opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2513 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Gharial Sanctuaries
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Dr. Rajesh Mishra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2513

TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## Gharial Sanctuaries

## 2513. DR. RAJESH MISHRA:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  Gharial  Sanctuaries  along  with  the  number  of  Gharials  in  the  country, gender-wise;
- (b) the  number  of  Gharial  projects  in  the  State  of  Madhya  Pradesh,  along  with  the  annual reproduction rate;
- (c) the  status  of  Project  Gharial  in  Sidhi  Lok  Sabha  Constituency  including  male/female Gharial ratio, the date of launching/implementation of the said project and percentage of increased Gharial population since its launching; and
- (d) the number of tourists visiting the said sites every year?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a)      As  per  the  Wild  Life  (Protection)  Act,  1972,  the  States  and  Union  Territories  are empowered for notifying Protected Areas, including National Parks and Sanctuaries. National Chambal sanctuary (in States of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh), Son Gharial sanctuary  and  Ken  Gharial  sanctuary  in  State  of  Madhya  Pradesh  are  habitats  for  gharial. Further, gharials are found in Katerniaghat and Hastinapur Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh), Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand), Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary (Odisha), Gandhak river, Ghagra river etc.

Ministry undertakes population estimation for flagship species such as Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard,  Dolphin.  Population  assessments  for  other  wild  animals  are  carried  out  by  the States/UTs, and these are not collated at the level of Ministry.

(b) to (d)  Son Gharial Sanctuary (Sidhi District) and Ken Gharial Sanctuary are located in the State of Madhya Pradesh.

Protection and management of wildlife and its habitat, is primarily the responsibility of the respective State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. During the 7 th  meeting of the National Board for Wild Life held on 03.03.2025, it was decided to launch a new initiative for conservation of Gharials and tackle threats to their survival. Subsequently, Gharial has also been included under the species recovery programme component of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme - Development of Wildlife Habitats. Ministry provides financial assistance to States/ UTs  for  conservation,  protection,  and  management  of  wildlife  and  its  habitats,  including activities for ecotourism, as per the annual plan of operations received from States/UTs.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2510 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Action on the Demand of EPS-95 Pensioners
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Rajesh Ranjan

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2510 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## ACTION ON THE DEMAND OF EPS-95 PENSIONERS

## 2510. SHRI RAJESH RANJAN:

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

- (a) the  reasons  for  the  delay  in  increasing  the  minimum  pension  of Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS-95) pensioners from Rs. 1000 to a respectable amount of Rs. 7500 plus dearness allowance with free medical facilities and implementing the pension fixation as per the decisions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court dated 04.10.2016 and 04.11. 2022;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  around  78  lakhs  EPS-95 pensioners across the country are facing severe financial crisis in their old age and have been demanding justice from the Government by staging peaceful agitations for years  and  many  old  age pensioners died during the agitation and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government expedite action on the demands of EPS-95 National Agitation Committee  and  fix  timeline for increasing minimum pension to Rs. 7500/-, family pension along with medical facilities and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The EPS, 1995 is a 'Defined Contribution -Defined Benefit' Social Security Scheme. The corpus of the Employees' Pension Fund is made up of (i) contribution by the employer @8.33% of wages; and (ii) contribution from Central Government through budgetary support @1.16%  of  wages  up  to  an  amount  of  Rs.  15,000/-  per  month.  All benefits under the scheme are paid out of such accumulations. The fund is valued annually as mandated under paragraph 32 of EPS, 1995 and as per the valuation of the fund as on 31.03.2019, there is an actuarial deficit.

However, the Government is providing a minimum pension of  Rs.  1000  per  month  to  the  pensioners  under  the  EPS,  1995  by providing budgetary support, which is in addition to the budgetary support  of  1.16%  of  wages  provided  annually  towards  EPS  to Employees'  Provident  Fund  Organisation  (EPFO).  Further,  a  High Empowered Monitoring Committee (HEMC) considered the issue of dearness allowance under EPS, 1995 and recommended, inter-alia, that linking the pension admissible under EPS 95 with cost-of- living index is not feasible in view of the actuarial position of the fund.

