opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 191 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: PRASAD Scheme in Kerala
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri N K Premachandran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.191

## ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## PRASAD SCHEME IN KERALA

## 191   SHRI N K PREMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  consider  the  request  for development  of  Achankovil,  Aryankavu  and  Kulathupuzha  Sree Dharma Sastha Temples under PRASAD Scheme;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  importance  of  the  said temples in connection with Sabarimala pilgrimage, if so, the details
- thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to conduct any study regarding the necessity of infrastructure and allied development in the said temples under PRASAD Scheme, if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  include  the  said  temples under the Scheme so as to ensure adequately facility for pilgrimage; and
- (f)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a)  to  (f):  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 a project named Development of Guruvayur Temple at a cost of Rs.45.19 crore in Kerala, and the project has been physically completed.

A  total  of  5  projects  have  been  sanctioned  at  a  combined  cost  of Rs.312.47  crore  in  Kerala  under  the  Swadesh  Darshan  Scheme.  The Sabarimala  Temple  is  covered  under  one  of  these  projects  named 'Development  of  Sabarimala-Erumeli-Pampa-Sannidhanam,'  which  was sanctioned  in  the  year  2016-17  at  a  cost  of  Rs.46.54  crore,  and  the project has been physically completed. The selection of pilgrimage destinations/heritage sites under PRASHAD Scheme requires consideration of various parameters, which, inter-alia, includes the volume of pilgrim visits, the cultural, historical & heritage significance of the locations, the resident population of the destinations, the equitable representation to ensure nationwide development, availability  of  funds  and  various  other  related  factors.  The  above consideration  is  done  after  having  consultations  with  due  State/UT Governments and receiving detailed proposals from them. Regular impact assessment studies/third-party evaluations are conducted for the schemes under the Ministry of Tourism.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 181 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Challenges of Gig Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 181 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## CHALLENGES OF GIG WORKERS

## 181. SHRI HIBI EDEN:

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

- (a)whether the Government is aware of the recent challenges faced by  gig  workers  in  India,  particularly  concerning  job  security, wages, and working conditions;
- (b)if so, the details thereof, including any  studies or reports commissioned by the Government to understand these challenges;
- (c)whether the Government has taken or plans to take any measures to  address  these  challenges,  and  if  so,  the  details  of  such measures;
- (d)whether there are any plans to include gig workers under existing labour laws or create new regulations to protect their rights, and if so, the timeline for such inclusion or creation of regulations; and
- (e)the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  engage  with  gig economy companies and worker  representatives  to  ensure  fair
- treatment and protection of gig workers?

## ANSWER

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

The definition  of  gig  workers  and  platform  workers  and provisions  related  to  it  have  been  given  in  the  Code  on  Social

(a) to (c): Security, 2020 for the first time.

NITI Aayog in its report titled 'India`s Booming Gig and Platform Economy' published in June 2022 sheds light on the various social protection approaches taken around the world for gig workers and  platform  workers  and  how  they  can  pave  the  way  for  social protection measures for gig workers and platform workers in India.

(d): The Code on Social Security, 2020 provides for framing of suitable  social  security  measures  for  gig  workers  and  platform workers  on  matters  relating  to  life  and  disability  cover,  accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, old age protection, etc. The Code also provides for setting up a Social Security Fund to finance the welfare scheme.

(e): Various  stake  holder  consultations  have  taken  place including meeting with the representatives from Aggregators and gig and platform workers. Meeting with organizations like NCAER, NITI Aayog  and  other  knowledge  partners  have  also  taken  place  and issues of gig and platform workers deliberated.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 174 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Development of Public Tech Platform for Friction Less Credit
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Y S Avinash Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-174

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

## DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC TECH PLATFORM FOR FRICTION LESS CREDIT

## 174. SHRI Y S AVINASH REDDY:

Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:

- (a) whether RBI has announced the development of a Public Tech Platform for 'friction less credit' by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), and currently, data needed for credit appraisal are available with different entities such as Central and State Governments,  banks  and  credit  information  companies  and  this  has  created hindrance in the frictionless delivery of loans; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and present status thereof and the way by which it will be useful to the general public?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a) and (b): The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has informed that it had announced the development of Public Tech Platform for Frictionless Credit (PTPFC), as part of the 'Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies' released on August 10, 2023. The pilot of the PTPFC commenced on August 17, 2023.

The  Platform  is  an  enterprise-grade  open  architecture  IT  platform,  central  to  the operations of a large ecosystem of credit, to ensure access of information from various data sources digitally and has been developed with a vision to act as a comprehensive Digital Public Infrastructure in the lending space. The financial service providers and multiple data service providers converge on the Platform using standard and protocol driven architecture,  open  and  shared  Application  Programming  Interface  (API) framework, in a plug and play model.

The Platform is beneficial to all stakeholders, including consumers, lenders and data service  providers.  Consumers  get  frictionless  tailored  credit  by  unlocking  value  of digitally  available  data  with  trusted  consent  architecture  without  the  need  for  paperbased documentation or physical visit to bank branches. The lenders and data service providers are benefited due to network effect, standardization, efficiency in terms of cost and Turn Around Time (TAT), innovation in lending process, scalability and increasing reach / access.

