opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1156 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-11
Subject: Demand for Restoration of OPS by Government Employees’ Association
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: A. Ganeshamurthi, Andimuthu Raja

## Ministry of Finance

## Department of Expenditure

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1156 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 th  DECEMBER, 2023/

## AGRAHAYANA 20, 1945 (SAKA)

## DEMAND FOR RESTORATION OF OPS BY GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION

## QUESTION

1156. SHRI A. GANESHAMURTHI: SHRI A. RAJA:

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

(a) whether the Government Employees Associations have been demanding restoration of Old  Pension  Scheme  based  on  last  drawn  basic  salary  instead  of  contributory  pension scheme, if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto;

(b) whether some States Governments have also restored OPS for their employees, if so, the  details thereof; and

(c) whether the Government is not in favour of restoring OPS to its employees and retired employees, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE

## (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a) & (c) Representations have been received from time to time which include the request for restoration of Old Pension Scheme. The National Pension System (NPS) was introduced by the Government of India vide notification dated 22.12.2003. Since then Government of India has taken a number of steps for streamlining NPS for Central Government employees and to protect the interest of the subscribers. These include  enhancement  of  Government's contribution from the earlier 10% of Pay + DA to 14% of Pay + DA, freedom of choice for selection of Pension Funds and pattern of investment to subscribers, payment of compensation for non-deposit or delayed deposit of NPS contributions for any period during 2004-2012, tax exemption under section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961 and increase in tax exemption limit for lump sum withdrawal on exit from earlier 40% to 60% of the amount due, making  the  entire  withdrawal  exempt  from  income  tax.  There  is  no  proposal  under consideration  of  Government  of  India  for  restoration  of  Old  Pension  scheme  in  respect  of Central Government employees recruited on or after 01.01.2004. A Committee has been set up  under  the  chairmanship  of  Finance  Secretary  to  look  into  the  issue  of  Pensions  under National  Pension  System  in  respect  of  Government  employees  and  to,  inter  alia,  examine whether in the light of the existing framework and structure of the National Pension system, as applicable to Government employees, any changes therein are warranted.

(b) The  State  Governments  of  Rajasthan,  Chhattisgarh,  Jharkhand,  Punjab  and  Himachal Pradesh have informed the Central Government/PFRDA about their decision to revert to Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for their State Government employees. However, the Government of Punjab  has  also  informed  the  Government  of  India  that  it  continues  to  pay  staff  and Government contributions to the NPS.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1154 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-11
Subject: Upgrade Status of Navratnas
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Komati Reddy Venkat Reddy, Manne Srinivas Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1154

## TO BE ANSWERD ON THE 11 th  DECEMBER,2023

'Upgrade Status of Navratnas'

1154: Shri Komati Reddy Venkat Reddy: Shri Manne Srinivas Reddy:

## Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state: -

- (a) Whether  the  Department  of  Public  Enterprises  (DPE)  is  considering  a proposal to upgrade the status of Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF), IRCON and others to Navratnas so that this will enable the companies to have more authority in terms of investment, setting up joint ventures, and making other financial decisions;
- (b) If so, the details thereof;
- (c) Whether  there  is  an  increase  in  the  number  of  proposals  sent  by  the administrative ministries to the DPE for upgrading the category of CPSEs as most CPSEs are at a record high in terms of net profit, annual turnover and net worth during the last two concluded financial years and this is the reason behind the increase in the number of proposals and the Government also wants these CPSEs to have more autonomy in their operations and become more market oriented in their functioning;
- (d) If so, the details and the present status thereof, State-wise?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  &  (b): The  proposals  for  grant  of  Navratna  Status  to  Rashtriya  Chemicals  & Fertilizers  (RCF)  and  IRCON  were  approved  by  the  competent  authority  on 29.08.2023 and 12.10.2023 respectively.

P .T.O

- (c) & (d): The  Central  Public  Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) which are Miniratna-I, Schedule 'A' and have obtained 'excellent ' or 'very good' MOU rating in three of the last  five  years  are  eligible  for  granting  Navratna  status.    In  order  to  review  the performance of eligible CPSE for granting Navratna status, the said CPSE should have  obtained  a  composite  score  of  60  or  above  on  six  performance  indicators namely Net Profit to Net Worth,  Manpower Cost to Total Cost of Production or Cost of Services,  PBDIT to Capital employed,  PBIT to Turnover,  Earning Per Share and Inter Sectoral Performance.   A  State-wise (Registered office)   list of 5 CPSEs which have been granted Navratna status in the current year so far  is annexed.

