opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2906 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Environmental Impact Assessment by Banks in NBFCs
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Adoor Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2906

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

Environmental Impact Assessment by Banks in NBFCs

2906.  ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is considering adoption of mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) by Banks & Non- Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in the country when they lend to potentially high impact projects, if so, details thereof, and if not, reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government has defined the threshold criteria for environment assessment beyond which no lending should take place, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is considering creation of a Grievance Redressal Mechanism in banks and financial institutions to address non-financial, environmental and social concerns arising from the impact of projects funded by these banks, if so, details thereof; and
- (d) whether such mechanisms already exist in some banks and other financial institutions?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b): Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has informed that under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, the Government of India has issued the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification, 2006, under which prior Environment Clearance (EC) is required for construction of new projects or activities or the expansion or modernization of existing  projects  or  activities  listed  in  the  schedule  of  the  notification.  The  EC  process  for projects comprises of four stages namely screening, scoping, public   consultation and appraisal. The said EIA notification does not mandate the requirement of EIA by Banks & NBFCs when they lend to potentially high impact projects.

However, banks, while appraising the projects for lending, mandate the project proponent to obtain necessary environmental clearance from the concerned regulatory authority.

(c) and (d): There is no such proposal presently under consideration. However, for non-financial complaints, grievance redressal mechanism, as mandated by the Reserve Bank of India, has been put in place by banks for their customers/ constituents.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2904 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Carbon Tax
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Nitesh Ganga Deb

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2904

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 2023/SRAVANA 16, 1945 (SAKA)

## CARBON TAX

## 2904.    SHRI NITESH GANGA DEB:

## Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any plan to impose carbon tax during the current financial year;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  this  carbon  tax  encourages  people  for  adopting  more  green  technology  by  switching  to Electric Vehicles (EV) in future;
- (d) if so, whether the Government proposes to provide incentives both for the production of EVs and to the Consumer as well; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

- (a) to (e):  Currently, there is no such proposal to impose carbon tax during the current financial year. However, Govt. of India has given incentives to buyers and manufacturers of electric vehicles through following schemes:
- i.  Faster  Adoption  and  Manufacturing  of  Hybrid  and  Electric  Vehicles  in  India  (FAME  India):  The Government notified Phase-II of FAME India Scheme for a period of five years commencing from 1st April,  2019  with  a  total  budgetary  support  of  Rs.  10,000  crore.  Under  FAME-India  Scheme  phase-II, incentives are provided to buyers of electric vehicles in the form of an upfront reduction in the purchase price of electric vehicles.
- ii. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Automotive Sector: The Government on 15th Sep 2021 approved the PLI Scheme for Automotive Sector with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 25,938 crores to support domestic manufacturing of vehicles. Electric vehicles are covered under this PLI scheme.

iii. PLI Scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC): The Government on 12th May, 2021 approved PLI Scheme  for  manufacturing  of  ACC  in  the  country  with  a  budgetary  outlay  of  Rs.  18,100  Crore.  The scheme  envisages  to  establish  a  competitive  ACC  battery  manufacturing  set  up  in  the  country  for  30 GWh. Additionally, 5GWh of niche ACC technologies is also covered under the Scheme.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2902 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Retail Inflation
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Nalin Kumar Kateel, D.K. Suresh, Sumalatha Ambareesh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2902 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2023

## Retail Inflation

## 2902. SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL, SHRI D.K. SURESH and SHRIMATI SUMALATHA AMBAREESH:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the country's retail inflation is increasing steeply;
- (b) if so, the details of the inflation at the current rate;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any study to find out the reasons for the increase in inflation;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to bring down the inflation level in the country?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Retail Inflation, indicated by Consumer Price Index (Combined), averaged 4.6 per cent during the first quarter of 2023-24 (April-June 2023), which was lower than the inflation of 6.2 per cent recorded during the last quarter of the previous year (January-March 2023). Retail Inflation stood at 4.8 per cent in June 2023.

