opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3471 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: Establishment of IIT in Coimbatore/Madurai
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Krishna Prasad Tenneti, Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan, Dr. Ganapathy Rajkumar P

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3471 ANSWERED ON-11/08/2025

## Establishment of IIT in Coimbatore/Madurai

## 3471.  Dr. Ganapathy Rajkumar P: Shri Krishna Prasad Tenneti: Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any plans to establish new IIT in Coimbatore or Madurai for the benefit of southern part of Tamil Nadu;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a) to (c): At present there are 23 Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) established and functioning  in  the  country.  IIT  Madras,  an  Institution  of  National  Importance  (INI)  has already been established by the Central Government in the state of Tamil Nadu.  Besides IIT, Madras, there are other premier technical institutes in the state such as National Institute of  Technology  (NIT),  Tiruchirappalli  and  Indian  Institute  of  Information  Technology Design  and  Manufacturing  Kancheepuram  (IIITDM  Kancheepuram).  These  esteemed institutes are known for their excellence in technical education, advanced research in both fundamental and applied domains, innovation, promotion  of entrepreneurship, and consultancy services to industry.

The  National  Education  Policy  (NEP),  2020  focuses  on  strengthening  the  existing educational institutions by improving their basic structures, governance and resources. NEP 2020  also  recommends  establishment  of  Multi-disciplinary  Education  and  Research Universities (MERU) as model public institutions to set the highest standards in education and research. IIT Madras is realizing the vision of NEP 2020 and is implementing flexible educational  programmes,  promoting  holistic,  multi-disciplinary education  integrating science and engineering with management and social sciences. Further, IIT Madras has been actively  collaborating  with  several  state  government  departments  and  agencies  in  Tamil Nadu to support education, infrastructure development, environmental sustainability, health systems strengthening, and technological innovation. The institute has undertaken a wide range  of  projects  spanning  sectors  such  as  education,  transport,  energy,  water,  urban development, and public health.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3468 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: SDS under Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, Shri Godam Nagesh, Shri Bhojraj Nag, Shri P P Chaudhary, Shri Chintamani Maharaj, Shri Naba Charan Majhi, Shri Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, Shri Mukesh Rajput, Dr. Rajesh Mishra, Shri Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar, Smt. Himadri Singh, Shri Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3468 ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025

## SDS UNDER PRADHAN MANTRI JANJATIYA UNNAT GRAM ABHIYAN

## 3468. SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU:

SHRI VISHWESHWAR HEGDE KAGERI:

SHRI CHINTAMANI MAHARAJ:

SHRI BHOJRAJ NAG:

SHRI MUKESH RAJPUT:

SHRI P P CHAUDHARY:

SMT. HIMADRI SINGH:

DR. RAJESH MISHRA:

SHRI CHHATRAPAL SINGH GANGWAR:

SHRI GODAM NAGESH:

SHRI NABA CHARAN MAJHI:

SHRI SUKANTA KUMAR PANIGRAHI:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  current  status  of  the  Swadesh  Darshan  Scheme  as  part  of  the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan, including its objectives and implementation progress;
- (b) the details of the total number of homestays constructed/renovated under  the  scheme,  State/UT-wise  including  district-wise  in  Shahdol, Sidhi, Pali and Kandhmal Lok Sabha Constituencies;
- (c) the  details  of  the  number  of  domestic  and  international  tourists availed of these homestay facilities across the country including the said constituencies since the inception of the scheme;
- (d) whether  any  homestays  have  been  developed  in  tribal-dominated regions of Andhra Pradesh, such as Alluri Sitarama Raju or Parvathipuram Manyam districts; and
- (e) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  tourist  footfall  recorded,
- district-wise?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM             (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (e): With the aim to promote tourism in tribal areas, the Ministry of Tourism  has  issued  guidelines  along  with  template  for  formulation  of proposals by  State Governments and UT Administrations for 'Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas' under Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA). The objective  of  the  initiative  is  to  develop  homestays  in  tribal  areas  to promote responsible tourism and enhance livelihood opportunities for tribal communities. The guidelines also focus on technical upskilling and training of the Homestay owners. No funds has been released under the scheme so far.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3466 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: Prevention of Forest Fire
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Dr. Rajeev Bharadwaj

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3466

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025

## Prevention of Forest Fire

## 3466. DR. RAJEEV BHARADWAJ:

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

- (a) whether the Government has conducted any study regarding forest fire during 201718 with the assistance of the World Bank;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of new techniques being followed to prevent and control forest fire?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) and (b) The  Ministry  in  collaboration  with  the  World  Bank  conducted  a  study  on Situation Analysis of Forest Fire and released a study report titled 'Strengthening Forest Fire Management in India' in 2018. The report analysed patterns and trends of forest fires in India and discussed policies on forest fire prevention and management at the national, state and local levels. The report provided detailed recommendations on five broad themes (Policy, Institutions and Capacity, Community Engagement, Technology, and Data and Information) and critical inputs for the preparation of a National Action Plan on Forest Fire in India by the Ministry.
- (c) The Ministry has put in  place  the  National  Action  Plan  on  Forest  Fire-2018, which provides comprehensive measures to prevent forest fires and to improve the resilience of the forests against fire hazards. The State Governments/Union Territory Administrations also prepare State Action Plans in tandem with the National  Action  Plan  to  undertake  State/  Union  Territory-specific  measures towards forest fire prevention and management.

