opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 940 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-26
Subject: Assessment of Loss Caused by Covid-19 Pandemic
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Saikia Dilip

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 940 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2021

## ASSESSMENT OF LOSS CAUSED BY COVID-19 PANDEMIC

940. SHRI DILIP SAIKIA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any assessment of the loss to the country's economy resulting from the Corona pandemic has been made by the Government;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the action plan of the Government to tide over this situation?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) and (b) As per the latest estimates released by National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation (MoSPI), India's real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated  to  contract  by  7.3  per  cent  during  Financial  Year  (FY)  2020-21.  This  reflects  the unparalleled  effect  of  the  'once  in  a  century'  COVID-19  pandemic  and  the  containment measures that were taken to control its spread.
- (c) In FY 2020-21, Government announced a special economic and comprehensive package under  AtmaNirbhar  Bharat  (ANB)  to  combat  the  impact  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic  and  to revive economic growth. The package involved a total amount of Rs.29,87,641 crore (including amount provided for the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana from July to November, and measures announced by RBI).

The Union Budget 2021-22 has announced number of measures to support broad-based and inclusive economic development under six pillars of Health and Wellbeing; Physical & Financial Capital, and Infrastructure; Inclusive Development for Aspirational India; Reinvigorating Human Capital; Innovation and R&D; and Minimum Government and Maximum Governance.

Further, in June 2021, Government has announced a relief package of Rs 6.29 lakh crore to support  the  Indian  economy  in  its  fight  against  the  second  wave  of  COVID-19  pandemic, strengthen public health and provide impetus for growth and employment.
Lok Sabha Question No. 939 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-26
Subject: Migration Commission
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: A. Chellakumar, Adoor Prakash, K. Muraleedharan, Mohammad Jawed, Amar Singh, Kumbakudi Sudhakaran, Anto  Antony, M. Selvaraj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 939

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2021

## MIGRATION COMMISSION

939.  DR. A. CHALLAKUMAR:

ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

SHRI K. MURALEEDHARAN:

DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED:

DR. AMAR SINGH:

SHRI KUMBAKUDI SUDHAKARAN:

SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

SHRI M. SELVARAJ:

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

- (a)the  deadline  by  which  the  Government  intends  to  finalise  and implement the draft National Policy on Migrant Workers prepared by the NITI Aayog;
- (b)whether workers unions representing workers, NGOs and other civil society organistations were consulted while drafting the Policy; and
- (c)whether the draft Policy will take forward the proposal to set up a Migration Commission as mooted by the Government in May, 2020?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): NITI  Aayog  has  constituted  a  sub-group  to  prepare  a National  Action  Plan  for  Migrant  Workers.  The  sub-group  comprises members  from  various  Ministries  of  Govt.  of  India,  subject  experts, NGOs and civil society organisations, to prepare a tangible action plan to address issues related to migrant workers.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 937 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-26
Subject: Setting Up of DFI
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, Sukanta Majumdar, Rajveer (Raju Bhaiya) Singh, Bhola Singh, Raja Amareshwara Naik, Jayanta Kumar Roy, Vinod Kumar Sonkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA

## UN-STARRED QUESTION NO. 937 ANSWERED ON 26TH JULY, 2021 / SRAVANA 4, 1943 (SAKA)

## SETTING UP OF DFI

## 937 . SHRIMATI SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO:

DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR:

SHRI RAJVEER SINGH (RAJU BHAIYA):

SHRI BHOLA SINGH:

SHRI RAJA AMARESHWARA NAIK:

DR: JAYANTA KUMAR ROY:

SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a professionally managed Development Financial Institution (DFI) is necessary to act as a provider; enabler and catalyst for infrastructure financing in the country and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b) whether  the Government is also   planning to create an Asset Monetization Dashboard for tracking the progress and to provide visibility to investors and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has proposed to set up a DFI and aims to have a lending portfolio of at least Rs. 5 lakh crore in three years time and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has   planned to launch a 'National Monetization Pipeline' of potential brownfield infrastructure assets and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the other important steps being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

(Dr. BHAGWAT KARAD)

- (a) and (c): The National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development Act; 2021 has been enacted by Parliament in March, 2021 to set up a professionally

managed Development Financial Institution to support the development of long term non-recourse infrastructure financing in India including development of the bonds and derivatives markets necessary for infrastructure financing and to carry on the business of financing infrastructure.