At present, nine loan journeys are live on the Platform viz. Kisan Credit Card loan, Digital Dairy/ cattle loan, MSME loan, Housing Loan, Personal Loan, Tractor Loan, Micro Business Loan, Vehicle Loan and Digital Gold Loan.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 172 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: 50 Year Interest Free Loan Scheme
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri  Selvaganapathi T.M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 172

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

## 50 YEAR INTEREST FREE LOAN SCHEME

## 172.   SHRI SELVAGANAPATHI T.M.

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  many  States  have  sought  some  improvements  in  the  50-year interest-free loan scheme for pursuing capital investments;
- (b) whether it is also true that States have made some suggestions in this regard;
- (c) whether it is also true that the Government has proposed to give them Rs. 1.3 lakh crore during the year 2024-25, the same amount as in 2023-24; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (d): The Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure was launched in the financial year 2020-21. Based on the continued positive response to the Schemes for Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure/Investment by the State Governments including in the pre-budget meetings of Union Finance Minister with Finance Minister of the State, the Union Government have decided to continue the redesigned and expanded versions of the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure/Investment. The Union Finance Minister in her Interim Budget 2024-25 speech has announced the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2024-25 with an allocation of Rs. 1.3 lakh crore. under the Scheme for 2024-25,  an  amount  of  Rs.  75,000  crore  is  to  be  provided  on  completion  of  milestone-linked reforms by the State Governments in the citizen-centric and sector-specific areas. The remaining amount  of  Rs.  55,000  crore,  for  Part-I  (Untied),  has  been  allocated  amongst  the  States  in proportion  to  their  share  of  central  taxes  and  duties  as  per  the  award  of  the  15 th Finance Commission.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 170 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Promotion of Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.170 ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## PROMOTION OF TOURISM

## 170 SHRI SAPTAGIRI SANKAR ULAKA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the State Government of Odisha has submitted any proposal for Development in Koraput and Rayagada Districts to the Government;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and its current status;
- (c) whether the Central Government has surveyed potential tourist sites like Deomali Hills in Koraput and plans to develop the same; and
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM            (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (d): The Ministry of Tourism through  its central  sector  schemes of 'Swadesh Darshan' and  'Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation and  Spiritual  Heritage Augmentation  Drive (PRASHAD)'  compliments  the efforts of tourism infrastructure development  by extending financial assistance to the  State Government/UT Administrations. The Ministry of Tourism under its revamped scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0 has identified 57 destinations in the country for development in consultation with the State Governments including 'Koraput'  &  'Debrigarh'  along  with  special attraction  of  'Khinda Village'  in  the  State  of  Odisha.  The  guidelines  of  Swadesh  Darshan  2.0 outline  preparation  of  destination  master  plan  in  respect  of  selected destination  based  on  benchmarking,  detailed    gap    assessment  etc.  and identification of interventions and shelf of projects.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 168 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Health Facilities for Labourers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Smt. Sandhya Ray

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 168 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## HEALTH FACILITIES FOR LABOURERS

168.  SMT. SANDHYA RAY:

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

(a)the details of the steps taken by the Government for the welfare of labourers and health facilities to be provided to the labourers in the State of Madhya Pradesh; and

- (b)the details of the schemes run by the Government for labourers in the country and the expenditure incurred on these schemes?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Central Government runs various schemes for welfare of workers in the country, including the state of Madhya Pradesh. These schemes  include  (i)  Ayushman  Bharat-Pradhan  Mantri  Jan  Arogya Yojana  (ABPMJAY),  (ii)  Pradhan  Mantri  Jeevan  Jyoti  Bima  Yojana (PMJJBY), (iii) Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana  (PMSBY), (iv) Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan- Dhan (PM-SYM), (v)  Labour Welfare Scheme and health care facilities for Beedi/ Cine & Non-coal Mine workers,  (vi)  Employees  State  Insurance    scheme,  (vii)  Public Distribution  System  through  One-Nation  One-Ration-Card  Scheme under National Food Security Act,(viii) Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gramin Kaushal Yojana,(ix) Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, (x) Gareeb Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan, (xi) Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana, (xii) Deen Dayal  Antyodaya  Yojana,  (xiii)  PMSVANidhi,  (xiv)  Pradhan  Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana among others.

Apart  from  this,  State  Governments  also  run  specific schemes for the welfare of the labourers.

Budget allocations and expenditure are as per provisions of the schemes.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 167 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Caravan Tourism in Kerala
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Dr. Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.167 ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## CARAVAN TOURISM IN KERALA

- 167 DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  struggles  being  faced  by caravan tourism in the State of Kerala;
- (b) whether the Government has issued notice to the State Government to support this potentially lucrative form of attracting tourists to the said State and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  surveyed  declining  forms  of  tourism across  the  country  in  order  to  better  strategise  the  effectiveness  of tourism projects in attracting investment and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  review  the  National  Tourism Policy taking into account the hurdles being faced by tourist attractions like caravan tourism; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF TOURISM                (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (e): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  promotes  India  in  a  holistic  manner, through  various  initiatives.  As  part  of  on-going  activities;  promotion  of various tourism destinations  and  products of India including  Caravan Tourism are taken up.

