opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2495 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Leopard Safari Conservation Project in Nashik
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Rajabhau Parag Prakash Waje

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2495

TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## Leopard Safari Conservation Project in Nashik

## 2495.  SHRI RAJABHAU PARAG PRAKASH WAJE:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  of  the  escalating  human-leopard  conflict  in Nashik  district  in  Maharashtra  that  has  resulted  in  numerous  causalities  and  injuries during the last five years;
- (b)  the  details  of  immediate  actions  intended  to  enhance  rescue  and  conflict  resolution infrastructure like rapid response teams, adequate cages and AI- based early detection systems in the affected zones;
- (c) whether a specific Leopard Safari Conservation Project, inspired by successful models in Junnar, will be launched in Nashik to protect surrounding communities and promote sustainable eco-tourism; and
- (d)  if so, the timeline and monitoring arrangements for implementing the project and if not, the reasons for withholding approval?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) and (b)   Protection and management of wild animals and their habitats, including management of human wildlife conflict is primarily the responsibility of the concerned States/Union Territories. As  informed  by  the  Chief  Wild  Life  Warden,  Maharashtra,  the  details  of  human  deaths  and incidences of human injuries reported in human- leopard conflicts in Nashik district are as below:

| Year    |   Human causalities |   Human injuries |
|---------|---------------------|------------------|
| 2021-22 |                   6 |                6 |
| 2022-23 |                   5 |                6 |
| 2023-24 |                   4 |                3 |
| 2024-25 |                   7 |                6 |
| 2025-26 |                   9 |               17 |

Forest  Department  has  operationalized  the  Rapid  Response  Teams(RRT)  with  trained  staff  and essential equipments, awareness programmes are undertaken in highly sensitive areas. Further, as the conflict  are  predominantly  in  non  forest  areas,  AI-based  camera  warning  systems  and  auditory deterrents such as Animal Intrusion Detection and Repellent System (ANIDERS) are used on a pilot basis.

(c) and (d) A proposal for establishment of Leopard Rescue Centre in 10 hectare area in Mhasrul, West Nashik Forest Division, Maharashtra was received in the Central Zoo Authority on 30 th  October 2025.  The proposal was considered by the Expert Group on Zoo Designing in its 119 th  meeting held on 06.11.2025. The State of Maharashtra  is required to submit  a Detailed Project Report (DPR)  to the Central Zoo Authority.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2492 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Travel Grants to Artists
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Smt. Manju Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2492

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## TRAVEL GRANTS FOR ARTISTS

## †2492. Smt. Manju Sharma:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has launched any scheme to provide travel grants to Indian artists for organizing programs abroad in order to promote Indian culture; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) the details of the funds allocated for this purpose during the last five years and the current

- year, year-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) The Ministry of Culture has no ongoing scheme to provide travel grants to Indian artists for organizing programs abroad in order to promote Indian culture.

## (b)

to (c): In view of the above, question does not arise.

***********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2490 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Functioning of the National Monuments Authority
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Captain Viriato Fernandes

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2490 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## FUNCTIONING OF THE NATIONAL MONUMENTS AUTHORITY

## 2490.  SHRI CAPTAIN VIRIATO FERNANDES:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state :-

- (a)  the  status  of  constitution  and  functioning  of  the  National  Monuments  Authority  in relation to processing of applications and permissions for repair, construction or other activities in prohibited and regulated areas around protected monuments in Goa;
- (b)  whether any guidelines or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are in place to ensure compliance with the Act; and
- (c)   if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a)  The National Monuments Authority (NMA) has been constituted under the provisions of the  Ancient  Monuments  and  Archaeological  Sites  and  Remains  (AMASR)  Act,  1958,  as amended in 2010. The Authority is mandated to regulate construction, repair, renovation and other developmental  activities within the prohibited and regulated area of protected monuments and sites notified by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The Authority functions  through  its  Headquarters  in  New  Delhi  and  Competent  Authorities  notified  for different locations in the country. NMA receives and processes all applications from across India  including  State  of  Goa  for  undertaking  repair,  renovation,  construction,  or  other developmental  activities falling within  the prohibited or regulated areas of protected monuments and sites. The applicants are required to submit all requisite documents, including site  plans,  ownership  records,  structural  details,  and  project  proposals.  The  Competent Authority examines the proposal at the field level and submits its recommendations to NMA indicating the impact of the proposed construction on the protected monument or site. The Authority  makes  an  assessment  on  the  basis  of  material  in  its  possession  or  monuments specific Heritage Bye-Laws where notified, that such repair or renovation or re-construction or construction is not likely to have an adverse impact on the preservation, safety, security, visual  integrity,  or  access  to  the  protected  monument  considerably,  before  issuing  its  final recommendation.