(b), (d) and (e): As informed by NITI Aayog, pursuant to the announcement under the Union Budget 2021-22, the Government has developed an Asset Monetisation Dashboard to enable real  time  monitoring of monetisation transactions and to provide   visibility to investors NITI Aayog has further   informed that a National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) of potential brownfield infrastructure assets has been finalized. The NMP has been created for a 4 year period from FY 2021-22 to FY 2024-25. The NMP is envisaged to serve as a roadmap for the Asset monetization of various brownfield infrastructure assets across sectors including roads, railways, aviation, power, oil & gas, and warehousing:

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 935 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-26
Subject: Import of Oil
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Lallu Singh

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 935 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 th  July, 2021

## Import of oil

## + 935.SHRI  LALLU SINGH

## पेोलयम और ाक ृ तक गैस मंी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has asked the oil companies of the country to consider about reducing the import of oil from Saudi Arabia;
- (b)   if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether the Government has kept other countries in mind as alternative to fulfill the requirement of oil in the country; and
- (d)    if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## पेोलयम और ाक ृ तक गैस मंालय म राय मंी ( ी रामेवर तेल )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

(a)& (b):  Oil Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) have term contract with National Oil  Company  of  Saudi  Arabia  for  import  of  crude  oil.  During  2020-21,  the upliftment of crude from Saudi Arabia reduced due to Covid-19 and cuts imposed by  Organization  of  the  Petroleum  Exporting  Countries  (OPEC)  on  crude  oil production.

(c) &(d):  To ensure security of crude supplies, apart from Saudi Arabia, Oil PSUs have contracts with other countries located at various geographical locations viz. Middle East, Africa, North America , South America etc.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 934 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-26
Subject: Central and State Tax on Fuel
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: K. Muraleedharan, Behanan Benny, Uttam Kumar Nalamada Reddy, D.K. Suresh, Vincent H Pala

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

*****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.934

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY THE 26 TH  JULY, 2021 SRAVANA 4, 1943 (SAKA)

## CENTRAL AND STATE TAX ON FUEL

934. SHRI K. MURALEEDHARAN:

SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:

SHRI UTTAM KUMAR REDDY NALAMADA:

SHRI D.K.SURESH:

SHRI VINCENT H. PALA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry has initiated discussions with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council to assess if fuel should be brought under GST;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether the Ministry is considering reforming the Central and State tax on fuel; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (d): Article  279  A  (5)  of  the  Constitution  prescribes  that  the  Goods  and Service Tax Council shall recommend the date on which the goods and services tax be levied on petroleum crude, high speed diesel, motor spirit (commonly known as petrol), natural gas and aviation turbine fuel (ATF). Also, as per section 9(2) of the CGST Act, inclusion of these products in GST will require recommendation of the GST Council. So far, the GST Council, in which the states are also represented, has not made any recommendation for inclusion of these goods under GST.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 933 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-26
Subject: Banking Licences for Agriculture Sector
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: S. Jagathrakshakan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 933

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 26 TH  JULY 2021/ SRAVANA 4, 1943 (SAKA)

## Banking Licences for Agriculture Sector

## 933. SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is planning to seriously consider differentiated banking licences for the agriculture sector;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, along with the measures taken/being taken by the Government keeping in view the fact that there will be many takers for the rural sector, who will do a better job of providing and spreading credit for much-needed reforms, such as crop diversification; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c):  The  National  Bank  for  Agriculture  and  Rural  Development  (NABARD)  has  been established by the NABARD Act, 1981 as a development bank, to provide and regulate credit and other facilities  for  the  promotion  and  development  of  agriculture,  small  scale  industries, cottage  and  village  industries,  handicrafts  and  other  rural  crafts  and  other  allied  economic activities  in  rural  areas  with  a  view  to  promoting  integrated  rural  development  and  securing prosperity of rural areas.

