opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 235 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-04
Subject: Financial Assistance under PM Kisan Yojana
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Y S Avinash Reddy, Dr. Kalanidhi Veeraswamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 235

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04 TH  FEBRUARY, 2025

## FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER PM KISAN YOJANA

## 235.   DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY:

SHRI Y S AVINASH REDDY:

Will the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  to  enhance  the  financial  assistance provided under the PM Kisan Yojana;

(b) if so, the details of the proposed enhancement in the amount and the timeline for its implementation;

(c) the reasons for or against any increase in the assistance under the scheme;

(d) the manner in which the Government plans to ensure that the increased amount will effectively reach all eligible farmers, especially those in rural and remote areas;

(e) whether the Government is considering any other measures to support farmers financially through schemes like PM Kisan Yojana, if so, the details thereof; and

(f)  whether the Government has any plan of extending the benefits provided under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM KISAN) yojana to the persons engaged in fisheries and goat farming in addition to horticulture, floriculture, Medicinal Herbs and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) to (e): The PM-KISAN scheme is a central sector scheme launched in February 2019 by the Hon'ble Prime Minister to supplement the financial needs of land-holding farmers. Under the scheme, a financial benefit of Rs 6,000/- per year is transferred in three equal instalments, into the Aadhaar seeded bank accounts of farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.

A farmer-centric digital infrastructure has ensured the benefits of the scheme reach  all  the  farmers  across  the  country  without  involvement  of  any  middlemen. Maintaining  absolute  transparency  in  registering  and  verifying  beneficiaries,  the Government of India has disbursed over Rs 3.46 lakh Cr. in 18 installments since inception.

At  present,  there  is  no  such  proposal  under  consideration  to  increase  the benefits of the scheme.

(f): Under  the  PM-KISAN  Scheme,  cultivable  landholding  is  primary  eligibility criteria to receive benefit of the Scheme. All cultivable landholding farmers engaged in fisheries and goat farming in addition to horticulture, floriculture, Medicinal Herbs are eligible to receive benefits under the Scheme.
Lok Sabha Question No. 13 (STARRED), answered on 2025-02-03
Subject: Setting up of University in Daman and Diu
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Patel Umeshbhai Babubhai

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO- 13 ANSWERED ON- 03/02/2025

## SETTING UP OF UNIVERSITY IN DAMAN AND DIU

†*13.SHRI PATEL UMESHBHAI BABUBHAI:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is no recognised university in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu thereby causing a lot of hardships to the student community there;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  students  seeking  basic  and higher  education  are  compelled  to  get  education  in  universities  of  Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka;
- (d)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  a  university  of  high standard to benefit the students of the Union Territory of Daman and Diu; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFEREED  TO  IN  REPLY  OF  PARTS  (a)  to  (e)  OF  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.13 FOR 03.02.2025  ASKED BY  SHRI PATEL UMESHBHAI BABUBHAI, HON'BLE MEMBER OF PARTLIAMENT REGARDING 'SETTING UP OF UNIVERSITY IN DAMAN AND DIU' (a) to (c): As per All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) Report, 202223, there are 18 Colleges and 1 Standalone Institute under Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu with total enrolment of 12414. Further,  there  are  three  (3)  centrally  funded  Institutions  situated  in  Union Territory  of  Dadra  and  Nagar  Haveli  and  Daman  and  Diu  imparting  higher education in specialized subjects. (d) & (e): At present, there is no proposal under consideration of this Ministry to  set  up  a  Central  University  in  Union  Territory  of  Dadra  and  Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1 (STARRED), answered on 2025-02-03
Subject: Projects under NCF in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri G Lakshminarayana

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *1

ANSWERED ON 03.02.2025

## PROJECTS UNDER NCF IN ANDHRA PRADESH

- *1 SHRI G LAKSHMINARAYANA

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- a) the details of projects of Andhra Pradesh State that have been approved under the National Culture Fund (NCF) along with the year of approval;
2. B the  details  of  funds  allocated,  released  and  utilized  for  each  approved  project  under  NCF from the said State;
- c) the  details  of  proposals  submitted  by  the  said  state    under  NCF  along  with  their  current status; and
- d) whether the Government  plans to fund  additional cultural projects of Andhra Pradesh State under NCF in future and, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House

