opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5224 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: National Institute of Water Sports
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Chandra Sekhar Bellana

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5224

## ANSWERED ON 04.04.2022

## NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF WATER SPORTS

## 5224. SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR BELLANA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any plan to set up National Institute of Water Sports in Andhra Pradesh (Visakhapatnam) as a centre under Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, Andhra Pradesh
- for encouraging aqua tourism and adventure in South India; and
- (b)     if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF TOURISM                                           (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a) & (b): National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS), Goa is a centre functioning  under  the  Indian  Institute  of  Tourism  &  Travel  Management (IITTM),  a  central  autonomous  body  under  the  Ministry  of  Tourism,  for training and certification in water sports and related activities. NIWS, Goa is mandated to impart training in water related sports activities across all States and UTs. For opening of any centre of a central autonomous body there  are  factors  including  potential  for  tourism  development,  resource availability,  viability,  demand  and  other  such  factors  and  comparative advantage  among  various  sites  across  States  and  UTs,  branches  of autonomous bodies are decided including in Andhra Pradesh.  No proposal has  been  received  in  the  Ministry  for  setting  up  of  National  Institute  of Water Sports in Andhra Pradesh (Visakhapatnam).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5222 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Use of Cryptocurrency for Drug Trafficking and Arms Smuggling
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Ranjanben Dhananjay Bhatt

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5222 TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 04 TH  APRIL 2022 CHAITRA 14, 1944 (SAKA)

## Use of Cryptocurrency for Drug Trafficking and Arms Smuggling

## 5222. SHRIMATI RANJANBEN DHANANJAY BHATT:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that there is increasing use of cryptocurrencies/virtual currencies for drug trafficking and arms smuggling in the country;
- (b) if so, whether the Government proposes to take concrete steps to check it;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which steps are likely to be taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

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

- (a) Narcotics Control Bureau and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has unearthed the payment of approx. Rs. 2.2 crore through crypto-currency in 11 cases linked to drug trafficking.
- (b) to (d) In this respect, Government of India has taken the following steps:
-  Conducting training for the field officers on cyber and forensic technologies.
-  Conducting training for the field officers on collection of evidences through electronic means.
-  Regular liasioning with technical experts.
-  Coordination with foreign drug law enforcement agencies.
-  Assistance to states for procuring of equipment including electronic surveillance systems.
-  Hiring of technical experts to assist in intelligence collection and investigation.
-  Setting up of e-surveillance and monitoring systems.
Lok Sabha Question No. 5221 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Bio-Digester Units
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Beesetti  Venkata Satyavathi, Sanjeev Kumar Singari, Midhun Reddy

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5221

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 04.04.2022

## Bio-Digester Units

## 5221.   DR. BEESETTI VENKATA SATYAVATHI: DR. SANJEEV KUMAR SINGARI: SHRI P.V. MIDHUN REDDY:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  plans  to  establish  Effective  Microorganism  Bio-Digester Units  to  increase  the  efficiency  of  waste  treatment  and  biogas  production  in  urban areas and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has commissioned any pilot projects in this regard and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government has researched if it can provide these units to farmers at low cost to reduce the problem of stubble burning in rural North India and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): As per Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, local bodies and village panchayats shall  facilitate  construction,  operation  and  maintenance  of  solid  waste  processing  facilities and associated infrastructure on their own or with private sector participation or through any agency for optimum utilization of various components of solid waste, by adopting suitable technology  and  adhering  to  the  guidelines  issued  by  the  Ministry  of  Housing  and  Urban Affairs from time to time and also the standards prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board. Preference shall be given to decentralized processing to minimize transportation cost and environmental impacts such as:

- bio-methanation,  microbial  composting,  vermi-composting,  anaerobic  digestion  or any other appropriate processing for bio-stabilisation of biodegradable wastes;
- waste to energy processes including refused derived fuel for combustible fraction of waste or supply as feedstock to solid waste based power plants or cement kilns

Further, the Central Pollution Control Board has also constituted Standing Committee on  Technology  for  Waste  Management  for  assessment  of  indigenous  technologies  and innovative  waste  management  practices.  The  Committee  has  prepared  a  Protocol  for Evaluation of Technology for Waste Management.

