opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1002 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: CAG Report on Projects under SDS
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Dr. Rajeev Bharadwaj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.+1002

## LOK SABHA ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

## CAG REPORT ON PROJECTS UNDER SDS

## +1002. DR. RAJEEV BHARADWAJ:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  any  report  has  been  submitted  by  the  CAG  on  the  work executed under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme (SDS) from the years 2015 to 2022;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the CAG had highlighted the shortcomings resulting in the non-completion of the projects on time under the said scheme;
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  details  of  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  remove these shortcomings?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF TOURISM            (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (e): Comptroller  and  Auditor  General  of  India  has  submitted  its report on the performance audit of Swadesh Darshan scheme (Report No. 17 of 2023). The report covers observations on formulation of the scheme, financial  management,  implementation  of  the  scheme,  monitoring  and impact  assessment  etc.  Audit  has  observed  delay  in  completion  of projects and has also noted Covid-19 pandemic, non-availability of labour, natural  calamities,  non-availability  of  permission  etc.  as  some  of  the reasons for delay.

Ministry of Tourism has taken multiple steps in order to address shortcomings  resulting  in  delayed  completion  of  the  projects  which include  undertaking  review  meetings  with  the  implementing  agencies, regular communication with the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations  to  expedite  completion  of  projects,  monitoring  of  the project  progress  etc.  Pre-construction  clearances  as  part  of  Detailed Project  Reports  (DPRs)  has  also  been  included  in  the  guidelines  for Swadesh Darshan 2.0.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 997 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Investment by EPFO
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 997 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

## INVESTMENT BY EPFO

997.  DR. T SUMATHY ALIAS THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN:

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

- (a)whether it is a fact that Employee's Provident Fund Organization (EPFO)  has  invested  a  huge  amount  in  Debt  Instruments  and Exchange Traded Funds and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)the details of total amount invested in Share Market and related products  by  EPFO  during  each  of  the  last  seven  years  and  the current year; and
- (c)the details of total EPF amount invested in the shares of Blue Chip Companies during the last five years?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Investment of funds is made as per the Pattern of Investment notified by the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, Government of India vide Notification number 11/14/2013-PR dated 2 nd March, 2015 as amended from time to time and guidelines issued by CBT, EPF from time to time. Accordingly, EPFO has investment in both Debt  Securities  and  Exchange  Traded  Funds  as  per  prescribed pattern.  As  per  approval  of  207 th   meeting  of  the  Central  Board  of Trustees, EPF held on 31.03.2015, EPFO has started investment in Exchange Traded Funds from August 2015 onwards.

Total corpus of various funds managed by EPFO was Rs. 24.75 Lakh Crore as on 31.03.2024.

## (Rs in Crs)

| Debt Investments (including amount held in Public Account of India)   | ETF Investments   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|
| 22,40,922.30                                                          | 2,34,921.49       |

(b): EPFO does not invest directly in any of the individual stocks in equity market.

EPFO  regularly  invests  in  Equity  markets  through  Exchange Traded  Funds  (ETFs)  replicating  BSE-SENSEX  and  NSE  NIFTY-50 indices. In addition, EPFO has also invested from time-to-time in ETFs constructed  specifically  for  disinvestment  of  shareholding  of  the Government of India in body corporates, namely ETFs tracking Bharat 22 and CPSE Indices.

Year-wise investments made by EPFO in ETFs is as below:-

EPFO's ETF investment data in last 7 years (Rs in Crs)

| Financial Year              | ETF       |
|-----------------------------|-----------|
| 2017-18                     | 22,765.99 |
| 2018-19                     | 27,974.25 |
| 2019-20                     | 31,501.11 |
| 2020-21                     | 32,070.84 |
| 2021-22                     | 43,568.08 |
| 2022-23                     | 53,081.26 |
| 2023-24                     | 57,184.24 |
| 2024-25(up to October 2024) | 34,207.93 |

(c):  EPFO has no direct Investment in equity shares of any of the listed/unlisted companies in Equity Market.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 995 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: National Mission on Cultural Mapping and Roadmap (NMCMR)
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Chintamani Maharaj, Shri Bibhu Prasad Tarai, Shri Pradeep Kumar Singh, Shri Vijay Baghel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 995 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

''NATIONAL MISSION ON CULTURAL MAPPING AND ROADMAP (NMCMR)'

†995.

