opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2221 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Harassment of Food Establishment
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Manickam Tagore B

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2221

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## HARASSMENT OF FOOD ESTABLISHMENT

## 2221. SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B:

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

- (a)the manner in which the Government plan to ensure that the public display of operators'  personal  information  does  not  lead  to harassment or intimidation of food establishment owners;
- (b)the  details  of  the  specific  consultations  were  undertaken  with legal  experts  to  assess  the  impact  of  these  regulations  on  the privacy rights of individuals involved in the food industry;
- (c)the manner in which the Government will safeguard the displayed personal  information  from  being  misused  or  exploited  by  third parties;
- (d)the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  that  the identification of employees, such as chefs and waitstaff, does not compromise  their  safety  or  expose  them  to  undue  scrutiny  by customers or the public; and
- (e)the  manner  in  which  the  Government  monitor  compliance  with these regulations, and penalties to be imposed on establishments who fail to protect the privacy of their operators and employees?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): Commercial establishments including food establishments are governed by the Shops and Establishment Act of the respective States and Union Territories which have their own Act and  Regulations.  In  this  regard,  State  Governments  and  Union Territory Administrations are the appropriate authorities.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2219 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Delay in Senate Elections in Punjab University
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Manish Tewari

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2219

ANSWERED ON- 09/12/2024

## DELAY IN SENATE ELECTIONS IN PUNJAB UNIVERSITY

## 2219. SHRI MANISH TIWARI:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  process  for  Punjab  University  Senate elections,  as  mandated  under  the  Panjab  University  Act,  1947,  has  not  been  initiated despite  its  tenure  has  been  ended  on  October  31,  2024  and  the  Punjab  University Act/calendar  provides  that  the  election  process  must  be  initiated  240  days  before  the expiry of the term of the senate i.e. in January/ February 2024 itself; (b) if so, the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to expedite the process and ensure transparency in conducting elections; (c) whether the Government has any plans to convert Punjab University into a Central University to control its governance; and (d) the manner in which effective coordination between the Government and State Government of Punjab is ensured to address the issue of delayed Senate elections?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR.SUKANTA MAJUMDAR) (a) to (d) : Panjab University has been established by Panjab University Act, 1947 and it's academic as well as administrative matters are governed by the rules/regulations made thereunder. The Senate Election in Panjab University is conducted by the University after due  approval  from  Chancellor.  The  Ministry  is  guided  by  the  autonomy  of  the  Panjab University.  Government  has  no  plan  to  convert  Punjab  University  into  a  Central University, at present.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2211 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Social Security Coverage
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Kanwar Singh Tanwar

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2211 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## SOCIAL SECURITY COVERAGE

†2211. SHRI KANWAR SINGH TANWAR:

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

- (a)the  details  of  the  current  number  of  the  employees  provided  social security coverage by the employer in the country;
- (b)whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  concrete  steps  to  expand social security coverage by reducing the coverage limit from twenty employees to ten employees under Employees Provident Fund (EPF); (c)if so, the details thereof;

(d)whether the Government propose to reduce the PF coverage limit from twenty employees to ten employees to bring uniformity with ESIC; and (e)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Details of the current number of the employees under EPFO are given below:

| No. of UANs of Members, whose EPF contribution received under Employee Provident Fund Scheme   | 7,20,28,109   |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|
| No. of UANs of Members, whose EPS contribution received under Employee Pension Scheme          | 7,14,28,499   |

Contributed UANs.

The total number of Insured Persons covered under the ESI Scheme as on 31.03.2024 is 3.72 crores.

(b) to (e): The expansion of coverage is a continuous process taking into account various coverage parameters such as wage ceiling and class  of  establishments  to  which  the Employees' Provident  Fund  & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 applies.

