opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 75 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Promotion of Religious Tourism in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri P V Midhun Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.75 ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## PROMOTION OF RELIGIOUS TOURISM IN ANDHRA PRADESH

- 75 SHRI P V MIDHUN REDDY:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of measures taken by Government to promote religious tourism in the State of Andhra Pradesh;
- (b)
- (c)
- the status of progress made in this regard so far;
- the  details  number  of  sites  in  the  said  State  included  under  the Swadesh Darshan Scheme; and
- (d) measures taken/being taken by the Government for the development of these sites?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a)  to  (d):  The  Ministry  of  Tourism  launched  the  PRASAD  (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) Scheme in 2014-15 with the objective of developing infrastructure at pre-identified religious and heritage  sites  across  the  country.  Under  the  Scheme,  the  Ministry provides financial assistance to State Governments and Union Territory Administrations  for  the  development  of  tourism  infrastructure  at  these sites.  The  Ministry  has  sanctioned 46  projects  at  a  cost  of  Rs.1621.14 crore under the PRASAD Scheme.

The Ministry has sanctioned 3 projects in Andhra Pradesh: 'Development of  Pilgrim  Amenities  at  Amaravati,'  'Development  of  Srisailam  Temple,' and  'Development  of  Pilgrimage  Amenities  at  Sri  Varaha  Lakshmi Narsimha  Swami  Vari  Devasthanam  at  Simhachalam,'  at  the  costs  of Rs.27.77 crore, Rs.43.08 crore, and Rs.54.04 crore, respectively. Projects at Amaravati and Srisailam has been physically completed and Rs.13.69 crore has been released for the PRASHAD project in Simhachalam.

Additionally, 2 sites,  'Annavaram,  Kakinada  District' and  'Vedagiri Lakshmi  Narasimhawamy  Temple,  Nellore  District,'  have  also  been identified for development under the PRASAD Scheme. A total of 3 projects have been sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme:  'Development  of  Kakinada  -  Hope  Island  -  Coringa  Wildlife Sanctuary - Passarlapudi - Aduru - S. Yanam - Kotipally,' 'Development of Nellore -Pulikat Lake -Ubblamadugu  Water  Falls -Nelapattu -Kothakoduru - Mypadu - Ramateertham - Iskapalli,' and 'Development of Buddhist  Circuit:  Shalihundam  -  Bavikonda  -  Bojjanakonda  -  Amravati  Anupu,'  at  the  costs  of  Rs.67.83  crore,  Rs.49.55  crore,  and  Rs.35.24 crore,  respectively,  in  Andhra  Pradesh.  Additionally,  2  destinations, Gandikota and Araku-Lambasingi, have been identified for development under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme. Among these, ArakuLambasingi has been sanctioned at a cost of Rs.29.87 crore under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme.

- *******
Lok Sabha Question No. 73 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Conservation of Ancient Monuments
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Vijayakumar Alias Vijay Vasanth

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.73

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## CONSERVATION OF ANCIENT MONUMENTS

## 73.  SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the funds allocated & disbursed by the Government for conservation, preservation and protection of ancient monuments across the country  particularly for Tamil Nadu during the last five years, dynasty-wise;
- (b) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  the  digital  mapping  of  these  protected ancient  monuments;
- (c) whether the Government has constituted any expert committee with regard to the introduction  and  usage  of  latest  digital  twin  technologies  and  for  the  allocation  of funds; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) undertakes the conservation, preservation, protection  and  maintenance  of  protected  monuments  across  the  country, including  Tamil  Nadu  irrespective  of  dynasty,  age  or  otherwise.  The  funds allocated and expenditure incurred thereon during the last five years, is given as under:-

## (Amount Rs. in Crores)

|   S. No. | Year    |   Allocation |   Expenditure |
|----------|---------|--------------|---------------|
|        1 | 2019-20 |       435.61 |        435.39 |
|        2 | 2020-21 |       260.9  |        260.83 |
|        3 | 2021-22 |       270    |        269.57 |
|        4 | 2022-23 |       392.71 |        391.93 |
|        5 | 2023-24 |       443.53 |        443.53 |

- (b) ASI  came  up  with  a  user  friendly  mobile  application  namely  'Indian  Heritage App' with all depository of entire national cultural wealth having a comprehensive database for all protected monuments of national importance as a single access  platform  for  Indian  heritage  and  cultural edifices  having information on vital aspects with textual content and added by interactive digital maps.
- (c) No Sir, No such committee has been constituted by the Ministry.
- (d) Question does not arise.