Shri Pradeep Kumar Singh: Shri Chintamani Maharaj: Shri Vijay Baghel: Shri Bibhu Prasad Tarai:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state :

- (a)  the steps taken or being taken by the NMCMR to preserve the art and cultural heritage of the country;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  number  of  artists  of  various  art  forms  identified  by  the  NMCMR, state-wise; and
- (c)  the  details  of  the  cultural  mapping  adopted  for  identifying  the  artists  of  various  art forms?

## ANSWER

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

(a)   To preserve  and promote India's rich cultural heritage, the Ministry of Culture has established  the  National  Mission  on  Cultural  Mapping  (NMCM). Implemented  by  the Indira  Gandhi  National  Centre  for  the  Arts  (IGNCA),  the  mission  aims  to  document India's cultural heritage and its potential to revitalize rural economics.

As  a  part  of  Azadi  Ka  Amrit  Mahotsav,  NMCM  launched  Mera  Gaon  Meri  Dharohar (MGMD) portal in June 2023 (https://mgmd.gov.in/).  This initiative aims to document the cultural heritage of  6.5 lakh villages of India. Currently, 4.5 lakh villages are live on the portal with their respective cultural portfolios.

The MGMD portal captures a wide range of cultural elements, including oral traditions, beliefs, customs, historical significance, art forms, traditional food, prominent artists, fairs and festivals, traditional dress, ornaments and local landmarks.

NMCM is a significant step towards preserving India's cultural heritage and empowering rural  communities.  By documenting and promoting cultural assets, the mission aims to strengthen cultural identity and foster economic development.

(b)    At  present,  NMCM  is  undergoing  with  its  component  MGMD  and  the  state-wise details  are  available  at  Mera  Gaon  Meri  Dharohar  Web  Portal  (https://mgmd.gov.in/) which is an open access portal.

(c)    State-wise  details  are  available  on  MGMD  Portal;  we  have  a  set  format  for identification and collection of data for different cultural domains, artist and traditional art forms on the portal.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 986 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Political Appointments in NCLT and NCLAT
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: Prof. Sougata Ray

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 986

## ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 02 nd  of DECEMBER, 2024/ Agrahayana 11, 1946 (Saka)

## Political Appointments in NCLT and NCLAT

## QUESTION

986.    PROF. SOUGATA RAY:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Supreme  Court  has  passed  any  comments  on  the political  appointments  in  National  Company  Law  Tribunal  and  National Company Law Appellate Tribunal;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  reasons  behind  the  "lack  of  timely  admission  and  disposal"  of applications  under  the  Insolvency  and  Bankruptcy  Code  (IBC),  as  opined by the Hon'ble Supreme Court;
- (d) whether there is a  "growing tendency" to disregard Supreme Court directions by the authorities of such bodies; and
- (e)
- if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  CORPORATE  AFFAIRS;  AND MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ROAD  TRANSPORT  AND HIGHWAYS

(HARSH MALHOTRA)

(a) and (b):    The process of filling up the posts of Members in the National Company Law Tribunal  (NCLT)  and  the  National  Company  Law Appellate Tribunal  (NCLAT)  is  a  dynamic,  integrated,  and  continuous  collaboration between the Executive and the Judiciary. Appointments are made based on the recommendations of the Selection Committee for NCLT and the Searchcum-Selection  Committee  for  NCLAT.  Both  Committees,  chaired  by  the Hon'ble  Chief  Justice  of  India  or  his  nominee,  are  structured  to  ensure judicial  dominance in  the  appointment  process.  The  Chairperson  of  each committee  holds  a  casting  vote,  reinforcing  impartiality  and  maintaining the integrity of the selection process.

(c): Delays  in  case  disposal  are  influenced  by  multiple  factors  such  as the complexity of facts involved, cooperation of stakeholders, and procedural  issues.  Adjournments  and  the  filing  of  numerous  interim applications also contribute to delays. (d): The  Supreme  Court,  as  the  Apex  Court  of  India,  is  the  highest authority in the judicial hierarchy. Its orders and judgments are binding on all  Courts  and  Tribunals  across  the  entire  territory  of  India,  ensuring uniformity and consistency in the application of the law. (e): Does not arise.