The  development  of  tourism  products  is  done  by  the  respective  State Governments.  Ministry  of  Tourism  supports  these  initiatives  through  its schemes, on the basis of proposals received from the State Governments/UT Administrations.

It has been conveyed by Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala that a  nodal  officer  has  been  designated  to  address  the  challenges  faced  by Caravan Tourism in the State. They have also implemented various measures to enhance appeal of Caravan Tourism among investors and tourists.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 165 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Kendriya Vidyalayas in Kerala
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Dr. M P Abdussamad Samadani

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 165 ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## KENDRIYA VIDYALAYAS IN KERALA

## 165 DR. M P ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that certain Lok Sabha constituencies in the State of Kerala are without a single Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV);
- (b) whether the Government has any plan to fulfil the requirement of KVs in all these constituencies;
- (c) whether the Government has any plan to open a KV in Ponnani constituency of Kerala State; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (d) At present, 1253 Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) including 38 KVs in the State of Kerala are functioning across the country.  Opening of new 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 are subject to approval of the competent authority as per extant procedures. KVs are not opened on the criteria of State / UT / District / Parliamentary Constituency.

As per information received from Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), no feasible proposal,  as  per  extant  norms  of  KVS,  to  open  a  new  KV  in  Ponnani  Parliamentary Constituency of Kerala has been received from the State Government of Kerala.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 161 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Monitoring of Pvt. University
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Rahul Kaswan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 161

ANSWERED ON- 22/07/2024

## Monitoring of Pvt. University

## 161 Shri Rahul Kaswan:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a)  the  details  of  the  number  of  Private  Universities  operating  in  the  State  of  Rajasthan, particularly in Churu Parliamentary Constituency; (b) the details of the monitoring mechanism in place to keep a check on Private Universities operating in the country, particularly in the State of Rajasthan; and (c) the mechanism to identify these Private Universities and their operations?

## ANSWER

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

(a): As informed by University Grants Commission (UGC), there are 53 Private Universities in the State of Rajasthan, including Churu district. A list of such Universities may be accessed at https://www.education.gov.in/parl\_ques.

(b) & (c): The Private Universities are self-financing Universities established by the Act of the concerned State Legislatures. The names of Universities are included in the list of Universities, as maintained by UGC, as per Section 2(f) of UGC Act 1956 on receipt of the Act as passed by the concerned State legislature.

The Private universities are regulated by UGC (Establishment of and Maintenance of Standards in Private Universities) Regulations, 2003. As per Clause 3.4 of these Regulations, a  Private  University  shall  fulfil  the  minimum  criteria  in  terms  of  programmes,  faculty, infrastructural facilities, financial viability, etc., as laid down from time to time by the UGC and other concerned statutory bodies.

Under Clause 4 of UGC (Establishment of and Maintenance of Standards in Private Universities)  Regulations,  2003,  the  UGC  may  cause  periodic  inspection  of  the  Private University and its off-campus centre(s), study centre(s), off-shore campus(es) etc. offering its programmes.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 159 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Number of tax returns filed
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

- (a) Yes sir.
- (b)  The details of income tax returns filed during last five years are as under:

| F.Y.                    | 2019-20     | 2020-21     | 2021-22     | 2022-23     | 2023-24     |
|-------------------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|
| Number of returns filed | 6,78,97,450 | 7,38,98,581 | 7,30,47,073 | 7,78,16,350 | 8,61,32,779 |

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.159

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 22 nd  JULY, 2024 ASHADHA 31, 1946 (SAKA)

## 'NUMBER OF TAX RETURNS FILED'

159. SMT. POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  there  has  been  an  increase  in  the  number  of  tax  returns  filed  during  the  last  five years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has introduced any targeted campaigns or initiatives to encourage more people to file their Income-Tax returns;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government has taken any steps to expedite the issuance of Income-tax returns; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(c) & (d) The details of targeted campaigns or initiatives to encourage more people to file their Income-Tax returns are as under:

## Email and SMS campaigns :

The Email and SMS campaigns are sent to all the eligible registered taxpayers on e-Filing portal for  promoting early and timely e-Filing of Income-tax Returns. Currently, the total number of registered taxpayers on the e-Filing portal is 12,24,32,343. The e-campaigns are also targeted to stop-filers and non-filers.

The  cases  of  Non-filers  identified  through  Risk  Management  Strategy  (RMS)  are  pushed  to Compliance Portal to seek response from the taxpayer. This campaign is a part of the voluntary compliance management framework of the department for promoting voluntary compliance.

A  number  of  awareness  generation  and  outreach  programmes  are  also  conducted  for  this purpose.

(e) & (f) The Government does not issue Income-tax returns, hence, the question does not arise.

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