opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1701 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-31
Subject: Amount Spent under CSR Mandated for STs
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak

(a) : No, Sir.

(b) : Does not arise. However, all data related to CSR filed by companies in the MCA21 registry, including company-wise, state-wise, district-wise and sector-wise are available in public domain at www.csr.gov.in.

(c) & (d): Under the Act, CSR is a Board driven process and the Board of the company is empowered to plan, decide, execute and monitor CSR activities of the company based on the recommendation of its CSR Committee. The CSR mandated companies can undertake any of the activities mentioned in Schedule VII subject to fulfillment of provisions as contained in the Act and Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014. The Government does not issue any specific direction to the companies to spend in any particular geographical area or activity.

******

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1701 ANSWERED ON MONDAY, JULY 31, 2023/ SRAVANA 9, 1945 (SAKA)

## AMOUNT SPENT UNDER CSR MANDATED FOR STs QUESTION

1701.  SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE: SHRI MANOJ KOTAK:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has maintained separate details of the amount spent under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for the Scheduled Tribes (STs) till date;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise especially for Maharashtra;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to earmark some CSR amount to be spent for tribal area development; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION; MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

[RAO INDERJIT SINGH]
Lok Sabha Question No. 1696 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-31
Subject: New Techniques to Conserve Ancient Monuments
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Vellalath Kochukrishnan Nair. Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1696 ANSWERED ON 31.07.2023

## NEW TECHNIQUES TO CONSERVE ANCIENT MONUMENTS

## 1696. SHRI V.K. SREEKANDAN:

## Will the MINISTER OF CULTURE सं᭭क ृ ित मंᮢी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  Government  is  securing  the  knowledge  in  India's  ancient scriptures and manuscripts for the future through technology;
- (b) if so, so the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  considering  employing  new  techniques  and  know-how  to conserve the ancient  monuments which are in dilapidated conditions across the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a) & (b) Yes, Sir. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is using both traditional as well as diverse scientific preservation techniques to safeguard and maintain the longevity of the Manuscripts available with the organization for future.
- (c) & (d) ASI being the custodian of the 3696 Centrally Protected Monuments & Sites of the Nation is employing contemporary technologies for assessing the condition of  the  monuments  and framing  conservation & restoration plans  in accordance with the National Conservation Policy, 2014 as per the need, for safeguard of the monuments.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1695 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-31
Subject: Hike in Interest Rates
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Heena Vijaykumar Gavit, Krishna Pal Singh Yadav, Sujay Radhakrishna Vikhepatil

## Government of India Ministry of Finance

## Department of Economic Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1695 Sravana 9, 1945 (Saka)

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY JULY 31, 2023/ HIKE IN INTEREST RATES

## No.1695

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE

PROF. RITA BAHUGUNA JOSHI

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT

- DR. KRISHNA PAL SINGH YADAV
- DR. SUJAY RADHAKRISHNA VIKHE PATIL

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-

- (a) the details on the specific small savings schemes that have witnessed a hike in interest rates for the July-September, 2023 period;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  acknowledged  the  need  to  streamline  small  saving  plans  and simplify  and  increase  exemptions  under  Section  80C  of  the  Income  Tax  Act  considering  the changing economic environment and interest rate scenario and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to control the potential increase in fund inflows owing to this interest rate hike; and
- (d) the details of the data on the impact of high interest rates in the last quarter?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## ( SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY )

- (a) The  interest  rate  on  National  Savings  Time  Deposit  Scheme  (1  Year  &  2  Year)  and National  Savings  Recurring  Deposit  have  been  increased  by  10  bps  and  30  bps, respectively, in Quarter 2 (July to September) of FY 2023-24.
- (b) It has been the stated policy of the Government to simplify the Income-tax Act, 1961 by removing exemptions and incentives while at the same time reducing the rates of taxes. As such, there is no proposal to increase exemption under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act under consideration.
- (c) Investment in Small Savings Schemes are decided by the investors.
- (d) As  per  latest  information  received  from  O/o  Controller  General  of  Accounts,  the  net collection under Small Savings Schemes for the first two months of Q1 of FY 2023-24 is ₹74,937.87 crore.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1692 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-31
Subject: Increase Amount under Provident Fund for Women
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Sanjay Bhatia

