opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2489 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-18
Subject: ST List of Odisha
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Bhartruhari Mahtab

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 2489

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 18/12/2023

## ST LIST OF ODISHA

## 2489. SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  cognizance  of  the  fact  that  Odisha  Government  has recommended more than 160 communities for inclusion in the ST list;
- (b) whether the Government is aware that some of these communities are sub-tribes, having the same tribal characteristics but are being deprived of the benefits offered to their counterparts; and
- (c) the rationale for keeping these recommendations on hold till date?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): The Government of India on 15.6.1999 (further amended on 25.6.2002 and 14.9.2022) has laid  down  the  modalities  for  deciding  the  claims  for  inclusion  in,  exclusion  from  and  other modifications in Orders specifying Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes lists. As per the modalities, only those proposals which have been recommended and justified by the concerned State Government / UT Administration and concurred with by Registrar General of India (RGI) and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) are to be considered and legislation amended. All action on the proposals is taken as per these approved modalities.

The proposals for inclusion in the list of Scheduled Tribes of a State or Union Territory follow certain processes as per the modalities. This is an ongoing process. Proposals received from the State Government should be accompanied by an ethnographic report. The proposals are examined by the Office of the RGI and then by the NCST. In case the proposal is not recommended by the RGI, the State Governments are communicated the points raised by the RGI, so that additional information, if any,  maybe furnished  by the State  Government. Many such proposals may therefore remain under examination at different levels.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2488 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-18
Subject: Workers Population Ratio (WPR)
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2488

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

WORKERS POPULATION RATIO (WPR)

2488.    SHRIMATI POONAMBEN MAADAM :

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

- (a) whether  the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) and the  Worker Population Ratio (WPR) has been increased/increasing in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of unemployment rate in the country during the last five years?

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

(a)  to  (c):  The  data  on  Employment  and  Unemployment  is  collected  through Periodic  Labour  Force  Survey  (PLFS)  conducted  by  the  Ministry  of  Statistics and Programme  Implementation  (MoSPI)  since  2017-18.  The  survey  period  is  July  to June every year.

As  per  the  latest  available  Annual  PLFS  Reports,  the  estimated  Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), Worker Population Ratio (WPR) and Unemployment Rate (UR) on usual status for persons of age 15 years and above in the country during the period 2017-18 to 2022-23 are as follows:

(in %)

| Years   |   LFPR |   WPR |   UR |
|---------|--------|-------|------|
| 2017-18 |   49.8 |  46.8 |  6   |
| 2018-19 |   50.2 |  47.3 |  5.8 |
| 2019-20 |   53.5 |  50.9 |  4.8 |
| 2020-21 |   54.9 |  52.6 |  4.2 |
| 2021-22 |   55.2 |  52.9 |  4.1 |
| 2022-23 |   57.9 |  56   |  3.2 |

The data indicates that the labour force and workforce has an increasing trend and the unemployment rate has a declining trend in the country.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2487 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-18
Subject: Funds Received for Art and Culture from NonGovernment Sources
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Brijendra Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2487

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2023

## FUNDS RECEIVED FOR ART AND CULTURE FROM NON-GOVERNMENT SOURCES

2487:  SHRI BRIJENDRA SINGH:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has the details of funding received for art and culture from non- Government sources;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether the Government is fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors in the promotion of art and culture; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a)  to  (d):  National  Culture  Fund  (NCF)  was  set  up  as  a  Trust  in  1996  under  the Charitable  Endowment  Act,  1890  with  a  view  to  mobilize  extra  resources  through Public-Private  Partnership  (PPP)  towards  promoting,  protecting  &  preserving  India's Cultural Heritage (Tangible & Intangible). During the last five FYs (2018-19 to 202223) NCF has received Rs.3.70 crore from Non-Government Sources.

Further,  Government  has  recently  launched  a  programme  titled  'Adopt  a  Heritage Programme  2.0'  with  an  objective  to  encourage  Public  Private  Partnership  for providing basic tourist amenities e.g., washrooms, drinking water, pathways, benches etc. for enhancing visitors' experience at Centrally Protected Monuments. (https://indianheritage.gov.in/becomePartner ).