## STATEMENT

Statement referred in reply to part (a) to (d) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. *1 for reply on 03.02.2025 regarding  Projects under  NCF  In  Andhra  Pradesh  asked  by Shri G Lakshminarayana

(a) to (d) NCF is mandated to examine various culture related project proposals received from across the country and approve them on merits as per the guidelines. No project proposals have been received/ approved from the State of Andhra Pradesh under NCF during the last five years.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 225 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-03
Subject: Equal Opportunity Cells in Universities/HEIs
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri S Venkatesan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.225

ANSWERED ON O3IO2I2O25

## Equal Opportunity Cells in Universities/HEls

225. Shri S Venkatesan:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION  be pleased  to state:

- (a) the number  of Universities/Higher  learning institutions under the ambit of UGC, category-wise (Central and State etc.);
- (b) whether  these institutes constituted "Equal Opportunity  Cells" as prescribed  by "The UGC (Promotion  of Equity in Higher  Educational  lnstitutions) Regulations,  2012";
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details  of the universities/h  igher learning institutions that have not yet constituted "Equal Opportunity  Cells" as per 2012 regulations;  and
- (e) the action  initiated by the Government  /UGC against  such Universities/HEls?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): According to the information received  from the University  Grants  Commission (UGC), there are 47 Central Universities,  495 State Universities, 502 Private  Universities  and 131 Deemed to be Universities  under the ambit of UGC.

(b to e): UGC had formulated Guidelines  for the Scheme of Equal Opportunity  Centres for Colleges under the Xll Plan (2012-2017).  As per the Xll Plan data, 1680 Colleges recognized  by the UGC established Equal Opportunity  Cells (EOCs).

Further, the UGC notified  UGC (Promotion  of Equity in Higher Educational lnstitutions)  Regulations, 2012. As per the information available with UGC, all the Cenkal Universities;  except the newly established Sindhu Central University, Ladakh and Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University,  Mulugu,  Telangana;  have established EOCs. Out of the 06 UGC funded Deemed to be Universities (DTBUs),  05 have established EOCs. Majority of State Public  Universities,  State Private  Universities  and unaided DTBUs have also set up EOCs.

UGC, vide its letter dated 10.01 .2025, has requested all the Universities and Colleges to establish Equal Opportunity Cell and SC/ST Cell to ensure the effective and transparent  redressal  of grievances  of the disadvantaged  groups, in compliance  to the UGC (Promotion  of Equity in Higher  Educational lnstitutions) Regulations,  2012.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 221 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-03
Subject: Long-term Interest-Free Loans to Support Infrastructure Investment
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri P V Midhun Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 221

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 03, 2025/MAGHA 14, 1946 (SAKA)

## LONG-TERM INTEREST-FREE LOANS TO SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT

## 221. Shri P V Midhun Reddy:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the criteria for the 1.5 lakh crore for long-term interest-free loans to support infrastructure investments by State Governments;
- (b) the process for States like Andhra Pradesh to utilize these funds; and
- (c) whether the Government monitors the utilization of these loans by the States to ensure timely completion of infrastructure projects?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2024-25 with an outlay of Rs. 1.5 lakh crore to provide long term interest free loans to States was announced in the Union Budget of 2024-25. Out of the total allocation, an amount of Rs. 55,000 crore under Part-I of the Scheme is untied. This amount has been allocated to the States in proportion to their share of central taxes and duties as per the award of the 15 th Finance Commission. The remaining amount of Rs. 95,000 crore is earmarked for reforms in certain citizen centric areas and taking up sector specific projects like Development of Iconic Tourist Centers to Global Scale; Incentive for Scrapping  of  Old  Vehicles;  Stimulating  Industrial  Growth;  Development  of  National  Capital Region; Incentives for Land- Related Reforms by State Governments in Rural Areas; Incentives for  Land-  Related  Reforms  by  State  Governments  in  Urban  Areas;  State's  Share  of  Centrally Sponsored  Schemes  Including  in  Urban  and  RuraI  Infrastructure  Projects;    Construction  of Working Women Hostel; Incentives for Implementation of SNA SPARASH Model for Just-in