The  institutional  framework  for  deployment  of  rural  credit  comprises  the  cooperatives, scheduled commercial banks and the Regional Rural Banks. NABARD sanctions credit limits and refinance to State Cooperative Banks, Land Development Banks and the Regional Rural Banks  for  supplementing  their  resources  for  short  and  medium  term  loans  of  various agricultural and non-agricultural purposes, including investment credit provided by them under various  schemes.  NABARD  also  provides  refinance  to  commercial  banks  against  the  term loans  issued  by  them  under  schematic  lending  for  agricultural  and  certain  non-agricultural purposes.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 932 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-26
Subject: Reduction in Courses in a Semester
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Geetha Viswanath Vanga, Komati Reddy Venkat Reddy, Kotha Prabhakar  Reddy, Manne Srinivas Reddy

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 932 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2021

## Reduction in Courses in a Semester

932. SHRIMATI VANGA GEETHA VISWANATH: SHRI KOMATI REDDY VENKAT REDDY: SHRI KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY: SHRI MANNE SRINIVAS REDDY:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  students  may  take  up  to  40%  of  the  total  courses  in  a  semester  in  a programme  through  Swayam  (Study  Webs  of  Active  Learning  for  Young  Aspiring Minds); and
- (b)  if  so  the  details  thereof/response  received/suggestions  received,  State  wise  also  and action  taken  as  on  date  and  proposals  rejected  by  Government  so  far  and  details  of pending in this regard and by when action will be taken?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) & (b) The University Grants Commission (UGC) has notified Credit Framework for Online Learning  Courses  through  SWAYAM  (Study  Webs  of  Active  Learning  for  Young  Aspiring Minds) Regulations, 2021 on 25 th  March, 2021 in suppression to the UGC Credit Framework for Online Learning Courses through SWAYAM Regulation, 2016 whereby it facilitate to allow up to 40% of the total courses being offered in a particular programme in a semester through the online learning courses offered through SWAYAM Platform.

The credits/marks obtained   by the candidate enrolled in universities for SWAYAM Certificate will be counted in the transcript of the Candidate, only if the University has adopted MOOCs Courses offered on SWAYAM Platform for Credit Transfer as per the UGC (Credit Framework for Online Learning Courses through SWAYAM Regulations, 2021.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 931 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-26
Subject: Agreement with Atal Innovation Mission
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: Alok Kumar Suman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 931

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2021 AGREEMENT WITH ATAL INNOVATION MISSION

## 931. DR. ALOK KUMAR SUMAN:

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

- (a) the  details  of  the  names  of  institutes  with  whom  NitiAayog  has  entered  into agreement  for  Skill  Development  in  the  country  under  Atal  Innovation  Mission including in Bihar;
- (b) whether it is fact that the number of youths connected with skill development schemes till date is low in Bihar in comparison to other States;
- (c) if so, the details thereon;
- (d) the details of the scope provided by the Government to connect the youth of district Gopalganj of Bihar with this programme; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a) The Government has set up the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) at NITI Aayog with  an  objective  to  create  scientific  temper  and  cultivate  the  spirit  of  curiosity, creativity, imagination and innovation among young minds and inculcate skills such as  design  mind-set,  computational  thinking,  adaptive  learning,  physical  computing, rapid calculations, measurements, etc. NITI Aayog has not entered into agreement with  this  Ministry  of  Skill  Development  and  Entrepreneurship  in  the  country  under AIM.
- (b) No, Sir.  The  Ministry  of  Skill  Development  and  Entrepreneurship  (MSDE)  is implementing  following  schemes  viz.,  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Kaushal  Vikas  Yojana (PMKVY),  Jan  Shikshan  Sansthan  (JSS)  Scheme  and  National  Apprenticeship Promotion  Scheme  (NAPS)  for  short-term  skill  training  AND  Craftsmen  Training Scheme  (CTS)  through  the  Industrial  Training  Institutes  (ITIs)  for  long-term  skill trainingacross the country including the State of Bihar.
- (c) Analysis  of  the  training  data  of  last  three  years  for  the  above  mentioned schemes  in  respect  of  Bihar  reveal  that  the  State  occupies  8 th ,  5 th ,  21 st and  5 th position under PMKVY Scheme, JSS Scheme, NAPS and CTS respectively.
- (d) Under PMKVY, the District Skill Committee (DSC) of Gopalgunj looks after the skill development in the district with support of Training Centres (TCs) in the district.
- (e) As  on  10.07.2021,  15,843  candidates  have  been  trained  in  the  District Gopalganj of Bihar, out of which 4,609 candidates have been reported placed.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 929 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-26
Subject: Base Year of Price Index
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: P. Velusamy, K. Shanmuga Sundaram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 929