***********

## Annexure referred to reply to Part (c) & (d) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1154

## for reply on 11 th  December, 2023

|   Srl. No. | Name of the CPSE & state                               |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------|
|          1 | Rail Vikas Nigam Limited - Delhi                       |
|          2 | ONGC Videsh Ltd - Delhi                                |
|          3 | Rashtriya Chemical & Fertilizers Limited - Maharashtra |
|          4 | IRCON - Delhi                                          |
|          5 | RITES - Delhi                                          |
Lok Sabha Question No. 1152 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-11
Subject: RIDF
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil

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

## LOK SABHA

Unstarred Question No. 1152

Answered on Monday, December 11, 2023/Agrahayana 20, 1945 (Saka)

## RIDF

## 1152: SHRI SHRINIWAS PATIL

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  the total amount of funds allocated from the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) for the State of Maharashtra in the financial year 2022-23 and year 2023-24;
- (b)  the portion of the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund allocated to the district of Satara in Maharashtra; and
- (c)  the details of monitoring mechanism under RIDF in order to ensure the timely completion and adherence to desired quality standards in creation of quality rural infrastructure?

## Answer

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

- (a): Total amount of funds sanctioned from Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) for the State of Maharashtra in the financial year 2022-23 is Rs.1,728.30 crore and proposals of Rs. 1,455.96 crore have been received for the year 2023-24.
- (b): NABARD allocates funds on the basis of a set of parameters to State Governments and their institutions.  Projects  worth  Rs.28  crore  were  sanctioned  under  RIDF  for  district  of  Satara, Maharashtra in FY 2022-23.
- (c):  The  objectives  of  the  monitoring  mechanism  of  RIDF  projects  are:  (i)  Facilitate  timely physical  completion  of  the  projects.  (ii)  Avoid  cost/  time  overrun.  (iii)  Ensure  suitable mechanism for compliance with quality parameters. (iv) Identify new investment opportunities complementary  and  supplementary  to  rural  prosperity.  (v)  Adherence  to  special  terms  and conditions of sanctions, if any.

The monitoring mechanism consists of field monitoring and state/ district level monitoring. High Power Committee (HPC) comprising of officials of State Government and NABARD review and monitor the progress in implementation of sanctioned projects. HPC meetings are required to be conducted every quarter.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1151 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-11
Subject: Introduction of Faceless Assessment Groups
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: P.R. Natarajan

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1151 TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 11 th  December, 2023 / Agrahayana 20, 1945 (Saka)

## INTRODUCTION OF FACELESS ASSESSMENT GROUPS

1151. Shri Natarajan P. R.:

Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  that  after  introduction  of  Faceless Assessment  Groups  (FAG),  almost  all  importers  fraternity  are  facing  various problems and difficulties like undue delay in clearing the Bills of Entry, Raising unrelated, irrelevant, unwanted unnecessary queries in piecemeal with the sole intention to harass the importers;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  representation  from  the  FFFAI (Federation of Foreign Forwarders Association in India) to resolve the problems being faced by them and on the functioning of FAG;
- (c) if so, action taken/being taken by the Government on these issues;
- (d) whether the Government has conducted any periodical review of functioning of FAG at field level; and
- (e) if so, the details and the outcome thereof?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## ANSWER (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

Part (a): No representation has been received citing instances which indicate that unrelated, irrelevant, unwanted unnecessary queries are being raised with the sole intention to harass the importers;

Part (b): Yes, some representations have been received from FFFAI (Federation of Freight Forwarders Association in India), and other industry associations, conveying difficulties faced, for making suggestions, for improvements in faceless assessment that was introduced in the year 2020.

Part  (c,  d  &  e):  Based  on  the  feedback  received  from  FFFAI,  other  industry associations  and  field  formations,  Faceless  Assessment  is  periodically  reviewed and  steps  to  streamline  and  improve  the  faceless  assessment  process  are undertaken.  These  include  addressing  risk  other  than  through  assessment, bringing higher degree of specialization in the functioning of faceless assessment groups,  introducing  anonymized  escalation  mechanism  to  redress  grievance during the stage of assessment, automated system-based generation of examination  order  in  certain  cases  for  enhancing  uniformity,  reviewing  and reconfiguring  Faceless  Assessment  Groups  (FAG)  and  National  Assessment Centre (NAC) to better balance workload with manpower deployment.
Lok Sabha Question No. 96 (STARRED), answered on 2023-12-08
Subject: Availability of POSHAN Tracker Data
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Bhartruhari Mahtab