(c) & (d): The Government is monitoring the retail and wholesale prices of 22 essential food commodities  submitted  by  the  536  price  monitoring  centres  across  the  country.  Prices  of essential food commodities get affected by several factors, such as mismatch in demand and supply,  seasonality,  supply  chain  constraints,  rise  in  international  prices,  etc.  Sometimes, slight disruptions in supply chain or damage due to heavy rains lead to spike in prices of agrihorticultural commodities.

(e):  Government has taken various measures to augment domestic availability and stabilize the  prices  of  essential  food  items.  These  steps, inter-alia ,  include  releases  from  the  buffer stock,  imposition  of  stock  limits,  monitoring  of  stocks  declared  by  entities  to  prevent hoarding as also requisite changes in trade policy instruments like rationalization of import duty, changes in import quota, and restrictions on exports of specific commodities. Besides, in  order  to  control  core  (non-food,  non-fuel)  inflation,  the  Government  has,  from  time  to time, calibrated the import duty and excise duty on specified key inputs.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2893 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Single Education Regulator for Higher Education
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Jai Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No-2893 ANSWERED ON- 07/08/2023

## SINGLE EDUCATION REGULATOR FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

2893. SHRI JAI PRAKASH:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the Government is contemplating bringing the IITs, IIMs, NITs, etc. under the Higher Education Commission of India as a Single Education Regulator;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the time by when the Government will roll out its decision on this matter?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUBHAS SARKAR) (a)  to  (c):  For  transforming  the  Regulatory  System  of  Higher  Education,  the  National Education  Policy  (NEP),  2020  envisions  setting  up  of  an  umbrella  institution,  the  Higher Education Commission of India (HECI). The NEP, 2020 further envisions that the first regulator of HECI will be the National Higher Education Regulatory Council (NHERC). It will function as the common, single point regulator for the higher education sector including teacher education and excluding medical and legal education, thus eliminating the duplication and disjunction of regulatory efforts by the multiple regulatory agencies that exist at the current time. Accordingly,  the  Ministry  is  in  the  process  of  drafting  a  Bill  for  establishment  of  the

Higher Education Commission of India.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2891 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Amount Spent on Preservation of Forts in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: S. Gnanathiraviam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2891

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2023

## AMOUNT SPENT ON PRESERVATION OF FORTS IN TAMIL NADU

## 2891. SHRI GNANATHIRAVIAM S.:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a number of historically significant forts across the country, especially in Tamil Nadu, are in dilapidated condition;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  works  undertaken  by  Government  for  the  maintenance  and preservation of the forts, State-wise;
- (c) the details of the persons/agencies appointed for this work;
- (d) whether these persons/agencies have knowledge/experience of maintenance/preservation of the forts; and
- (e) the details of total amount spent by Government for the maintenance of forts during the last three years, year-wise?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has 14 forts under its jurisdiction in the State of
- & Tamil Nadu.  There is no fort in dilapidated condition under the jurisdiction of ASI in the
- (b) country including Tamil Nadu.  The conservation and preservation of these forts are taken up  as  per  the  requirement  and  availability  of  resources  and  they  are  in  good  state  of preservation.
- (c) ASI follows its  guidelines  for  the  conservation  of  protected  monuments/sites  including
- & forts as per the National Conservation Policy, 2014.  Conservation works are carried out

(d)

by in house staff of ASI.

- (e) The details of expenditure incurred for the maintenance  of 14 forts in the State of Tamil Nadu during the last three years are given as under:-

(Amount in Crore.)

|        |         | (Amount in Crore.)   |
|--------|---------|----------------------|
| S. No. | Year    | Expenditure          |
| 1.     | 2020-21 | 1.51                 |
| 2.     | 2021-22 | 2.13                 |
| 3.     | 2022-23 | 5.93                 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2888 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Exam Centres in Hilly Areas
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Lorho S. Pfoze

