opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2929 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Streamlining of Visa Approval Process to Increase Tourists
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2929

## ANSWERED ON 07.08.2023

## STREAMLINING OF VISA APPROVAL PROCESS TO INCREASE TOURISTS

## 2929. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the proposal of the Government  to deal with expected increase  of  12  per  cent  in  inbound  tourism  in  the  country  in 2023;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  streamline processes  like  visa  approval  in  the  tourism  sector  to  ensure the best utilization of India's tourism potential; and
- (d)

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

- if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) & (b): Ministry of Tourism promotes India as a holistic destination  in  the  tourism  generating  markets  to  promote  various Indian tourism products and tourism destinations of the country to increase India's share of the global tourism market. Further, augmenting tourism infrastructure, easing of visa regime, assurance of quality standards  in services of tourism  service providers, projection of the country as a 365  days' tourist destination, promotion  of  sustainable  tourism  etc.  have  worked  to  increase tourism in India. Further, in order to boost visitor arrival Ministry of Tourism,  Government  of India has  declared 'Inc redible  India!  Visit India Year 2023'.

In year 2022, India recorded Foreign Tourist Ar rivals (FTA's) of 6.19  million  with  a  growth  of  305.4%  over  same  period  of  the previous year which account for Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) of Rs.1,35,543 crore with a growth of 106.77%.

(c) & (d): The facilitative visa regime is a pre requisite for increasing  inbound  tourism.  The  Ministry  of  Tourism  takes  the initiative  with  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  and  Ministry  of  External Affairs for achieving the same. At present, e-visa facility is being extended  to  the  nationals  of  167  Countries  under  5  subcategories i.e. 'e -Tourist visa', 'e -Business visa', 'e -medical visa', 'e -Med ical Attendant Visa' and 'e -Conference Visa'. The latest country added is Morocco. The e-Visa is valid for entry through 29 designated  airports  and  5  designated  seaports. The  visa  fee  has been  rationalized  and  has  been  fairly  reduced  wherein e-Tourists Visa fee reduced to $80 for 5 years, $40 for 1 year and one-month etourist  Visa  fee  reduced  to  $10  for  lean  season  and  $25  for  peak season.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2928 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Cashew Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Suresh Kodikunnil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2928 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2023

## CASHEW WORKERS

## 2928. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

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

- (a)whether the women cashew workers are denied treatment in ESIC empanelled hospitals due to lack of required attendance, if so, the
- details thereof;
- (b)whether  the  ESIC  has  been  asked  to  provide  exemption  of attendance for  women  cashew  workers  and  provide  them necessary treatment free of cost at the empanelled hospitals; and (c)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

(a) to (c): All the cashew workers alongwith their family members, covered under the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) scheme, are eligible to receive the benefits available under the ESI Act including medical benefits as per their eligibility conditions.

During the Covid pandemic, some establishments could not  pay contribution  towards  the  ESI  scheme  and  consequently beneficiaries  faced  some  difficulty  in  availing  benefits  including medical benefits. Considering the hardships faced by such beneficiaries, the ESI corporation  granted one-time relaxation in the eligibility criteria to enable beneficiaries to avail  medical benefits under the scheme including super speciality treatment.    As per the relaxation it was to be assumed that contribution from beneficiaries also  received  during  contributory  period  from  1st  April  2020  to 30thSeptember 2020 and there was no break in contribution of fund towards  the  scheme  during  the  period.  Beneficiaries  can  avail eligible benefits.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2927 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Raising of Long Term Bonds by SBI
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: T. R. Paarivendhar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2927

Answered on the 7 th  August, 2023/Sravana 16, 1945 (Saka)

## Raising of Long Term Bonds by SBI

## 2927.  DR. T.R. PAARIVENDHAR:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the State Bank of India (SBI) the largest lender in the country, recently got the approval of its Board to raise upto Rs. 50,000/- crore through long term bonds;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the reasons along with its purpose for raising such long term bonds;
- (d) the time by when the proposal will be completed; and
- (e) the total loan disbursed by SBI during the last three years?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE (DR. BHAGWAT KARAD)

(a) to (e): The Central Board of State Bank of India (SBI) in its meeting held on 9.6.2023 has accorded approval for raising up to an amount of Rs 50,000 crores which constitutes basel III compliant AT-1 bonds up to an amount of Rs 20,000 crore, Tier-2 bonds up to an amount of Rs 10,000 crore and infrastructure bonds up to an amount of Rs 20,000 crore by the bank during FY2023-24.