----
Lok Sabha Question No. 71 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Economic Security for Small Shopkeepers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Arun Bharti

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 71 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR SMALL SHOPKEEPERS

## 71.   SHRI ARUN BHARTI:

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

- (a)whether the Government has taken note of the economic security of small shopkeepers;
- (b)if so, the details thereof and the steps taken in this regard;
- (c)whether  around  three  crore  small  traders/shopkeepers  in  the country are likely to be benefited from the Pension Scheme for shopkeepers/retail traders and self employed persons and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)the details of small shopkeepers and retail traders covered under the said Pension Scheme in the State of Bihar?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The National Pension Scheme for traders was launched in September, 2019. This is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for providing a monthly minimum assured pension of Rs. 3000/- after attaining the age of 60 years to the traders, shopkeepers and selfemployed persons, and so far 54157 traders have registered.

## Details of the scheme are as below:-

| Criteria                | Details                                      |
|-------------------------|----------------------------------------------|
| Age                     | 18-40 years                                  |
| Monthly income/Turnover | Less than Rs.1.5cr turn over for NPS Traders |
| Monthly Contribution    | Rs. 55 to Rs. 200 per month                  |
| Exclusion criteria      | Member of NPS/ESIC/EPFO                      |
| Exclusion criteria      | Income Tax Payee                             |

(d): As on 15.07.2024, the number of beneficiaries enrolled in the said Pension Scheme in Bihar are 1,760.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 70 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: EPFContributions
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri K Sudhakaran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 70

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## EPF CONTRIBUTIONS

## 70.   SHRI K SUDHAKARAN:

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

- (a)whether the Government has received any petition from Member of Parliament and the Thiruvepathy Mills Employees Joint Action Committee in Kannur regarding the Rs. 44,34,291 demand by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) for EPF contributions;
- (b)whether only one-fourth of the legally entitled amount reached the
- workmen as the first dividend;
- (c)whether  the  Assistant  Provident  Fund  Commissioner  claims  Rs. 1,49,25,709, while the liquidator approved only Rs. 44,34,291 for EPF contributions, leaving the balance amount unsettled;
- (d)whether the Government proposes to address the concerns of the workmen, given that fulfilling EPFO claims may leave insufficient funds to cover their rightful dues, if so, the steps taken by the Government; and
- (e)whether there is any consideration for withdrawing or reassessing EPFO's  claim  in  light  of  Thiruvepathy  Mills'  status  as  a  sick industry and the potential impact on workmen's demands?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Yes Sir.

- (b): Does not pertain to EPFO.

(c) to (e): The EPFO filed a claim of Rs 1,49,25,709/- with the official liquidator, out of which an amount of Rs 39,33,799/- was paid by the Official liquidator.  Thereafter, a revised claim restricting the interest upto  10.01.2008  was  filed  for  Rs  1,21,65,391.05/-.  The  Official Liquidator  approved  and  paid  an  amount  of  Rs  5,00,492/-  of  this towards the PF contributions in respect of watch and ward staff.

An application dated 10.04.2023 has been received from the Convener Thiruvepathy Mills Joint Action Committee addressed to  Central  Board  of  Trustees,  requesting  to  drop  the  claim  under Damages and Interest.  In this regard, it is informed that there is no provision  for  waiving  off  interest  as  EPFO  is  statutorily  bound  to credit  interest,  yearly,  to  the  account  of  its  members  (employees) notwithstanding the non-payment of dues in time by the employer.

The  Kerala  High  Court  in  CoAA  15/2014  in  CP  no.33  of 2001,  allowed  the  claim  of  the  EPFO  under  Sec.7Q  and  Sec.14B upholding the priority envisaged under Sec.11(2) of the EPF & MP Act. However,  the  Official  liquidator  has  not  yet  paid  the  interest  and damages due.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 68 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Fiscal Deficit of India
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure

## Government  of India Ministry  of Finance

## Department  of Economic Affairs

## LOK SABHA ITNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 68

## TO BE ANSWERED  ON MOI\DAY, JULY 22,2024131ASHADHA,I946 (SAKA)

## FISCAL DEFICIT OF INDIA

## 68. SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM  WAKCHAURE:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details  of the fiscal deficit  of India during the last three  years as on date;
- (b) the reasons  for the continuous  increase  in fiscal deficit;
- (c) the steps  taker/proposed  to be taken by the Government  to reduce  the fiscal deficit so far;
- (d) whether the Government has received any requests or instructions  from other International  Financial Organisation  including International Monetary Fund (lMF) to reduce the fiscal deficit  and monetary  crisis during the said period;
- (e) ifso, the details  thereofas on date;  and
- (0 the action taken by the Government  thereon?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF'STATE F'OR F'INANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHAR9