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2888 ANSWERED ON 07.08.2023

## Exam Centres in Hilly Areas

## 2888. SHRI LORHO S. PFOZE:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that tribal students giving competitive examinations in Manipur like UPSC, SSC, etc. could not go to Imphal for their exams and have to go to Aizawl and other cities for the same;
- (b) if so, whether the Government could consider having exam centres for these exams in hill areas like Churachandpur, Ukhrul, Senapati, etc. so as to overcome the inconvenience of going to Aizawl which is around 12 hours journey by road from Churachandpur and involves a lot of financial expenditure; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government for the same?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUBHAS SARKAR) (a) to (c): In the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2023 (held on 28.05.2023) and in the Recruitment Tests for Accounts Officer/ Enforcement Officer and Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) in the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) (held on 02.07.2023), UPSC granted option to the candidates, who had opted Imphal as a Centre, to change and appear in any of the Centres, viz., Aizawl, Delhi, Dispur, Jorhat, Kohima, Kolkata and Shillong. Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has three (3) centres viz, lmphal, Churachandpur and Ukhrul for conducting various exams in Manipur. However, for MultiTasking (Non-Tech.) Staff and Havaldar (CBIC & CBN) Examination, 2022, the candidates of Manipur were provided with alternative options of centres, such as Aizawl, Kohima etc. in the North-East. Further, candidates were also given options for change of centre of their preference anywhere in India.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2886 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Possession and Trade in Private ‘Crypto’ and ‘Non-Fungible Tokens’
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Rajan Baburao  Vichare

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2886 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2023

Possession and Trade in Private 'Crypto' and 'Non-Fungible Tokens'

## 2886. SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has any plans/ proposals to prohibit/regulate the possession of and trade in private 'Crypto' and 'Non-Fungible Tokens' (NFTs); and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (b): Crypto  Assets  and  Non-Fungible  Tokens  (NFTs)  are  by  definition borderless  and  require  international  collaboration  to  prevent  regulatory  arbitrage. Therefore,  any  legislation  for  regulation  or  for  banning  can  be  effective  only  with significant  international  collaboration  on  evaluation  of  the  risks  and  benefits  and evolution of common taxonomy and standards. There is no available timeline on such collaboration as multiple countries and organisations are involved in the process.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2884 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Textbook of NCERT in Languages in Eight Schedule of Constitution of India
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Parbatbhai Savabhai Patel

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2884 ANSWERED ON 07.08.2023

## Textbook of NCERT in Languages in Eight Schedule of Constitution of India

## †2884. SHRI PARBATBHAI SAVABHAI PATEL:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  languages  included  in  the  Eighth  Schedule  of  the  Constitution  of  India  in which new textbooks of NCERT would be prepared/developed;
- (b) whether the said textbooks are likely to be prepared/developed in Gujarati language; and
- (c)  whether  the  said  work  would  be  in  line  with  the  National  Education  Policy-2020  in  the perspective of providing multilingual education?

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

- (a)  &  (b)    National  Council  of  Educational  Research  and  Training  (NCERT)  has  planned  to prepare new textbooks in 22 languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India, wherein Gujarati is one of the languages.
- (c) National  Education  Policy  (NEP),  2020  (Para-4.11,  4.12,  4.13,  and  4.14)  provides  for multilingualism and the same will be the guiding force in the development of the textbooks. One of the fundamental principles of NEP, 2020 that will guide both the education system at large, as well  as  the  individual  institutions  is  promoting  multilingualism  and  the  power  of  language  in teaching  and  learning.  Further  NEP,  2020  (Para-4.32)  emphasizes  on  the  availability  of textbooks in all regional languages.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2883 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Administration of Tax Exemption/Deduction
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Sushil Kumar Singh

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2883

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, AUGUST 07, 2023 SRAVANA 16, 1945 (SAKA)

## ADMINISTRATION OF TAX EXEMPTION/DEDUCTION

(a) whether the Government has enlisted the names of AOPs/Firms/Trusts/Societies which have obtained irregular exemption/deduction/relief under administration of tax exemption/deduction;

2883. SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH: Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c)whether the Government has recovered the amount from these firms; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a)  to  (d):    There  is  no  such  list  of  AOPs/Firms/Trusts/Societies,  which  have  obtained irregular exemptions/deduction/relief under the income tax Act,  1961.