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2021

## BASE YEAR OF PRICE INDEX

929.   SHRI VELUSAMY P.:
2. SHRI SHANMUGA SUNDARAM K.:

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

- (a)whether the Government is considering the recommendations of ILO (International Labour Organisation) regarding revision of base year of price index frequently but not exceeding 10 years;
- (b)if so, the details thereof;
- (c)whether  the  shift  in  base  year  will  affect  the  dearness  allowance payable to Central/State Government employees in fixing minimum wages;
- (d)the steps taken by the Ministry to ensure that the existing wages are not reduced due to shift in the base year;
- (e)whether  the  consent  of  the  stakeholder,  labour  union  has  been considered; and
- (f)if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): The  new  series  of  Consumer  Price  Index  for  Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) with base 2016=100 has been introduced w.e.f. 22 nd October, 2020 with the release of index for the month of September, 2020. The International Labour Organisation's recommendation regarding revision of base year of price index at a gap not exceeding 10 years would be complied during the upcoming base revision of CPIIW.

- (c) & (d): The Dearness Allowance payable to Central/State Government  employees  in  fixing  minimum  wages  is  decided  by  the Department  of  Expenditure,  Ministry  of  Finance  on  the  basis  of  AllIndia  Consumer  Price  Index  for  Industrial  Workers,  compiled  and released  by  Labour  Bureau.  Whenever  index  base  year  is  shifted,  a linking  factor  is  computed  as  ratio  of  old  base  indices  to  new  base indices for latest 12 months preceding the launch of new series. The linking factor, thus, derived is used for conversion of index from new base to old base and vice-versa.
- (e) & (f): Base  revision exercise is highly technical  exercise  & involves various stages of discussions & consultations with stakeholders.  Various  stake  holders  such  as  Central  Trade  Union, Employer's  Organisation's,  Academia,  Women's  Organisation  etc.  are consulted  at  various  stages  of  index  revision  exercise  by  organizing Regional  as  well  as  National  level  meetings.  Moreover,  technical bodies namely, Technical Advisory Committee on Statistics of Prices and Cost of Living (TAC on SPCL) and National Statistical Commission (NSC) are also consulted.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 928 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-26
Subject: Promotion of Telugu Language
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Margani Bharat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.928

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2021

## Promotion of Telugu Language

## 928.    SHRI MARGANI BHARAT:

Will the Minister of  EDUCATION  be pleased to state:

- (a)  the steps taken to promote, propagate and spread Telugu language after it was declared as a Classical Language in 2008;
- (b)  the  details  of  funds  allocated,  sanctioned,  released  and  spent  on  Telugu language since 2008, year-wise;
- (c)  the details of physical  targets  set  after  declaring  Telugu  as  classical language and achieved, year-wise;
- (d)  whether it is also true that not more than Rs. 1 crore is given each year for Telugu and Kannada language promotion, propagation, spread, etc., since 201415, when compared to Tamil language which was given Rs. 50 crores between 2014-15 and 2019-20; and
- (e)  the reasons for such discrimination and steps being taken to provide more funds for Telugu and Kannada classical languages?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a)  to  (c):      Consequent    upon  declaration  of  Telugu  language  as  Classical Language,  Government  of  India  has  established  a  Centre  of  Excellence  for Studies  in   Classical   Telugu     in  Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL),

Mysore  in  2011.  This centre was shifted to Nellore in Andhra Pradesh during the  year  2019  from  Mysore.    The  activities  of    the  centre  is  to  do  research, documentation, and propagation of the classical language. This includes identification of sources of classical language, procure  manuscripts, undertake digitization and publish books related to Classical Telugu.   Awards are  given to reputed Telugu scholars for their achievements in Classical Telugu. The following grants  have  been    given  to  CIIL,  Mysore  for  promotion  of  Classical  Telugu language since 2015.

(in rupees)

| Year    | Amount allocated   | Expenditure   |
|---------|--------------------|---------------|
| 2015-16 | 1,00,00,000        | 19,47,450     |
| 2016-17 | 1,00,00,000        | 4,70,000      |
| 2017-18 | 1,00,00,000        | ----          |
| 2018-19 | 99,00,000          | 28,90,787     |
| 2019-20 | 1,07,00,000        | 75,12,457     |
| 2020-21 | 1,47,00,000        | 1,10,16,383   |
| 2021-22 | 1,03,15,000        | 22,33,968 *   |

*till June-2021

(d) & (e):  The grants are given to language institutions as per their requirement and on need based as per their utilisation.   Government's policy is  to promote all Indian languages including Classical languages and there is no discrimination against any language.

***