Compressed  biogas  plants  can  use  paddy  straw  stubble  and  convert  it  into  biogas. These  plants  can  reduce  the  incidence  of  stubble  burning.  The  plants  for  generation  of compressed  biogas  can  be  supported  under  SATAT  (Sustainable  Alternative  Towards Affordable Transportation) scheme of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India, as per scheme guidelines.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5220 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: NPAs of PSBs
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Jual Oram

## 5220. SHRI JUAL ORAM

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- whether the Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) of the Public Sector Banks (PSBs) are piling up;
- (6) if so, the details thereof as on 31 December; 2021, bankwise;
- the reasons for the increase of the NPAs; and
- (d) the steps taken to down the rise of the NPAs? bring

## ANSWER

## THE MNISTER OF STATE IN THE MNISTRY OF FINANCE

## (DR BHAGWAT KARAD)

to (d): As per Reserve Bank of India data, gross non-performing assets (NPAs) as a percentage of gross advances of sector banks (PSBs) have declined from 11.59% as on 31.3.2019, to public

Comprehensive steps have been taken by the Government to improve the recovery of NPAs. The steps taken include, inter alia, the following:

- The Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act; 2002 has been amended to make it more effective, with provision for three months' imprisonment in case the borrower does not provide asset details, and for the lender to possession of mortgaged property within 30 days. get
- (1) in credit culture has been effected; with the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBO fundamentally changing the  creditor-borrower   relationship, away control of the defaulting   company\_from , promoters/ owners, and  debarring wilful defaulters   from the resolution process To make the process more stringent, personal guarantor to corporate debtor has also been brought under the ambit of IBC Under IBC resolution plans have been   approved in 457 cases up to December 2021, with Rs. 2.50 lakh crore amount realisable by financial creditors. Change taking
- 3) Jurisdiction of Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRTs) was increased from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 20 lakh to enable the DRTs to focus on high value cases resulting in higher recovery for the banks   and financial  institutions. Six new DRTs   have also been   established to recovery. expedite
- Stressed Asset   Management Verticals were set up in banks for  focused   slippage prevention, recovery  arrangement   and  time-bound action in  respect of value stressed assets. large-
- reforms have been instituted as part of the Public Sector Banks Reforms   Agenda, including, inter alia, the following: Key
- 1) To ensure timely and better realisation in one-time settlements (OTSs) , end-to-end OTS platforms have been set up in PSBs.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MNISTRY OF FINANCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-5220

ANSWERED ON 04/04/2022

## NPAs of PSBs
Lok Sabha Question No. 5218 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: National Fellowship for SC Students
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Sisir Kumar Adhikari

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.5218 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2022

## National Fellowship for SC Students

5218. SHRI SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether more than half a dozen Research Promotion Schemes under the UGC have been discontinued due to lack of funding;
- (b)  whehter  the  National  Fellowship  for  Scheduled  Caste  students  was discontinued in 2018-19 and if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (c)  the  reasons of declined funding for major research projects under the UGC during the last five years thereof?

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

(a) to (c): The University Grants Commission (UGC) has informed that the scheme known as 'Major Research Projects' has been discontinued after XII  Plan  Period.  However,  UGC  has  launched  new  dedicated  research scheme  known  as  Scheme  for  Trans-disciplinary  Research  for  India's Developing Economy (STRIDE) in 2019 to strengthen research culture in higher educational  institutions with the aim  to identify young  talent, strengthen research culture, build capacity, promote innovation and support trans-disciplinary  research  for  India's  developing  economy  and  national development and to fund multi institutional network high- impact research projects in humanities and human sciences. Funds amounting to Rs. 17.28 crores have already been released under this scheme.

The  UGC has  informed  that  the  scheme  of  National  Fellowship  for Scheduled Caste students is continuing since its inception.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5215 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Inclusion of Barpeta Satra in Heritage Circuit
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Abdul Khaleque

## MINISTER OF TOURISM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5215

## ANSWERED ON 04.04.2022

## INCLUSION OF BARPETA SATRA IN HERITAGE CIRCUIT

## 5215. SHRI ABDUL KHALEQUE:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  promote  Satra  Nagari Barpeta;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  consider  the  demand  to include  Barpeta  Satra  in  Heritage  Circuit  under  Swadesh  Darshan Scheme;
- (c) if so, the time by which it is likely to be included in Heritage Circuit;
- (d)
- if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  letter  from  any  Public Representative to declare Barpeta as Holy City and if so, the status thereof?

## ANSWER

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (e): The Ministry of Tourism undertakes various promotional activities  in  the  international  and  domestic  markets  to  promote  tourism destinations  and  products  of  the  country  in    a    holistic  manner.    This includes release of   media campaigns under 'Incredible India' brand-line, promotional events, social media promotions etc. The Ministry of Tourism is promoting Barpeta through its website www.incredibleindia.org.

