opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1894 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-13
Subject: Hydro Electric Projects in Meghalaya
Ministry: DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
Asked by: Abhishek Banerjee

## Government of India Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1894

To be answered on

Monday, March 13, 2023/Phalguna 22, 1944 (Saka)

## QUESTION

## Hydro Electric Projects in Meghalaya

1894.  SHRI ABHISHEK BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of hydro electric projects currently in use in Meghalaya;
- (b) the  number  of  new  hydro  electric  projects  sanctioned  annually  during  the  last  five years in Meghalaya;
- (c) the  number  of  disasters,  accidents,  injuries  and  deaths  that  have  been  caused  by hydro electric projects in Meghalaya; and
- (d) the safeguards taken or likely to be taken to prevent sinking of towns in Meghalaya such as is happening in Joshimath?

## ANSWER

## The Minister of  the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region [Shri G. Kishan Reddy]

- (a) 05 large Hydro Electric Projects and 03 small Hydro Power Projects are installed in Meghalaya.
- (b) One large Hydro Electric Project has been concurred by Central Electricity Authority during the last five years in Meghalaya.
- (c) As  per  the  information  made  available  to  the  Ministry  of  Development  of  North Eastern Region, no such incident has been reported.
- (d) Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1891 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-13
Subject: Contractual Employees Working under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Ramdas Chandrabhanji Tadas

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1891 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 th  March, 2023

## Contractual Employees Working under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan

## †1891.   SHRI RAMDAS C. TADAS:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  salaries  of  contractual  employees  working  under  Samagra  Shiksha  Abhiyan (SSA) have not been increased since the last five years;
- (b) if so, the reasons for not increasing the salary of such employees working in Maharashtra;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  under  consideration  to  regularize  the  said employees; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

(SMT. ANNPURNA DEVI)

(a)  to  (d):  Ministry  of  Education  had  launched  Samagra  Shiksha  -  an  Integrated  Scheme  for School Education by subsuming the erstwhile Centrally Sponsored Schemes of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE) from 2018-19. The Samagra Shiksha scheme has now been aligned with the recommendations of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and has been continued for a period of five years with effect from 01.04.2021 to 31.03.2026.

The Framework of Samagra Shiksha provides that there will be no separate cadre of teachers sanctioned  by  the  Centre. From  2018-19  onwards,  as  per  norms  and  availability  of  fund, Samagra  Shiksha  provides  recurring  support  to  States  and  UTs  for  teachers/contractual employees as per the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP&B) of the States/UTs The AWP&B is finalized by the Project Approval Board (PAB) in consultation with the respective States/UTs. Moreover, Education is in the concurrent list of the Constitution, the service conditions, mode of recruitment,  rules  &  regulations  for  engagement  of  teachers,  cadre,  remuneration  and  other benefits of Samagra Shiksha teachers/employees either on contract basis or on regular basis lies within the domain of respective State/UT Govts.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1888 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-13
Subject: Tax Evasion by Insurance Companies
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Vellalath Kochukrishnan Nair. Sreekandan

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue

## LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION NO. 1888

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 13, 2023 Phalguna 22, 1944 (Saka)

## TAX EVASION BY INSURANCE COMPANIES

1888. SHRI V.K. SREEKANDAN:

Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  insurance  companies  are  under  scanner  for  rampant  tax  evasion  and  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (b)   whether the instances of tax evasion by insurance companies have come to the notice of the Government while investigating sixteen insurance companies for availing ineligible input tax  credits  amounting  to  Rs.824  crore  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reaction  of  the Government thereto?

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

- (a) Certain  cases  of evasion  of indirect taxes (GST and Service Tax) have been booked by CBIC  field  formations  against  various  insurance  companies.  Details  of  such  cases  booked during last five years are as under:

(Rs. In crore)

|   No. of cases |   Amount involved |   Amount recovered/released | Details                                                                                                                                 |
|----------------|-------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|            106 |            7581.8 |                     1347.17 | Cases involve evasion of Service Tax; Non- payment/short payment of GST under reverse charge mechanism ineligible Input Tax Credit etc. |

Whenever  any  instance  of  tax  evasion  comes  to  the notice,  the  Income  Tax Department takes appropriate action including conducting searches & surveys, assessment of income, levy & recovery of tax, imposition of penalty and launching of prosecution as per the provisions  of  the  Income  Tax  Act,  1961  against  such  tax  evader(s).  Such  actions  are undertaken in cases of assesses in various sectors, including the insurance sector.