(b) & (c)     In terms of the provisions of Section 20E of AMASR Act,1958 (as amended in 2010), the National Monuments Authority (NMA) approves Heritage bye-laws for protected monuments  and  sites  prepared  by  the  Competent  Authority  in  consultation  with  expert heritage bodies as notified by the Central Government. These Heritage bye-laws intended to guide physical, social and economic intervention prescribe building related guidelines for the prohibited  or  regulated  area  of  the  ASI-protected  monuments  or  sites,  thereby  ensuring compliance with the provisions of AMASR Act,1958 and the rules frame thereunder.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2487 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Establishment of Defence Academy
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Amra Ram

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2487 ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## Establishment of Defence Academy

†2487. Shri Amra Ram:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the construction work of the Defence Academy at Ralawata village, Dantaramgarh  in  Sikar  district  was  completed  long  ago,  if  so,  the  time  by  which  the Government proposes to start open the said academy; and (b) the reasons for the delay in the inauguration of the said academy despite its announcement
- having already been made by the then Hon'ble President of India?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

- (a) & (b):  As per information provided by the Department of Military Affairs, Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Defence is not constructing any such defence academy at Ralawata village, Dantaramgarh in Sikar district, Rajasthan.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2480 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Pollution by Asphalt Plant
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Dr. Bachhav Shobha Dinesh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2480

TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## Pollution by Asphalt Plant

## 2480.   DR. BACHHAV SHOBHA DINESH:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the complaints raised regarding M/s Sundar Madhav Construction Chikalohol Shiwar at Malegaon Chalisgaon road in Malegaon, engaged in production of Asphalt and emitting smoke and foul odour, causing severe air pollution in the surrounding environment, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government has instituted an  enquiry  to review into the issue, if so, the details thereof including findings of the investigation and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  take  necessary  action  and  shut  down  the  plant  for  the health and welfare of the local residents;
- (d) whether other incidents of such plants operating without necessary Environmental Clearances and causing pollution have been noticed during the last five years and the current year, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government have taken any action to prevent recurrence of such incidents, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a)  to  (e):      The  Government  has  taken  cognizance  of  the  complaints  raised  regarding  M/s  Sundar Madhav  Construction  located  in  Malegaon  Taluka,  Nashik  District,  Maharashtra.  The  unit  was inspected by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) on 29.05.2025 and based on the noncompliances observed, a Closure Direction was issued to the unit on 28.11.2025.

The MPCB regularly monitors industrial areas to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. During the last  five  years,  the  State  Board  has  initiated  action  of  Closure  Directions  to  1,149  nonconsented  units  that  were  reported  or  identified  as  operating  without  the  requisite  Environmental Clearances (EC) or consent/authorization, and were found to be causing pollution.

To  prevent  recurrence  of  such  non-compliances,  the  Government  takes  several  actions,  including issuing  regular  directions  to  SPCBs/PCCs  under  the  Environment  (Protection)  Act,  1986,  Section 18(1)(b) of the Water Act, 1974, and the Air Act, 1981. In addition, the MPCB has adopted multiple measures to prevent similar incidents in the state. These include:

-  Regular inspections and surprise visits to industrial areas
-  Issuance of directions for rectification of observed non-compliances
-  Circulation of guidelines, circulars, and enforcement mechanisms on a regular basis to ensure strict adherence to environmental norms.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2477 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Football Match Invitations to Argentina Team
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Adv Dean Kuriakose

## Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

## Government of India Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2477 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

Football Match Invitations to Argentina Team

## 2477. ADV DEAN KURIAKOSE:

Will  the  Minister  of  YOUTH  AFFAIRS  AND  SPORTS  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) whether the Government has given any official invitation to the Argentina Football Team for official matches in the country;
- (b) if so, the details along with the venues and the dates thereof;
- (c)  whether  All  India  Football  Federation  (AIFF)  has  allowed  any private organisations to invite the Argentina National Football team for playing matches in India; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