As per SBI, the purpose of raising capital bonds (AT-1 and Tier-2) is to replace the existing capital bonds which are due for call up during FY2023-24, further strengthen the capital base of the bank and support asset growth. Banks are exempted from maintaining Cash Reserve Ratio and Statutory Liquidity Ratio on long-term bonds for lending to infrastructure sector. The  raising  of  long-term  infrastructure  bonds  helps  the  bank  in  better  asset  liability management.

Further, the amount of total loan disbursed through domestic operations of SBI during the last three financial years is given below:

(Amount in Rs crore)

| FY     | FY21     | FY22     | FY23     |
|--------|----------|----------|----------|
| Amount | 6,35,919 | 7,55,999 | 9,04,395 |

Source: SBI
Lok Sabha Question No. 2926 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Rejuvenation of Ancient Temples in Rajasthan
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Balak Nath

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2926

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2023

## REJUVENATION OF ANCIENT TEMPLES IN RAJASTHAN

## †2926. SHRI BALAK NATH:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has started the work of rejuvenation of ancient temples in Rajasthan and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the time by when the above-mentioned work is likely to be completed; and
- (c) the details of the steps being taken by the Government for such rejuvenation work?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a) The assignments of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) are non-specific to any one type
- to of  monument.  Conservation  of  all  the  centrally  protected  monuments/sites,  including
- (c) ancient  temples  in  Rajasthan,  is  taken  up  as  per  the  requirement  and  availability  of resources.  Conservation  of  monuments  is  a  continuous  process.  All  centrally  protected monuments are in good state of preservation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2922 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Requests from States for PM-SHRI Scheme
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Tirath Singh Rawat

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 2922 ANSWERED ON - 07/08/2023

## Requests from States for PM-SHRI Scheme

## † 2922. SHRI TIRATH SINGH RAWAT:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) the details and the purpose of Prime Minister Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) Scheme; (b)  the  number  of  applications  received  for  the  upgradation  of  schools  under  PM-SHRI Scheme from various States; (c) whether some States have not signed Memorandum of Understanding with the Centre for the implementation of PM-SHRI Scheme; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SMT. ANNPURNA DEVI)

(a) & (b) The Cabinet has approved a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme named Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) on 7 th September, 2022. These schools will showcase the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 and emerge as exemplar schools over a period of time, and also offer leadership to other schools in the neighbourhood. They will provide  leadership  in  their  respective  regions  in  providing  high-quality  education  in  an equitable, inclusive and joyful school environment that takes care of the diverse background, multilingual  needs,  and  different  academic  abilities  of  children  and  makes  them  active participants in their own learning process as per the vision of NEP 2020. Under the scheme, there is a provision of setting up of more than 14500 PM SHRI Schools by strengthening the existing schools from amongst schools managed by Central government/State/UT Government/local bodies.

Selection of PM SHRI schools is through Challenge Mode wherein Schools compete for support to become exemplar schools. Selection is done through a three-stage process with definite time lines, which is as follows: -

Stage-1: States/UTs would sign MoU with Centre laying down the commitments for supporting these schools for achieving specified quality assurance as PM SHRI schools.

Stage-2: In this stage, a pool of schools that are eligible to be selected as PM SHRI Schools would be identified based on prescribed minimum benchmark through UDISE+ data.

Stage-3: This stage is based on the challenge method for fulfilling certain criteria. Only the schools  from  the  above  eligible  pool  of  schools  would  compete  to  fulfil  the  challenge conditions. Fulfilment of conditions would be certified by states/KVS/JNV through physical inspection.