- (b) The detection and investigation of tax evasions is an ongoing process and cases against insurance companies for evasion of taxes were detected even before the detection of cases of ineligible input tax credit by various insurance companies.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1882 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-13
Subject: Alleged Harassment by Income Tax Authorities
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Mahua Moitra

## (a) and (b):

The  relevant  provisions  are  in  Section  149  of  the  Income  tax  Act,  1961  which provides that a case beyond three years from the end of the relevant assessment year, can be reopened only when income that has escaped assessment amounts to or is likely to amount to rupees fifty lakh or more and is represented in any of the following three forms:

- (i)      an asset;
- (ii)     expenditure in respect of a transaction or in relation to an event or occasion; or
- (iii)    an entry or entries in the books of account.

Further,  in  the  regime  introduced  from  01.04.2021,  the  re-opening  of  a  case  is subject to the fulfilment of other statutory conditions of Sections 148, 148A and 151 of the Act which includes, the requirement of approval by higher authorities, provisions for conducting  inquiries  and  providing  an  opportunity  to  taxpayer  before  issuing  notice  of reassessment, etc.

Therefore, apprehension of harassment of taxpayers on this account is not correct.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1882 TH

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 13 MARCH, 2023 / PHALGUNA 22, 1944 (SAKA)

## 'ALLEGED HARASSMENT BY INCOME TAX AUTHORITIES'

1882. SHRIMATI MAHUA MOITRA

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  with  reference  to  part  (b)  of  starred  Question  No.  56  answered  on  6th  February, 2023, wherein the Government mentioned that under section 148 for search and seizure cases notices can now be issued beyond 3 years and upto 6 years from the end of the relevant assessment year only for cases wherein income chargeable to tax which has escaped assessment is likely to exceed rupees fifty lakh in the form of;
- (a) an asset; or
- (b) expenditure in respect of a transaction or in relation to an event or occasion; or
- (c)  an entry or entries in the books of account as against no such threshold in the earlier  regime,  whether  this  provision  is  only  for  assets  or  expenditure  or  entries which were not previously disclosed in the books of accounts provided to the Income tax authorities and if so, the details thereof and if not, whether this would otherwise result in massive harassment of all taxpayers, and
- (b) If so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)
Lok Sabha Question No. 1881 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-13
Subject: Tax Incentives for Agricultural Innovation
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Jual Oram

## (a) and (b):

The  relevant  provisions  are  in  Section  149  of  the  Income  tax  Act,  1961  which provides that a case beyond three years from the end of the relevant assessment year, can be reopened only when income that has escaped assessment amounts to or is likely to amount to rupees fifty lakh or more and is represented in any of the following three forms:

- (i)      an asset;
- (ii)     expenditure in respect of a transaction or in relation to an event or occasion; or
- (iii)    an entry or entries in the books of account.

Further,  in  the  regime  introduced  from  01.04.2021,  the  re-opening  of  a  case  is subject to the fulfilment of other statutory conditions of Sections 148, 148A and 151 of the Act which includes, the requirement of approval by higher authorities, provisions for conducting  inquiries  and  providing  an  opportunity  to  taxpayer  before  issuing  notice  of reassessment, etc.

Therefore, apprehension of harassment of taxpayers on this account is not correct.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1882 TH

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 13 MARCH, 2023 / PHALGUNA 22, 1944 (SAKA)

## 'ALLEGED HARASSMENT BY INCOME TAX AUTHORITIES'

1882. SHRIMATI MAHUA MOITRA

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  with  reference  to  part  (b)  of  starred  Question  No.  56  answered  on  6th  February, 2023, wherein the Government mentioned that under section 148 for search and seizure cases notices can now be issued beyond 3 years and upto 6 years from the end of the relevant assessment year only for cases wherein income chargeable to tax which has escaped assessment is likely to exceed rupees fifty lakh in the form of;
- (a) an asset; or
- (b) expenditure in respect of a transaction or in relation to an event or occasion; or
- (c)  an entry or entries in the books of account as against no such threshold in the earlier  regime,  whether  this  provision  is  only  for  assets  or  expenditure  or  entries which were not previously disclosed in the books of accounts provided to the Income tax authorities and if so, the details thereof and if not, whether this would otherwise result in massive harassment of all taxpayers, and
- (b) If so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)
Lok Sabha Question No. 1878 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-13
Subject: TDS Rate on EPF Withdrawals
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Jagdambika Pal, Vincent H Pala

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1878 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.03.2023