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2486 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-18
Subject: I.T. Raids
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: K. Jayakumar

## 2486.  DR. K. JAYAKUMAR:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of Income Tax (IT) raids conducted on business establishments from 2019-20 to 2022-23; and
- (b) the  number  of  raids  out  of  them  that  resulted  in  prosecution  and  the amount recovered therefrom?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) : There is no expression such as 'raid' in the Income Tax Act' 1961 [the Act]. The details of the search and seizure actions, including those mounted on business establishments, and prosecutions launched in search & seizure cases, by the Income Tax Department during the F.Ys. 2019-20 to 2022-23 is as under:

| F.Y.    |   No. of groups searched |   Value of assets seized (in Rs. Crore) |   No. of Prosecutions launched |
|---------|--------------------------|-----------------------------------------|--------------------------------|
| 2019-20 |                      984 |                                 1289.47 |                            365 |
| 2020-21 |                      569 |                                  880.83 |                            145 |
| 2021-22 |                      686 |                                 1159.59 |                            115 |
| 2022-23 |                      741 |                                 1765.56 |                             97 |

On  the  basis  of  the  evidence  gathered  during  search  operation  and  subsequent investigation, tax-assessments are finalized and a tax demand is raised. The income assessed and the tax thereupon, get crystallised conclusively when appeals, if any, preferred before CIT(A), ITAT, Hon'ble High Court and Hon'ble Supreme Court are decided.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2486 TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 18 TH  DECEMBER, 2023/ AGRAHAYANA 27, 1945 (SAKA)

## I. T. RAIDS
Lok Sabha Question No. 2482 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-18
Subject: Old Age Pensioners among General Public Pension
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2482 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2023

## OLD AGE PENSIONERS AMONG GENERAL PUBLIC PENSION

2482. SHRI T.R. BAALU:

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

(a)whether it is a fact that lakhs of EPS pensioners are getting a paltry amount  of  around  Rs.  1000/-  only  even  though  they  were  holding senior positions at the time of retirement;

- (b)if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)whether the Government proposes to increase the minimum amount of pension to Rs. 5000/- per month to such pensioners?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The E mployees' Pension Scheme (EPS), 1995 is a 'Defined ContributionDefined Benefit' Social Security Scheme. The corpus of the Employees ' Pension Fund is made up of (i) contribution by the employer @ 8.33 per cent of wages; and (ii) contribution from Central Government through budgetary support @ 1.16 per cent of wages up to an amount of Rs.15,000/- per month. All benefits under the scheme are paid out of such accumulations. The  fund is valued annually  as  mandated  under paragraph 32 of the EPS, 1995 and as per the valuation of the fund as on 31.03.2019, there is an actuarial deficit.

Amount of member's pension under the Scheme is determined taking into account the pensionable period of service and pensionable salary as per following formula:

## Pensionable Service X Pensionable Salary 70

However, the Government, for the first time, in the year 2014, provided a minimum pension of Rs. 1000/- per month to the pensioners under  the  EPS,  1995  by  providing  budgetary  support,  which  was  in addition to the budgetary support of 1.16% of wages provided annually towards EPS to Employees ' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2481 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-18
Subject: Indic Value in Education
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Dharmendra Kumar Kashyap, Nayab Singh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2481

ANSWERED ON- 18.12.2023

## INDIC VALUE IN EDUCATION

## 2481.   SHRI DHARMENDRA KASHYAP: SHRI NAYAB SINGH:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to promote Indic value in education; and (b) if so, the details of views of different States in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  &  (b):  The  Government  of  India  has  undertaken  various  initiatives  to  promote  Indic  Values  in Education, with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 serving as a cornerstone. The NEP 2020 aims to  integrate  Indian  Knowledge  Systems  (IKS),  Indian  languages,  arts  &  culture  and  values  into  the education curriculum. The Ministry of Education through its central sector scheme Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) has set up 53 IKS centers across the country that promote Indic Values through various activities,  funded  88  research  project  in  13  interdisciplinary  domains  to  facilitate  creation  of  new knowledge,  provided  5200  internships  in  various  domains  of  IKS  for  promoting  IKS  among  youth, introduced Bhartiya Games and Kalashala to promote India games and Artforms in schools, conducted more  than  80  Faculty  Development  Programmes/Workshops/Conferences  &  trained  more  than  2500 teachers  across  the  country.  Moreover,  approximately  1000  faculty  has  been  trained  by  University Grants Commission (UGC) in traditional knowledge along with value system in the regular classroom.

