opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 716 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-12
Subject: Lokur Committee
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 716

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 12/12/2022

## LOKUR COMMITTEE

## 716. SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE: SHRI MANOJ KOTAK:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has proposed to evolve independent Commission to identify the new criteria, other than the present criteria fixed by Lokur Committee, to identify the Scheduled Tribes in India;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  details  of  the  proposals  are  pending/  under  consideration  of  Ministry  of  Tribal Affairs to accord the status of Scheduled Tribes to the identified communities; and
- (d) if  so, the details thereof, State wise?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU)

- (a): No Sir.
- (b): Doesn't arise in view of (a) above.
- (c)  &  (d): The  Government  of  India  has  approved  the  modalities  for  deciding  the  claims  for inclusion in, exclusion from and other modifications in the Orders specifying lists of Scheduled Tribes. According to these modalities, only those proposals which have been recommended and justified  by  the  State  Government/UT  Administration  concerned,  can  be  processed  further. Thereafter, it has to be concurred with by the Registrar General of India (RGI) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) for consideration for amendment of legislation. All actions are taken as per these approved modalities.

Proposals for inclusion and other amendments in the list of Scheduled Tribes of any State are processed in accordance with these modalities, which is an ongoing process.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 713 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-12
Subject: Vacancies in PSUs and PSBs
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Ravneet Singh, Faizal P.P. Mohammed, Behanan Benny, Behanan Benny, A. Chellakumar, Balubhau (Alias Suresh Narayan) Dhanorkar, Mohammad Jawed, Adoor Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 713

## TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 th  December, 2022

'Vacancies in PSUs and PSBs'

713:

SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU:

SHRI MOHAMMED FAIZAL P.P.:

SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:

DR. A. CHELLAKUMAR

SHRI BALUBHAU ALIAS SURESH NARYAN DHANORKAR:

DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED:

ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

## Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether it is a fact that the Government has sought information on vacancies  from  all  Public  Sector  Undertakings  (PSUs)  including Public Sector Bank (PSBs) at the entry-level as well as senior-level;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, PSU and PSB-wise;
- (c) the  reasons  for  the  significant  number  of  vacancies  in  these  PSUs and how this is impacting their functioning;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  given  instructions  to  these  PSUs  to create a roadmap for filling up of these vacancies in a time-bound manner; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE

## (DR. BHAGWAT KISHANRAO KARAD)

- (a) to (e): Government issues instructions from time to time for timely and advance  action  to  fill up  vacant  posts.  Recently,  all Ministries/ Departments  of  the  Central  Government  have  been  asked  to  take action  in  Mission  Mode,  to  fill  the  existing  vacancies  in  various Ministries  /  Departments  and  their  Attached  /  Subordinate  offices  / Autonomous Bodies / Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and Public Sector Banks (PSBs). CPSEs function under the

administrative control of different Ministries / Departments and recruitment to posts below the Board level in the CPSEs is done by the Management of respective CPSEs  according to prevailing business  conditions  &  requirements  and  other  factors  like  future operations, expansion / investment plan, retirement etc and this is a continuous process.  As per available information, as on 31.3.2022, there were 248 operating CPSEs with total on-roll employment of 8.41 lakhs.  The  information  on  details  of  vacant  posts  in  CPSEs  is  not maintained  centrally  in  the  Department  of  Public  Enterprises  (DPE). PSBs are under the administrative control of Department of Financial Services (DFS) and as per information provided by  DFS, PSBs also have  managerial  autonomy  in  matters  related  to  Human  Resources (HR) including recruitment.   Accordingly, PSBs also undertake staff recruitment to fill  vacancies  on  an  ongoing  basis as per their requirement.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 711 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-12
Subject: Cases registered by ED against Public Representatives
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Mala Roy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 711

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 12 th  DECEMBER, 2022

AGRAHAYANA 21, 1944 (SAKA)

## Cases registered by ED against Public Representatives

711.  SHRIMATI MALA ROY:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of Members  of Parliament, Members  of Legislative Assemblies and Members of Legislative Councils against whom cases have been registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) during each of the last five years, State/UT-wise and party-wise; and
- (b)      the conviction rate in these cases registered by the ED?