## ***********
Lok Sabha Question No. 980 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Reviewing of NEP and RTE Act
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Raja A

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 980 ANSWERED ON 02/12/2024

## Reviewing of NEP and RTE Act

## 980.   Shri Raja A:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the Government proposes to undertake a review of objections made by many State  Governments  to  the  National  Education  Policy,  Right  of  Children  to  Free  and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act including provisions relating to minority institutions;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether the Government plans to make discussion with various stakeholders and State Governments for revision of NEP-2020; and

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

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (d): The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has been launched on 29.07.2020 after detailed  consultation  process  with  all  stakeholders  including  Gram  Panchayats,  Blocks, Urban Local Bodies, Districts and States/Union Territories Governments, Hon'ble Members of Parliament, public etc.  To review and discuss innovative ideas for NEP implementation, a series  of  workshops/consultation-cum-review  meetings  have  been  held  with  States/UTs, Educational Institutions, other stakeholders from time to time. Implementation of NEP 2020 was  discussed  in  National  Education  Minister's  Conference  held  in  June  2022;  National Conference  of  Chief  Secretaries  held  in  June  2022  and  December,  2023;  7th  Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog held in August 2022; Akhil Bharatiya  Shiksha Samagam 2022 & 2023 etc.

There  has  been  extensive  outreach  surrounding  NEP  2020,  eliciting  a  positive  and encouraging response from stakeholders. Throughout the Consultation-cum-review meetings, there has been a robust exchange of ideas, discussions on state-wise initiatives, the adoption of best practices by various states, as well as deliberations on challenges and strategies for implementing  NEP  2020.  These  efforts  have  facilitated  a  synchronized  and  systematic approach towards the implementation of the policy. Consultation on implementation of NEP, 2020 is an ongoing process.
Lok Sabha Question No. 975 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Functioning of Resorts in Elephant Corridors
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Matheswaran V S

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 975

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

## Functioning of Resorts in Elephant Corridors

## 975.    SHRI MATHESWARAN V S:

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

- (a) the  details  of  action  taken  against  the  resorts  situated  in  Elephant  Corridors  of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in the State of Tamil Nadu; and
- (b) whether any criminal action has been taken against the resort owners who are running resorts in Elephant Corridor in Nilgris district of Tamil Nadu, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) As per information received from the State of Tamil Nadu, there are 38 Resorts existing  within  the  notified  Segur  Elephant  Corridor  in  Nilgiris  District.  Further,  as reported by the State, illegal resorts falling in the notified elephant corridor and disturbing movement of elephants have been sealed and locked by the District Administration as per the orders of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in the W.P. No. 897/1996 dated 09.08.2018. Moreover,  based  on  the  orders  of  the  Inquiry  Committee  of  Segur  Plateau  Elephant Corridor on the objections raised by the resort owners, notices have been issued to the resort owners by the authorities in the State Govt.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 974 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Contingency Funds to State Governments
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Yogender Chandolia

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 974

Answered on December 02, 2024/ Agrahayana 11, 1946 (Saka)

## Contingency Funds to State Governments

974.    Shri Yogender Chandolia:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government provides Contingency funds to State Governments for the  use  of  District  Magistrates  of  States  for  unforeseen  expenditure,  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (b) the  amount  released  by  the  Government  in  the  year  2022-23  for  Delhi,  Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

- (a): No, Sir. However, as per Article 267(2) of the Constitution of India, a Contingency Fund in the nature of an imprest is established by the Legislature of a State.  The said Fund is placed at the disposal of the Governor of the State to enable advances to be made for meeting unforeseen expenditure.
- (b): Does not arise in view of the (a) above.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 973 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Survey of Unemployed Youths in Jharkhand
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Nalin Soren

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 973

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

## SURVEY OF UNEMPLOYED YOUTHS IN JHARKHAND

†973. SHRI NALIN SOREN:

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

(a)whether the Government has conducted any survey to assess the number of unemployed youths in the State of Jharkhand; (b)if so, the details thereof; and (c)if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The data on Employment and Unemployment is collected through Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) which is conducted by the  Ministry  of  Statistics  and  Programme  Implementation  (MoSPI) since 2017-18. The survey period is July to June every year.