- (a)
- (b)
- No Sir
- The question doesn't arise.
- (c) & (d) All  India  Football  Federation (AIFF) has informed that it received  an  email  from  Government  of  Kerala  seeking  FIFA's approval  for  hosting  an  Argentina  vs.  Australia  friendly  match  in Kerala, India, during the FIFA Window of 10 th -18 th  November 2025. In

## ANSWER [DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA]

response,  AIFF  forwarded  this  request  to  FIFA  and  Asian  Football Confederation. AIFF also received a request from Football Australia seeking  support  and  cooperation  from  AIFF  in facilitating all necessary permissions, approvals, formal clearances, and procedural requirements related to the match.

As informed by AIFF, on 27 th  October 2025, Football Australia formally withdrew its application for the match.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2472 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Promotion of Traditional Folk Arts
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Dr. Rajkumar Sangwan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2472

ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## PROMOTION OF TRADITIONAL FOLK ARTS

†2472. DR. RAJKUMAR SANGWAN:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  efforts  made/being  made  by  the  Government  to  promote  all  types  of traditional  folk  arts  (including  those  of  Scheduled  Castes/Tribes/Backward  Classes)  in  the country;
- (b) whether a festival of these arts is being organised in Uttar Pradesh for this purpose;
- (c) if so, the details of the funds allocated and utilised for each district of Uttar Pradesh including Baghpat Lok Sabha Constituency during the last five years and the current year;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to organize festivals of these arts in other districts of Uttar Pradesh including Baghpat district in the coming years; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) To protect, promote and preserve various forms of traditional folk arts (including those of Scheduled Castes/Tribes/Backward Classes) throughout the country, the Government of India has  set  up  seven  Zonal  Cultural  Centres  (ZCCs)  with  headquarters  at  Patiala,  Nagpur,  Udaipur, Prayagraj, Kolkata, Dimapur and Thanjavur. These ZCCs organize various cultural activities and programmes on regular basis in their member States.
- (b) & (c) North  Central  Zone  Cultural  Centre  (NCZCC),  Prayagraj  located  at  Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture, organizes various cultural festivals/  programmes  relating  to  these  arts  on  regular  basis  in  its  member  States  including  the State  of  Uttar  Pradesh.  Some  of  the  key  programmes  include  the  Kashi  Tamil  Sangamam, Kalagram set up during Maha Kumbh-2025, Rashtriya Shilp Mela, Chalo Man Ganga Teer etc. No State/District/Constituency  wise  funds  are  allocated  for  the  purpose.  However,  grant-in-aid released to NCZCC, Prayagraj during the last five years and the current year is as under:
- (d) & (e) NCZCC organizes various cultural festivals/ programmes in its member States including the State of Uttar Pradesh as per their Programme Calendar of events approved by the Programme Committee.

| Sl. No.   | Year                 |   Amount released (Rs. in lakh) |
|-----------|----------------------|---------------------------------|
| i.        | 2020-21              |                          448.04 |
| ii.       | 2021-22              |                          984.7  |
| iii.      | 2022-23              |                          301.51 |
| iv.       | 2023-24              |                         3553.24 |
| v.        | 2024-25              |                         3227.66 |
| vii.      | 2025-26 (as on date) |                          799.17 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2468 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Status of Indoor Stadium in Jhunjhunu
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Brijendra Singh Ola

## Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

## Government of India Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2468

TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

Status of Indoor Stadium in Jhunjhunu

†2468.     SHRI BRIJENDRA SINGH OLA:

Will  the  Minister  of  YOUTH  AFFAIRS  AND  SPORTS  be  pleased  to state:

- (a)  whether  Jhunjhunu  district  in  Rajasthan  has  a  significance  in terms of education and sports, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the  details  of  efforts  made/being  made  by  the  Government  for more encouragement to youth to join sports in Jhunjhunu during the last three years and the current year;
- (c)  the  number  of  Indoor  Stadiums  located  in  Jhunjhunu  district, Rajasthan  along  with  the  number  and  dates  on  which  Indoor
- Stadium constructed under Khelo India Scheme (KIS);
- (d) whether the Government proposes to construct Indoor Stadium in each legislative constituency of Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan;
- and
- (e)  if  so,  the  time  by  which  the  said  stadiums  are  likely  to  be constructed and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA]