ANSWER

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

- (a) ED  takes up the cases for investigation based on credible evidence/material and  does not distinguish cases based on political affiliations or status of the accused. Thus, no such data is maintained.
- (b)        Not applicable in view of above.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 700 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-12
Subject: Privatisation of Air India
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Rahul Kaswan

## Government of India

## Ministry of Finance

Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 700

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2022

Agrahayana 21, 1944 (Saka)

## Privatitisation of Air India

700.  SHRI RAHUL KASWAN

Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:

- a)      whether the Government has planned to privatize Air India;
- b)     if so, the percentage of share to be sold for the private investment; and
- c)    whether there is any plan to bifurcate the domestic and international flights of Air India to make it a profitable enterprise and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a & b) : The strategic disinvestment transaction of Air India has been successfully completed on 27 th   January,  2022  by  divesting  100%  shares  of  Air  India  (including 100% shares of its subsidiary, Air India Express Ltd (AIXL) and 50 % shares of its Joint Venture, AISATS.

- (c)   : With the disinvestment of Air India on 27 th  January, 2022, there is no equity stake of  Government of India left in Air India or AIXL and the airlines are now under the management control of the strategic buyer.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 699 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-12
Subject: Environmental Clearance to Central Vista Projects
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Uttam Kumar Nalamada Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.699

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2022

## Environmental Clearance to Central Vista Projects

## 699. SHRI UTTAM KUMAR REDDY NALAMADA:

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

- (a) Whether  all  projects  under  the  Central  Vista  project  have  received  the  appropriate environmental  clearances  and  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  Environmental Impact Assessments for each project and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) Whether  the  Government  has  studied  the  impact  of  construction  work  for  the  Central Vista project on air quality in surrounding areas;
- (c) if so, the details thereof including the air quality indices in the Central Vista project area over the last three years for the month of November; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d) Environmental  Clearances  have  been  granted  to  the  Central  Public  Works Department (CPWD) for projects under Central Vista Development/ Redevelopment Master  Plan  on  17.06.2020,  31.05.2021  and  01.09.2022  for  the projects related to (i) expansion and renovation of Existing Parliament Building; (ii)  development/redevelopment  of  Common  Central  Secretariat  Buildings  and Central Conference Centre along with Prime Minister's Residence, SPG Buildings  and  Vice  President  Enclave  and;  (iii)  development/redevelopment  of Executive  Enclave,  respectively,  after  observing  all  due  diligence  as  per  the provisions of the EIA Notification, 2006 as amended.

The EIA/EMP studies carried out for above mentioned projects inter alia include evaluation  of  the  baseline  environmental  quality  in  respect  of  water,  air,  noise, biodiversity, socioeconomic and public health along with projected impacts due to proposed  activities.  In  order  to  mitigate  negative  impacts  of  the  project  on environment, additional specific conditions have been stipulated based on appraisal of various environmental parameters including air quality while granting the projects for environmental clearance.

The air quality in Delhi including that in Central Vista Area is dependent not only on  anthropogenic  as  well  as  meteorological  factors  such  as  contribution  to  air pollution from industries, vehicles, dust, stubble burning, burning of solid waste, wind speed, sunshine etc. Leaving the exception of year 2020, being a Covid year, the air quality in 2022  till  November  has  shown  improvement  over  the corresponding period of 2021.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 694 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-12
Subject: SHRI D.M. KATHIR ANAND
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Prathap Simha, D. M. Kathir Anand

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 694

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2022

## EXTERNAL DEBT

694. Shri Prathap Simha: Shri D. M. Kathir Anand:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the country's External debt (private & sovereign) of about $267 billion will  mature  in  the  next  12  months  which  might  cause  a  big  hit  on  the  foreign reserves;
- (b) if so the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether the  country's  forex  reserve  which  is  about  19  per  cent  of  GDP,  would solve the said debt issue and provide the needed balance and comfort;
- (d) if so the details thereof

## ANSWER

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

(a)  &  (b):  As  of  end-March  2022,  India's  short-term  external  debt  (residual  maturity)  was US$ 267.7 billion, which was 44 per cent of foreign exchange reserves. A major part of this short-term debt is in the form of NRI deposits mobilised by deposit-taking corporations and short-term  trade  credit  availed  by  non-financial  corporations  to  finance  imports,  typically carrying a higher probability of rollover. Hence, they have relatively muted implications for repayment.  Thus,  the  burden  of  short-term  external  debt  is  low  and  well  cushioned  by available foreign exchange reserves.

