opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2958 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-21
Subject: Forest Land Claimed
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: S. Muniswamy, Annasaheb Shankar Jolle, Sanganna Amarappa Karadi, Umesh G. Jadhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No.2958

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2022

## Forest Land Claimed

2958.   SHRI S. MUNISWAMY: SHRI ANNASAHEB SHANKAR JOLLE: SHRI SANGANNA AMARAPPA: DR. UMESH G. JADHAV:

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

- (a) whether  the  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forests  and  Climate  Change  party  to  the  forest land claims at the State levels;
- (b) the details of forest land claimed i.e. through dwelling or tilling;
- (c) whether  there  is  uniform  law  across  all  the  States  to  handover  the  land  by  the  Forest Department  based  on  factors  like  holding  the  land  over  decades,  tilling  the  land  over decades or dwelling in a particular forest area since a long time; and
- (d) whether  there  is  an  attempt  by  the  Government  to  identify  people  who  do  not voluntarily  apply  for  ownership  of  the  forest  lands  due  to  negligence  but  have  long dwelling in a particular forest area or have been tilling the forest lands since long?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Under  Section  3  ( 1 )(a)  of  'the  Scheduled  Tribes  and  Other  Traditional  Forest Dwellers  (Recognition  of  Forest  Rights)  Act,  2006  (FRA)',  there  is  a  provision  of right  to  hold  and  live in  the forest  land  under  individual  or common occupation for self-cultivation for livelihood by a member or members of a forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes  or  other  traditional  forest  dwellers.As  per  FRA  and  rules  made  thereunder, State Governments are responsible for implementation of the Act.  Gram Sabha is the authority to initiate the process for determining the nature and extent of individual or community forest rights or both that may be given to the forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes or other traditional forest dwellers. Gram Sabha calls for claims and authorizes the Forest Rights Committee to accept the claims.
- (b) Information  on  forest  land  claimed/  allotted  toforest  dwelling  Scheduled  Tribes  or other  traditional  forest  dwellers  is  not  collated  in  this  Ministry.Ministry  of  Tribal Affairs is the nodal Ministry for implementation of FRA, 2006 at central level.As per the information collected by the Ministry of Tribal Affairstill October, 2021, a total of 42,96,452 claims (41,26,807 individual  and  1,69,645  community  claims)  have been filed and 20,75,787 titles (19,74,841 individual and 1,00,946 community claims) have been  distributedover  an  area  involving  forest  lands  to  the  extent  of  1,58,76,759.80 acres.
- (c)&(d)  The forest rights on forest land are granted based on FRA and  rules and guidelines made thereunderissued in this regard by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2954 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-21
Subject: Functioning of EPFO
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: T. R. Paarivendhar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2954

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2022

## FUNCTIONING OF EPFO

## 2954. DR. T.R.PAARIVENDHAR:

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

- (a)whether the Ministry has reviewed the functioning of the Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) all Regional Offices located  in  various  States  in  the  recent  past  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b)whether EPFO has received and representations/ requests from the kin of deceased employees of EPFO for appointment on compassionate ground during the last ten years;
- (c)if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)the action taken by EPFO on these requests?

## ANSWER

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

(a): The Central Board, Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) is an autonomous organisation set up under section 5A of the Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. The Central Provident Fund Commissioner (CPFC) is the Chief Executive Officer of the Central Board. CPFC reviews the working of the field offices from time to time and during the last three months 4 review meetings were held.  The  working  of  the  Employees'  Provident  Fund  Organisation (EPFO)  is  also  reviewed  at  the  Ministry  level  from  time  to  time  to ensure  effective  implementation  of  the  said  Act  and  the  three schemes framed thereunder.

(b) to (d): Applications  for  appointment  on  compassionate  grounds are considered by EPFO  in the light of the instructions issued by the Department of Personnel and Training,  extant  delegation  of  powers by  the  Central  Board,  EPF  and  procedural  guidelines  issued  by  the Head Office, EPFO from time to time.