The Employees' Provident Fund & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 already permits establishments and the employers with less than 20 employees to voluntarily enroll under the Act and to avail of EPF benefits.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2210 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Artificial Intelligence Courses in Education Boards
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Rajesh Naranbhai Chudasama

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2210 ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## Artificial Intelligence Courses in Education Boards

2210. Shri Chudasama Rajeshbhai Naranbhai:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the knowledge of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is much needed today and the CBSE has introduced it in schools;
- (b) whether the Government is planning to make AI courses mandatory in other Boards also;
- (c) whether the Government has assessed the feasibility of running AI courses in CBSE schools in terms of availability of Labs and computer systems; and
- (d) the details of CBSE schools that do not have adequate infrastructure to support AI courses, State/UT-wise?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) : National Education Policy, 2020 stresses upon creating holistic and well-rounded individuals  equipped  with  the  key  21 st Century  skills.    NEP  2020  recognises  the  role  and importance of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI). CBSE had introduced 'Artificial Intelligence'  in  its  affiliated  schools  in  the  year  2019.  The  objective  of  the  AI  curriculum  is  to develop a readiness for understanding and appreciating Artificial Intelligence and its application in our lives. Artificial Intelligence is offered as a 15 hour module in class VIII and as a skill subject in classes IX to XII.

In the session 2024-25, about 7,90,999 students from nearly 4,538 schools have opted for AI at secondary level (classes IX & X combined) and approximately 50,343 students from nearly 944 schools have opted for AI at senior secondary level (classes XI & XII combined).

- (b) : Education  is  a  subject  in  the  Concurrent  List  of  the  Constitution  and  schools,  other  than those within the jurisdiction / funded by Central Government, are under the jurisdiction of the State Government.  Therefore, the State Board may take a call in this regard.
- (c) : As  far  as  CBSE  schools  are  concerned,  all  affiliated  schools  were  advised  to  maintain minimum  IT  infrastructure  through  its  Affiliation  Circular  No.  10/2023  (Annexure-  I)  and  its subsequent  Corrigendum (Annexure -II)  and through this  infrastructure,  AI  and  related  IT  based courses can also be offered effectively.
- (d) : Out of the 30,373 schools affiliated to CBSE,  29,719 schools have IT infrastructure as per CBSE Affiliation Bye-Laws.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2208 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: New National Manuscripts Mission
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Sudama Prasad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2208

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## NEW NATIONAL MANUSCRIPTS MISSION

## 2208.  SHRI SUDAMA PRASAD:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a)   the details  of  the  key  differences  in  structure  and  authority  between  the proposed  new National Manuscripts Mission (NMM) and the existing NMM under the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts;
- (b) the  manner  in  which  the  new  National  Manuscripts  Authority  will  leverage  advance technologies to improve the preservation, digitization and accessibility of manuscripts;
- (c)  the details of the funds allocated under the proposed new National Manuscripts Mission for preservation and study of rare manuscripts;
- (d)   whether the Government has taken appropriate measure to address the deterioration of manuscripts,  scarcity of traditional conservation  skills, and  gaps  in the regional manuscript collection as part of this initiative; and
- (e)   if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

(GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) to (e): The Ministry of Culture established the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) in 2003 during the 10 th Five Year Plan to document, conserve, and promote access to Indian manuscripts. The scheme was evaluated by a committee of experts, which recommended  its  continuation  with  broader  reach  and  direct  oversight  by  the Ministry. The National Mission for Manuscripts presently functions as a unit under the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, for which funds are provided to the organization.  The  NMM  uses  technology  with  contributions  from  IGNCA  for preservation and digitization of manuscripts. The  digitized manuscripts are uploaded to the https://www.pandulipipatala.nic.in.

In  order  to  address  challenges  of  deterioration  of  Manuscripts,  NMM  employs different methods of preservation such as lamination, restoration, and deacidification of manuscripts. Training is offered for various aspects of preventive conservation. Manuscript Resource Centres (MRCs) and Manuscript Conservation Centres (MCCs) address regional and thematic collection and conservation gaps.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2207 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: National Mission on Cultural Mapping
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Balashowry Vallabhaneni

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2207

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## NATIONAL MISSION ON CULTURAL MAPPING

## 2207.  Shri Balashowry Vallabhaneni:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state :

- (a) the details of the 'cultural mapping';

(b)  the  aims  and  objectives  of  National  Mission  on  Cultural  Mapping  proposed  by  the Government in the country;

(c) the details of the number of villages that have so far been mapped by the Government in Andhra Pradesh State, district-wise; and

(d) the manner in which the data so generated would help in protecting and promoting culture, traditions, art forms, etc., of that village?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  National  Mission  on  Cultural  Mapping  has  been  set  up  by  Ministry  of  Culture, Government of India with an aim to identify and document India's cultural heritage and its creative  potential  to  regenerate  and  revitalize  rural  economies,  thereby  making  Village India self-reliant. (b)  At present, NMCM is undergoing with its component MGMD and the state-wise details are available at Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar Web Portal (https://mgmd.gov.in/) which is an open access portal.