(c) & (d) States and UTs were asked to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSE&L), Ministry of Education, Government of India, for implementation of PM SHRI scheme. 30 States/UTs along with KVS/NVS have signed the MoU.  However, the State of Bihar, Odisha, Kerala, Tamilnadu, West Bengal and National Capital Territory of Delhi have not signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DoSE&L, MoE so far.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2920 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: DBT Scheme
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Raju Bista

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2920

TO BE ANSWERED ON Monday, August 7, 2023/Sravana 16,1945 (Saka)

## DBT Scheme

2920. Shri Raju Bista:

Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:

- a) the details of funds disbursement in West Bengal under various Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes of the Central Government from March 2019 till date; and
2. the details of the funds disbursement in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal under various DBT schemes of Central Government from March 2019-till date?

## ANSWER

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

- a) As per data   reported by Ministries/ Departments on DBT Bharat Portal, following are details of disbursal of funds to West Bengal under various DBT schemes during 01/04/2019 to 01/08/2023.
- b) During the above-mentioned period, disbursal under various DBT schemes in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal is as follows:

Cash -Rs. 75,901.92 crore

In-kind Rs. 53,798.69 crore

Total Rs.1,29,700.61 crore

|            | Cash (Rs:)   | In-Kind (Rs.)   | Total (Rs.)   |
|------------|--------------|-----------------|---------------|
| Darjeeling | 499.96 cr    | 500.09 cr       | 1000.05 cr    |
| Kalimpong  | 171.46 cr    | 128.32 cr       | 299.78 cr     |
Lok Sabha Question No. 2915 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: MLV Textile Engineering College Bhilwara
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Subhash Chandra Baheria

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2915 ANSWERED ON 07.08.2023

## MLVTextile Engineering College Bhilwara

## 2915.SHRI SUBHASH CHANDRA BAHERIA:

Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has any proposal to convert the Manikya Lal Verma (MLV) Textile Engineering college, Bhilwara as Center of Excellence for textile Education and research;

- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the detailed procedure and criteria to promote an educational institute as the center of excellence and the benefit institute will get after being declared as a center of excellence?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUBHAS SARKAR)

- (a) to (c): The Ministry of Education launched 'Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme of Government of India (TEQIP)' with an aim to upscale and support ongoing efforts in improving quality of technical education and enhancing existing capacities of the institutions to become dynamic, demand-driven, quality conscious, efficient and forward looking, responsive to rapid economic and technological developments occurring both at national and international levels.

During the implementation of TEQUIP-III project, an amount of Rs. 10 crore was allocated as Project Life Allocation (PLA) to MLV Textile Engineering College, Bhilwara out of which Rs. 9.56 crore was utilised by the Institute.

Ministry of Textiles has informed that there is no such proposal to convert the said college as a Center of Excellence for textile Education and research.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2914 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Manickam Tagore B

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 2914

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 07/08/2023

## PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TRIBAL GROUP (PVTG)

2914. SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B.:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to conduct a survey that can gauge the Human Development Index (HDI) specifically for about 28 lakh people of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) living in over 22000 villages across the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof
- (c) whether the survey is part of the Government's development mission to connect remote tribal groups to Government services; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU)

- (a) to (d): Ministry has inter-alia taken up the matter with State Governments / UT Administration for collection of data on infrastructural gaps and requirements vis-à-vis PVTG villages & households. The data collection pertains to parameters  such as housing, electricity, road connectivity, telecom connectivity, drinking water supply, health facilities, schools, Anganwadi centres etc . This exercise is in the context of announcement of Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development Mission made in Budget 2023-24. The Ministry  with the help  of BISAG-N team  has  developed Mobile Application which  will  help in capturing exact location of facility to be provided and a dedicated team is coordinating with line ministries and State Government in compilation of data base.

