,  France,  Germany,  Japan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.  In the summit  the  way  forward  to  position  India  as  a  Skill  Hub  of  the  world  by  leveraging  its demographic advantage and vibrant skill ecosystem was discussed.

- (d) Sir, it is the constant endeavor of MSDE that gainful employment of Youth of the country is  facilitated  by  strengthening  the  supply  structures  and engagement with nations where the skilled  workforce  requirement  could  be  gainfully  leveraged.  However,  so  far  MSDE  has  not conducted any study to estimate or make projections about the number of skilled workers likely to be provided with employment aboard.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1961 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-19
Subject: Violation of Labour Laws in Shahjahanpur Uttar Pradesh
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Arun Kumar Sagar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1961 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.12.2022

VIOLATION OF LABOUR LAWS IN SHAHJAHANPUR, UTTAR PRADESH

†1961. SHRI ARUN KUMAR SAGAR:

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

- (a)whether the Government is aware that the private enterprises and company owners are mentally exploring and harassing the labours by violating the labour laws in Shahjahanpur Constituency of Uttar Pradesh;
- (b)if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)the steps taken or proposed to be taken in this regard till date?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): Labour being under the Concurrent List, the enforcement of labour  laws  is  done  by  the  State  Governments  and  the  Central Government  in  their  respective  jurisdictions.  While  in  the  Central Sphere,  the  enforcement  is  done  through  the  Inspecting  Officers  of Central  Industrial  Relations  Machinery,  the  compliance  in  the  State Sphere is ensured through the State Labour Enforcement Machinery.

As per the information received from the State Government of  Uttar  Pradesh,  no  such  incidence  regarding  the  exploitation  and harassment of labours by the private enterprises and company owners in Shahjahapur Constituency of Uttar Pradesh has been reported.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1960 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-19
Subject: ITI and Diploma Holding Unemployed Youths
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Jugal Kishore Sharma, Geeta Kora

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1960 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 TH  DECEMBER, 2022

## ITI AND DIPLOMA HOLDING UNEMPLOYED YOUTHS

1960. SHRI JUGAL KISHORE SHARMA: SHRIMATI GEETA KORA:

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

- (a)  whether the Government has made any plan for the unemployed youths holding ITI and diploma under Make in India programme in the Jammu and Kashmir;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)   whether the Government has any plan to provide low cost training to the unemployed youth; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  &  (b):  'Make  in  India'  is  an  initiative  to  facilitate  investment,  foster innovation,  build  best  in  class  infrastructure,  and  make  India  a  hub  for manufacturing, design, and innovation.  The 'Make in India' initiative is not a state/district/city/area  specific  initiative,  rather  it  is  being  implemented  all over the country.
- (c) & (d): Under Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS), 14,953 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) are functioning in the country with total seating capacity of 25,82,271 out of which 50  ITIs are functioning in Jammu & Kashmir with a seating capacity of 10,900.

*****