opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2377 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: Transferring Management of National Zoological Parks to Private Entity
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Ms Sayani Ghosh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2377

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025

## Transferring Management of National Zoological Parks to Private Entity

## 2377.  MS SAYANI GHOSH:

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

- (a) whether  there  is  any  policy/mechanism  to  transfer  the  management  and  control  of National Zoo or Wildlife Parks to private entities, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the National Zoological Park in Delhi has signed any agreement with private entity, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is a fact that the animals from National Zoological Park in Delhi shall be shared or exchanged with private entity, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether there is any proposal or advisory to be send to the States for transferring the management and control of other Zoological Park in the hands of private entities, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d) Technical  collaboration  MoUs  are  signed  by  the  Zoos,  including  National Zoological Park, Delhi for conservation, research and welfare of Zoo animals. However, no agreement has been signed by the National Zoological Park, Delhi regarding transfer of its management and control to any private entity. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides a regulatory framework for recognition of zoos and acquisition of animals by the recognized zoos.

No  advisory  has  been  issued  by  the  Central  Zoo  Authority  to  the  States  for transferring the management and control of zoos to private entities.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2376 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: Digitization of Manuscripts under NMM
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri V K Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2376

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025

## Digitization of Manuscripts under NMM

## 2376. Shri VKSreekandan:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it is a fact that  the  Government  has  launched  the  revamped  National Manuscripts Mission (NMM), if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is true that the Mission expected to cover more than one crore manuscripts, would  be  responsible  for  the  survey,  documentation  and  conservation  of  India's manuscript  heritage  lying  with  academic  institutions,  museums,  libraries  and  private collectors;
- (c) whether it is also true that the manuscripts will be digitized with the help of the National Manuscripts Mission; and
- (d) if so, the targets fixed for the digitalization of manuscripts under the said Mission?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes  Sir.  Government  has  launched  Gyan  Bharatam  Mission  as  a  major  initiative under the Ministry of Culture. It aims to Survey, Document, Conserve, Digitize, and make accessible more than One Crore Manuscripts located in academic Institutions, Museums, Libraries, and Private collections across India.
- (b) Yes Sir. The Government intends to cover more than one crore   Manuscripts, and to conduct the Survey, Documentation, and Conservation of India's Manuscript heritage housed in academic Institutions, Museums, Libraries, and Private collections.
- (c) & (d) Yes Sir. Digitization is  a core objective of the Gyan  Bharatam Mission. The Mission explicitly includes 'Digitization:  Large scale digitization of manuscripts to create a National Digital Repository for a wider accessibility' as one of its key goals. The mission has set a target to digitize one crore manuscripts over the next five years.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2375 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: Inclusion of Lai Haraoba Festival in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2375

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025

## INCLUSION OF LAI HARAOBA FESTIVAL IN UNESCO'S INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE LIST

## 2375. DR. ANGOMCHA BIMOL AKOIJAM:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state :-

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  include  Lai  Haraoba,  the  traditional  festival  and ritual  celebrated  in  Manipur,  India,  in  the  UNESCO  Representative  List  of  the  Intangible  Cultural Heritage of Humanity;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the current status of the proposal; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

a) to (b)   Ministry of Culture through Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA), the nodal implementing agency for  Intangible  Cultural  Heritage  (ICH),  examines  the  proposal(s)  received  from  the  community/ stakeholders for inclusion/ nomination to the UNESCO'S Representative List of ICH of Humanity.

For  inclusion  of  an  element  in  the  UNESCO's  Representative  List  of  ICH,  the  state  parties  are required  to  submit  nomination  dossier  on  the  relevant  element  for  evaluation  and  examination  by UNESCO  Committee.  As  per  UNESCO's  latest  Operational  Directives,  each  member  state  is permitted to nominate only one element every two years for possible inscription. In this context, India has  nominated  the  'Deepavali'  Festival  for  the  2024-25  cycle.  The  nomination  will  be  considered during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, scheduled to be held in New Delhi in December 2025.