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1692

TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2023

## INCREASE AMOUNT UNDER PROVIDENT FUND FOR WOMEN

†1692. SHRI SANJAY BHATIA:

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

- (a)whether the Government has any Provident Fund Scheme specially for women; and
- (b)whether the Government has any proposal to increase the amount of  provident  fund  by  50%  for  women  with  an  aim  to  boost
- employment opportunities for them?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): The Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme, 1952 is one of the three schemes framed under the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions (EPF & MP) Act, 1952. The EPF Scheme, 1952 aims at providing social security to employees, irrespective of gender, employed in an EPF covered establishment. Under the EPF Scheme, 1952, an employee of any covered establishment drawing monthly wages up to Rs. 15,000 is statutorily required to join the fund and  to  contribute  12%  of  wages,  which  includes  basic  wages, dearness allowance and retaining allowance, if any. The employer is also required to contribute 12% of the wages.

The Government has enacted the Code on Social Security, 2020 which subsumes 9 labour laws including the  EPF  &  MP  Act, 1952. As per provisions of the Code, the Central Government, after making such inquiry as it deems fit, may, by notification, specify rates of employees' contributions and the period for which such rates shall apply for any class of employee. The said provisions of the Code have not yet come into force.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1688 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-31
Subject: Indian Students Opting Foreign Universities
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Pradyut Bordoloi, Rakesh Singh

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No-1688 ANSWERED ON- 31/07/2023

## INDIAN STUDENTS OPTING FOREIGN UNIVERSITIES

## 1688. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

SHRI RAKESH SINGH:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  cognizance  of  the  increasing  popularity  of  public policy programmes and careers among Indian students and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has taken cognizance that Indian students are largely opting for foreign Universities and private institutions for these programmes;

(c) whether the Government intends to coordinate with public Universities such as University of Delhi, IITs, JNU etc. to introduce Masters programmes in Public Policy/Public Administration to cater to the requirements of the students and the professional sector;

(d) if so, the steps likely to be taken and the tentative timeline for the same and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) whether the Government intends to engage with Academic Institutions, policy think tanks and experts in the field to design and implement these programmes?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  and (b):    The Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs maintains departure and arrival  data  of  citizens.  But  there  is  no  index  of  Indian  students  going  abroad  for  higher education purpose. Purpose of  Indians for going  abroad  is  captured  based  either  on  their verbal disclosure or the type of visa of the destination country produced by them at the time of according immigration clearance.

(c)  to  (e):  As  per  the  All  India  Survey  on  Higher  Education  (AISHE)  Report,  2020-21,  the State-wise  details  of  Institutions  offering  course  related  with  Public  Policy  with  intake  is available at https://www.ugc.gov.in/pdfnews/2862251\_LSPQ\_1688\_Annexure\_I.pdf .

As per information received from the University Grants Commission (UGC), Coursewise  approval  is  not  accorded  by  the  UGC.  The  UGC  recognized  Universities,  being autonomous  bodies,  can  offer  programmes  with  the  approval  of  their  respective  Statutory bodies as provided in the respective Act/ Statutes and Regulatory Councils where applicable, leading  to  award  of  specified  degrees.  The  Indian  Institutes  of  Technologies  (IITs)  are offering courses which are Multi-Disciplinary and inter-Disciplinary. Their Senate is empowered to take decisions regarding academic matters such as introduction of any new course /curriculum etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1687 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-31
Subject: Faceless Assessment Group
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: P.R. Natarajan, M. Selvaraj

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1687 TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 31st JULY, 2023/ SRAVANA 9, 1945(SAKA )

## Faceless Assessment Group

1687.  SHRI NATARAJAN P.R.:

SHRI M. SELVARAJ:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received any representation from the importers to scrap the new system of Faceless Assessment Group (FAG) as it is creating more confusion and indirectly harasses the genuine trade in the name of the technology, as the very purpose for which it was introduced is being defeated;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

- (c) the action taken or proposed to be taken by the Government thereon;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  any  intention/  proposal  to  scrap  FAG  and reinstate the old system of Bills of Entry (BE) for verifying the assessment to avoid undue delay in import clearance and to save the industry;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE

## (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a) & (b): Some Representations have been received from importers, customs brokers, industry  associations  conveying  difficulties  they  face  for  making  suggestions,  for improvements in faceless assessment that was introduced in the year 2020 but not for scrapping the scheme.

