opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 654 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-24
Subject: ST List of Assam
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Pradyut Bordoloi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 654

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 24/07/2023

## ST LIST OF ASSAM

## 654 . SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  intends  to  include  6  indigenous  communities  from  Assam (Koch-Rajbongshi, Tai Ahom, Chutia, Matak, Moran  and Tea  Tribes) in the Scheduled Tribes list;
- (b) if so, the time by which the same will be notified and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government intends to take any measures to secure the well-being of the six communities without disturbing the rights and quotas of the existing Schedule Tribes; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
- (e) whether any proposal has been received by the Committee of Ministers constituted by the then State Government of Assam on 14.01.2019 for the purpose of examining the matter, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): The recommendation for inclusion of Matak, Maran, Tai Ahom & Chutia, Koch Rajbongshi  and  Tea-tribes  has  been  received  from  the  State  Govt.  of  Assam.  The Government of India on 15.6.1999 (further amended on 25.6.2002 and 14.09.2022), has laid down the modalities for determining the claims for inclusion in, exclusion from and other modifications  in  the  Orders  specifying  list  of  Scheduled  Tribes.  According  to  these modalities,  only  those  proposals  which  have  been  recommended  and  justified  by  the concerned State Government/ Union Territory Administration and concurred with by the Registrar General of India (RGI) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes are to be considered for amendment of legislation. All actions are taken as per these modalities.
- (c) to (e): The information is being collected.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 653 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-24
Subject: High Tax on Agri-based Products and Common Items on GST
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Vijayakumar (alias) Vijay Vasanth

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.653

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, JULY 24, 2023/SRAVANA 2,1945(SAKA) HIGH TAX ON AGRI-BASED PRODUCTS AND COMMON ITEMS ON GST

## 653. SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  that  in  the  48th  Goods  and  Services  Tax  (GST)  council meeting many of the agri based products and common man items attract high tax in GST regime like snack pellets (Pappad), etc.;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken or likely to be taken by the Government to reduce the same to zero or five per cent;
- (c) whether the Government has received any representation in this regard to reduce the GST on these products;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the action taken or proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a): GST rates and exemptions are prescribed on the recommendation of the GST Council, which is a constitutional  body  comprising  of  representatives  of  States/UTs  and  Centre.  In  its  48th  meeting,  GST Council has not made any recommendation to increase GST rate on any agri based products and common man  items.  The  recommendations  of  the  Council  were  to  issue  clarification  on  the  appropriate classification of snack pellets, manufactured through process of extrusion, (such as fryums) and Rab. The GST rate is as applicable to their respective tariff classification. Papad vide sl. no. 96 of notification no. 2/2017-Central  Tax  (rate)  dated  28.06.2017,  is  already  exempt  from  GST  except  when  served  for consumption.

(b) to (e): Certain representations were received for reducing the applicable GST rate on items like snack pellets and 'Rab' . Accordingly, the GST Council in its 49 th meeting has recommended to reduce the GST rate on supply of ' Rab ' to Nil (other than pre-packaged and labelled)/ 5% (pre-packaged and labelled), and to regularize the issue for past period on 'as is" basis. Further, the GST Council in its 50 th meeting has recommended  to  reduce  the  GST  rate  on  supply  of  un-cooked/un-fried  snack  pellets  manufactured through process of extrusion, by whatever name called, to 5% and to regularize the issue for past period on 'as is" basis.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 651 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-24
Subject: Increase of Drug Abuse cases in Educational Institutions
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Dharmendra Kumar Kashyap

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.651

ANSWERED ON 24/07/2023

## INCREASE OF DRUG ABUSE CASES IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

651. SHRI DHARMENDRA KASHYAP:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  increasing  cases  of  drug  abuse  in  the  educational institutions in the country;

- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  seized  narcotics  and  psychotropic  substances  in  educational institutions of the country; and