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *96

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2023

## AVAILABILITY OF POSHAN TRACKER DATA

- *96      SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the data from the POSHAN Trackers has not been made available in public domain;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the remedial measures taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a) to (c) A statement is laid on the table of the House.
- ****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (A) TO (C) OF LOK SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  *96  BY  SHRI  BHARTRUHARI  MAHTAB  TO  BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2023 REGARDING 'AVAILABILITY OF POSHAN TRACKER DATA'

(a) to (c) The data from the Poshan tracker application is available in the public domain since March 2021 onwards. IT systems have been leveraged to strengthen and bring about transparency in nutrition delivery support systems at the Anganwadi centres.  The  Poshan  Tracker  application  facilitates  monitoring  and  tracking  of  all AWCs, AWWs and beneficiaries  on  defined  indicators.  Technology  under  Poshan Tracker is being leveraged for dynamic identification of malnutrition prevalence among children.  The  mobile  application  has  also  facilitated  digitization  and  automation  of physical registers used by AWWs that helps in improving their quality of work.The data for November 2023 shows 10.01 Crore registered beneficiaries which include children (0-6 years), pregnant women and lactating mothers. In addition 22.70 Lakh Adolescent girls  in  the  age  group  of  14-18  years  from  North  Eastern  States  and  Aspirational Districts are also enrolled as beneficiaries. The data shows that 7.44 Crore children in age group of 0-6 years were measured. The prevalence of wasting as per Poshan Tracker is at 6 % which is much below NFHS 5 levels of 19.3%.

- ****
Lok Sabha Question No. 92 (STARRED), answered on 2023-12-08
Subject: Evacuation of Indian Citizens
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Anto  Antony, Andimuthu Raja

## *92.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 92

- ANSWERED ON 08.12.2023

## Evacuation Of Indian Citizens Shri Anto Antony

## Shri A. Raja

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken note of the ongoing escalation in tensions across the Gaza strip and if so, the details thereof and official stand of the country thereon;

(b) whether the Government has made any efforts to reach out to Israel and de-escalate the situation and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has provided/intends to provide any type of humanitarian support aid to  those affected in the region and if so, the details thereof including the type of aid and assistance and medical relief provided to those affected;

(d) the number of Indian nationals brought to India safely from Israel/Gaza strip under "Operation Ajay" after the break-out of war between Israel and Palestinian forces; and

(e) whether any efforts were made and talks held with Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of Indian nationals, Indian Embassy and their staff?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (DR. SUBRAHMANYAM JAISHANKAR)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. *****

Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (e) in respect of Lok Sabha Starred Question

No. 92 for reply on 08.12.2023 regarding  Evacuation Of Indian Citizens asked by Shri Anto Antony and Shri A. Raja. (a & b) India has strongly condemned the terror attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023 and also the loss of civilian lives in the ongoing Israel - Hamas conflict. We remain concerned at the deteriorating security situation and have called for restraint, de-escalation and emphasized peaceful   resolution   of   the   conflict   through   dialogue   and   diplomacy.   We   welcome   the humanitarian pauses and the release of hostages. Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister have spoken to several leaders in the region and across the world including the President and Prime Minister of Israel and Palestinian President. India has also strongly taken up the ongoing situation in Gaza at multilateral fora such as G20, BRICS and Voice of Global South Summit and reiterated its stance. (c) India has provided 70 Tonnes of humanitarian aid including 16.5 Tonnes of medicine and medical supplies in 2 tranches to the people of Palestine on 22 October 2023 and 19 November 2023. This included tents, blankets, hygiene kits, life saving medicines, surgical items and medical equipment. (d)  So far, 1309 Indian nationals have returned to India in six special flights operated under Operation Ajay from Israel and we have also facilitated return of one Indian national from Gaza Strip. (e) The Embassy of India, Tel Aviv, is in regular communication with Indian community and relevant departments and ministries in the government of the State of Israel to ensure the safety and security of all Indian nationals living in Israel.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 90 (STARRED), answered on 2023-12-08
Subject: Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Prince Raj

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 90 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 TH DECEMBER, 2023

## AYUSHMAN BHARAT DIGITALMISSION

## †*90. SHRI PRINCE RAJ :

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the funds spent on development of health infrastructure in Bihar under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, financial year-wise;
- (b) the number of Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres set up/likely to be set up under the said Mission in Bihar;
- (c) the details of the guidelines for setting up and upgrading the HWCs under the Mission; and
- (d) the number of HWCs set up/likely to be set up in Samastipur and Darbhanga in Bihar?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