- (a) Central Government's fiscal deficit  for the last three years is as follow:
- (b) As can be seen from the table above that fiscal deficit is not continuously  increasing.  The Fiscal Deficit  in FY 2023-24 has declined to { 16,53,670  crore against < ll ,31 ,l55  crore in FY 2022-23.  Further,  the fiscal deficit to GDP ratio has continuously been on declining trajectory.
- (c) The Government  announced  a broad glide path of fiscal consolidation  to attain a level  of Fiscal Deficit lower than 4.5 per cent of GDP by FY 2025-26 in the Budget Speech for FY 2021-22. In addition to this, the Govemment has focused augmentation  of receipts and prioritising the expenditure.
- (d) India is a sovereign  countr5r arld its policy decisions  are independent and its own.
- (e)  & (0 Does not arise in light of the reply to (d)

| Year                           | { (in crore)   |   As per cent of GDP |
|--------------------------------|----------------|----------------------|
| 202r-22                        | 15,84,521      |                  6.7 |
| 2022-23                        | 17,37,755      |                  6.4 |
| 2023 -24 (Provisional Actuals) | 16,53,670      |                  5.6 |

{<***
Lok Sabha Question No. 62 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Loss of Forest Cover
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri  Selvaganapathi T.M.

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 62

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## Loss of Forest Cover

## 62 SHRI SELVAGANAPATHI T.M .:

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

- (a) whether the country has lost close to 6 million trees in agricultural lands during the year from 2019 to 2022;
- (b) whether the Forest Survey of India conducts regular surveys of tree cover both inside and outside forests but only publishes data on the changes in acreage and not individual trees;
- (c) whether the tree cover has increased in 2021 over 2019 in the country according to a report by the Forest Survey of India;
- (d) whether 56% of India is covered by farmland and 22% by forest; and
- (e) whether the changes in tree cover in the country have been largely overlooked, if so, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) As per the Indian State of Forest Report (ISFR) published by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun, there is a net increase of tree cover outside the forests between 2019 to 2021.
- (b) FSI undertakes regular assessment of country's forest resources through nation-wide mapping of forest cover and sample plots based national forest inventory. The results of the area under Forest Cover and Trees outside Forests are published in the ISFR.

(c) to (e) As per the ISFR, the tree cover in 2019 was 95,027 square kilometer and it was 95,748 square kilometer in 2021 which shows that tree cover has increased by 721 square kilometer between 2019 to 2021. As per the information received from Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the area covered under agriculture land is 18,01,120 square kilometer. The FSI in its ISFR 2021 has reported the area of 7,13,789 square kilometer covered by forests which accounts for 21.71% of the total geographical area of the Country.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 61 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Establishment  of KV in SSB Camp, Birpur
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Dileshwar Kamait

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 61 ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## ESTABLISHMENT OF KV IN SSB CAMP, BIRPUR

## † 61 SHRI DILESHWAR KAMAIT:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the payment of Land Registration Fee for establishment of Kendriya Vidyalaya  (KV)  in  SSB  Camp  located  in  Birpur  of  Supaul  Parliamentary Constituency in Bihar pending since year 2022, is to be paid from Paramilitary Forces Welfare Fund;
- (b) if so, the time by which the land registration for school is expected to be done; and
- (c) if not, whether the Government is having any plan by which the establishment and construction of KV located in Birpur be undertaken at the earliest?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (c) Opening of new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) is a continuous process. KVs are opened primarily to cater to the educational needs of the wards of transferable Central Government  Employees  including  Defence  &  Para-military personnel, Central Autonomous Bodies, Central Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and Central Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) by providing a common programme of education throughout the country. Proposals for opening of new KVs may be sponsored by Ministries or Departments of the Government of India / State Governments / Union Territories (UTs) Administrations, with commitment to provide requisite resources including land and temporary accommodation for setting up a new KV as per norms. The proposals for establishment of new KVs are subject to approval of the competent authority as per extant procedures. At present, 1253 KVs including 50 KVs in the State of Bihar are functioning across the country.