(c)  &  (d):    India's  external  debt  and  the  forex  reserves  are  closely  monitored  by  the Government and the RBI to ensure the stability  of  India's  external  sector.  As  of  end-June 2022, the ratio of foreign exchange reserve to total external debt (long-term and short-term) was 95.5 per cent and the ratio of external debt to GDP was 19.4 per cent.  Hence, the current stock of external debt is well shielded by the comfortable level of foreign exchange reserves.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 693 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-12
Subject: Promotion of Research in Regional Universities
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Indra Hang Subba

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.693

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12/12/2022

## Promotion of Research in Regional Universities

693. SHRI INDRA HANG SUBBA: Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has any plan or existing policy to promote research in regional Universities to help students from villages and remote districts; (b) if so, the details thereof; and

- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): For the promotion of research in universities, University Grants Commission (UGC) has brought out Guidelines for the establishment of a Research and Development  Cell  (RDC)  in  Higher  Educational  Institutions.  The  purpose  of  these Guidelines is to put in place a robust mechanism for developing and strengthening the research ecosystem within Universities and Colleges, aligned with the provisions of the National Education Policy -2020. These Guidelines are available at https://www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/6347789\_RDC-Guideline.pdf .

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 692 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-12
Subject: Small Savings and Mahila Pradhan Kshetriya Bachat Yojana Agents
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak, Raksha Nikhil Khadse

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Economic Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.692

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 12 TH , 2022/AGRAHAYANA 21, 1944(SAKA)

Small Savings and Mahila Pradhan Kshetriya Bachat Yojana Agents

No.692

SHRI MANOJ KOTAK:

SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  representation  from  the  Small Savings Agents and Mahila Pradhan Kshetriya Bachat Yojana(MPKBY) agents for the formation of committee to review the Agency System operating and also the report submitted by Shyamala Gopinath Committee in the year 2011;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto; and
- (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to resolve the issues faced by these 5 lakh and more Small Savings Agents & MPKBY agents?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c)  The  Government  received the representations from  Small Saving Agents and Mahila Pradhan Kshetriya Bachat Yojana (MPKBY) Agents covering wide range of subjects including those for review of the agency system, Shyamala Gopinath  committee,  etc.    The  suggestions  are  examined  and  appropriate action is taken.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 691 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-12
Subject: Top Management Vacant Posts in PSEs
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Abhishek Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 691

## TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 th  December, 2022

'Top Management Vacant Posts in PSEs'

691: SHRI ABHISHEK BANERJEE:

## Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  data  on  the  number  of  top
- management positions lying vacant in Public Sector Enterprises;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the reasons for these vacancies along with the time by which they will be filled?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE (DR. BHAGWAT KISHANRAO KARAD)

(a & b): Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions  undertakes selection of CMDs/MDs/Whole Time Directors of Central Public  Sector  Enterprises (CPSEs), as per the vacancy reported by the concerned administrative Ministry / Department. The appointment of the candidates recommended by Public Enterprises Selection board (PESB) / Search Cum Selection Committee  (SCSC)  /  Civil  Services  Board  (CSB)  is  made  by  the administrative Ministries  /  Departments  concerned  with the approval of the competent authority.  As per the information provided by PESB, as on 08-12-2022, 72 posts of CMDs/MDs/Whole Time Directors of CPSEs are vacant where selection process is underway through PESB/SCSC/CSB.