- (b)  The aims and objectives and expectations are as under;
-  To  identify  and  document  India's  cultural  heritage  and  its  creative  potential  to regenerate  and  revitalize  rural  economies,  thereby  making  Village  India  selfreliant.
-  To create awareness about the strengths of cultural heritage and its interface with development and cultural identity.
-  Cultural Mapping of 6.5 Lakh villages along with their geographical, demographic profiles, and creative capitals.

(c)      So  far,  14131  villages  of  Andhra  Pradesh  have  been  uploaded  on  the  web  portal. The district-wise details are available at MGMD Web Portal. (d)  Currently,  the  data  of  4.5  lakh  villages  have  been  uploaded  on  the  MGMD  Web Portal.  This data would help in identifying and documenting India's cultural heritage and its creative potential to regenerate and revitalize rural economics, thereby making Village

- India self-reliant.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2205 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Implementation of MSSC Scheme
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Hanuman Beniwal

## No.2205

Shri Hanuman Beniwal:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-

- (a) the total number of women beneficiaries of Mahila Samman Bachat Patra Yojana scheme so far and whether it is in line with the expectations of the Government;
- (b)  whether  any  complaints  of  irregularity  or  corruption  have  come  to  the  notice  of  the Government regarding implementation of the scheme;
- (c) if so, the steps taken by the Government to resolve these complaints;
- (d) the manner in which the benefits of the scheme are being extended to women of rural and backward areas; and
- (e)  whether the  Government has set up any special mechanism to extend the benefit of this scheme to the socially and economically backward classes?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## ( SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY )

- (a) The  total  number  of  women  beneficiaries  under  Mahila  Samman  Savings  Certificate  Yojna Scheme  (MSSC)  as  on  31.10.2024  is  43,30,121.  Government  has  not  set  up  any  target  for number of women beneficiaries under the scheme.
- (b) No.
- (c) Not applicable.
- (d) The  scheme  was  launched  by  the  Government  for  promoting  financial  independence  of  the woman  of  the  country  by  allowing  attractive  rate  of  interest  and  to  also  help  in  achieving objectives of financial inclusion as set by Government of India.
- (e) It  is  a  voluntary  savings  scheme  operated  through  Department  of  Post  and  Banks  wherein higher rate of interest is offered to the depositors.

*****

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Economic Affairs

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2205 Agrahayana 18, 1946 (Saka)

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY DECEMBER 09, 2024/

## Implementation of MSSC Scheme
Lok Sabha Question No. 2201 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Notified Tiger Reserves Sanctuary in the Country
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane, Shri Sudheer Gupta

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 2201

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## Notified Tiger Reserves Sanctuary in the Country

## 2201. SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE: SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

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

- (a) the total number of notified Tiger Reserves Sanctuary in the country at present;
- (b) whether the Government has recently notified the Guru Ghasidas Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve, Chhattisgarh of the country;
- (c) if so, the details in this regard and the criteria followed for it;
- (d) whether the National Tiger Conservation Authority has accorded its final approval for the above said project;
- (e) if so, the details in this regard and if not, the time by which it is likely to be done; and
- (f) the manner in which these tiger reserves will be helpful in preserving and conserving the population of tigers in the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) 57 Tiger Reserves have been notified in the country.
- (b) to (e) Yes,  the  State  of  Chhattisgarh  on  recommendations  of  the  National  Tiger Conservation  Authority  has  recently  notified  the  Guru  Ghasidas  Tamor  Pingla Tiger  Reserve  as  per  provisions  contained  in  section  38V  of  the  Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- (f) Tiger being an 'umbrella species', the protection offered to it also ensures viable populations  of other wild  animals  (co-predators, prey)  and  forest,  thereby facilitating the ecological viability of the entire forest area / habitat. Therefore, a tiger  reserve  becomes  an  ecological  imperative  for  the  survival  of  source populations of tiger and other wild animals.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2200 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Expansion of ESI Scheme Coverage
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Y S Avinash Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2200 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## EXPANSION OF ESI SCHEME COVERAGE