EPFO  has  taken  action  to  implement  the  directions contained in Hon'ble Supreme Court Judgement dated 04.11.2022 in a time-bound manner. An online facility was provided, and a total of 17.49 lakh Applications for Validation of Joint Options were successfully  submitted  by  pensioners/  members  till  last  date  i.e. 11.07.2023,  out  of  which  around  15.24  lakh  applications  were forwarded by employers to EPFO till last date i.e. 31.01.2025. As on 24.11.2025, nearly 99% of applications received in EPFO have been processed.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2508 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Causes of Labourers' Death in Mine Accident in Sonbhadra District
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Ravindra Shukla Alias Ravi Kishan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2508

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## CAUSES OF LABOURERS' DEATH IN MINE ACCIDENT IN

## SONBHADRA DISTRICT

## 2508. SHRI RAVINDRA SHUKLA ALIAS RAVI KISHAN:

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

- (a) whether a major mining accident occurred in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh recently in which several labourers were buried under debris and 14 labourers remained untraceable even by the second day of the incident;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  agencies  or  authorities  appointed  to inquire into the causes of the said accident and the present status of the said inquiry;
- (c) whether the Government is aware of any negligence or irregularities relating to safety standards, machinery inspection or  blasting  protocols  at  the  time  of  the  accident  and  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (d) whether  any  specific  safety  standards,  technical  monitoring systems or disaster- management mechanisms are currently in place to ensure the safety of labourers working in such mining areas and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d):   A  fatal  accident  in  the  Billi  Markundi  Stone  Mine  of  M/s Krishna Mining Works, Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh, occurred on 15.11.2025. Rescue operations were initiated by the district administration with the assistance of the National Disaster Response Force  (NDRF),  State  Disaster  Response  Force  (SDRF),  police,  and medical teams including Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS). Seven (07) dead bodies were recovered from the debris after the rescue work. DGMS conducts the enquiry into the causes and circumstances leading to the accident.

A prohibitory order dated 05.09.2022 had earlier been issued by DGMS due to imminent danger to workers' safety. Upon receiving a complaint regarding non-compliance, fresh directions were issued on 31.10.2025 to stop all mining operations, and state authorities were informed  to  ensure  stoppage  of  work  and  suspension  of  transit challans.

A  comprehensive  statutory  framework  ensures  the  safety and health of mine workers through the provisions of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 and its rules and regulations,  which  mandates  systematic  mining  practices,  proper benching,  slope  stability,  and  continuous  supervision  by  statutory managers and supervisory staff.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2505 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: GST on Development Works under MPLADS
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2505

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2025/AGRAHAYANA 24, 1947 (SAKA)

## GST ON DEVELOPMENT WORKS UNDER MPLADS

## 2505. SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that due to the imposition of 18% GST on development works sanctioned under MPLADS,     the actual fund is reduced to about 24.10 crore and resulting in several projects remaining incomplete, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has assessed the extent to which the quality and timeline of works have been affected due to imposition of GST, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is considering exempting the MPLADS fund from GST by treating it as "Public Welfare Fund"; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  details  of  action/decision  taken  in  this  regard  along with the time by which it is likely to be implemented?

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

- (a) & (b) Any transfer of money to MPLAD fund is not a supply under GST Act. However, utilisation of fund for receiving supply of goods and  services  is  taxable  as  per  the  applicable  GST  rates  on  such supplies. GST paid on inputs and services is part of the cost of execution and does not reduce the MPLADS entitlement of ₹5 crore per annum per Member of Parliament. The GST component is duly factored into the cost estimates at the time of sanction in view of the fact  that  the  total  estimated  cost  of  work  sanctioned  for  each Hon'ble MP in a financial year cannot exceed the entitlement available to the Hon'ble MP.

No  specific  study  has  been  undertaken  to  assess  the  extent  to which the quality or timelines of works have been affected due to the imposition of GST. However, a third-party physical evaluation of the MPLAD Scheme has been carried out to assess various parameters  and  performance  of  the  Scheme.  The  evaluation  covered  the period  from  01.04.2019  to  31.03.2024  and  was  conducted  across 504  Nodal  Districts  in  the  country.  The  implementing  Ministry  for the  scheme  has  not  received  any  reports  of  non-completion  of

MPLADS projects attributable to the imposition of GST.