(d) if so, the number of such cases reported during the last five years and current year, State/UT-wise and year-wise including Uttar Pradesh?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) No, Sir. There is no confirmed report to conclude that drug addiction is spreading in education campuses which is spoiling the students. Nevertheless, the Government is committed to create a drug free healthy educational environment in various education campuses. University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued advisories to HEIs from time to time. On 06.09.2016, UGC issued advisory  to  stay  away  from  addiction  of  intoxicants.  Subsequently  on  04.03.2020,  UGC  issued advisory to chart out action plan to confront the drug menace. Recently on 23.06.2023, UGC issued advisories  to  administer  e-pledge  and  also  take  other  measures  during  'Nasha  Mukht  Bharat Pakhwada' to observe ,'International Day against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking.
Lok Sabha Question No. 649 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-24
Subject: Mass Layoffs by Corporate Companies
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 649

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2023

## MASS LAYOFFS BY CORPORATE COMPANIES

## 649.  SHRIMATI KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI:

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

- (a)whether the Government is aware of the recent mass layoffs done by many corporate companies during the last two years;
- (b)if  so,  the  details  regarding  the  companies  and  the  number  of
- labours laid off;
- (c)whether the Government has formulated any policies to safeguard the  employees  in  case  of  such  sudden  mass  layoffs,  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (d)whether  the  laid  off  employees  were  given  proper  benefits  like
- their Provident fund dues through the EPFO; and

(e)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): The matters relating to lay-offs in industrial establishments  are  governed  by  the  provisions  of  the  Industrial Disputes  Act,  1947  (ID  Act).  As  per  the  ID  Act,  establishments employing 100 persons or more are required to seek prior permission of the appropriate Government before effective closure or retrenchment or lay-off. ID Act also provides for right of workmen laidoff and retrenched for compensation and contains the provision for re-employment of retrenched workmen.

'Labour' as a subject falls in the Conc urrent List. Based on their respective jurisdiction as demarcated in the ID Act, Central and  State  Governments  take  actions  to  address  the  issue  of  the workmen and protect their interests. In the establishments that lie in the jurisdiction of Central Government,  the Central Industrial Relations Machinery (CIRM) is entrusted with the task of maintaining good  industrial  relations  and  protecting  the  interest  of  workers including  matters relating to lay-off and its prevention.

Similarly, different State Governments  and  UTs  are entrusted  with  the  task  under  the  ID  Act  and  maintain  their  own information.

So  far  as  establishments  under  the  Central  Sphere  are concerned, as per information received, no workmen were reported to be laid off in 2021-22. In 2022-23, 4,810 workmen were laid-off in M/s. Singareni Collieries Company Ltd., due to a fire incident. The laidoff workmen were paid a compensation of Rs. 44,69,210.49 (Rs. Forty Four Lakh Sixty Nine Thousand Two Hundred and Ten and Forty Nine Paise). Further, all the laid-off workmen were retained and engaged on their regular and normal duties with effect from 06.03.2023 by M/s. Singareni Collieries Co. Ltd.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 648 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-24
Subject: Decline of enrolment of Muslim Students in Universities of UP
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Kunwar Danish Ali

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-648

ANSWERED ON-24/07/2023

## Decline of enrolment of Muslim Students in Universities of UP

†648.KUNWAR DANISH ALI:

## Will the Minister of EDUCATION

be pleased to state:

(a) whether the All India Survey on Higher Education has revealed that a decline of 8 percent has been registered in the enrolment of Muslim students for higher education and maximum decline  of  36  percent  has  been  registered  in  such  enrolments  in  Uttar  Pradesh  with  a  20 percent Muslim population;

- (b) if so, the reasons therefor; and

(c)  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  stop  such  decline  in  the  above  mentioned enrolments?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

(DR. SUBHAS SARKAR)

(a) to (c) As per latest AISHE 2020-21, Enrolment of Muslim students has declined by  8% in 2020-21 as compared to 2019-20 and enrolment of Muslim students has declined by 16% in Uttar Pradesh. However, the enrolment of Muslim students has increased significantly from 17,39,218  (as  per  AISHE  2016-17)  to  19,21,713 (as  per  AISHE  2020-21),  an  increase  of 1,82,495  (10.5%)  across  country. Notable  feature  is  that  Female  Muslim  Students  have outnumbered Male Muslim students.