Ministry  of  Tourism  has    sanctioned    10  projects    under  Heritage Circuit  theme    of  the    Swadesh  Darshan    scheme  which  includes    the project  'Development of Tezpur - Majuli - Sibsagar'  sanctioned  for  Rs. 90.98 cr. in  Heritage  circuit  theme in the State of Assam. The  Ministry of Tourism  has now   revamped its  Swadesh Darshan  scheme  in  order  to develop    sustainable    and    responsible    destinations    with    tourist    & destination  centric  approach. The  Ministry of  Tourism  has  no  scheme to  declare  any  tourist  destination  as  a  holy city.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5214 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Utility of RuPay Card
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5214

## ANSWERED ON MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022 / CHAITRA 14, 1944 (SAKA) Utility of RuPay Card

5214. Shri Jaswant Singh Bhabhor: Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the concept and utility of RuPay card;
- (b) the number of RuPay cards distributed or subscribed;
- (c) the details of benefits of RuPay Card to the customers; and

(d) the number of transactions done with RuPay card?

## Answer

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

(a)  to  (d)  The  National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has launched RuPay Card payment system to offer a domestic, open-loop, multilateral system which will allow all Indian banks and financial institutions in India to participate in electronic payments. As apprised by NPCI, RuPay debit cards are issued under various Government Schemes to provide banking facilities to specific segments of people.

Further, to promote issuance of RuPay card, account holders under Pradhan Mantri JanDhan Yojana (PMJDY) are provided with a free RuPay Debit card, with an inbuilt accident insurance cover of Rs.1 lakh (since revised to Rs.2 lakh for PMJDY accounts opened after 28.08.2018). Also, RuPay Kisan Credit Card, Mudra Card & Pungrain Card are issued to cater to specific needs of customers such as easy and timely credit for cultivation, credit for working capital and post-harvest grain procurement.

Classic, Platinum & Select variant of RuPay card are designed for different segment of customers. RuPay has also been tied up with International Network partners for providing world-class payment solutions to its customers. International alliances for RuPay card provide access for delivering value to customers globally and vice versa.

Also, vide Circular 32 of 2019 dated 30.12.2019 of Department of Revenue, any charge, including the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR), shall not be applicable on or after 01.01.2020 on payment made through prescribed electronic modes i.e. RuPay Debit card, BHIM-UPI and BHIM-UPI QR Code.

As  on  28.02.2022,  the  total  of  approx.  71  crore  RuPay  cards  have  been  issued  or subscribed,  including  approx.  31.45  crore  RuPay  debit  cards  issued  to  PMJDY  account holders. The number of transactions undertaken with RuPay cards during the FY 2021-22 (till Feb'22)  at  ATM  and  at  Point  of  Sale  /  E-Commerce  are  2341.60  Mn.  and  1383.21  Mn respectively.
Lok Sabha Question No. 5213 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Development of Gandikota as Adventure Sports Hub
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Srinivas Kesineni

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5213 ANSWERED ON 04.04.2022

## DEVELOPMENT OF GANDIKOTA AS ADVENTURE SPORTS HUB

## 5213. SHRI KESINENI SRINIVAS:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  knowledge  that  Gandikota  in Andhra  Pradesh  is  called  the  'Indian  Grand  Canyon'  and  if  so, the  measures  being  undertaken/  proposed  to  develop  it  into  a sustainable tourist destination and if so, the details thereof;
- whether the Government is aware that Gandikota has developed into  an  adventure  sports  hub  and  if  so,  the  measures  being undertaken/proposed to ensure safety of the public and oversight
- (b) on such activities and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government is aware of the existence of two 12th century  temples  near  Gandikota,  Madhavaraya  Swamy  temple and Raghunatha Swamy temple, if so, the efforts being undertaken/proposed to conserve these historical monuments?

## ANSWER

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

MINISTER OF TOURISM

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The Ministry of Tourism is aware that Gandikota is one of the significant geological formation located in Andhra Pradesh.

Ministry  of  Tourism  provides  financial  assistance  to  the  State tourism and 'National  Mission  on  Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation  and  Spiritual,  Heritage

Governments/UT Administrations for development of infrastructure in the country under its 'Swadesh Darshan' Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)' schemes.

In    addition,  the    Ministry  of  Tourism  has    formulated    revised guidelines 'Indian Adventure Tourism Guidelines (Version 2.0)' which cover 31 verticals involving land, air and water in respect of adventure tourism activities and  has forwarded to the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations for compliance.