Cont..p.2/-

(c) :  Occurrence  of  the  vacancies  at  top  management  positions  in Central Public  Sector  Enterprises   (CPSEs)  and  their filling  up is a continuous process.   Though efforts are made to ensure that the board level  posts  do  not  remain  vacant  for  long,  at  any  point  in  time,  there would be some  posts  remaining vacant due  to various reasons. However, for  smooth  functioning  of  the  organization  any  vacant  board level post is put under additional charge of other serving officer.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 60 (STARRED), answered on 2022-12-09
Subject: National Creche Scheme
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.60

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2022

## NATIONAL CRECHE SCHEME

- *60      SHRI RAM MOHAN NAIDU KINJARAPU:

Will the Minister of Women and Child Development be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the Ministry has not released grant towards past liabilities for the years 2012-13 to 2015-16 to voluntary organizations in Andhra Pradesh under National Creche Scheme earlier named as Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme;
- (b) If so, the details thereof, year-wise;
- (c) Whether it is fact  that  the  grant  was  not  released  due  to bifurcation  of Andhra Pradesh State Board;
- (d) If so, the details thereof; and
- (e) If not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (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 No. 60 to be answered on 09.12.2022 regarding " National Creche Scheme" asked by Shri Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu

(a) & (b) Ministry through Central Social Welfare Board released Rs. 29,13,79,665/-  to  voluntary  organizations  in  the  State  of  Andhra  Pradesh  under National  Creche  Scheme  from  2012-13  to  2015-16  including  past  liabilities.  The Central Social Welfare Board released grants towards past liabilities for the year 201213  to  2015-16  to  voluntary  organizations  in  Andhra  Pradesh  under  National  Creche Scheme as per details given below:-

| S. No.   | Year    | Amount Released including past liabilities (in Rupees)                                           |
|----------|---------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1.       | 2012-13 | 5,32,55,796/- 1,33,02,812/- (Past Liabilities for 11-12) 3,17,880/- (Past Liabilities for 10-11) |
| 2.       | 2013-14 | 6,59,08,332/- 38,55,735/- (Past Liabilities for 11-12)                                           |
| 3.       | 2014-15 | 5,46,12,836/- 2,79,532/-(Past Liabilities for 12-13) 12,25,242/-(Past Liabilities for 13-14)     |
| 4.       | 2015-16 | 8,68,52,810/- 1,09,35,072/- ( Past Liabilities 12-13) 8,33,618/- (Past Liabilities for 14-15)    |
|          | Total   | 29,13,79,665/-                                                                                   |

- (c) to (e):- Partial release of Grant was made to the organization under this scheme for the  years  2012-13  to  2015-16  and  the  balance  grant  was  not  released  due  to bifurcation of State Board, non- availability of Chairpersons for Andhra Pradesh State Board, Non-receipt of Utilisation Cerificates and other administrative reasons.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 57 (STARRED), answered on 2022-12-09
Subject: Establishment of National Institute of Medicinal Plants
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: Vinayak Bhaurao Raut

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *57 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09th DECEMBER, 2022

## ESTABLISHMENT OF  NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS

## *57 SHRI VINAYAK RAUT:

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  State  Government  of  Maharashtra  has  submitted  a  proposal  to  the Ministry of AYUSH for establishment of a National Institute of Medicinal Plants at Mauje Adali in Sindhudurg District;
- (b) if so, whether the proposal of the State Government for establishing the said Central project is still pending for approval with the Ministry of AYUSH;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for delay in granting necessary approval for this project; and
- (d) the time by which the approval for establishment of the National Institute is likely to be granted?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF AYUSH

(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

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

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *57 FOR 9TH DECEMBER, 2022

****

- (a): Yes,  Sir.  There  is  a  proposal  for  establishment  of  National  Institute  of  Medicinal Plants  under  Ministry  of  Ayush.  In  this  regard,  the  State  Government  of  Maharashtra  has proposed for setting up of National Institute of Medicinal Plants (NIMP) at Mauje Adali in Sindhudurg District of Maharashtra.
- (b) to (d): The  National  Institute  of  Medicinal  Plants  (NIMP)  is  proposed  as  new Autonomous Body under Ministry of Ayush and the step-by-step process of setting up of new Institute as an Autonomous Body are as under:
- i. To seek "in principle" approval of Department of Expenditure
- ii. To have a DPR prepared
- iii. To seek approval of Committee on Establishment Expenditure
- iv. To seek approval of EFC headed by Secretary Finance
- v. To seek approval of Cabinet

Accordingly,  the  Ministry  of  Ayush  has  forwarded  the  proposal  to  Department  of Expenditure  on  1st  December,  2022  for  seeking  "in-principle"  approval  for  setting  up  of proposed National Institute of Medicinal Plants (NIMP).

*****