opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2617 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: STARS Scheme
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Dr. C M Ramesh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2617

ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

## STARS Scheme

2617. Dr. C M Ramesh:

Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state:

- (a) the  aims  and  objectives  of  Scheme  for  Transformational  Advance  Research  in  Sciences (STARS) Scheme;
- (b) the details of States that are included under STARS Scheme; and
- (c) the details of reforms that the Government is planning to bring in these States?

ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a)  to  (c):  A  Central  Sector  scheme  called  the  Scheme  for  Transformational  and  Advanced Research in Sciences (STARS) was launched by the Ministry of Education (MoE) in February, 2019, with a budget outlay of Rs. 250 crores over  a period of five years, viz. from 2019-20 to 2023-24.  It  was  aimed  at  providing  a  thrust  to  research  in  Higher  Education  Institutions,  by promoting translational and India-centric research in sciences. Six basic thrust areas viz., Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Nano Sciences, Data Science & Mathematics and Earth Sciences, have been identified under scheme. The scheme has been further extended till 31.03.2026.

STARS scheme is aimed at all MoE funded technical institutions and Central Universities and those non-MoE funded institutions with National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranking above 100 (overall category) or National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) grading of 3.26 and above. These Higher Education Institutes are situated across the country, in various states, hence, providing opportunities of research in a regionally balanced manner. While in  phase-I  of  the  scheme,  141  projects  were  approved  at  a  total  cost  of  Rs.  90.75  Crores,  227 projects have been approved under phase-II at a cost of Rs. 133.91 Crores.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2616 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Hosting of Khelo Winter Games
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri G Lakshminarayana

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2616 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

Hosting of Khelo Winter Games

2616. Shri G Lakshminarayana:

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

- (a)  the  details  of  Khelo  India  Youth  Games/University  Games/Para  Games and Winter Games hosted so far, including the year, host city, State, sports disciplines along with total number of participating athletes, State-wise and category-wise;
- (b)  the  details  of  infrastructure  upgrades,  funds  allocated,  released  and utilized  for  organizing  each  of  these  competitions  in  the  respective  host States;
- (c)  the  details  of  bids  submitted  by  Andhra  Pradesh  during  the  last  five years to host Khelo India competitions, including the events applied for and the reasons for rejection, if any;
- (d) whether any future events are planned to be hosted in the State, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Government to encourage more States, including Andhra Pradesh to host said competitions along with any specific initiatives planned for underserved regions?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS { DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA }

(a)  and  (b)  The  details  of  Khelo  India  Youth  Games/University Games/Para Games and Winter Games hosted so far, including the year, host city, State, sports disciplines along with total number of participating athletes, Statewise  and  category-wise  and  funds  allocated,  released  and  utilized  for organizing  each  of  these  competitions  in  the  respective  host  States,  are available in public domain on the dashboard of the Ministry at

https://dashboard.kheloindia.gov.in/public/front/assets/KI\_Games\_Annexure. pdf.  The  details  of  the  sports  infrastructure  projects  approved  and  their sanctioned cost, funds released and their physical and financial progress, under  Khelo  India  Scheme,  across  the  country,  including  for  conduct  of Khelo India Games, are available in public domain on the dashboard of the Ministry at https://mdsd.kheloindia.gov.in.

(c) No bids have been submitted by Andhra Pradesh during last five years to host Khelo India competitions.

(d) and (e) Khelo India Games are conducted across diverse regions of the country. However, no proposals from Andhra Pradesh have been received so far.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2615 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Government Jobs for Champion Players
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Dr. Rajeev Bharadwaj

## Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

## Government of India (Department of Sports)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2615 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

Government Jobs for Champion Players

## †2615.     DR. RAJEEV BHARADWAJ:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to provide Government  jobs  to  the  Champion  players  of  Khelo  India Scheme;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## ANSWER (DR MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

(a)  to  (c):  The  recruitment  of  meritorious  sports  persons  against sports  quota  vacancies  in  Central  Government  Offices  is  done  in accordance with the consolidated instructions issued by the Department  of  Personnel  &  Training  (DoP&T)  vide  their  O.M  No. 14034/01/2013-Est(D) dated 3rd October, 2013 (further consolidated vide OM dated 18.11.2022 and 04.03.2024). These instructions also cover medal winners of Khelo India Youth/ University/ Winter/ Para Games. These instructions are available at https://doptcirculars.nic.in.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2612 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Involvement of Private Sector  Banks in Government Schemes
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Financial Services