Government  is  encouraging  Minority  students  through  Scholarships/Fellowships Schemes  of  Ministry  of  Minority  Affairs.  Ministry  of  Minority  Affairs  implements  PreMatric,  Post-Matric  and  Merit-cum-Means  based  Scholarship  Schemes  for  educational empowerment  of  the  students  belonging  to  6  notified  Minority  communities,  namely, Buddhist,  Christian,  Jain,  Muslim,  Sikh  and  Zoroastrian  (Parsi).  The  objective  of  the Schemes  is  to  uplift  the  socio-economic  conditions  of  the  minority  communities,  increase their rate of attainment in higher education and enhance their employability and to enable the poor and meritorious students to pursue Professional and Technical courses. These schemes have  been  instrumental  in  ameliorating  the  enrolment  of  minority  students  in  educational institutes.

The National Education Policy 2020 is also emphasizing on Equitable and Inclusive Education by focusing on Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) which includes students from minorities communities also.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 647 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-24
Subject: Set up of Institutions for Multifaceted Deliberations
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Rodmal Nagar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOKSABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 647

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2023

## SET UP OF INSTITUTIONS FOR MULTIFACETED DELIBERATIONS

647  Shri Rodmal Nagar:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  institutions  are  being  set  up  for  multifaceted  deliberations  and  the implementation of the outcome thereof on various contentious issues since the time of independence struggle and till date;
- (b) if so, the objectives thereof; and
- (c) the nature of works being undertaken in Madhya Pradesh for fulfillment of these objectives?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No institution is being setting up for multifaceted deliberations and the implementation of the outcome thereof on various contentious issues since the time of independence struggle and till date by Ministry of Culture.
- (b) & (c) Does not arise in view of (a) above.

* * * * *
Lok Sabha Question No. 646 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-24
Subject: Check on Infiltration from Neighbouring Countries
Ministry: DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
Asked by: Queen Oja

## Government of India

Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 646

To be answered on

## Monday, July 24, 2023/Ashadha,Saka1945

## QUESTION Check on Infiltration from Neighbouring Countries

† 646. SHRIMATI QUEEN OJA: Will the Minister of DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION be pleased to state: (a) whether  the  North-Eastern  region  comprises  of  eight  States  and  it  adjoins  the border of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal and China; (b) the concrete action taken by the Government  to check the infiltration in border areas; (c) whether the Government proposes to do fencing and erect brick walls all along the areas adjoining the country's border; and

- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER The Minister of  the Ministry of  Development of North Eastern Region [Shri G. Kishan Reddy]

- (a) Yes Sir.

(b) The Government has adopted a multi-pronged approach to contain cross-border infiltration which inter-alia includes tactical deployment of Border Guarding Forces along the International Borders, erection of border fencing & floodlighting, effective domination of the borders by patrolling, laying Nakas, manning observation posts along the borders, vulnerability  mapping  of  Border Out Posts (BOPs), deployment of special surveillance equipments and vehicles like Hand Held Thermal Imager (HHTI), Night Vision Device (NVD), Twin telescope, UAVs, Long Range Reconnaissance and Observation System (LORROS), Battle Field Surveillance Radar (BFSR), Integrated surveillance technology equipped with CCTV/PTZ Cameras, IR Sensors and Infrared alarm with Command and Control System,  relentless anti-infiltration operations,  strengthening of intelligence network, anti-tunneling exercise in vulnerable areas and deployment of water crafts/boats, floating BOPs and technological solutions in non-feasible border areas like riverine gaps, etc. (c)  &  (d)  Construction  of  fencing  along  India's  borders  has  been  taken  up  as  per  the requirement  and situations prevailing  on  the  respective  borders  to  check  illegal  cross

- border activities and address security concerns.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 645 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-24
Subject: Importance of Transparency in the State of Finance
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: E. T. Mohammed Basheer

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 645

DUE FOR ANSWERED ON 24.07.2023

## Importance of Transparency in the State of Finance

645. SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  NITI  Aayog  has  taken  initiative  in  the  state  of  finance  in  a transparent manner; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) &  (b):  With  effect  from  1st  January,  2015,    Planning  Commission  has  been replaced  by  NITI  Aayog  and  allocation  of  Central  Assistance  to  State  &  UT Plans  (CSAP)  is  not  a  mandate  of  NITI  Aayog.  Thus,  no  funds  are  being provided by NITI Aayog to States at present. Given the mandate of NITI Aayog to foster cooperative federalism, a number of initiatives have been taken up by NITI Aayog through structured support initiatives and mechanisms of engagement with the States/ UTs on a continuous basis.  Further, NITI Aayog is supporting the States/UTs to develop inclusive growth strategies to achieve their socio-economic goals and to establish State Institution for Transformation (SIT) under the State Support Mission.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 641 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-24
Subject: Scheme for Conservation of Indian Cultural Heritage
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Mahabali Singh, Ravi Kishan Shukla, Ravindra Kushawaha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †641