Applications complete in all aspects were placed before the Screening Committee(s) for consideration and recommendations. Out of 702 applications received during the last ten years, 291 applications have been approved by the competent authority.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2949 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-21
Subject: Violation of Laws of Contract Labourers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Ajay Nishad, Chandan Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2949 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2022

## VIOLATION OF LAWS OF CONTRACT LABOURERS

†2949. SHRI AJAY NISHAD: SHRI CHANDAN SINGH:

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

- (a)whether the incidents of  violation  of  laws  formulated  for  contract labourers are rising day-by-day;
- (b)if so, the details thereof including the reasons therefor;
- (c)the State-wise number of cases of violation of such laws registered during each of the last three years and the current year including
- the number of persons found guilty in this regard;
- (d)whether the Government has provisions to check such violation of laws of contract labourers and exploitation of these labourers; and (e)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (e):        The  Central  Government  enacted  the  Contract  Labour (Regulation  and  Abolition)  Act,  1970  to  regulate  employment  of contract labour in certain establishments. The institutional mechanism of  Central  Industrial  Relations  Machinery  (CIRM)  under  the  Chief Labour Commissioner (Central){CLC(C)} is in place for the purpose of implementation of the provisions of the various labour laws, including the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 in the Central sphere. The Labour Laws and the rules there-under provide for various penal provisions depending upon the nature of contraventions/violation and the same are imposed in the process of enforcement. In order to enforce the provisions of various Labour Laws including the Contract

Labour  (Regulation  and  Abolition)  Act,  1970,  regular  inspections  are done. If  any  contraventions/violation  found  in  an  establishment,  then action  is  taken  based  on  the  nature  of  the  violations/contraventions. This Ministry maintains the consolidated records/data for violation of the said Act in the central sphere. No such bifurcated data of Statewise is maintained centrally.

Details of Inspection conducted during the last three years and  the  current  year  in  the  Central  Sphere  establishments  are  as under: -

| Particulars                     |   2018-19 |   2019-20 |   2020-21 |   2021-22 Upto December, 2021 |
|---------------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-------------------------------|
| No. of Inspection conducted     |      8577 |      8553 |      1722 |                          1097 |
| No. of irregularities detected  |     87928 |     72727 |     15893 |                          9240 |
| No. of irregularities rectified |     45121 |     36974 |     10014 |                          1896 |
| No. of prosecutions launched    |      3227 |      2659 |       749 |                           257 |
| No. of convictions              |      1372 |       777 |       336 |                            78 |

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2947 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-21
Subject: Central University in Ambala
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Rattan Lal Kataria

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2947 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2022

## Central University in Ambala

- †2947. SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA: Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has given in-principle approval for the proposal to open a Central University in Ambala Lok Sabha Constituency of Haryana; (b)  if so, the details thereof; (c)  whether a detailed project report (DPR) has been prepared by the Government to open the said University along with the estimated budget earmarked in this regard; (d)  if so, the details thereof; (e)    whether  the  Government has fixed any time limit and prepared any outline to approve the estimated budget to complete the opening process of the said University
- within the stipulated time  period; and
- (f)   if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUBHAS SARKAR)

(a) to (f) Setting up of a Central University is an ongoing process. There is already a Central  University  in  the  State  of  Haryana  namely  Central  University  of  Haryana. However,  at  present  there  is  no  proposal  under  consideration  in  the  Ministry  for setting up of a Central University in Ambala, Haryana.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2944 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-21
Subject: Funds Allocated for Cultural Projects in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Kuldeep Rai Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2944

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2022

## FUNDS ALLOCATED FOR CULTURAL PROJECTS IN ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS.

## 2944. SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  funds  allocated  and  utilized  by  the  Union  Government  for various cultural assistance and projects in Andaman & Nicobar Islands during the last three years and the current year;
- (b) the  details  of  the  ongoing  cultural  programmes  and  projects  in  Andaman  & Nicobar Islands; and
- (c) the details of the projects likely to be completed on time and the projects lagging behind schedule along with the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a): Government of India has released grant to National Council of Science Museums (NCSM),  an  autonomous  organization  of  Ministry  of  Culture  for  setting  up  of  a  SubRegional  Science  Centre,  Mayabundar  in  A&N  Islands  and  an  Innovation  Hub  at Science Centre, Port Blair in A&N Islands under the Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science (SPOCS) of Govt. of India during the last 3 years:

| Year    | Grant released to NCSM   |
|---------|--------------------------|
| 2018-19 | Rs 13.71 lakhs           |
| 2019-20 | Rs 177.35 lakhs          |
| 2020-21 | -                        |
| 2021-22 | Rs 17.01 lakhs           |