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2612

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2025/PHALGUNA 26, 1946 (SAKA)

## Involvement of Private Sector Banks in Government Schemes

2612.  Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  involve  more  private  sector  banks  in  the implementation of Government schemes such as the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and financial assistance to Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under SERP and MEPMA;
- (b) whether the Government has issued any guidelines or directives to private sector banks to increase their participation in these schemes and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  measures  taken/being  taken  to  ensure  that  private  sector  banks  provide  timely  and adequate credit to beneficiaries of these schemes, especially in rural and underserved areas; and
- (d)  whether there  is  any  challenges  in  involving  private  sector  banks  in  these  Government schemes and if so, the steps taken/being taken by the Government to address these challenges and increase private sector participation?

## Answer

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

(a) to (d): Government of India under Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) provides Interest Subvention of 1.5% to banks including rural and semi-urban branches of Private Sector Banks for providing short-term working capital loans upto Rs. 3 lakh at 7% p.a. Further, a Prompt Repayment Incentive of 3% is also provided to farmers on timely repayment of loans. Therefore,  effective  interest  rate  for  farmers  is  4%.  In  the  Union  Budget  2025-26,  the Government has announced to enhance loan limit under the MISS from Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh for loans taken through the KCC.

The Reserve Bank of India has, from time to time, issued a number of instructions / guidelines to banks regarding Priority Sector Lending. The provisions of these directions apply to every Commercial Bank including Private Sector Banks. Banks are required to meet targets and subtargets set under priority sector lending. So, the lending to agriculture sector including Farm Credit (Agriculture and Allied Activities), Agriculture Infrastructure, and Ancillary Activities by Private Sector Banks are eligible under Priority Sector Lending, subject to RBI's directions.

In order to ensure that the benefits of financial services reach the poorest of the poor and the marginal sections of the society, participation of all banks is ensured in social welfare schemes of the Government. Performance of Private Sector Banks on a matrix of various Government initiatives  and  schemes  is  reviewed  from  time  to  time  and  used  as  a  criteria  for  bank  to undertake Government Business.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2611 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Regulation and Utilization of Hindu Temple Funds
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Tangella Uday Srinivas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2611

ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

## REGULATION AND UTILIZATION OF HINDU TEMPLE FUNDS

## 2611. SHRI TANGELLA UDAY SRINIVAS:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Hindu  temples  in  various  States  are  under  the  administrative  control  of  State Governments, while religious institutions of other faiths operate autonomously, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the total revenue collected from Hindu temples under State Government control during the last five years, State and temple-wise;
- (c) whether any portion of temple funds have been diverted for non-religious purposes and if so, the details of such allocations;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  representations  or  requests  from  temple authorities  or  religious  organizations  demanding  autonomy  from  State  control  and  the response of the Government thereto; and
- (e) whether the Government intends to introduce any reforms to ensure uniform regulations for all  religious  institutions,  including  temples,  mosques  and  churches  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) There are 3698 ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains including temples
- & declared as of national importance by and under the Ancient Monuments and
- (b) Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 in the country. Revenue generated from the 143 ticketed monuments of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)  including temples is as under:

(amount in rupees)

| Year    | Revenue       |
|---------|---------------|
| 2021-22 | 101,50,59,354 |
| 2022-23 | 251,93,76,252 |
| 2023-24 | 317,92,20,085 |

- (c) The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) does not divert any portion of funds from the revenue collected of the protected monuments.
- (d) ASI has not received any representations or requests from temple authorities or religious organizations demanding autonomy from State control.
- (e) Question does not arise.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2606 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Multi Speciality Sports Complex/Academy in Gadchiroli Constituency
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Dr. Kirsan Namdeo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2606 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