In order to facilitate the seamless integration of IKS with modern subjects, the UGC has issued following guidelines to impart Indic Oriented Value Education;

- i. Guidelines for Incorporating Indian Knowledge System (IKS) in Higher Education Curricula. It prescribes that every student enrolled in a UG or PG programme should be encouraged to take credit  courses  in  IKS  amounting  in  all  to  at  least  5%  of  the  total  mandated  credits  (interested students may be allowed to take a larger fraction of the total mandated credits).
- ii. Guidelines for HEIs for inculcation of Human Values and Professional Ethics (Mulyapravah).
- iii. Guidelines for introducing courses based on Indian heritage and culture on 08.05.2023.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2474 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-18
Subject: Free Education to Girl Child in CBSE
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Vijay Kumar Dubey

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2474

ANSWERED ON 18.12.2023

## Free Education to Girl Child in CBSE

## 2474. SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  free  education  in  Central  Board  to benefit the families having limited number of children or the families who have only one/two daughters;
- (b) whether  priority  is  accorded  to  single  girl  child  in  her  admission  in  Private  and Government Schools;
- (c) if so, the details of the rule applicable thereof;
- (d) the  names  of  the  existing  schemes  for  single  girl  child  studying  in  Private  and Government Schools; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  free  higher  education  to  single  girl children?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SMT. ANNPURNA DEVI)

(a) to (d):- Education is part of concurrent list in the Indian Constitution and management of most  schools  in  the  country  is  in  the  domain  of  States/UTs.  Central  Board  of  Secondary Education (CBSE) provides scholarships to the meritorious Single Girl Students, who are the only child of their parents (including all girl children born as one of the twins born together); and have passed the CBSE Class X Examination with 60% or more marks and are continuing their further education of Class XI and XII in a CBSE affiliated school. Tuition fee should not be more than Rs. 1,500/- per month in Class X and 10% enhancement for Class XI and XII.

Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) also gives admission to two girl students per section  in  Class-I  under  'Single  Girl  Child'  category  in  all  the  KVs.  These  admissions  are above  the  section  strength.  Girl  Children  admitted  under  'Single  Girl  Child'  category  are exempted from paying fees. (Not entitled if the parent has the provision to reimburse fee).

(e): Department  of  Higher  Education  (DoHE)  is  implementing  the  Pradhan  Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan [PM-USP], Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS). Under the PM-USP CSSS scheme, 50% scholarship slots are earmarked for the girl students pursuing higher education. The details of the scheme are available  in  the  Ministry's  website:  https://www.education.gov.in/en/pm-usp-scholarshipseducation-loan .

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2472 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-18
Subject: Issues of Retirees in PSBs
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: D. Ravikumar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2472

## ANSWERED ON 18 th  DECEMBER, 2023 (MONDAY) / AGRAHAYANA 27, 1945 (SAKA)

## Issues of Retirees in PSBs

## 2472.  DR. RAVIKUMAR D.:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken any step to resolve the pre Nov. 2002 retirees issue of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) by restoring payment of full neutralisation of D.A. and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the present position of the Ministry over the issue of pension updation of the PSBs; and

(c) whether the committee set up to look into the matter of pension updation of PSBs submitted its report and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a):  The  Government  vide letter  dated  5.10.2023  has conveyed  its  'No objection'  to  Indian Banks' Association (IBA) for advising Public Sector Banks (PSBs) to pay Dearness Relief (DR) at  uniform  rate  (100%  neutralization  of  tapered  DR)  to  all  pre  1.11.2002  retirees  w.e.f. 1.10.2023.

(b) and (c):  Pension, a funded scheme, was introduced in nationalised banks through Bipartite Settlement.  The  Boards  of  the  respective  nationalised  banks  accordingly  made  Employees' Pension Regulations in exercise of their powers under section 19 of the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer  of Undertakings)  Act, 1970/1980.  These regulations do  not  have provision  for  revision  of  pension.  However,  pensioners  of  banks  are  being  granted  DR  on pension and the same is being increased from time to time i.e. on half yearly basis.

As per IBA, the committee set up to look into the matter of pension updation  of PSBs has submitted its report to the Hon'ble Supreme Court and the matter is sub-judice .

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2467 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-18
Subject: IRDA
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Pashupati Nath Singh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2467

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2023/AGRAHAYANA 27, 1945 (SAKA)

## IRDA

## †2467. SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has fixed any criteria and time limit for insurance companies to settle the claims of road accident victims;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) received the complaints against the insurance companies for not following the prescribed norms;
- (d) if so, the company-wise details thereof for the last three years and the current year; and
- (e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government against the guilty insurance companies in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): The criterion for settlement of claims arising out of road accidents is specified under Section 163A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The amount of compensation is decided by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunals (MACT) which is generally based on the road accident victim's age, income/wages, family responsibilities, life expectancy and previous judgements/directions etc.