The forest fire incidences in the country are detected by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun, using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS)  &  Suomi  National  Polar-orbiting Partnership Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (SNPP-VIIRS) satellite-mounted sensors.

The  Ministry,  through  the  Forest  Survey  of  India  (FSI),  Dehradun  provides

Pre-Fire Alerts (one-week in advance), Large Forest Fire Alerts and Near Real Time  Forest Fire Alerts to the registered subscribers and State Forest department officials to deal with forest fires. The Ministry in coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority and the National Disaster Response Force have trained three teams consisting  of  150  personnel  to  tackle  Large  Forest  Fires.    These  teams  are deployed as per the requirements to control forest fires. The Ministry provides financial assistance to the States and Union Territories and Management  and  CAMPA  (Compensatory  Afforestation  Fund  Management under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme -Forest Fire Prevention and Planning Authority) funds to deal with forest fires.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3464 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: Seva Se Seekhen Campaign
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Alok Sharma, Smt. Himadri Singh, Shri Kanwar Singh Tanwar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †3464 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025

Seva Se Seekhen Campaign

†3464. Shri Kanwar Singh Tanwar:

Shri Alok Sharma:

Smt. Himadri Singh:

Will  the  Minister  of  YOUTH  AFFAIRS  AND  SPORTS  be  pleased  to state:

- (a)  the  objectives  of  the  'Seva  Se  Seekhen  -  Learn  by  doing' compaign;
- (b) the progress made so far under the said compaign;
- (c) the number of youth volunteers working at Jan Aushadhi Centres across the country;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  increase  awareness towards generic medicine and promote public health literacy; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

(a) & (b)  The "Seva Se Seekhen - Learn by Doing" campaign under MY Bharat aims to involve youth in public service through hands-on learning.  It  empowers  young  people  while  helping  public  service institutions. In the health sector, this includes activities such as:

-  Helping patients access healthcare services
-  Supporting OPD operations
-  Managing 'May I Help You' desks
-  Assisting with health insurance paperwork
-  Helping with ABHA app registration
-  Data entry and record management, among other tasks

This  health-focused  Experiential  Learning  Programme  (ELP)  began on 17th September 2024 and so far, 551 ELPs have been conducted (from 17th Sept 2024 to 31st May 2025), and 95 more are currently ongoing, with a total of 6,444 participants. (c) 2,405  youth  volunteers  participated  in  ELPs  at  Jan  Aushadhi Kendras across India till July 2025. (d)  &  (e)  To  increase  awareness  about  generic  medicines  and improve public health literacy, youth volunteers are being engaged through ELPs at Jan Aushadhi Kendras. The goal is to use peer-topeer  interaction  to  spread  health  awareness  in  local  communities by expanding the initiative to  Tier  2 and Tier 3 cities by involving pharmacy students. As part of a broader effort, generic medicines are being promoted through the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, under which affordable generic medicines are made available through Jan Aushadhi  Kendras  nationwide.  Awareness  is  being  raised  through various  outreach  activities,  media  campaigns,  and  celebration  of Jan Aushadhi Diwas on 7th March. Central  hospitals  and  doctors  under  government  schemes  have been advised to prescribe medicines by generic names, and states are also being encouraged to follow this in public health services.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3462 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: Allocation of Funds under RUSA to Ernakulum
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Hibi Eden

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3462 ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025

## Allocation of Funds under RUSA to Ernakulum

3462. Shri Hibi Eden:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  allocated  funds  to  educational  institutions  in Ernakulum district under Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) during the last five years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the amount and name of institutions;
- (c) whether the Government has any plan to increase the allocation of funds for above district under RUSA;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) whether the  Government has taken  any  steps  to  ensure  effective  utilization  of funds under RUSA in Ernakulum district;
- (f) if so, the details thereof; and
- (g) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (Dr. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a) & (b): The government has launched the third phase of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) in June 2023 in the form of Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) for the period 2023-24 to 2025-26 with an outlay of Rs. 12926.10 crore including the committed liabilities of the earlier phase of RUSA, to cater to the needs of educationally unserved/ underserved areas. All the 615 units under PM-USHA have been approved in various States /UTs with a total amount of Rs. 8178.71 Crore under various components.

Under PM-USHA, M. E. S College, Marampally, North Vazhakulam, Aluva and St. Paul's College, Kalamasserry have been approved in Ernkaulam district of Kerala under the component of Grants to Strengthen Colleges for a total amount of Rs. 5 crore each.