(b) & (c): After approval for setting up of Science Centre in A&N Islands, Letter of Intent for construction work was issued by NCSM to Public Works Department (PWD), A & N Islands on 5th March, 2019. However, the work at site has not been initiated due to the fact that PWD, A & N Islands is unable to finalise the agency for the work despite two attempts of tendering.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2943 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-21
Subject: Military Education
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Subhash Chandra Baheria

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2943 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2022

## MILITARY EDUCATION

## † 2943. SHRI SUBHASH CHANDRA BAHERIA:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is any provision for military education under the New Education system;
- (b) if  so, the age-group or the class from which military education is likely to be provided along with the period thereof;
- (c) the details of curriculum proposed to be included under military education; and
- (d) whether students are likely to be given any preference in recruitment process of defence institutes after completion of training and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d)  The  National  Education  Policy  (NEP),  2020,  in  para  6.17  provides  that under  the  aegis  of  the  Ministry  of  Defence,  State  Governments  may  encourage opening National Cadet Corps (NCC) wings in their secondary and higher secondary schools. Central Board of Secondary Education offers NCC as an optional subject in classes IX-XII in those schools which offer NCC and it is managed by the Directorate of NCC under the Ministry of Defence. NCC training is also implemented in Kendriya Vidyalaya  Sangathan  and  Navodaya  Vidyalaya  Samiti  as  per  the  provisions  and policy issued by Director General, NCC, Ministry of Defence.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2941 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-21
Subject: Import Duty on Edible Oil
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Rakesh Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

*****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2941

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY THE 21 ST  MARCH, 2022 PHALGUNA  30, 1943 (SAKA)

## IMPORT DUTY ON EDIBLE OIL

## 2941. SHRI RAKESH SINGH:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the import duty on edible oil has been cut down in the country;
- (b) if so, whether it is likely to be more beneficial to supply processed imported oil instead of refining it in the country;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether it is likely to adversely affect the refinery industry of the country; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Yes  sir,  the  import  duty  has  been  reduced  significantly  on  specified  types  of edible oil both on crude as well as refined oils.

(b), (c), (d) and (e): The decision to reduce import duty on both crude and refined edible oils was taken to reduce the burden of high prices on final consumers. Import duty structure has been prescribed in a manner that crude edible oil attracts lesser duty  than  the  refined  edible  oil  thereby  incentivising  domestic  refining  of  imported crude oil. The custom duty rate structure of crude and refined oils after reduction is as follows:

| Types of Oils   | Crude   | Refined   |
|-----------------|---------|-----------|
| Palm oil        | 5.5%    | 13.75%    |
| Soya-bean oil   | 5.5%    | 19.25%    |
| Sunflower oil   | 5.5%    | 19.25%    |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2940 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-21
Subject: Use of Schools as COVID Hotspots
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Behanan Benny

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2940 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2022

## Use of Schools as COVID Hotspots

## 2940.   SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether many schools across the country are turning out to be COVID hotspots; and
- (b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to ensure the safety of students and teachers in such schools?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## (SMT. ANNPURNA DEVI)

(a) & (b) Education  is  in  the  concurrent  list  of  the  Constitution  and  majority  of  the schools  are  under  the  domain  of  respective  State  and  UT  Governments.  The  opening  and closing  of  schools  are  within  the  purview  of  State  Governments  and  UT  Administrations. Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  (MHA)  vide  their  order  No.  40-3/2020-DM-I  (A)  dated  30th September, 2020 has stated that State/UT Governments may take a decision in respect of reopening of schools, after 15 th October, 2020, in a graded manner, the decision shall be taken in consultation with the respective school/institution management, based on their assessment of the situation.