The procedure for the claims is prescribed under Rule 150A of Central Motor Vehicles (fifth Amendment) Rules, 2022. Upon receipt claim intimation, insurance company  designates an officer to settle the claim who makes an offer to the claimant for settlement before the MACT. If the claimant accepts the offer, MACT records such settlement and the same is deemed to be settled. The insurance companies shall make the payment within thirty days of from the date of receipt  of  such  record  for  settlement.  If  the  claimant  rejects  the  offer,  then  the  Tribunal adjudicates the claim on merits.

Upon passing of the Award by the MACT under section 168 of the Act, the insurance company is required to deposit the entire amount awarded within thirty days of the date of announcing the award by the Claims Tribunal in a manner specified by the Claims Tribunal.

Insurance policyholder grievances related to motor claim can be registered on Bima-Bharosa portal of IRDAI.  Details of grievance registered on the portal including motor vehicle claims (Own Damage and Third Party) is as under:

|   S. No. | Financial Year           | Registered   |
|----------|--------------------------|--------------|
|        1 | 2020-21                  | 6,247        |
|        2 | 2021-22                  | 8,265        |
|        3 | 2022-23                  | 13,791       |
|        4 | 2023-24 (till Nov, 2023) | 10,242       |

Source: IRDAI

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2466 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-18
Subject: MoU to Bring Back Indian Artefacts
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Hemant Tukaram Godse

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2466

ANSWERED ON- 18/12/2023

## MOU TO BRING BACK INDIAN ARTEFACTS

## 2466.  SHRI HEMANT TUKARAM GODSE:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:-

- (a) the details of the ancient items smuggled to various foreign countries which have been brought back to the country during the last five years;
- (b) whether the Government has taken concrete steps to prevent smuggling of Indian Cultural artefacts out of the country;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) whether the Government has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with many countries to bring back the smuggled ancient remains; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION

## (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a) 314  antiquities  have  been  repatriated  during  last  five  years.  Country-wise  list  is  as below:-
- (b) to (d) Yes, whenever theft of an antiquity is reported, FIR is lodged in concerned police station and 'Look Out Notice' is issued to law enforcement agencies including Custom Exit Channels to keep vigil to trace stolen antiquity and prevent its illegal export. In case, antiquity is traced, case is pursued by concerned law enforcement agency in coordination with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for recovery.
- (e) & (f) No such MoU has been signed.

| Country   | 2019   | 2020   | 2021   | 2022   |   2023 |   Total |
|-----------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|---------|
| USA       | -      | -      | 158    | -      |    105 |     263 |
| UK        | 1      | 5      | 1      | 1      |      7 |      15 |
| Australia | 1      | 3      | -      | 29     |      2 |      35 |
| Italy     | -      | -      | -      | -      |      1 |       1 |
| Total     | 02     | 08     | 159    | 30     |    115 |     314 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2465 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-18
Subject: Health Scheme for Retired Employees under ESIC
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Thomas Chazhikadan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2465 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2023

## HEALTH SCHEME FOR RETIRED EMPLOYEES UNDER ESIC

2465. SHRI THOMAS CHAZHIKADAN:

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

- (a)whether the Government is planning to bring out any scheme in which the benefits of its health scheme shall continue for those retired employees who were covered under the Employees State
- Insurance Scheme after their retirement;
- (b)if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  timeframe  for  the implementation of the said scheme;
- (c)whether  the  Government  proposes  to  introduce  such  a  scheme without imposing any additional financial burden on the eligible retired beneficiaries;
- (d)if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)whether, considering the cost of medical treatment prevalent now, the  said  scheme  will  be  comparatively  better  to  the  retired
- employees?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): Provision  already  exists  under  the  Employees'  State Insurance (ESI) Act, 1948 for providing medical benefits to an insured person who has attained the age of superannuation or retired under a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) or take premature retirement and his/ her  spouse, subject to payment of contribution and other conditions as prescribed. Accordingly, medical benefits are provided to  an  insured  person,  who  leaves  the  insurable  employment  on account of superannuation, VRS etc. and his/ her spouse as per Rule 61 of ESI (Central) Rules, 1950. The medical benefit (except the super specialty  treatment)  is  provided  to  these  beneficiaries  with  the nominal contribution of 10 rupees per month, to be paid in lump sum for one year at a time.

*****