Proposals for opening of new KVs are considered with the commitment of the sponsoring authorities to provide requisite resources including land (free of cost) and rent  free  temporary  accommodation  till  the  construction  of  permanent  Vidyalaya building as per Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) norms. A new KV at Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Camp Birpur, district Supaul, Bihar has been sanctioned in March, 2019 under the Sponsorship of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). However, the said KV could not be made functional as the requisite extent of land has not yet been leased / registered  in  favour  of  KVS.    As  per  information  received  from  MHA,  there  is  no proposal  in  MHA  regarding  payment  of  land  registration  fee  through  Paramilitary Forces Welfare Fund for this KV.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 60 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Exempting GST on Agricultural Implements
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Hanuman Beniwal

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, JULY 22, 2024 /31 ASHADHA, 1946 (SAKA)

## EXEMPTING GST ON AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS

## †60. SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL:

Will the Minister of FINANCE वित्त मंत्री be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  any  proposals/representations  have  been  received  in  the  meetings  of  the  GST Council to exempt the GST on Agricultural implements machinery including tractors which are under the purview of GST during the last five years;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken on the said representations;

(c) whether the Government proposes to exempt GST on agricultural implements and machinery including tractors to provide relief to farmers; 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)  and  (b):  Yes  sir,  representations  have  been  received  to  reduce  GST  rates  on  Agricultural implements and machinery including tractors.

The GST rates and exemptions are notified on the basis of recommendations of GST Council, which  is  a  constitutional  body  comprising  of  members  from  both  the  Union  and  State Governments.

The representations were placed before the GST Council in its 37 th ,  45 th and 47 th Meeting. The GST Council did not recommend any change in GST rate.

( c) and (d): The GST rates and exemptions are notified on the basis of recommendations of GST Council, which is a constitutional body comprising of members from both the Union and State Governments. The GST Council has not recommended any change in GST rate.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 57 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Reduction of Green Cover in the Cauvery Basin
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Dr. Shashi Tharoor

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 57

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## Reduction of Green Cover in the Cauvery Basin

## 57. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the notice served by the National Green Tribunal  (NGT)  about  the  Indian  Institute  of  Science  (IISc)  report  highlighting  the massive reduction of green cover in the Cauvery basin over the past five decades;
- (b) if  so,  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  on  the  concerning  environmental  trends highlighted in the report;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  carried  out  a  comprehensive  risk-assessment  of  policy alternatives to reduce the environmental abuse in the Cauvery basin;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  served  notice  to  the  State  Government  of  Kerala  seeking action on the NGT directives, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) The Ministry has received the notice in the matter of OA No. 787/2023 served by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Principal Bench, New Delhi referring the report published in a news paper and the matter is sub judice.

- (e) The NGT has impleaded the Government of Kerala in aforesaid matter.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 56 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Revision of NCERT  Textbook
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Dr. M P Abdussamad Samadani, Shri V K Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 56 ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## Revision of NCERT Textbook

56 Dr. M P Abdussamad Samadani: Shri V K Sreekandan: Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  National  Council  of  Educational  Research  and  Training (NCERT) is revising school textbooks; (b)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  exclusion  of  certain  important  parts  of  the nation's history from the textbooks; (c) whether the Government is aware of the negative impact of this process on the secular and pluralistic fabric of the country; (d)  whether  it  is  true  that  many  State  Governments  and  educational  experts  have  objected such revision/removal from NCERT Textbooks; (e)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  to  rectify  this  issue  and  find  consistent remedial measures to address it; and (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION ( SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY )

(a) As  a  follow-up  of  the  National  Education  Policy  (NEP),  2020  and  the  National Curriculum  Framework  for  School  Education  (NCF-SE)  2023,  the  National  Council  of Educational Research & Training (NCERT) is in the process of developing new textbooks for Grades III to XII.

(b) to (f)  During the Pandemic - COVID-19 situation, students across the stages of school education have struggled a lot to continue their learning through online and other modes. The concerns  related  to  curriculum  load  including  the  content  load  spread  over  syllabi  and textbooks have been raised from different corners. Parliament Standing Committee has also raised the concern about the content overload in the textbooks. NEP, 2020 also states, 'The reduction  in  content  and  increased  flexibility  of  school  curriculum  -  and  the  renewed emphasis on constructive rather than rote learning - must be accompanied by parallel changes in school textbooks'. In view of facilitating speedy recovery in their learning continuous and compensating time loss, NCERT took a step towards the rationalization of textbooks, as per extant procedures, across the stages and subject areas and rationalised/updated the content of textbooks across the grades and subjects in the year 2021-22. These textbooks are continued from 2022-23 sessions onwards. Some updates have also been included in these textbooks in the year 2023-24 on account of evolution of knowledge, facts and their interpretations. Some of  the  committee  members of  the old  Textbook Development Committee raised objections and  NCERT has placed its  clarification  on  its  website.  The  link  of  the  clarifications  is  as under:

https://ncert.nic.in/pdf/notice/Textbook\_Development\_Committee.pdf

*****