Presently, no such proposal is under consideration for inclusion to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

- c)  The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, has designated Sangeet Natak Akademi as the nodal agency for coordinating India's nominations to various UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) lists, as well as for undertaking related responsibilities such as the development and maintenance of the National Inventory of ICH.

Inclusion in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity begins with the element being inventorized in the National Inventory. For this purpose, detailed documentation-including videos, photographs, and a brief description of the element-is submitted for consideration.

This process has been completed for Lai Haraoba, which has been included as the 50 th element in the National Inventory. The details can be accessed on the official website: https://indiaichsna.in/national-inventory.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2373 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: Impact of GST on Health Insurance Premium
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Mr Pathan Yusuf

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2373

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, AUGUST 04, 2025/ SRAVANA 13, 1947(SAKA)

## IMPACT OF GST ON HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUM

## 2373. MR PATHAN YUSUF:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware of the impact of high GST rates on

- health insurance policies;

(b) if so, whether the Government has any proposal to abolish or reduce the 18 per cent GST on health insurance and term insurance; and (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c):  GST  rates  and  exemptions  on  all  services  and  goods  are prescribed  on  the  recommendations  of  the  GST  Council  which  is  a Constitutional  body  comprising  of  members  from  both  the  Union  and State/UT Governments. GST is leviable on health insurance policies at the standard rate of 18%.  However,  certain health  insurance  schemes catering to the economically weaker sections of the society and differently  abled,  such  as  Ayushman  Bharat  Pradhan  Mantri  Jan  Arogya Yojana,  Rashtriya  Swasthya  Bima  Yojana  ,  Universal  Health  Insurance Scheme, Jan Arogya Bima Policy and Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme are exempt from GST.

The issue of GST on health and life insurance was placed before the GST Council in its 54 th  Meeting held on 9 th  September 2024 at New Delhi. After detailed  deliberations,  the  GST  Council  recommended  to  constitute  a Group of Ministers (GoM) to holistically look into the issues pertaining to GST  on  life  insurance  and  health  insurance.  Accordingly,  a  Group  of Ministers (GoM) on Life and Health Insurance was constituted under the Convenorship of Sh. Samrat Choudhary, Hon'ble Deputy CM, Bihar.

During the 55 th  meeting of the GST Council held on 21 st  December 2024 in Jaisalmer,  the  Convener  of  the  Group  of  Ministers  (GoM)  on  Life  and GoM's recommendations  and  placing  the  same  before  the  GST  Council.  The

Health Insurance sought more time for finalizing the Council agreed to give more time to GoM to finalize its recommendations.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2372 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: Development of Valmiki Ashram and Bansidham
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Sunil Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOKSABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2372

ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025

## DEVELOPMENT OF VALMIKI ASHRAM AND BANSIDHAM

## †2372. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  true  that  the  Ashram  of  Maharshi  Valmiki  is  located  at  Valmiki  Nagar adjoining Nepal border characterized by the birthplace of Luv Kush;
- (b) whether  it  is  also  true  that  the  historic  Bansidham  is  located  along  the  border  of  West Champaran district of Bihar and Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh bearing the distinction of  housing  the  wedding  party  of  lord  Shri  Ram  as  per  the  mythology  where  a  fare  is 1rganized every year by the Government on account of Kartik Purnima;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  remove  dirt  from  the  Bansi  river  to  flow  water  in normal course and construct the stairs on its bank at Bansidham under any scheme; and
- (d) whether the Government has any proposal to develop Valmiki Nagar and Bansidham by connecting them with Ramayan circuit

## ANSWER

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

- (a)& (b) Ashram  of  Maharshi  Valmiki  and  Bansidham  are  not  protected  as  a  monument  of national  importance  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI), Government of India.
- (c)& No such proposal is under the consideration of the Ministry of Culture.

(d)

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2364 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: Investigation by ED
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri K C Venugopal

2364. SHRI K C Venugopal:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the ED has initiated investigation (after filing ECIR) where the predicate offence emanates from a complaint filed by an individual, who had no authority to investigate; and
- (b)  if so, the details thereof and the number of cases investigated during the last ten years?