(c): The work related to conservation  of  historical  monuments  etc. are undertaken by  Archaeological  Survey of  India (ASI), which has informed that  'fort with enclosed ancient buildings, Madhavaperumal temple  and  tower  known  as  Madarsala,  Gandikota,  YSR  Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh'  is a centrally protected monument of ASI under the jurisdiction  of  Amaravati  Circle.  The  ASI,  Amaravati  Circle  is  taking appropriate measures regularly to maintain and conserve this ancient monument.  Further  there  is  a  provision  for  Annual  Conservation Programme(ACP)/Comprehensive  Conservation Work for Madhavaraya Temple  and  Ranganayakula  Temple,  Gandikota  Fort,  YSR  Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, for the Financial Year 2022-23.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5212 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Proposal to Create a Pool of Certified Tourist Facilitators
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Gautam Gambhir

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5212 ANSWERED ON 04.04.2022

## PROPOSAL TO CREATE A POOL OF CERTIFIED TOURIST

## FACILITATORS

## 5212. SHRI GAUTAM GAMBHIR:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is considering any proposals or plan in furtherance of creating a pool of certified tourist facilitators; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF TOURISM

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (b): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  launched  the  Incredible India  Tourist  Facilitator  (IITF)  Certification  Programme-  a  digital initiative that aims at creating an Online learning platform with the objective of creating a pool of well trained and professional Tourist Facilitators across the country. The system provides basic, advanced (heritage and adventure), spoken language and refresher courses  for  candidates.  The  candidates  can  pursue  these  online courses from anywhere and at any time and at their own pace. The online courses can be accessed from different digital devices. On successful completion of the course, he/she will be a professionally certified tourist facilitator who will support tourists by disseminating  information,  eliciting  interest  in  them  about  the country  and  providing  experiential  tourism.  The  Programme  has been  made  available  online  w.e.f.  01.01.2020.  This  certification programme has been conducted by Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM) Gwalior.

Minimum eligibility  for  the  IITFC  programme  is  10+2  for  the candidates  in  the  age  group  of  18  to  40  and  10 th   Class  for candidates  above  40  years  of  age.  Registration  fee  is  Rs.  2000/which is exempted for candidates belonging to SC/ST community, residents of Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir and Aspirational Districts declared by NITI Aayog.

Regional Level Guides (RLGs) have also been inducted in the Advance  Stage  (IITG-Heritage)  of  this  programme  and  they  have been renamed as Incredible India Tourist Guide (IITG) on completion of Refresher Course.

As on 28.03.2022, total number of registration on the portal of IITFC  is  11533.  Two  Batches  of  Basic  IITFC  Course  have  already been conducted and 3071 candidates have been declared successful.  Total  number  of  1549  RLGs  have  also  completed  the refresher  course  conducted  by  Indian  Institute  of  Tourism  and Travel Management (IITTM).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5210 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Women Study Centres
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Ramya  Haridas

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5210 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2022

## Women Study Centres

## 5210. MS. RAMYA HARIDAS:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Indian universities under University Grants Commission have planned for the  development  of  Women  Studies  Centres  in  Indian  universities  and  colleges  for promoting equality and empowerment of women;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether the National Education Policy, 2020 mentions anything about the Centres for Women Studies which have significant contribution to empowering women in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

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

- (a)  &  (b):  The  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  has  informed  that  for  promotion  of equality  and  empowerment  of  women,  it  runs  the  scheme  of  'Development  of  Women's Studies  in  Indian  Universities  and  Colleges'.  The  UGC  programme  for  promotion  of women's Studies envisages financial assistance to Universities and Colleges for setting up centres  and  cells  for  Women's  Studies.  The  Centres/Cells  are  required  to  undertake research, develop curricula and organize training and extension work in the areas of gender equity,  economic  self-reliance  of  women,  girls'  education,  population  issues,  issues  of human rights, social exploitation etc.

Presently,  159  (84  in  Universities  and  75  in  Colleges)  Women's  Studies  Centres have been established under the scheme.

- (c) & (d): Though the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 does not specifically mention about Centres for Women's Studies, it recognizes the special and critical role that women play  in  society  and  in  shaping  social  mores.  The  NEP,  2020  envisions  that  providing  a quality  education  to  girls  is  the  best  way  to  increase  the  education  levels  for  the  SocioEconomically  Disadvantaged  Groups  (SEDGs),  not  just  in  the  present  but  also  in  future generations.  The  policy  thus  recommends  that  the  policies  and  schemes  designed  to include students from SEDGs should be especially targeted towards girls in these SEDGs.

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