(c):  Steps  to  streamline  and  improve  the  faceless assessment  process have  been 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, and reconfiguring faceless assessment groups and national assessment centres to better balance workload with manpower deployment. The  assessment  of  imports  which  have  been  interdicted  by  the  risk  management system is a function which is dynamic in nature on account of various factors including changes in nature of goods and regulatory environment. Further adjustments to adapt the faceless assessment framework to such changes would be made as and when needed. (d) to (f): There is no proposal to scrap the faceless assessment framework. Faceless, contactless  and  paperless  customs  clearance  processes  are  key  elements  of  the Turant customs program which inter alia includes faceless or anonymized assessment, self-registration of goods, automated clearances, digitization of customs documents,  for  the  objective  of  collectively  achieving  faster  clearance,  reduced interface  and  enhanced  ease  of  doing  business  with  each  of  the  key  elements reinforcing each other.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1679 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-31
Subject: Funds Allocated to Central Museum Projects
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Vijayakumar (alias) Vijay Vasanth

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1679

TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2023

## 'FUND ALLOCATED TO CENTRAL MUSEUM PROJECTS'

## 1679. SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR (ALIAS) VIJAY VASANTH:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  sanctioned  funds  for  conservation,  renovation  and protection of archaeologically important bronze sculptures, stone sculptures, Icons, Inscriptions, ancient coins and terracotta objects;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c ) the  funds  allocated  to  Museums  in  various  States  and  Central  Museums  projects during the last nine years; year-wise to heritage monuments in Tamil Nadu; and
- (d) the total funds allocated to archaeological excavations, site Museums and publications during the last nine years?

## ANSWER

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

## (G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a)  &  (b) Yes,  Sir.  The  Union  Government  allocates  budget  each  financial  year  to Archaeological  Survey  of  India  and  all  Eight  Museums  under  Ministry  of  Culture  for conservation renovation and protection of archaeologically important bronze sculptures, stone sculptures, Icons, Inscriptions, Ancient Coins and terracotta objects, etc.

(c)  &  (d) The  year  wise  allocation  of  Budget  to  the  Exploration  and  Excavation  Division, Museum Division, and Publication Division, Archaeological Survey of India for the last 9 financial  years  is  enclosed  in  Annexure  -  I.  The  funds  allocated  to  Museum  projects  in Tamilnadu  in last 9 years is at Annexure-II, and  details of funds allocated to site museums are at Annexure-III.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1678 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-31
Subject: Recruitment in Banks
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: K. Subbarayan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1678

ANSWERED ON 31 st  JULY, 2023 / SRAVANA 9, 1945 (SAKA)

## Recruitment in Banks

1678.  SHRI SUBBARAYAN K.:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that recruitment in banks for the clerical and subordinate staff cadres has not been done for the last few years;

- (b) if so, since when the recruitment was stopped and the reason therefor; (c) whether the Government is aware that the functioning of the Public Sector Banks are badly affected due to the shortage of clerical and subordinate staff; and (d)  if  so,  the  steps  that  are  being  taken  to  recruit  sufficient  staff  for  the  smooth
- functioning of the banks?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Public Sector Banks (PSBs) are Board governed commercial entities. The requirement of manpower in each PSB is determined by the respective PSB keeping in  view  various  factors  which  include, inter-alia ,  business  requirement,  spread  of activities,  superannuation  and  other  unplanned  exits.    Recruitment  of  clerical  and subordinate staff is done accordingly by the PSBs and it varies from year to year based on their requirements.