Multi Speciality Sports Complex/Academy in Gadchiroli Constituency

2606. Dr. Kirsan Namdeo:

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

(a) whether the Government has any plans to built all-in-one, Multi speciality sports complex/Academy in Gadchiroli Constituency in the State of Maharashtra  where  tribal  children  and  youth  can  receive  training  in  all sports played in the country;

- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS { DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA }

(a) to (c) 'Sports' being a State subject, the responsibility of development of sports, including building all-in-one Multi-speciality sports complex/Academy where tribal children and youth can receive training in all sports played in the country, rests primarily with the State/Union Territory Governments. The Union Government supplements their efforts by bridging critical gaps. There is no such proposal under consideration in this Ministry.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2602 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Reduction in Subsidies for Essential Commodities
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Mr Pathan Yusuf

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2602

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2025/PHALGUNA 26, 1946 (SAKA)

## REDUCTION IN SUBSIDIES FOR ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES

## 2602. Mr Pathan Yusuf:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  recent  budget  proposes  a  reduction  in  subsidies  for  essential commodities including Rs.  3400 crore  cut  in  fertilizer  subsidies  and  Rs.  2600  crore  cut  in petroleum subsidies;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the manner in which the Government plan to mitigate the impact of such reduction on lowincome households who rely heavily on these subsidies; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

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

- (a) No sir. The Budget Estimates for FY 2025-26 when compared to the Budget Estimates for FY 2024-25 do not entail a cut of Rs. 3,400 crore in fertiliser subsidies and Rs. 2,600 crore in petroleum subsidies.

- (b) to (d) Does not arise in light of part (a).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2599 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Restructuring of Debt of various Corporations/SPVs
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2599

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 17 th  MARCH, 2025

26 PHALGUNA, 1946 (SAKA)

## RESTRUCTURING OF DEBTS OF VARIOUS CORPORATIONS/SPVS

## 2599.  Shri Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy

Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:

- (a)  Whether  the  Government  of  Telangana  has  sent  any  proposals  for  Restructuring  of Debt  of  various  Corporations  or  their  Special  Purpose  Vehicles  (SPVs)  to  issue appropriate  instructions  to  the  relevant  financial  institutions  for  the  restructuring  of loans  that  were  extended  to  the  Corporations/SPVs  owned  by  the  Government  of Telangana and are now serviced from the State's Consolidated Fund; and
- (b) if  so,  the  details thereof and the action taken thereon till date, Corporation and SPVwise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a)  &  (b) A  request  was  received  from  the  State  Government  of  Telangana  regarding restructuring of loans raised by the Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) that are serviced from the State Consolidated Fund under Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme.

As  per  the  information  received  from  Ministry  of  Power,  the  State  Government  of Telangana  has  been  informed  that  Kaleshwaram  Irrigation  Project  Corporation  Limited (KIPCL),  a  special  purpose  vehicle  (SPV)  established  to  construct  the  Kaleshwaram  Lift Irrigation Project in Telangana, was financed by Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC Ltd.)  and  REC  Limited with a total project cost of Rs. 37,737.11 crore and Rs. 30,536.08 crore respectively.

The  state  government  was  further  informed  that  these  Non-Banking  Financial Companies (NBFCs) raise funds from various sources in the domestic and offshore markets. Based on their cost of borrowing, they determine the lending rates, which also depend on the grading of borrower. Any rebate in interest rate is considered upon the completion/closure of projects. However, any change in loan amortization schedule would result in the downgrade of KIPCL's account classification (from standard to Sub-standard) in the books of PFC/REC Ltd. in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2594 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Non-adherence of Timeframe in Disbursement of Education Loans by Banks
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri M K Raghavan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2594

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 17 th  MARCH, 2025/ 26 PHALGUNA 1946 (SAKA)

## NON-ADHERENCE OF TIMEFRAME IN DISBURSEMENT OF EDUCATION LOANS BY BANKS

2594. SHRI M K RAGHAVAN: Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: (a)  whether  the  Government  has  noticed  that  banks  are  not  adhering  to  the  time  frame  in disbursement of Education loans; and (b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to address the same?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (b) All Scheduled Commercial Banks have been advised by RBI to adopt Model Education Loan Scheme, 2022 (last amended on 21.3.2024), formulated by Indian Banks' Association. The scheme inter-alia includes the following provisions w.r.t. disbursement of education loan:

- In normal course, sanction/ rejection to be communicated within 15 days of receipt of duly completed application with supporting documents in the Bank.
- Rejection of loan application, if any, shall be done with the concurrence of the next higher authority and conveyed to the student stating reason for rejection.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) vide Master Circular DBR.No.Dir.BC.10/ 13.03.00/2015-16 dated July 1, 2015 on 'Master Circular- Loans and Advances - Statutory and Other Restrictions', have advised banks to clearly delineate the procedure for disposal of loan proposals, with appropriate timelines,  and  institute  a  suitable  monitoring  mechanism  for  reviewing  applications  pending beyond the specified period.

Further, as and when, any specific grievance, with respect to non-adherence of time frame in disbursement of Education loans are received, such grievances are taken up with respective banks on case to case basis.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2585 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Cultural Festivals under National Cultural Exchange Programme
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Baijayant Panda

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2585

ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

## CULTURAL FESTIVALS UNDER NATIONAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMME

## 2585. SHRI BAIJAYANT PANDA:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of cultural festivals organized under the National Cultural Exchange Programme in 2023-24;
- (b) the details of regions where these festivals were held;
- (c) the total funds allocated and utilized for the cultural festivals during the FY 2024-25; and
- (d) the number of artists and performers who participated in these festivals with a specific focus on folk and tribal artists, particularly from Odisha?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) 562  cultural  festivals  have  been  organized  by  all  the  Zonal  Cultural  Centres (autonomous organizations under Ministry of Culture) under the National Cultural Exchange Programme in 2023-24.
- (b) Under National Cultural Exchange Programme, artists from other Zones/ States are invited to participate in various cultural activities/ programmes/ festivals organized by all the ZCCs in their member States covering all the regions of the country.  During these festivals, audience  get  chance  to  enjoy  and  understand  art  forms  of  other  regions.  These  festivals provide opportunity to taste and understand various cultures of our country.
- (c) During the year 2024-25, Rs. 9843.47 lakh have been allocated/ released (till date) to all the ZCCs for organizing various cultural festivals in the country.
- (d) 55,519 artists/ performers have participated in the various cultural activities/ programmes/ festivals organized by all the ZCCs in their member States out of which 2323 artists/ performers were from Odisha.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2582 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: NISHTHA Scheme
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Kesineni Sivanath, Shri Daggumalla Prasada Rao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO:- 2582

ANSWERED ON-17/03/2025

## NISHTHA Scheme

## 2582. SHRI KESINENI SIVANATH:

## SHRI DAGGUMALLA PRASADA RAO:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of elementary and secondary schools are working under National Initiative for School Heads and Teachers Holistic Advancement (NISHTHA) scheme in the country during the last five years, State-wise;
- (b) the details regarding the funds sanctioned and released under the scheme, State and district-wise for the State of Andhra Pradesh;
- (c) whether the Government has any details regarding the total number of teachers trained under the scheme; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof till date, State-wise?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d): The Department of School Education and Literacy has launched an integrated Teacher Training Programme called NISHTHA - National Initiative for School Heads' and Teachers' Holistic Advancement, on the DIKSHA platform, with the aim to build competencies among all teachers and school principals so as to improve learning outcomes and foster critical thinking in students.

The NISHTHA training programme consists of the following:-

- [ ] NISHTHA 1.0 for Elementary level (Classes I-VIII)

- [ ] NISHTHA 2.0 for Secondary level (Classes IX-XII)

- [ ] NISHTHA 3.0 for NIPUN BHARAT (FLN)

- [ ] NISHTHA 4.0 (ECCE)

The details regarding the total number of teachers trained under NISHTHA, State/UT-wise are given in ANNEXURE-I at https://www.education.gov.in/parl\_ques.

Based on the proposals received from States/UTs, the details of funds allocated for teacher training under  Samagra  Shiksha  scheme  for  the  Financial  Year  2024-25  are  given  in  ANNEXURE-II  at https://www.education.gov.in/parl\_ques. As per the framework of implementation of the Samagra Shiksha scheme, funds are released to the respective State Government/Union Territory administration on a lump-sum basis and not to individual districts.

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