The Department of School Education and Literacy has issued detailed SOP/guidelines regarding health and safety precautions for reopening of schools after issue of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines for unlock-5, on 5 th October, 2020. These guidelines have been revised vide letter 17 th December, 2021. These guidelines can be accessed at following links respectively.

https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload\_files/mhrd/files/SOP\_Guidelines\_for\_reopening\_s chools\_0.pdf https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload\_files/mhrd/files/Modifications\_SoP.pdf

Further, a campaign  titled 'Public  Health  Response  to  Covid-19  Appropriate Behaviour' was organised in all schools across the country. In this regard, a virtual meeting was held with States, UTs and other stakeholders on 1.10.2020 to create awareness about the campaign.  A  Covid  Action  Plan  was  prepared  and  shared  with  States  and  UTs  for implementation in all schools. The action plan included suggested roles and responsibilities of  the  various  stakeholders  for  the  campaign.  All  States  and  UTs  were  requested  to implement  the  plan  by  appointing  Nodal  Officer  at  State  and  district  level,  organising communication  drive  in  all  schools,  conducting  virtual  PTA  meetings  and  incorporating COVID appropriate behaviour in classroom transactions.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2939 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-21
Subject: Investment of Pension Funds
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Thirumaa Valavan Thol

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2939

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st  MARCH, 2022 (MONDAY)/ PHALGUNA 30, 1943 (SAKA) INVESTMENT OF PENSION FUNDS

2939. Shri Thirumaavalavan Thol

Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Pension fund managers are allowed to invest funds in the start-ups enterprises and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is aware of the risk to the Pension fund in investing in the start-ups; and
- (c) if so, the details of risk involved and the measures to check and compensate the fund in case of loss to the Pension fund?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Investment guidelines issued by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) for Private Sector subscribers under National Pension System (NPS), allow investment in Securities  and  Exchange  Board  of  India  (SEBI)  Regulated  Alternative  Investment  Funds  (AIFs) (Category  I  and  Category  II  only)  as  defined  under  the  SEBI  (Alternative  Investment  Fund) Regulations, 2012.

The  permitted  investments  under  Category  I  and  Category  II  AIFs  may  include  Start-up  Funds among other permitted alternative investments.

The investment guidelines of NPS for investment under AIFs are framed by PFRDA and adequate safeguards are placed while framing these guidelines, which are given below:

- i. The investment guidelines provide necessary eligibility norms for investing in such AIFs.
- ii. This investment in AIF is purely subscription based and voluntary for the subscriber.
- iii. The Pension Funds are not allowed to invest directly in start-up enterprise but can only invest through AIFs regulated by SEBI.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2938 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-21
Subject: Help of Organisations to Migrant Labourers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Deepak Baij

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2938 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2022

HELP OF ORGANISATIONS TO MIGRANT LABOURERS

†2938. SHRI DEEPAK BAIJ:

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

- (a)whether  some  organisations/people  helped  the  migrant  labourers reach their homes during the lockdown from Mumbai; and
- (b)if  so,  the  number  of  oganisations/people  against  whom  action  has been taken in this regard till date including the number of people sent to their homes during lockdown?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): No such data is maintained centrally by the Ministry .
- (b): Does not arise.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2934 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-21
Subject: Relocation of Trees
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Dushyant Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2934

TO BE ASWERED ON 21.03.2022

## Relocation of Trees

## 2934. SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:

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

- (a) whether the Government is following any scientific methods in relocation/transplanting of the trees, which are uprooted during the construction of developmental projects across the country, if so, the details of various scientific methods followed and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) the  details  of  the  trees  axed,  relocated/  transplanted  and  trees  survived  after relocating/transplanting  during  various  developmental  projects  from  the  year 2015-2022, State wise;
- (c) whether the new saplings have been planted there under compensatory afforestation  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  action  taken  by  the Government in this regard; and
- (d) whether the Government is doing any viability study before opting for relocation /transplanting of the trees before giving approval to developmental projects and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The  relocation/transplantation  of  trees  is  done  by  the  State  Government  authorities keeping in view the prevalent climatic and edaphic factors as well as the physiological condition of the trees. However, the transplantation/relocation of trees is an evolving technique which is relatively new to the Country.
- (b) to (d) Permission  for  felling  of  trees  is  accorded  by  the  concerned  State/UT  Government authorities as per the State Specific Acts,Rules,Guidelines and the orders of Hon'ble courts. However, the permission for diversion of forest land for non -forestry purpose is accorded with a condition that the minimum number of trees should be felled. The identification of trees fit for translocation is done by the field officers depending upon the ground situation and various climatic, edaphic and physiological conditions.

During last five years (2016-17 to 2020-21) forest land diversion proposals involving 1,20,33,775 trees were  approved under the provisions of Forest  (Conservation) Act, 1980 and 20,81,04,094seedlings were planted under Compensatory Afforestation.