Time  Released  of  Funds  under  Centrally  Sponsored  Schemes,  Urban  Planning  Reforms  and Incentives  for  Achieving  Target  Fixed  for  Capital  Expenditure  for  2024-25.  The  Special Assistance  (loan)  under  the  Scheme  to  States,  including  Andhra  Pradesh  is  released  by  the Department of Expenditure on fulfilling of conditions prescribed for release of funds. In case of reform  based  Parts,  release  is  based  on  recommendations  of  nodal  ministry  concerned.  State governments  have  been  requested  to  utilize  the  funds  released  for  capital  projects  as  per  the scheme guidelines.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 217 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-03
Subject: Recovery of Tax Arrears
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Dr. C M Ramesh

## 217. DR. C M RAMESH:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be please to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the tax arrears of the country has been reached to Rs. 47 lakh crores which constitutes 14 per cent of the GDP;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the efforts being made by the CBDT, CBIC and legal cells of the Government to recover tax arrears?

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

- (a) & (b) : The quantum of direct tax arrears  is Rs.41,63,435 crore and indirect tax arrears is Rs.1,01,332 crore as on 31/12/2024.
- (c): Following steps have been undertaken by CBDT for tackling the direct tax arrears:
- (i) Demand Facilitation Centre (DFC) for facilitation of arrear demand management has been set up.
- (ii)   Monitoring the arrear demand reduction in respect of top 5000 cases of arrear demand in all the jurisdictions.
- (iii) Targets have been given to field formations for annual cash collection and reduction of the demand.
- (iv) Specific steps have been outlined such as litigation management, appeal/ rectification effects, demand segregation, etc.
- (v) Efforts  of  the  assessing  officer  to  collect/recover  the  outstanding  demand  are regularly reviewed/monitored by the superior authorities.
- (vi) Databases like Individual Transaction Statement and 360-degree profile generated by the  Department  and  those  maintained  by  other  agencies  like  FIU-IND  have  been made available to the field units for identification of assets for recovery.

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 217

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025/MAGHA 14, 1946 (SAKA)

## RECOVERY OF TAX ARREARS

- (vii) Guidelines for Tax Recovery Officers for recovery and guidelines to filed authorities for dealing with stay petitions have been issued.

CBIC has issued Master Circular No. 1081/02/2022-CX dated 19.01.2022 for recovery of  tax  arrears.  As  per  the  said  circular  'There  should  be  a  dedicated  'Tax  Recovery  Cell" headed  by  a  Joint/  Additional  Commissioner  level  officer  in  each  Commissionerate.  The monitoring  of  arrear  recovery  shall  be  done  by  the  Jurisdictional  Pr.  Commissioners/ Commissioners on monthly basis and the progress shall be monitored by the Zonal Principal Chief Commissioner/ Chief Commissioner.'

Some of the tools of recovery adopted  by CBIC are as under:

- (i) Detain and auction movable/immovable properties of defaulters under Customs and Central Excise Acts.
- (ii) Utilize guarantees provided for duty-free imports to offset arrears.
- (iii) Publication of Defaulter Names:
- (iv) Guidelines for publishing names under Section 37E of the Central Excise Act, 1944
- (v) Incentives for officials and informers aiding recovery efforts.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 215 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-03
Subject: Tax Collected from Tobacco Products
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Raja Ram Singh

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.215

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025

## TAX COLLECTED FROM TOBACCO PRODUCTS

## 215. SHRI RAJA RAM SINGH :

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the share of taxes collected from Tobacco, Cigarettes, Bidi and allied products in the Gross Tax Revenue of Government for the financial year 2016-17 to 2023-24;
- (b) whether the Government seek to divert a part of the taxes collected from tobacco and allied products towards the development of the healthcare sector and if so, the details thereof; and (c) the initiatives and action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

(SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

- (a): The share of taxes [inclusive of GST, Compensation Cess, Basic Excise Duty, National Calamity Contingent Duty (NCCD) and duties of customs] collected from Tobacco and tobacco products covered under Tariff Headings 2401, 2402, 2403 and Pan Masala in the Gross Tax Revenue of Government for the financial years 2016-17 to 2023-24 is as follows:-

| Financial Year   | %share of taxes collected from Tobacco and tobacco products in Gross Tax Revenue   |
|------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2016-17          | 1.27                                                                               |
| 2017-18          | 2.3                                                                                |
| 2018-19          | 2.58                                                                               |
| 2019-20          | 2.75                                                                               |
| 2020-21          | 2.62                                                                               |
| 2021-22          | 2.29                                                                               |
| 2022-23          | 2.39                                                                               |
| 2023-24          | 2.2*                                                                               |