As and when violations of the relevant provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961 or any instance  of  tax  evasion  are  noticed,  the  Income  Tax  Department  takes  appropriate  action including conducting search & seizure, survey, assessment of income, levy and recovery of tax, imposition of penalty, launching of prosecution and withdrawal of tax exemptions/deduction after making due inquiry and giving the assesse opportunity of being heard.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2880 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Kendriya Vidyalaya on Vacant Railway Land in Balamaru
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Ashok Kumar Rawat

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2880 ANSWERED ON 07.08.2023

## KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA ON VACANT RAILWAY LAND IN BALAMARU

## † 2880. SHRI ASHOK KUMAR RAWAT:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any step to establish Kendriya Vidyalaya on the vacant land of Railways in Balamaru under Misrikh Parliamentary Constituency of Uttar Pradesh;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## 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), proposal for opening of new KV on the vacant land of Railways in Balamau under Misrikh Parliamentary Constituency of Uttar Pradesh has not been received from the sponsoring authority.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2878 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Engineering Courses
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Anto  Antony

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2878

ANSWERED ON-07/08/2023

## ENGINEERING COURSES

2878. SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any statistics regarding number of Engineering Colleges and Deemed Universities which are offering Engineering Courses in the country;
- (b) if so, the details of number of Government and Private Engineering Colleges functioning in  the  country  during  the  last  ten  years  and  number  of  students  enrolled  in  these  colleges during the above period, year-wise and State-wise;
- (c)  whether the Government has noticed that number of engineering students are declining every year; and
- (d) if so, the details and the reasons thereto?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

(DR. SUBHAS SARKAR)

- (a)  to  (d)The  State-wise  number  of  Higher  Education  Institutions  registered  alongwith enrolment  in  the  Engineering  &  Technology  Courses  in  the  country,  as  per  the  All  India Survey  on  Higher  Education  (AISHE)  2020-21  and  2011-12  Reports,is  given  in  the linkhttps://www.education.gov.in/parl\_ques .

The year-wise enrolment in Engineering & Technology in during the years 2011-12 to 202021 as per AISHE is as below:

| Year    | Enrolment in Engineering &Technology   |
|---------|----------------------------------------|
| 2020-21 | 39,20,213                              |
| 2019-20 | 39,57,021                              |
| 2018-19 | 40,76,279                              |
| 2017-18 | 42,51,019                              |
| 2016-17 | 44,10,487                              |
| 2015-16 | 45,41,897                              |
| 2014-15 | 45,44,302                              |
| 2013-14 | 43,45,404                              |
| 2012-13 | 36,82,767                              |
| 2011-12 | 29,34,498                              |

All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) informed that the slight downward trend in enrolment from 2011-12 to 2020-21may be due to the changes in preferences of students and introduction of new courses having alternative job opportunities.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2872 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Schemes to Fund Seminars/Workshops to Promote Culture
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Vijay Kumar Dubey, Rajendra Dhedya  Gavit

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2872 TO BE ANSWERED ON 7 th AUGUST, 2023

## SCHEMES TO FUND SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS TO PROMOTE CULTURE

## 2872. SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY: SHRI RAJENDRA DHEDYA GAVIT:

Will the MINISTER OF CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  scheme  tofund  the  seminars/workshops  and  awareness events which promotes culture at different forums;
- (b) if so, the details of such schemes thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the details of its impact on the cultural tourism of the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN

## REGION (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a)&(b)Yes sir. The Ministry of Culture administers a scheme by the name of Cultural Function and Production Grant Scheme (CFPGS) under which financial assistance is provided to 'notfor-profit' organizations, NGOs, Societies, Trusts and Universities for organising Seminars, Workshops Conference, Research,  Festivals, Exhibitions, Symposia, Production of Dance, Drama-Theatre,  Music  etc.  and  small  research  projects  on  different  aspects  of  Indian Culture.

The quantum of financial assistance under Cultural Function and Production Grant Scheme (CFPGS) is restricted to 75% of the expenditure, subject to a maximum of Rs. 5.00 lakh per project.  However, the Ministry may in exceptional circumstances, increase the assistance to any project of outstanding merit and relevance uptoRs. 20.00 lakhs with the approval of the Competent Authority in the Ministry. The Grant is released in two instalments of 75% and 25%. The scheme is open throughout the year.

(c)Does not arise.

- (d)  No formal study has been instituted to assess its impact on cultural tourism of the country.

****