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

- (a) Yes, there are such instances. It may be noted that the Directorate of Enforcement initiates investigation  following  the  applicable  tenets  of  law.  Generally,  under  CrPC/BNSS,  any criminal case can be registered by way of two major actions:
- i.    By registering FIR.
- ii.   By filing a criminal complaint in a competent court.

Thus, existence of scheduled offence for investigation under PMLA, 2002 can be considered in both the above circumstances.

- (b) 52 cases were initiated by ED during the last 10 years either on the basis of a Competent Court  initiating  enquiry/proceedings  on  a  complaint  by  individuals  or  where  a  Competent Court has directed Police/CBI to register FIR upon such complaints.

*****

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2364

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 04 th  August, 2025/ Sravana 13, 1947 (Saka)

## Investigation by ED
Lok Sabha Question No. 2362 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: Viksit Bharat Vision Series
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Chavda Vinod Lakhamshi

## Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2362

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025

Viksit Bharat Vision Series

2362. Shri Chavda Vinod Lakhamshi:

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

- (a) the details of the primary objective behind launching the Viksit Bharat Vision Series;
- (b) the details of the impact created by the said series on the youth so far;
- (c) the  total  number  of  episodes  of  the  said  series  have  been conducted/demonstrated so far; and
- (d) the  manner  in  which  the  said  series  promoting    the  youth leadership?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

(a) to (d) No  programme  has  been  implemented  by  the  Ministry  of Youth Affairs and Sports under the name 'Viksit Bharat Vision Series'.

However,  the  Ministry  organised  the  Viksit  Bharat  Young  Leaders Dialogue 2025 (VBYLD-2025) from 10th to 12th January, 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, as a restructured format of the National Youth Festival commemorating the 162nd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. The event, graced by the Hon'ble Prime Minister on 12th January, 2025, was aligned with the Prime Minister's vision of engaging one lakh youth in politics and leadership for a developed India. Youth participants presented their vision on ten thematic tracks of the Viksit Bharat Challenge, fostering innovation and leadership aligned with the goal of Viksit Bharat@2047.

In addition, the Ministry organised a three-day Youth Spiritual Summit in Varanasi from 18-20 July 2025 on the theme 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat'. The summit aimed to develop a comprehensive, youthled national strategy for a drug-free India. Around 600 youth delegates, typically aged 25-40 years, from youth wings of 120 spiritual organisations participated.

The  event  included  thematic  sessions  involving  experts  from  the Ministries of Social Justice, Health, and Home Affairs, and Members of Parliament active in the de-addiction field. Public programmes such as Nukkad Nataks and cultural  performances  were  also  organised.  The summit culminated in the release of the Kashi Sankalp which outlines a collaborative framework involving:

-  Youth-led  campaigns,  institutional  outreach,  multi-stakeholder coordination
-  Involvement  of  spiritual  bodies,  educational  institutions,  and ministries in prevention, rehabilitation, and awareness
-  Mechanisms  for  joint  working  groups,  public  reporting,  and structured action planning

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2353 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: Plan for Repair and Strengthening the identified Sites
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Dr. Faggan Singh Kulaste

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2353

ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025

## PLAN FOR REPAIR AND STRENGTHENING THE IDENTIFIED SITE

## †2353. DR. FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of cultural sites identified in the country;
- (b) whether the Government has formulated any special plan for repair and strengthening of the identified sites; and
- (c) the  details  along  with  the  time  by  which  future  plans  will  be  implemented  by  the Government  by  identifying  the  major  centers  for  promoting  the  importance  of  cultural heritage in the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) There  are  3685  monuments  and  archaeological  sites  and  remainsdeclared  as  of  national importance in the country, which are maintained by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
- (b) ASI takes up conservation and maintenance of monuments and sites of national importance
- & as  per  the  conservation  requirement  considering  availability  of  funds  and  resources  and
- (c) following  the  National  Conservation  Policy.  Further,  upkeep  and  maintenance  of  the protected monuments and sites is an ongoing process.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2352 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: Digital Transactions & Cyber Fraud
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Ramashankar  Vidharthi Rajbhar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2352