As per the Annual PLFS 2023-24 Reports, the estimated Unemployment Rate (UR) according to usual status for Youth (age group 15-29 years) for the State of Jharkhand is 3.6%.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 971 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Transparency in Recruitment of Teachers
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Amrinder Singh Raja Warring

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO:- 971 ANSWERED ON-02/12/2024

## Transparency in Recruitment of Teachers

## 971. SHRI AMRINDER SINGH RAJA WARRING:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) the reasons for vacant posts of teachers in schools across the country;

(b)  whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  to  form  an  Autonomous  Teacher  Recruitment  Board  as recommended by the  Standing  Committee  on  Education  (2023)  to  ensure  transparency  in  recruitment  of teachers; and

(c) 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 (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a):  Recruitment  is  a  continuous  process  and  vacancies  get  generated  due  to  a  number  of  factors  like retirement, resignation, increased requirement of teachers as a result of the enhanced students' strength.

Education  being  a  subject  in  the  Concurrent  List  of  the  Constitution,  an  overwhelming  majority  of  the schools  in  the  country  comes  under  the  administrative  control  of  States/UTs.  The  recruitment,  service conditions  and  deployment  of  teachers  come  under  the  purview  of  the  respective  State  Governments/UT Administrations and it is their responsibility to ensure that vacancies are filled in a time bound manner.

(b)  &  (c):  The  Department-related  Parliamentary  Standing  Committee  on  Education,  Women,  Children, Youth and Sports, in para 3.1.14 of its 349 th report presented before both the houses of Parliament on 28 th March,  2023  recommended  that  Autonomous  Teacher  Recruitment  Boards  may  be  formed  at  the  State levels.

The  Department  vide  letter  dated  28 th October,  2023  had  requested  States/UTs  to  expedite  teacher recruitment through Autonomous Teacher Recruitment Boards in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee. The progress has been reviewed with States/UTs during periodic meetings.

Further,  Samagra  Shiksha  norms  provide  that  apart  from  NCTE  guidelines  and  Teacher  Eligibility  Tests (TETs),  competitive  selection  examination  may  be  conducted  by  States/UTs,  either  through  State  Public Service Commission or a central recruitment unit, with due care for consistency and sanctity, for recruitment of quality teachers.
Lok Sabha Question No. 970 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Enhancing of the Minimum Wage
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Dr. Gumma Thanuja Rani, Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy, Shri Durai Vaiko

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 970 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

## ENHANCING OF THE MINIMUM WAGE

970.  DR. GUMMA THANUJA RANI: SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY: SHRI DURAI VAIKO:

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

- (a)whether the Government plans to implement living wage system in
- the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)the details of the steps taken by the Government to switch from minimum wage to a living wage by 2025;
- (c)whether the Government has constituted a framework for computing the aforesaid living wage, if so, the details thereof;
- (d)whether the Government plans to ramp up the existing infrastructure  for  speedy  grievance  redressal  in  the  cases  of labour law violations, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)the details of steps taken by the Government during the last five years in collaboration with reputed international agencies to bring a fairer minimum wage system in the country, including the steps taken  by  the  Government  towards  increasing  the  wages  of domestic workers in the country?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e):  Provision of minimum wages under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 provides for cost of living allowance as a component of minimum wages. Accordingly, the Central Government revises the cost  of  living  allowance  called  as  Variable  Dearness  Allowance (V.D.A) on basic rates of minimum wages under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, every six months effective from 1st April and 1st October every  year  on  the  basis  of  Consumer  Price  Index  for  Industrial workers to protect the minimum wages against inflation.

The  provisions  of  the  Minimum  Wages  Act,  1948,  have been rationalized and subsumed under the Code on Wages, 2019. The across employments as against restrictive applicability of minimum wages limited to scheduled employments as provided for under the Minimum

Code makes minimum wages universally applicable Wages Act, 1948.

For the redressal of workers' grievances, Samadhan Portal was launched on 6 th  February, 2019 which is an online platform for filing  Industrial  disputes/  claims/  complaints  and  grievances  by workers/  dependents  of  workers/  group  of  workers/  Trade  Unions/ employees.  In the Union Budget 2024-25, revamping of Samadhan technological

Portal has been announced which includes upgradation.

The Government has also launched a unified online portal, Shram Suvidha Portal (SSP), to streamline labour law compliance and speed, transparency and accountability in redressal of grievances in labour grievance redressal. This initiative aims to enhance law enforcement.

*****