The mission is aimed to improve socio-economic conditions of the particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) by saturating PVTG families and habitations with basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking  water  and  sanitation,  improved  access  to  education,  health  and  nutrition,  road  and  telecom connectivity, and sustainable livelihood opportunities. The quality of health (life expectancy), level of knowledge (education rates), and the standard of living (Gross National Income) are key indicators for human development and mission aims to improve infrastructure in these areas with funds of Rs.15,000 crore from the "Development Action Plan for the Scheduled Tribes" in the next three years.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2913 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Security of People Working in Private Institutions
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Sanjay Seth

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2913 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2023

## SECURITY OF PEOPLE WORKING IN PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS

†2913. SHRI SANJAY SETH:

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

- (a)whether any arrangement has been made to secure the future of the people working in private institutions across the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)whether any special provisions have been made for the safety of women at work places in private institutions,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (c)the details of facilities to be provided by all the companies to the workers engaged through outsourcing or private institutions; and
- (d)the number of such companies functioning in Jharkhand which are following these norms along with the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

- (a) to (d): Government  has  executed  various  labour  laws  viz.  the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, the Minimum  Wages  Act,  1948,  the  Employees'  State  Insurance  Act, 1948, the Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952,  the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972,  the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970, the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 etc. to ensure security and welfare of people working in various establishments including private institutions.

These laws also have the provisions for various facilities to  be  provided  to  people  engaged  through  outsourcing  or  private institutions  which  include  minimum  wages,  equal  remuneration, bonus,  canteen  facilities,  rest  rooms,  First-aid  facilities,  drinking water, toilets, washing facilities etc.

The Factories Act, 1948, the Plantation Labour Act, 1951, the  Mines  Act,  1952,  the  Beedi  and  Cigar  Workers  (Conditions  of Employment) Act, 1966 the Contract Labour Act, 1970, the Building and  Other  Construction  Workers  (Regulation  of  Employment  and Conditions  of  Service)  Act,  1996,  etc.  have  specific  provisions  to ensure safety of women at workplace including private institutions. These include facilities for rest shelter, toilets, periodical medical examination,  exemption  from  working  at  odd  hours,  prohibition  of hazardous work etc.

Besides, the Sexual Harassment of Women at workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 has provisions for addressing  the  issues  of  sexual  harassment  faced  by  women  at workplace.

All  companies  functioning  across  the  country  including State of Jharkhand are bound by provisions of labour laws.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2909 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Sponsorship for Opening New Kendriya Vidyalaya in Malappuram, Kerala
Ministry: Education
Asked by: M. P. Abdussamad Samadani

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2909 ANSWERED ON 07.08.2023

## SPONSORSHIP FOR OPENING NEW KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA IN MALAPPURAM, KERALA

## 2909. DR. M.P. ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any proposal for sponsorship (by Ministries or Departments of the Government, State Government Administration) is pending with the Government regarding the opening of a new Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) in Malappuram district, presently having only a single KV in the district;
- (b) if so, the time by which the KV is likely to be opened; and
- (c) if not, whether the Government proposes to open a new KV in Malappuram district?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SMT. ANNPURNA DEVI)

(a) to (c) Opening of new Kendriya Vidyalayas (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 information received from Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), a request for opening of new KV at Aligarh Muslim University Centre, Malappuram has been received at KVS Regional Office, Ernakulam. However, no formal proposal, as per norms of KVS, has been received from sponsoring authority.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2907 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Van Dhan Vikas Kendras in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Kotagiri Sridhar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 2907

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 07/08/2023

## VAN DHAN VIKAS KENDRAS IN ANDHRA PRADESH

2907. SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of 'Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVK)' constructed by the Government under Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) in Andhra Pradesh;
- (b) the quantum of funds sanctioned and utilised under this scheme in Andhra Pradesh; and
- (c) the details of training sessions conducted and persons benefitted under the said scheme in the State?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SMT RENUKA SINGH SARUTA)

- (a): Under  the  scheme  of  Pradhan  Mantri  Janjatiya  Vikas  Mission  (PMJVM),  Tribal Cooperative  Marketing  Development  Federation  of  India Ltd. (TRIFED),  the  central implementing agency of the scheme, has sanctioned 415 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) associating 1,23,258 beneficiaries in the state of Andhra Pradesh till date.
- (b): An amount of Rs. 6162.90 lakhs have been sanctioned for setting up 415 VDVKs in the State  of  Andhra  Pradesh  against  which  Rs.  3604.00  lakhs  were  released  and  Utilization Certificate of Rs. 545.80 lakhs have been received by TRIFED.

(c):

Out of 415 VDVKs, trainings for beneficiaries of 369 VDVKs has already been completed under the scheme so far.

*****