Further, as per PSBs, a total number of 78367 staff has been recruited in clerical and subordinate cadres during the FY 2019-2023.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1677 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-31
Subject: Restoration of Sculptures of Jain Tirthankaras
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: P. Ravindhranath

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1677

ANSWERED ON 31.07.2023

## RESTORATION OF SCULPTURES OF JAIN TIRTHANKARAS

1677. SHRI P. RAVINDHRANATH:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the  Government has a proposal  for  subsequent  exploration  and  restoration  of many sculptures of Jain Tirthankaras as well as carved images of Mahavira, being found and later managed  by  the  ASI,  at  Karuppannaswami  rock,  near  Uttamapalayam,  Tamil  Nadu  State, located in Theni parliamentary constituency; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a) There  is  no  such  specific  proposal  for  exploration  and  restoration  of  sculptures  of  Jain
- & Tirthankaras  as  well  as  carved  images  of  Mahavira  in  respect  of  Archaeological  Survey  of
- (b) India.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1676 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-31
Subject: GST on Casino, Horse Racing and Online Games
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Manish Tewari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1676

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, JULY 31, 2023/SRAVANA 9,1945(SAKA)

## GST ON CASINO, HORSE RACING AND ONLINE GAMES

## 1676.    SHRI MANISH TEWARI:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  engaged  in  any  discussions/deliberations  regarding  the  imposition  of  a twenty eight per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) on casino, horse racing, and online gaming and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has deliberated upon the potential harms and loss of employment which may arise with the introduction of twenty eight per cent GST in the online gaming sector and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the twenty eight per cent GST will be applicable to all online games, regardless of they being games of skill, or games of chance;
- (d) if so, whether the Government intends to treat online skill-based games at the same level as gambling, poker, and other chance-based games and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, whether the Government has come up with a definition to categorize game of skills, and game of chance and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

- (a) and (b): GST rates and exemptions are prescribed on the recommendations of GST Council which is a  constitutional  body  comprising  members  from Union Government and State/UT Governments. After detailed  deliberations, the GST Council in the 50th meeting held on 11th July, 2023 has clarified that actionable claims supplied in casino, horse racing, and online gaming are leviable to a GST rate of 28%.
- (c) to (d): The GST Council in the 50th meeting held on 11th July, 2023 has clarified that GST rate on actionable claims supplied in casino, horse racing, and online gaming shall be applicable irrespective of whether the underlying activities are a game of skill or chance.
- (e): Does not arise in view of (d) above.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1675 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-31
Subject: Women Directors in Board of Companies
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: S. Venkatesan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UN-STARRED QUESTION NO. 1675 TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, JULY 31, 2023/ SRAVANA 9, 1945 (SAKA) WOMEN DIRECTORS IN BOARD OF COMPANIES QUESTION

1675. SHRI S. VENKATESAN:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS

be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  Women  directors  in  the  board  of  listed  companies  alongwith  the number of such companies;
- (b) the number of listed companies which have no Women directors in the Board;
- (c) the number of listed companies which have majority of women in the Boards;
- (d) the number of listed companies which have 30 Percent of women in the Boards; and
- (e) the details of total women directors in the Board of listed companies during the last five years?

## ANSWER

Minister  of  State  (Independent  Charge)  of  the  Ministry  of  Statistics  and Programme  Implementation;  Minister  of  State  (Independent  Charge)  of  the Ministry of Planning and Minister of State in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

(Rao Inderjit Singh)

(a): Listed Companies are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The SEBI has informed that :

The number of women directors on the board of listed companies alongwith the number of such companies:

| Particulars                                                | As on March 31, 2023   |
|------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------|
| Number of women directors on the board of listed companies | 4,741                  |
| Number of listed companies                                 | 3,232                  |

Note : Data in the above table excludes IBC companies (92)

(b): There are 35 listed companies with no woman director on their boards.

(c): There are 33 listed companies having majority of women on their boards.

(d): There are 618 listed companies that have 30 percent of women on their board.

(e): Details of total women directors on the board of listed companies during the last 5 years are placed below:

| Particulars                                                   |   As on March 31, 2019 |   As on March 31, 2020 |   As on March 31, 2021 |   As on March 31, 2022 |   As on March 31, 2023 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------|------------------------|------------------------|------------------------|------------------------|
| Total no. of women directors on the board of listed companies |                   3941 |                   4054 |                   4187 |                   4450 |                   4741 |

………