## TDS RATE ON EPF WITHDRAWALS

1878. SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL: SHRI VINCENT H. PALA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has reduced TDS rate on EPF withdrawals for the individuals in the Union  Budget  2023-24  ,  if  so,  the  details of benefits  of  pensioners  through such  step;
- (b) whether the membership of EPFO has increased rapidly during the last three years, if so, details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government has taken any steps to provide benefits to the pensioners under EPFO, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): In the Finance Bill, 2023, there is a proposal to reduce the Tax Deduction at Source (TDS) rate from 30 per cent. to 20 per cent. on taxable  portion  of  Employees'  Provident  Fund  withdrawal  on  nonPermanent Account Number (PAN) cases.
- (b):  The  membership  of  Employees'  Provident  Fund  Organisation (EPFO) has increased during the last three years as reflected below:

| Year                      | Membership   |
|---------------------------|--------------|
| 2021-22 (As on 31-3-2022) | 27,73,71,185 |
| 2020-21 (As on 31-3-2021) | 25,87,86,358 |
| 2019-20 (As on 31-3-2020) | 24,76,64,359 |

Contd..2/-

- (c): Yes, Sir. The Government has, inter-alia, taken following steps to provide  benefits  to  the  pensioners  under  Employees'  Provident  Fund Organisation (EPFO) :-
- (i)  The Government of India provides contribution of 1.16 per cent. of wages limited to Rs.15000/- of Employees' wages.
- (ii)  The  Government,  provides  a  minimum  pension  of  Rs.  1,000/-  per month to the pensioners under the EPS, 1995 by providing budgetary support, which is in addition to the budgetary support of 1.16 per cent. of wages provided annually towards EPS to EPFO.
- (iii) The Government has increased wage ceiling for coverage from Rs. 6500/-  to  Rs.  15000/-  w.e.f.  01.09.2014  under  Employees'  Provident Funds  &  Miscellaneous  Provisions  Act,  1952 notified  vide  G.S.R.  No. 608(E), G.S.R. No. 609(E), and G.S.R. No. 610(E), dated 22.08.2014. This has  increased  pensionable  salary  and  hence  the  pension  for  EPFO pensioners.
- (iv) The Government vide Notification G.S.R. No. 132(E) dated 20.02.2020 has allowed restoration to normal pension after completion of fifteen years from the date of such commutation, in respect of those members who availed the benefit of commutation of pension under the erstwhile paragraph 12A of this Scheme, on or before the 25th day of September, 2008.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1870 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-13
Subject: Monitoring of Air Quality at Construction Sites
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Jagannath Sarkar, Hasnain Masoodi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1870

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.03.2023

## Monitoring of Air Quality at Construction Sites

## 1870.   SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR: SHRI HASNAIN MASOODI:

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

- (a) the steps taken to monitor air quality at construction sites, particularly near highways;
- (b) whether the Government  proposes  to make  air quality monitoring mandatory  at construction sites, especially near highways;
- (c) if so, the time frame fixed for its implementation and whether any guidelines have been issued in this regard; and
- (d) if not, whether the Government has any strategy to monitor the air quality of construction sites especially near highways?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) The steps being taken to monitor air quality at construction sites, particularly near highways inter alia include deployment of dedicated teams on the field to check air pollution related activities, statutory directions to all road owning/ maintaining agencies for setting up of  'dust  control  and  management  cells',  monitoring  through  a  dedicated  web-portal,  video fencing of projects, installation of anti-smog guns, screens at construction sites, use of dustsuppressants and water mist, transportation of C&D materials in covered vehicles, installation of air quality monitoring sensors in project sites and self-audit and certification mechanism by  the  agencies  concerned. Dust  Control  &  Management  Cell  so  set  up  shall  regularly monitor the progress of dust control measures undertaken and prepare reports on a monthly basis.

Further, the State Pollution Control Boards / Delhi Pollution Control Committee and other concerned  agencies  shall  continue  to  monitor  and  enforce  the  dust  mitigation  /  control measures.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1869 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-13
Subject: MUDRA Loans in Uttarakhand
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Tirath Singh Rawat

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Financial services

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1869

ANSWERED ON March 13, 2023/PHALGUNA 22, 1944 (SAKA)

## MUDRA Loans in Uttarakhand

1869. SHRI TIRATH SINGH RAWAT:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of disbursement of loans under 'Shishu', 'Kishore' and 'Tarun' categories of Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) in the State of Uttarakhand;
- (b) the number of beneficiaries under MUDRA Yojana in Uttarakhand as on date;
- (c) whether any special benefit has been provided in hilly areas under the said scheme and the details of loans provided to the beneficiaries under the scheme so far in Pauri Parliamentary constituency; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance (Dr. BHAGWAT KARAD)