## 2200. SHRI Y S AVINASH REDDY:

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

- (a)whether the workers in the unorganised sector have been brought under the ESI Scheme, if so, the details thereof and if not, the measures taken by the Government in this direction;
- (b)whether the Government has decided to expand the coverage of ESI Scheme to more workers of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment  Guarantee  Scheme  (MGNREGS),  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (c)the details of the steps taken by the Government to improve the implementation of the scheme?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Act, 1948 is applicable to all factories & establishments employing 10 or more persons other than  seasonal  factories  and  drawing  wages  up  to  Rs  21,000/-  per month (Rs. 25,000/- for Persons with Disability) in the notified area. The employees working in unorganized sector have not been defined as 'Employees' in ESI Act, 1948.  The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) is administered through local Gram Panchayats which are not establishment as per ESI Act, 1948.

The major steps taken by the Government to improve the implementation of the ESI scheme are as under:

- i) ESIC has collaborated with Ayushmaan Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (PMJAY) to provide secondary and tertiary care medical services to ESI beneficiaries through PMJAY empanelled hospitals in the country at places where ESI medical services are not adequately available.

ii) Rates of benefits have been enhanced for Permanent Disablement Benefit (PDB) / Dependents' Benefits (DB) Beneficiaries. iii) A new scheme has been approved to cater medical care (including SST) for superannuated beneficiaries who have contributed in ESIC but went out of coverage before superannuation. iv)  Online  module  has  been  launched  for  updation/editing  the particulars of Insured Persons (IPs) and their family details. v)  Aadhar  based  authentication  of  Insured  Persons  &  their  family members on voluntary basis has been adopted for providing social security benefits, including medical and cash benefits to beneficiaries. vi) For providing hassle-free services to Insured Persons (IPs)/Insured Women (IW), an online portal/facility has been started for submission of cash benefits claims under ESI scheme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2199 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Millet Survey
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Azad Kirti Jha

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2199 ANSWERED ON - 09/12/2024

## Millet Survey

## 2199.  Shri Azad Kirti Jha:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  any  millet  survey  is  being  undertaken/planned  to  be  conducted  by  the Government for assessing the impact of millet inclusion on the nutritional intake and health outcomes of beneficiaries;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  millets  have  been  included  under  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Poshan  Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) Scheme;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  details  of  all  States/UTs  that  have  proposed  and  included  millets  in  their  Annual Work Plan and Budget?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): No Sir

(c) to (e) Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) is one of the foremost rights based Centrally Sponsored Schemes implemented in partnership with the States and UTs. The overall responsibility for providing hot cooked and nutritious meal to the eligible children lies with  the  State  Governments  and  Union  Territory  Administrations.  The  States  and  UTs  fix their menu as per their local needs, in order to meet the prescribed nutritional content. The U.N. General Assembly declared 2023 as the 'International Year of Millets'. Accordingly, advisories were issued to States and UTs, to create awareness on the health benefits of millets through various identified activities viz.,  debate  competition,  rallies,  nukkad  natak,  Special

School  Management  Committee  (SMC)  meetings  and  Special  Programmes  on  the  use  of Shree Anna on Swayam Prabha Channels etc.

All State Governments/Union Territory Administrations are advised to explore the possibility of introducing millets (Shree Anna) based recipe at least once in a week. It is suggested to conduct cooking competitions amongst Cook-cum-Helpers to popularize millet based recipes. Accordingly,  many  States  and  UTs  have  conducted  cooking  competitions  at  State/district level  among  Cook-cum-Helpers  working  under  the  scheme  for  promoting  millet-based recipes. It is also suggested to prepare small videos for creating awareness about goodness of millets and showcase them in schools and consumption of millets may be discussed during the School Management Committee (SMC) meetings and the Parent Teachers Meetings.

All the States/UTs were also advised to include requirement of millets in their Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP&B). Many States are providing millets as an additional food item, e.g.  States  of  Andhra  Pradesh,  Karnataka  and  Telangana  are  providing  Ragi  Java  as  an additional millet food items.

*****