ANSWERED ON 24.07.2023

## SCHEME FOR CONSERVATION OF INDIAN CULTURAL HERITAGE

- †641.   SHRI MAHABALI SINGH: SHRI RAVINDRA KUSHWAHA: SHRI RAVI KISHAN:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  scheme  for    the  conservation  of  cultural heritage  in  compliance  with  United      Nations        Educational,      Scientific  and  Cultural Organization (UNESCO) guidelines;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the amount sanctioned for this prupose, State-wise;
- (c) whether the  Government has identified some sites for the purpose of heritage conservation and funding;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Government to bring Indian cultural heritage on the world stage?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No,  Sir.  No  such  Scheme  has  been  formulated.  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI)
- & follows its own guidelines for the conservation of centrally protected monuments as per
- (b) the National Conservation Policy, 2014.
- (c) & There are 3696 centrally protected monuments/sites under the jurisdiction of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).  Conservation of monuments/sites is taken up as
- (d) per the requirement and availability of resources.
- (e) Inclusion of any property in Tentative List is a prerequisite condition for onward inclusion in the World Heritage List.  Augmentation of Tentative List is continuous process. As per UNESCO Operational Guidelines, 2021, only one property, either cultural or natural, can be nominated for inscription process annually.  Additionally, inclusion of any site requires fulfilment of Criteria, meeting the condition of authenticity and integrity and providing justification of Outstanding Universal Value.

Currently, India has 40 Sites in the UNESCO World Heritage List and 52 sites (including 6 added in year 2022) in the UNESCO Tentative List.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 638 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-24
Subject: Vacant Posts under Mission Mode Drive
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Kripanath Mallah

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.638

## ANSWERED ON 24.07.2023

## Vacant Posts under Mission Mode Drive

## 638. SHRI KRIPANATH MALLAH:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to fill up of all the vacant positions under Mission Mode drive across the country including Assam;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that a large number of REC Employees under various institutions are working under the Muster Roll Scheme for quite a long time with a very low salary;
- (d) whether the Government is also aware that there is an urgent need for their permanent absorption under the Mission Mode  drive  so that their jobs may  be  secured permanently;
- (e) whether the Government is proposing to consider them under Mission Mode drive; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## A N S W E R

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

(a) to (b): 'Rozgar Mela' is one of the steps towards fulfilment of the commitment of the Government to accord highest priority to fill up vacant posts. Filling up of vacant posts in various Ministries / Departments is a continuous process. As part of Rozgar Mela, the vacant posts  are  being  filled  in  a  Mission  Mode.  Rozgar  Mela  events  are  being  held  across  the country and the new appointees are inducted into various Central Ministries / Departments / Central  Public  Sector  Undertakings  (CPSUs)  /  Autonomous  Bodies  including  Health  & Education Institutes, Public Sector Banks etc.

(c) to (f): Erstwhile Regional Engineering Colleges (RECs) are at present functioning as National Institutes of Technology (NITs). As on date, out of the thirty one NITs functioning in  the  country,  REC  Muster  Roll  employees  are  working  in  NITs  (then  RECs)  located  at Silchar (Assam) and Tiruchirappalli (Tamil Nadu), respectively. The muster roll employees engaged in these two NITs are getting wages as decided by the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central)  from  time  to  time.  As  per  decision  of  the  Council  of  the  National  Institutes  of Technology, Science Education and Research, those employees, who are working on ad-hoc / temporary  /  contractual  /  outsource  basis,  in  RECs  /  NITs,  have  been  allowed  one-time relaxation to participate  in the first  regular recruitment process for the post for which they fulfil  all  other  conditions  mentioned  in  the  non-teaching  Recruitment  Rules.  Extending aforesaid relaxations, NIT-Tiruchirappalli has already appointed three muster roll employees, through regular recruitment process.

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