(a)  to  (b)  :  Sports  being  a  State  subject,  the  responsibility  of development  and  promotion  of  sports,  rests  primarily  with  the State/Union Territory governments, and the Central government only supplements  their  efforts.  However,  the  Government  is  running

various  sports  promotional  schemes  such  as  Khelo  India  Scheme, Assistance to National Sports Federation Scheme, etc.  across the country,  including  the  state  of  Rajasthan.  Under  the  Khelo  India Scheme,  there  is  one  (01)  Khelo  India  Centre  and  one  (01)  Khelo India Accredited Academy  in  Jhunjhunu  district in Rajasthan. Further, there are three (03) Sports Authority of India (SAI) Training Centres (STCs), two (02) Extension Centres of STCs, and one (01) Adopted Akhara operational in the state of Rajasthan.

(c) to (e): There is no such proposal at present. However, there are total  60  Khelo  India  Centres  (KICs)  and  1  Khelo  India  Centre  of Excellence  (KISCE)  in  the  state  of  Rajasthan.  Further,  two  (02) indoor  multi-purpose  halls  have  been  constructed  in  Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. The details of these projects are available at https://mdsd.kheloindia.gov.in/ .

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2466 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Delay in filling the Vacant Post of Presiding Officer
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri M K Raghavan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2466 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## DELAY IN FILLING THE VACANT POST OF PRESIDING OFFICER

## 2466. SHRI M K RAGHAVAN:

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

- (a) whether the Government has planned to fill the vacant post of the Presiding Officer at Central Government Industrial Tribunal-cumLabour  Court,  Ernakulam  which  has  been  lying  vacant  since August 2022 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has noticed the difficulties faced by the labour sector in Kerala and Lakshadweep due to the said vacant post and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government has any data on the number of cases pending in the Central Government Industrial Tribunal-cum-Labour Court, Ernakulam and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

(a) to (c): Appointment  order  has  been  issued  to  the  selected candidate.    However,  considering  the  difficulties  faced  by  labour sector  in  Kerala  and  Lakshadweep  due  to  vacant  post,  additional charge  of  Presiding  Officer  (PO),  Central  Government  Industrial Tribunal-cum-Labour  Court,  Ernakulam  has  been  entrusted  to  PO, Central Government Industrial Tribunal-cum-Labour Court, Chennai. As  on  30.11.2025,  a  total  of  1135  cases  are  pending  in  Central Government Industrial Tribunal-cum-Labour Court, Ernakulam.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2459 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Delay in KISCE Project in Uttar Pradesh
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Pushpendra Saroj

## Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2459 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## Delay in KISCE Project in Uttar Pradesh

2459. Shri Pushpendra Saroj:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the Khelo India State Centre of  Excellence  (KISCE)  at  Guru  Gobind  Singh  Sports  College,  Lucknow, Uttar  Pradesh,  which  was  approved  in  2021  continues  to  remain  nonoperational;
- (b) if so, the reasons for the delay in operationalising the Centre despite approval and sanctioning of manpower under the said scheme;
- (c)  whether  any  specific  timeline  has  been  set  by  the  Government  to complete  infrastructure  upgrades,  hire  the  required  staff,  and  begin athlete induction in the disciplines of hockey and athletics; and
- (d)  the  measures  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  that the said KISCE project may not face further delays along with significant contribution to national sporting talent?

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## ANSWER [ DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA ]

- (a)  to  (d)  The  Ministry  has  approved  the  setting  up  of  the  Khelo  India State Centre of Excellence (KISCE) at Guru Gobind Singh Sports College, Lucknow.  However,  operationalization  of  KISCEs  is  a  collaborative process requiring alignment with the sporting priorities of the respective State Governments. To ensure the centre effectively serves the sporting ecosystem  of  the  region,  the  disciplines  allocated  to  the  Centre  were reviewed  and  subsequently  modified  in  2025,  at  the  request  of  the grantee. Following this modification, the terms of the project have been

revisited,  along  with  a  revised  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU). The upgradation of infrastructure, engagement of sanctioned manpower, and  induction  of  athletes  are  consequential  steps  that  follow  the finalization of the revised modalities.

*****