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 210 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-03
Subject: Glitches in MCA-21 Portal
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 210 ANSWERED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 03, 2025 MAGHA 14, 1946 (SAKA)

## Glitches in MCA-21 Portal

210. Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian

## Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS

be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the Government is aware of the glitches in the corporate filing portal- MCA21;
- (b) Whether the Government has taken any measures to improve the functioning of the portal;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether any measures are taken to protect the data of companies being filed via portal; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

[SHRI HARSH MALHOTRA]

- (a) : MCA21 is the first Mission Mode e-Governance Project under National eGovernance Plan (NeGP). The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has been operating it from end-to-end for registry and incorporation related services of Companies & LLPs since 2006 and corporates have been making filings on this portal since then.  During the recent period from 01.04.2024 to 27.01.2025, a total of 80.26 lakh forms have been filed on the MCA21 portal,  compared  to  73.29  lakh  forms  filed  during  the  corresponding  period  in  the previous year. Also, on the newly developed MCA21 V3 platform, 53.08 lakh forms were filed from 01.04.2024 to 27.01.2025, as against 47.72 lakh forms filed during the same period in the preceding year indicating an overall increase in the number of filings, enhanced stakeholder engagement with the system as also the robustness & reliability of the MCA21 platform.
- (b) & (c): The MCA21 V3 platform facilitates Ease of Doing Business, and has introduced web-based forms, enabling real-time validation of the data entered by stakeholders. Additionally,  a  user  registration  process  has  been  implemented  to  enhance  user identification and authentication. This process enables users to track the status of their filed forms and download challans and certificates directly from their application dashboard. To further support stakeholders, a live chat feature has been integrated into  the  helpdesk,  providing  real-time  assistance  and  enhancing  the  overall  user experience.
- (d) & (e):  The  security  and  confidentiality  of  information  submitted  through  the  MCA21 portal are ensured by adhering to established data security standards, including the MEITY guidelines, CERT-In regulations, ISO 27001, and Information Security Protocols. Multi-factor  authentication  has  been  introduced  to  verify  the  identity  of  users accessing  the  system.  Additionally,  measures  such  as  masking  private  information from public view have been implemented to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of the data.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 203 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-03
Subject: Labour Deaths Reported in the Country
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Abhishek Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 203

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2025

## LABOUR DEATHS REPORTED IN THE COUNTRY

## 203. SHRI ABHISHEK BANERJEE:

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

- (a)whether the Government has any data on the total number of labour deaths  reported  across  the  country  during  the  last  five  years, including in hazardous industries and construction sectors;
- (b)if so, the details thereof, year, State and industries-wise;
- (c)the  details  of  the  total  amount  of  compensation  disbursed  to  the families of deceased labourers during the said period and the number of cases of compensation which are still pending, State-wise; and
- (d)the  details  of  the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure workplace  safety  and  timely  disbursement  of  compensation  to  the affected families?

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

(a) to (d):     The Government has enacted the Factories Act, 1948, which provides  for  safety,  health  and  welfare  of  workers  working  in  the factories registered under the Act. The Factories Act, 1948 and rules framed thereunder are enforced by the respective state governments through  the  Chief  Inspectors  of  Factories  (CIFs)  /Directorates  of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH) in their respective sphere.  CIFs/DISH are empowered to take legal action against the occupier and manager of the factory for violating the provisions of the Factories Act, 1948 and rules framed thereunder. As per the data received from the States and Union  Territories  government,  the  details  of  fatal  injuries  under  the Factories Act, 1948 during 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 were 1154,

1127, 1050, 988 and 1053 respectively.

In case of construction sector, provisions of the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Condition of Service) Act 1996 and Rules made thereunder stipulate all measures to ensure welfare, safety and health of construction workers.

The Employees' Compensation Act, 1923 provides, inter-alia, for payment of compensation to employees and their dependents in case of injury and accident arising out of and in the course of employment and resulting in disablement or death. The Act is implemented by the State Governments.

*****