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, AUGUST 04, 2025/SRAVANA 13, 1947 (SAKA)

## DIGITAL TRANSACTIONS & CYBER FRAUD

## †2352. SHRI RAMASHANKAR VIDHARTHI RAJBHAR:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the special steps taken by the Government to promote digital transactions and prevent cyber fraud; and
- (b) the measures adopted by the Government to increase the regulation and transparency of cooperative societies and microfinance institutions for financial inclusion, so that the poor and farmers in rural areas may get easy loans and assistance?

## Answer

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

(a) The Government, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) have been  taking  up  various  initiatives  to  promote  digital  payment  transactions.  These  inter  alia,  include incentive  scheme  for  promotion  of  RuPay  Debit  Cards  and  low-value  BHIM-UPI  transactions  (P2M), Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) to support deployment of digital payment infrastructure in underserved regions.

Further, to prevent payment-related frauds, various initiatives have been taken up such as device binding between the customer's mobile number and device, two-factor authentication through PIN, daily transaction limits, and restrictions on use cases. NPCI also provides a fraud monitoring solution to all the banks to generate alerts and decline transactions using AI/ML-based models. RBI and banks have been conducting awareness campaigns through short SMS, radio campaigns, and publicity on the prevention of cyber-crime.

(b) Various initiatives have been taken from time to time to increase the regulation and transparency of cooperative societies and microfinance institutions for financial inclusion.

These, inter alia include

- RBI has issued a regulatory framework to all regulated entities to adopt a board-approved policy for pricing microfinance loans. This include a transparent interest rate model covering cost of funds, risk premium, and margin.
- The definition of microfinance loan has been simplified and various quantitative restrictions on loans given by NBFC-MFIs have been removed, including limits on loan amount in a particular cycle and minimum tenure for loans over a particular threshold.
- Erstwhile  requirement  of  providing  minimum  50%  loans for  income  generation  purposes  has  been dispensed  with,  considering  the  need  of  credit  for  medical,  educational  and  income  smoothening purposes.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2344 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: Development of Pilgrimage Sites  in Madhya Pradesh
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Datt Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2344

## ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025

## DEVELOPMENT OF PILGRIMAGE SITES IN MADHYA PRADESH

## 2344. SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is implementing the PRASHAD (Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation  and  Spiritual,  Heritage  Augmentation Drive) Scheme to develop religious and heritage tourism destinations, particularly in the State of Madhya Pradesh;
- (b) if so, whether the Government has identified or developed pilgrimage  sites  or  heritage  locations  in  the  districts  of  Katni Panna,  and  the  town  of  Khajuraho  in  the  Khajuraho  Lok  Sabha constituency;
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  measures  taken/being  taken  for infrastructural  development  and  tourist  facilities  under  the  said scheme; and
- (d)
- if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM         (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (d): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and products is primarily undertaken by the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. The Ministry of Tourism through  its  central  sector  scheme  of 'Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation  and Spiritual,  Heritage  Augmentation  Drive'  (PRASHAD)provides  financial assistance to the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations  for  development  of  tourism  related  infrastructure  at identified religious and heritage sites across the country, including the State of Madhya Pradesh.

Assistance is extended based on proposals received from States/UTs,  subject  to  availability  of  funds,  submission  of  Detailed

Project Reports (DPRs) by the State/UT, adherence to scheme guidelines, utilization of funds released earlier etc.

Under PRASHAD scheme, the Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned 2 projects in the state of Madhya Pradesh the detail of which is as under:

(Rs. In Crore)

| Name of the Project        | Sanction Year   |   Sanction Amount (in Crores) |
|----------------------------|-----------------|-------------------------------|
| Development of Amarkantak  | 2020-21         |                         49.99 |
| Development of Omkareshwar | 2017-18         |                         43.93 |

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