- (a) and (b) As per data uploaded by Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) on Mudra portal, as on 24.02.2023, more than 25.32 lakh loans with a disbursed amount of Rs. 21,426.12 crore have been extended in the State of Uttarakhand under Mudra Scheme since its inception.  Detail of disbursement of loans under different categories is as under:-
- (c) and (d)  The Scheme is being implemented uniformly across the country and as per data uploaded by MLIs on Mudra portal, more than 46,669 loans amounting to Rs. 845.83 crore* have been disbursed in Garhwal district.
* From 01.04.2016 to 24.02.2023 (District-wise data for FY 2015-16 is not available on Mudra portal)

|               | Amt. in Rs. Crore   |
|---------------|---------------------|
| Loan Category | Disbursed Amt.      |
| Shishu        | 5,559.18            |
| Kishore       | 8,991.87            |
| Tarun         | 6,875.07            |

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1868 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-13
Subject: Pending Seats in Class VI in Navodaya Schools
Ministry: Education
Asked by: S. Muniswamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1868 ANSWERED ON 13.03.2023

## Pending Seats in Class VI in Navodaya Schools

1868. SHRI S. MUNISWAMY:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  highest  number  of  intake  of  students  to  the  Navodaya Vidyalayas in the country during the last three years for class VI, year-wise;
- (b) whether uniformity is maintained across the country in this regard;
- (c) whether certain schools like the one in Kolar District have not been sanctioned the pending forty seats; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to sanction the said pending forty seats to the Navodaya School in Kolar District of Karnataka?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The  maximum  number  of  students  who  can  be  admitted  in  class  VI  in  each Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) every year is 80, subject to availability of qualified candidates in JNV Selection Test for class VI and infrastructure available in the JNV concerned.

Details of intake of students for class VI during the last three years, are as under:

| Year    |   No. of Students selected for Admission |
|---------|------------------------------------------|
| 2020-21 |                                    45291 |
| 2021-22 |                                    46430 |
| 2022-23 |                                    46714 |

(b) to (d)    In all JNVs having appropriate accommodation facilities, 80 students are selected per JNV for admission to class VI. If there is shortage of accommodation for students, NVS restricts the admission of students in class VI.  At present, JNV Kolar has restricted the admission of students in class VI to 40, due to ongoing construction of accommodation facility for students.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1867 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-13
Subject: Segregator Packaging Indicator
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Srinivas Kesineni

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1867

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 13/03/2023

## Segregator Packaging Indicator

## 1867.  SHRI KESINENI SRINIVAS:

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

- (a)    whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  majority  of  the  solid  waste  in  the  country  remains unsegregated and untreated;
- (b)  if  so,  the  reasons  therefor  and  the  steps  proposed  by  the  Government  to  ensure  the segregation of waste at the point of origin;
- (c) whether the Government plans to introduce a ''Segregator Packaging Indicator'' in order to ensure effective segregation of the waste; and
- (d) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to (d) As per Annual Report of Central Pollution Control Board for the year 202021, the total quantity of solid waste generated in the country was 160038.9 Tonnes Per Day (TPD) of which 152749.5 TPD of waste was collected, of which  79956.3 TPD of waste was segregated and treated, and 29427.2 TPD was landfilled. Under Swachh Bharat Mission, the solid waste processing capacity has increased from 26,000 TPD in 2014 to 1,31,876 TPD in 2022, in the country. Further, Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0 launched in October 2021 envisions 100 % scientific management of solid waste.

As per Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules 2016, every waste generator has to segregate  and  store  solid  waste  in  three  separate  streams  namely  bio-degradable,  nonbiodegradable and domestic hazardous wastes and handover segregated wastes to authorised waste pickers or waste collectors as per the direction or notification by the local authorities from time to time. Under Solid Waste Management component of Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), the setting up of material recovery facility, transfer stations, composting plants, biomethanation  plants,  RDF  processing  facilities,  plastic  waste  processing  facilities,  waste  to electricity,  sanitary  etc.  are  covered.    The  Ministry  has  notified  Guidelines  on  Extended Producer  Responsibility  for  plastic  packaging  on  16 th February  2022,  wherein,  producers, importers and brand owners are mandated for undertaking extended producer responsibility on  plastic  packaging.  The  guidelines  mandate  targets  for  recycling  of  plastic  packaging waste,  reuse  of  rigid  plastic  packaging  and  use  of  recycled  plastic  content.  There  is  no proposal under consideration at present for introducing 'Segregator Packaging Indicator'.

***