(c)  &  (d)  The  rates  and  exemptions  for  GST  are  prescribed  on  the basis  of  recommendation  of  the  GST  Council  which  is  a  Constitutional body consisting of members from Centre and the States/UTs. The matter regarding exemption for works under MPLAD funds was placed before the 47th GST Council meeting held on 28.06.2022. It was  discussed  that  end  use  based  exemptions  are  not  advisable. They are difficult to monitor and prone to misuse. Further, the exemption  will  block  ITC  of  suppliers  and  will  increase  cost.  No change  was  recommended  by  the  Council.  At  present  there  is  no such recommendation for exemption from the Council.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2503 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: NPAs of Banks
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Com. Selvaraj V

2503. COM. SELVARAJ V:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  gross  Non-Performing  Assets  (NPAs)  of  the  banking system fell to 2.3 per cent in March 2025 down from 2.6 per cent in September, 2024 driven largely by loan write off which rose to 31.8 per cent of NPAs in FY 2025; and
- (b) if  so,  the total amount of NPAs in March, 2025 and the amount written off in the year 2024-25?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

(SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

- (a):  As  per  the  Reserve  Bank  of  India  (RBI)  data,  the  gross  NPA  ratio  of  Scheduled Commercial  Banks  (SCBs)  have  declined  from  2.5%  as  on  30.9.2024  to  2.2%  as  on 31.3.2025.

Reduction in NPAs takes place through recovery, upgradation and write-off. Banks writeoff NPAs, including, inter-alia , those in respect of which full provisioning has been made on  completion  of  four  years,  as  per  RBI  guidelines  and  policy  approved  by  banks' Boards. Such write-off does not result in waiver of liabilities of borrowers and therefore, it does not benefit the borrower. The borrowers continue to be liable for repayment and banks continue to pursue recovery actions initiated in these accounts. Further, recovery in  written-off  loans  is  an  ongoing  process  and  banks  continue  pursuing  their  recovery actions  initiated  against  borrowers  under  the  various  recovery  mechanism  available  to them.  SCBs  have  recovered  an  aggregate  amount  of  Rs.  1,68,306  crore  in  written-off NPAs  during  the  last  three  financial  years  (FYs)  and  the  current  FY  till  30.9.2025. Further, the Recovery Rate in written-off loans in SCBs ( i.e. recovery in written-off loans during the FY as a percentage of written-off loans during the FY) has improved from 7.97% in FY2017-18 to 27.04% in FY2023-24, and further to 34.77% in FY2024-25.

- (b): The gross NPAs of SCBs were Rs. 4,31,607 crore as on 31.3.2025 while an amount of Rs. 1,57,029 crore was written-off by them during the FY 2024-25.

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## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 2503

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2025/ AGRAHAYANA 24, 1947 (SAKA)

## NPAs of Banks
Lok Sabha Question No. 2502 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Setting-up of Platform for Young Artists
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Sanatan Pandey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2502

TO BE ANSWERED ON 15 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## SETTING-UP OF PLATFORM FOR YOUNG ARTISTS

## †2502. SHRI SANATAN PANDEY:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any special training or performance platform has been set up for young artists at the national level;
- (b)  if so, the number of artists benefited from the same during the last three years; and
- (c) whether the objective of the same is to promote cultural talent to the global stage?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes, Ministry of Culture operates a scheme namely 'Award of Scholarships to Young Artists in  Different  Cultural  Fields'  under  which  scholarship  is  provided  to  young  artists  for advanced training. The scheme offers scholarship to young artists in the age group of 18 to 25 years in the fields of Indian Classical Music, Classical Dance, Light Classical Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, and Folk/Traditional/Indigenous Arts. In addition, Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), New Delhi, an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, also provides several training, exposure, and performance platforms at national level cultural events,  national  cultural  festivals  and  residential  camps  for  scholars  covered  under  the scheme.
- (b) During the last three years, a total of 400 artists have been awarded scholarships under the aforementioned scheme.
- (c)  The  primary  objective  of  this  Scheme  is  to  preserve,  promote,  and  nurture  India's  cultural heritage by supporting young artists through training and financial assistance. In addition, the scheme  indirectly contributes to showcasing India's cultural talent on national and international platforms. Strengthening the skills of young artists and providing exposure at national-level events results in capacity building  and  confidence  building  needed  to eventually represent India globally.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2501 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Festivals under National Cultural Exchange Programme
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Baijayant Panda

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2501 ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## FESTIVALS UNDER NATIONAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMME

