opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2995 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-20
Subject: Pre-Matric Scholarship
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Abhishek Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 2995

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 20/03/2023

## PRE-MATRIC SCHOLARSHIP

## 2995. SHRI ABHISHEK BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  commissioned  a  study  to  gauge  the  effects  of  Pre-Matric scholarships for classes I to VIII on drop-out rates; and
- (b) whether the increased enrolment in classes I to VIII is representative of the Scheduled Tribe populations?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU)

- (a): The Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for ST students implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs covers the ST students studying in Class IX and X and does not cover student of Class I to VIII.

The scheme has been conceptualized with the objective of supporting parents of scheduled tribe students for education of their wards studying in classes IX and X so that the incidence of drop out,  especially  in  transition  from  the  elementary  to  secondary  and  during  the  second  stage  of education  is  minimized;  and  to  improve  participation  of  ST  students  in  classes  IX  and  X  of PreMatric stage, so that they perform well and have a better chance of progressing to Post-Matric stages of education.  Evaluation study of Pre-Matric Scholarship conducted by  NITI Aayog in 2021  and Indian Institute of Public Administration(IIPA) in September 2019  has found that the scheme has been successful in achieving its objective.

- (b): Department of Schools Education and Literacy under Ministry of Education is the nodal Department for providing Universal access to quality education through its autonomous/Statutory  bodies,  i.e.  CBSE,  KVS,  JNV,  NIOS  and  NCTE  and  its  centrally sponsored scheme of Samagra Shiksha, PM Poshan, PadhnaLikhna Abhiyan and central sector scheme of National Means cum Merit Scholarships.  The report of Unified District Information System  for  Education  (UDISE)  Plus  published  by  Ministry  of  Education,  shows  that  Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) for ST students  in 2019-20 for class I to VIII is 102.08, which confirms that  increased  enrolment  in  classes  I  to  VIII  is  also  representative  of  the  Scheduled  Tribe populations.   Likewise  the  GER  at  Senior  Secondary  (classes  IX-X)  level  has  increased  from 62.4% in 2012-13 to 76.7% in 2019-20.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 260 (STARRED), answered on 2023-03-17
Subject: Electoral Reforms
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Kotha Prabhakar  Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *260

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, 17 th  MARCH, 2023 ELECTORAL REFORMS

## *260.  SHRI KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  working  out  several  electoral  reforms such  as  deferring  the  demonstration/implementation  of  its  recently developed prototype  Remote  Electronic  Voting  Machine  (REVM)  and the recent amendment to the election laws facilitating voter registration throughout the year;
- (b) if so, the details along with the implementation status thereof as on date, State-wise; and
- (c) the timeline drawn for the electoral reforms to be undertaken in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN RESPECT OF PART (a) TO (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *260 DATED 17 th  MARCH, 2023

(a)  to  (c):    No  Sir,  there  is  no  such  proposal  under  consideration  of  the Government.

Further, the Government, after consultation with the Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken steps, from time to time, to bring electoral reforms to improve the existing electoral practices in the country.  Recently, the Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021 (49 of 2021) was enacted, which interalia ,  provides for four qualifying dates i.e. 1 st day of January, 1 st day of April, 1 st day of July and 1 st day of October in a year for voter registration and now, an eligible  Indian  Citizen  can  submit  application  for  getting  registered  in  the electoral roll with reference to those dates.  The provisions of the said Act have come into force on 01 st August, 2022.

The  electoral  reforms  are  continuous  and  ongoing  process  in  order  to improve the existing electoral practices in the country, no specific time line can be drawn in this regard.

The  ECI  has  informed  that a Concept  Note  on  improving  voter participation  of  domestic  migrants  using  remote  voting  dated  28 th December, 2022  was  circulated  by  them  to  all  National/State  political  parties inter-alia including  matters  like  defining  a  'Migrant  voter',  addressing  the  territorial concept,  the  method  of  remote  voting  and  counting  of  votes,  enforcement  of Model Code of Conduct, setting up of controlled environment to ensure free and fair voting and so on. Subsequently, a discussion with the political parties was conducted on 16 th January, 2023. The ECI has solicited written views/comments of the political parties by 28 th February, 2023 on various legal, administrative  and technological  issues  as  contained in  the  Concept  Note  and beyond.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 259 (STARRED), answered on 2023-03-17
Subject: Defence Aerospace Production at Rajkot
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Mohanbhai Kalyanji Kundariya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 259

TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  March, 2023

## DEFENCE AEROSPACE PRODUCTION AT RAJKOT

- *259.  SHRI MOHANBHAI KALYANJI KUNDARIYA:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether the Government has received anyrepresentation from high precision industrial hub of Rajkot to consider for setting up defence aerospace production at Rajkot; (b)  if so, the details thereof along with the action taken thereon; and (c)    if  not,  whether  any  such  proposal  is  under  consideration  and  the  timeline  likely  to  be
- taken for its implementation?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE

(a) to (c):  A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

## A  N  S  W  E  R

(SHRI RAJNATH SINGH)

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  to  (c)  OF  THE  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 259 FOR ANSWER ON 17.03.2023 REGARDING 'DEFENCE AEROSPACE PRODUCTION AT RAJKOT'.

- (a):    No  such  representation  has  been  received  by  the  Government  from  high  precision industrial hub of Rajkot.
- (b):  Does not arise.
- (c):  Does not arise.
- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 256 (STARRED), answered on 2023-03-17
Subject: Relief to Victims of Human-Animal Conflict
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Dean Kuriakose

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. * 256 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 17.3.2023 Relief to Victims of Human-Animal Conflict

## * 256. ADV. DEAN KURIAKOSE:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has the details of State and Central Laws that provide relief to those wounded or killed in human-animal conflict;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)

whether the Government has any plan/proposal to introduce legislation to make compensation to victims of human-animal conflict a legal right;

- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  establish  a  Tribunal  by  law, modelled  on  the  lines  of  Motor  Accident  Claims  Tribunal,  to  ensure speedy  distribution  of  compensation  to  victims  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF LAW & JUSTICE (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

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

## Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (e) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question  No.  *256  due  for  answer  on  17.03.2023  regarding  'Relief  to Victims of Human-Animal Conflict'

(a)  to  (e):The  responsibility  for  management  of  wildlife  and  prevention  of human-wildlife conflict primarily falls on the State Governments and the rates of compensation vary from State to State. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change provides financial support to States/UTs through various Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) namely; 'Development of Wildlife Habitats'; 'Project Tiger' and  'Project Elephant'; for carrying out various activities for protection and management of wildlife and towards management of  human-wildlife  conflict.  There  is  also  a  provision  of  financial  support  for shifting  of  villages  outside  from  Protected  Areas,to  reduce  human  wildlife conflict  inside  Protected  Areas;including  financial  assistance  to  States  for payment of ex-gratia in case of loss of human life and property.

The  Wild  Life  (Protection)  Act,  1972,  enacted  by  the  Ministry  of Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change,  provides  for  protection  of  wildlife and its habitats. The Act, however, does not have any provision for providing relief to those wounded or killed in human-animal conflict.  The Government is neither    considering  to  introduce  any  legislation  nor  creationof  a  Tribunal  for payment of compensation to victims of human-wildlife conflict.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 249 (STARRED), answered on 2023-03-17
Subject: Oil Spill incidents in Ports
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Brijendra Singh

## GOVERNMENT  OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.  *249

ANSWERED ON 1710312023

## OIL SPILL INCIDENTS  IN PORTS

-249,  SHRI BRIJENDRA  SINGH:

will the Minister  of PoRTS, sHtpptNc AND wATERWAys be pteased to state : qil{,  +dqlwrc ofuwcFf trfi

- (a) whether  the Government has any data on the number  of oil-spills and other polluting incidents reported on the lndian ports and territorial water areas during the year 202223:
- (b) if so, the details  thereof including the efforts made by the Government  to mitigate  it;
- (c) if not, the reasons  therefor;
- (d) whether the Government imposes any penalty  on individuals/corporations/
- organisations  responsible  for polluting  the ports and the seas; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (sHRt SARBANANDA  SONOWAL)

- (a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED ro lN REPLY ro  PARTS (a) ro  (e) \_of  ^L\_O-K\_-91?HA STARRED QUESTION NO. ,9 NUSWCNEO  ON 17TH MARCH, 2023 RAISED BY SHRI' BRIJENDRA SINGH REGARDING "OIL SPILL INCIDENTS  IN PORTS"'

- (a)'(b)&(c)NoSir,Nooilspillandotherpollutingincidentisreportedonthelndian ports and territorial  water areas  during the year 2022-23 as per the data available
- (d)&(e) Yes Sir. As per Section 436 (2) of the Merchant  Shipping Act' 1958' in caseofdischargeofoiloroilymixturefromlndianand/orForeignflagtankerin contravention of  \_  Sub Section  1 of Section 356 (c) the Master of the tanker or, if the tanker  is unmanned, the  person in charge of its operation shall be liable to fine which may extend to five lakh rupees.
Lok Sabha Question No. 246 (STARRED), answered on 2023-03-17
Subject: Cashless Facilities to Pensioners under CGHS
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Sanjay Jaiswal, Kotagiri Sridhar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 246 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 17 TH  MARCH, 2023