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

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 90 FOR 8 TH DECEMBER, 2023

(a) to (d) Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is a Central Sector Scheme with an outlay of Rs. 1600 crore for 5 years from 21-22 to 25-26. To ensure the effective implementation of ABDM, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) provides financial assistance to States/UTs for human resources, information education & communication (IEC), and capacity building including necessary handholding support to integrate state health digital health programs/solutions under ABDM ecosystem. Under ABDM, during FY 2022-23, Rs 1.77 Crore was released and in FY 2023-24, till date, Rs 0.99 Crore has been released to the State of Bihar.

MoHFW provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs to strengthen the public healthcare system, based on the proposals received in the form of Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) under the National Health Mission. The Government of India provides approval for the proposals in the form of Record of Proceedings (RoPs) as per norms & available resources.

The total number of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (erstwhile Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWC)) approved for the State of Bihar is 10,690. Currently, 10,312 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have already been set up in the State of Bihar, which includes 352 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in Samastipur district and 301 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in Darbhanga district.

The Ayushman Bharat comprehensive Primary Health Care through Health and Wellness Centre operational guidelines is available at the link:

https://nhsrcindia.org/sites/default/files/2021-03/Operational%20Guidelines%20For%2 0Comprehensive%20Primary%20Health%20Care%20through%20Health%20and%20 Wellness%20Centers.pdf

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 89 (STARRED), answered on 2023-12-08
Subject: Abstention from Voting on UN Resolution
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Gaurav Gogoi

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 89 ANSWERED ON 08.12.2023

## Abstention from Voting on UN Resolution

## *89. Shri Gaurav Gogoi:

- Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether there is any change in the foreign policy of Government of India towards Palestine, if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war; (b) whether India abstained from voting on UN Resolution A/ES-10/L.25 on the protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations on the ongoing Gaza crisis and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c) whether India voted in favor of UN Resolution A/C.4/78/L.15 on Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and the occupied Syrian Golan, if so, the reasons therefor; (d) whether the Government has taken any steps for establishing ceasefire and for promotion of a peaceful and just resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict; and (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (DR. SUBRAHMANYAM JAISHANKAR)

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

*****

Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (e) in respect of Lok Sabha Starred Question No.

89 for reply on 08.12.2023 regarding Abstention From Voting On UN Resolution asked by Shri Gaurav Gogoi.

(a, d & e) India's policy towards Palestine has been long standing and we have always supported a negotiated two State solution, towards establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine within secure and recognized borders, living side by side in peace with Israel. India has strongly condemned the terror attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023 and also the loss of civilian lives in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. We remain concerned at the deteriorating security situation and have called for restraint, de-escalation and emphasized peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. We welcome the humanitarian pauses and the release of hostages and call for release of remaining hostages. Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister have spoken to several leaders in the region and across the world, including the President and Prime Minister of Israel and the Palestinian President and also in multilateral fora such as G20, BRICS and Voice of Global South Summit and reiterated our position.

(b & c) Our voting on UN resolutions on the issue of Israel Palestine have been in line with our stated policy.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 83 (STARRED), answered on 2023-12-08
Subject: National Unani Research Institute
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: Midhun Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 83 ANSWERED ON 08 th  DECEMBER, 2023

## National Unani Research Institute

## *83. SHRI P.V. MIDHUN REDDY:

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Government  plans  to  establish  any  National  Unani  Research Institute in Andhra Pradesh as similar institutes exist in Telangana after the bifurcation of the State;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  Central  Council  of  Research  in  Unani  Medicine (CCRUM) submitted any feasibility report for the establishment of such an institute in Kadapa district; and

(d) if so, the time by which the Government proposes to initiate the process for the same?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF AYUSH (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

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

## Statement in reply to Para (a) to (d) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 83 for 8 th December, 2023

(a) There is no plan to establish a new National Unani Research Institute in Andhra Pradesh.

(b) Does not arise

(c) A team from Central Research Institute in Unani Medicine, Hyderabad visited to survey the area in Kadapa district in  September, 2016 where Government of Andhra Pradesh proposed to allot the land for establishment of an Institute in Unani Medicine. However, no decision was taken to establish an Institute at the proposed land.

(d) Ministry of Ayush has no plans to establish an institute in Kadapa district.  A Clinical  Research  Unit  under  Central  Council  for  Research  in  Unani  Medicine  is already functional in Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh.

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