## 2501. SHRI BAIJAYANT PANDA:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  total  number  of  cultural  festivals  organized  under  the  National  Cultural Exchange Programme in 2024-25;
- (b) the details of regions where these festivals were held;
- (c) the details of the total funds allocated and utilized for the cultural festivals during the FY 2024-25; and
- (d) the  details  of  number  of  artists  and  performers  participated  in  these  festivals,  with  a specific focus on folk and tribal artists, particularly from Odisha?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) 362 cultural festivals have been organized by all the Zonal Cultural Centres (autonomous organizations under Ministry of Culture) under the National Cultural Exchange Programme in 2024-25.  Under  National  Cultural  Exchange  Programme,  artists  from  other Zones/ States are invited to participate in various cultural activities/ programmes/ festivals organized by all the  ZCCs in their member States covering  all the regions of the country. These  ZCCs  participated  in  Mahakumbh-2025,  Kashi  Tamil  Sangamam,  Rashtriya  Ekta Diwas & Vande Bharatam programme etc.  During these festivals, audience get chance to enjoy and understand art forms of other regions. These festivals provide opportunity to taste and understand various cultures of our country.
- (c) During the year 2024-25, Rs. 11121.65 lakh have been allocated/ released to all the ZCCs for organizing various cultural festivals in the country.
- (d) 55,519 artists/ performers have participated in the various cultural activities/ programmes/ festivals organized by all the ZCCs in their member States out of which 2323 artists/ performers were from Odisha.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2500 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Student Enrollment in Private and Government Schools
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2500

ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## Student Enrollment in Private and Government Schools

2500. Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of students up to the senior secondary level enrolled in private and Government schools in the country, State/UT-wise;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  steady  increase  in  private  school  enrollment  and  the corresponding decline in Government school enrollment in several States and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  measures  being  taken  or  proposed  by  the  Government  to  reverse  this  trend  and  strengthen enrollment and retention of students up to the senior secondary level in Government schools; and (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a)  to  (d):  As  per  UDISE+  (Unified  District  Information  System  for  Education  Plus),  State/UT  wise enrolment from pre-primary to higher secondary in Private and Government schools for the year 202425 are available at https://www.education.gov.in/en/parl\_ques.

Education is in the concurrent list of the Constitution and majority of the schools are under the domain of respective State and UT Governments. Central Government assist States and UTs through the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Samagra Shiksha and hot cooked meal provided from Balvatika to class 8 under Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) Yojna. Financial assistance/grant is also provided to the States and UTs for various activities to reduce dropout and increase enrolment in Government schools, which include opening/strengthening of new schools up to Senior Secondary level, strengthening school infrastructure, setting up and up gradation and running of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas  (KGBV)  upto  class  12,  setting  up  of  residential  schools/hostels  named  Netaji  Subhas Chandra Bose Avasiya Vidyalayas, hostels under Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), transport allowance, undertaking enrolment drives, seasonal hostels/residential camps, provision of vocational education and ICT  facilities  in  schools,  providing  free  text  books  and  free  uniform,  transport/escort  facility,  etc, financial assistance/grant is also provided for aids and appliances for children with special needs. PM SHRI Schools are being set up in every block as exemplar NEP, 2020 schools to develop a template for other government schools.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2498 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Collaboration with Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Shri Vijay Kumar Dubey

## MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2498

## ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 15 TH  DECEMBER, 2025 / 24 AGRAHAYANA, 1947 (SAKA)

## COLLABORATION WITH INDIAN INSTITUTE OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS QUESTION

2498.

Shri Vijay Kumar Dubey: Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the main objectives of collaboration between Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) and Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation;
- (b) the manner in which national indicator is proposed to be integrated/coordinated with State indicators;
- (c)  the manner in which this integrated/coordinated roadmap is likely to help in  making  sustainable  development  works  of  States  and  trade  align  with national development priorities; and
- (d)  the extent to which this integrated indicator system is likely to strengthen evidence  based  policy  formulation  and  the  manner  in  which  it  is  likely  to contribute to fulfilment of vision of Viksit Bharat?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  CORPORATE  AFFAIRS  AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS [SHRI HARSH MALHOTRA]

(a) to (d): Indian  Institute  of  Corporate  Affairs  (IICA),  an  autonomous institution under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, has been sanctioned a research study  on 'Developing a Comprehensive Sustainable Development  Goal  (SDG)  Alignment  Framework:  Integrating  National,  State, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Indicators to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat' by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the above on 31 st  October, 2025. This study has objectives of assessment and identification of the State specific SDG Progress Indicators aligning CSR and ESG projects/initiatives of Businesses with the State SDG  Framework  to promote sustainability, suggesting  a  standardized  mechanism  for  states  to  report  on  CSR  related activities  and  providing  a  roadmap  for  creating  synergy  between  India's Corporate  Sector  and  its  national  and  global  commitment  under  the  SDG agenda. The study is yet to commence.

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