## CASHLESS FACILITIES TO PENSIONERS UNDER CGHS

## †*246. DR. SANJAY JAISWAL: SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is any mandatory provision to provide cashless treatment facility to the pensioner beneficiaries under Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) when they are hospitalized in CGHS empanelled private hospitals;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether cashless treatment is currently not being extended to the pensioners when they are hospitalized in CGHS empanelled private hospitals;
- (d)  if  so,  the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  resume  the  cashless  treatment facility for the CGHS pensioners on hospitalization; and
- (e) the details of the time-limit fixed for settlement of bills of expenditure incurred on treatment availed in the said hospitals by the CGHS pensioners?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

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

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 246 FOR 17 TH  MARCH, 2023

(a)  to  (e)  As  per  the  terms  and  conditions  of  empanelment  and  Memorandum  of Agreement  between  CGHS  and  private  hospitals  empaneled  under  CGHS,  it  is mandatory to provide cashless treatment facility to the pensioner beneficiaries under Central  Government Health  Scheme  (CGHS) when they are hospitalized in CGHS empaneled private hospitals. Cashless treatment is being extended to the pensioner CGHS  beneficiaries,  when  they  are  hospitalized  in  CGHS  empaneled  hospitals. Hospital bills amounting to Rs 2949 Crore have been settled in this financial year till date.  Government  has  prescribed  a  time  limit  of  30  days  for  settlement  of  bills  of expenditure  incurred  on  treatment  availed  in  the  hospitals  by  pensioner  CGHS beneficiaries, when no special approvals are involved.
Lok Sabha Question No. 244 (STARRED), answered on 2023-03-17
Subject: Slots for Passport Appointments
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Gurjeet Singh Aujla

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 244 ANSWERED ON 17.03.2023

## Slots for Passport Appointments

## *244.  Shri Gurjeet Singh Aujla

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken note that Amritsar Regional Passport Office and Passport    Sewa Kendra are failing to cater to the needs of the applicants due to lack of appointment slots in both normal and tatkal modes and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the passport portal for Amritsar RPO and PSK works only for a few seconds at 9:30AM and 5:00PM for appointment taking and fee deposit and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has any proposal to enhance the capacity and depute more staff enhancing slots, if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government received any communication to enhance this capacity from RPO and or from the officials of private company acting as front end of PSK and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (DR. SUBRAHMANYAM JAISHANKAR)

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

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED   QUESTION   NO.   244   REGARDING   'SLOTS   FOR   PASSPORT APPOINTMENTS' FOR ANSWER ON 17/03/2023

(a to d): There has been consistent increase in demand for passport and related services across the country including at Amritsar Regional Passport Office (RPO) and Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) Amritsar. Post Covid-19, the demand for these services has almost doubled due to backlog of 2020 and 2021. The passport website/portal is hosted on a unified platform running a centralised database and application, running 24 by 7, catering to 36 Passport Offices, 93 Passport Seva Kendras, 430 Post Office   Passport   Seva   Kendras   (POPSKs)   and   more   than   180   Indian   Missions/Posts   abroad, including the RPO/PSK Amritsar. Around 65000 applicants are booking appointments at various PSKs/POPSKs across the country every day, including 1230 appointments at Amritsar. The Government is continuously monitoring the demand for passport services and has taken various measures including enhancing the capacity of the PSK Amritsar, such as increasing the number of slots/batches, as well as extended working hours during the day. Eight (8) additional staff have been provided to RPO Amritsar: 4 during 2021-22 and 4 in the current year.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2990 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-17
Subject: Cases of Heart Attack
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2990 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  MARCH, 2023

## CASES OF HEART ATTACK

## 2990. SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH:

Will the MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether incidences of instant death due to sudden heart attack have started occurring particularly after COVID-19 period, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government is  aware that  the  Corona  vaccines might  be  one  of the  causes  of  such deaths, as opined by experts;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether the Government has initiated any specific study through ICMR in this regard and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) to (d): This data is not maintained centrally.

Based on Adverse Event Following Immunisation surveillance there is no evidence of links between sudden cardiac deaths and Covid-19 vaccines.

Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has not conducted any study in this regard.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2989 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-17
Subject: Army Schools in West Bengal
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Khan Saumitra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2989

TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  March, 2023

## ARMY SCHOOLS IN WEST BENGAL

2989.  SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  Army  Schools  in  Madhya  West  Bengal, especially in Rarh Bengal region;
- (b)    if  so,  the  details  thereof,  location-wise and  if  not,  the time  by  which  such  schools are likely to be set up in the said State;
- (c)    whether  any  such  school  is  likely  to  be  set  up  in  tribal-dominated  districts  of  West Bengal, if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  the details of places in West Bengal where infrastructure of Army schools are currently under construction, district-wise;
- (e)    whether any proposal for setting up any new Army School in Bishnupur, Asansol and Bankura Parliamentary constituencies is under consideration; and
- (f)  if so, the details thereof?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

MINISTER OF STATE (SHRI AJAY BHATT) IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

- (a) & (b):  No, Sir. There are presently nine Army Public Schools functioning in the state of West Bengal.
- (c) & (d):  No, Sir.
- (e) & (f):  No, Sir. There is no proposal for setting up new Army Schools in West Bengal.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2988 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-17
Subject: Import of EVM Technology
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Sajda Ahmed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

## L O K    S A B H A

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2988

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, 17 th  MARCH, 2023

## IMPORT OF EVM TECHNOLOGY

## 2988.  SHRIMATI SAJDA AHMED:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  purchased  the  EVM  and  EVI technology from foreign countries and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the company engaged in manufacturing of the EVM, VVPAT and their paper roll;
- (c)  the  total  numbers  of  Ballot  Unit  (BU)  and  Control  Unit  (CU) available in the country as on date;
- (d) the details of the model being used presently for voting with full tamperproof technology; and
- (e) whether the Government has made any affidavit in support of the tamper-proofing of the EVM in the court and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a) and (b):  The  Election  Commission  of  India  (ECI)  has  informed  that  EVMs and  VVPATs  are designed and manufactured indigenously M/s. Bharat Electronic Limited (M/s. BEL) (PSU under the Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India) and M/s. Electronic Corporation of India Limited (M/s. ECIL) (PSU under the Department of Atomic Energy, Govt.  of  India).    Paper  Roll  of  the  VVPAT  is  procured  by  the

by

- States/UTs from the manufacturers viz . M/s. BEL and M/s. ECIL.
- (c): The details of total numbers of CUs and BUs available in the country is as under:-
- (d): The ECI has informed that presently, it is using the M-3 Model  of EVMs and VVPATS.
- (e): In an election petition filed in Karnataka High Court in the matter of Michael B. Fernandes vs .  C.K.  Jaffer  Sharief,  2004  SCC online Kar 72, the Hon'ble Court had observed that EVMs are fully tamper proof and there is no possibility of manipulation of mischief at the instance of anyone.

| Procurement Year   |   BU (in Lakhs) | CU (in Lakhs)   |
|--------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
| 3.82               |            2.5  | 2014            |
| 13.95              |           10.56 | 2018            |
| 13.26              |            9.09 | New Procurement |
| Total              |           31.03 | 22.15           |

Further, in the matter of W.P. (Crl.) No. 4l of 2017 titled as Manohar Lal Sharma vs .  The  Chief Election Commissioner of lndia & 4 Ors. filed  before  the  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  of  India,  the  ECI  had submitted  a  Counter  Affidavit  (CA)  explaining  that  the  EVMs  are tamper  proof.    The  Court  took  on  record  the  CA  of  the  ECI  and disposed off the matter vide its order dated 09 th August, 2017.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2982 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-17
Subject: Bharat Dynamics Limited Project in Amravati
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Navneet Ravi Rana

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2982

TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  March, 2023

## BHARAT DYNAMICS LIMITED PROJECT IN AMRAVATI

2982.  SHRIMATI NAVNEET RAVI RANA: Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state: (a)  whether the Government is taking any steps to complete the Bharat Dynamics Limited project lying pending since long in Amravati Parliamentary Constituency; (b)  if so, the details thereof; and
2. (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

## MINISTER OF STATE (SHRI AJAY BHATT) IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(a)  to  (c):    Bharat  Dynamics  Limited project in Amravati, Maharashtra, was conceived for manufacturing of VSHORAD which is an Air-Defence System. This project will be taken up as  and  when  firm  orders  for  VSHORAD  are  placed  on  M/s  BDL  by  Services  as  per  their strategic requirement.

*****