(c) & (d): The proposals submitted by the State of Kerala on the PM-USHA Portal under various  components  were  examined  and  placed  before  the  Project  Approval  Board (PAB) for its consideration and approval. The PAB approved 18 units in Kerala including two  projects  in  Ernakulum  for  a  total  amount  of  Rs.  409.00  crore  under  various components of the scheme.

(e) to (g): Education being in the Concurrent List, enhancing the quality of education is the responsibility of both the Central and State Governments. The Central Government regularly  monitors  the  implementation  of  the  projects  approved  under  the  scheme through  periodic  review  meetings  with  the  State  Governments,  with  the  objective  of expediting the pace of expenditure under the scheme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3454 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: Implemention of Old Pension Scheme
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Amra Ram

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †3454

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 11 AUGUST, 2025/ SRAVANA 20, 1947 (SAKA)

## IMPLEMENTATION OF OLD PENSION SCHEME

†3454. SHRI AMRA RAM

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government intends to implement old Pension Scheme, if so, the time by which the Government proposes to implement this scheme and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to return the corpus of New Pension Scheme to the States which have implemented old pension scheme, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the number of States which have implemented old pension scheme along with the amount of pension fund deposited with the Government by these States and the time by which the fund is likely to be returned to the States?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) There is no proposal under consideration of the Government of India for restoration of Old Pension Scheme (OPS) in respect of Central Government employees. The Government had moved away from OPS due to its unsustainable fiscal liability on the Government exchequer.
- (b) & (c) The State Governments which have informed the Government/Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) about reversion from National Pension System (NPS) to OPS and the details of pension fund under NPS as on 31.07.2025 are as below:

|   S. No. | Name of State    | Amount of Pension Fund (Rs. in Cr)   |
|----------|------------------|--------------------------------------|
|        1 | Chhattisgarh     | 22,499.80                            |
|        2 | Himachal Pradesh | 11,111.93                            |
|        3 | Jharkhand        | 14,368.67                            |
|        4 | Punjab           | 31,960.43                            |
|        5 | Rajasthan        | 50,884.11                            |

There is no provision under the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Act, 2013, read along with PFRDA (Exits and Withdrawals under the National Pension System) Regulations,2015, and other relevant Regulations, vide which the accumulated corpus of the subscribers towards National Pension System can be refunded and deposited back to the State Government.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3451 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: NPA on Self Help Groups Borrowers
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Smt. Vijaylakshmi Devi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3451

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 11 th  AUGUST, 2025/ 20 SRAVANA 1947 (SAKA)

## NPA ON SELF HELP GROUPS BORROWERS

† 3451. SMT. VIJAYLAKSHMI DEVI:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of loans disbursed by banks to Self-Help Groups and the outstanding loans against them till date;
- (b) the steps taken so far by the Government to facilitate access to credit for the rural poor of Chhattisgarh  along  with  the  instructions  issued  to  the  banks  for  providing  loans  under  this scheme; and
- (c) the percentage of Non-Performing Assets (NPA) on bank loans given to self-help groups?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  The  details  of  loans  disbursed  by  banks  and  the  outstanding  loans  to  Self-Help  Groups (SHGs) under the Self-Help Group-Bank Linkage Programme (SHG-BLP), as informed by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) are as follows:
- i) As on 31 st March, 2025, loans amounting to ₹3,04,258.74 crore are outstanding to 84.94 lakh SHGs.
- ii) During FY 2024-25, loans amounting to ₹2,08,282.67 crore were disbursed to 55.57 lakh SHGs.
- (b) The steps taken by the Government to facilitate access to credit for the rural poor of the states including Chhattisgarh and instructions issued to the banks are as follows:
- i) Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission  (DAY-NRLM) provides interest subvention to all women SHGs across the country, including Chhattisgarh, to reduce effective cost of bank credit to women SHGs.
- ii) The Credit Guarantee Fund for Micro Units (CGFMU) provides guarantee coverage on micro loans up to ₹20 lakhs under Manufacturing/ Services sector including retail trade and loans for allied agricultural activities are eligible to be covered under CGFMU.  Further, loans sanctioned to SHGs between ₹10 lakh and ₹20 lakh are eligible for guarantee coverage under CGFMU Scheme.
- iii) Credit  Guarantee  Fund  for  Stand-Up  India  (CGFSI)  provides  guarantee  cover  for  loans between ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore  sanctioned by Scheduled Commercial  Banks (SCBs) to SC/ST and women entrepreneurs.

(c) As informed by NABARD, the percentage of Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) on bank loans to SHGs stood at 1.74% as on 31 st March, 2025.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 295 (STARRED), answered on 2025-08-08
Subject: Internship Programme by MEA
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri K E Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO - 295 ANSWERED ON 08.08.2025 INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME BY MEA

## *295. SHRI K E PRAKASH

Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state :-

(a) whether the Ministry has taken any measures to improve awareness and accessibility of its Internship Programme, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas across the country, if   so,   the   details   of   outreach methods adopted for the same;

(b)   whether   the   Ministry   has   any   partnerships   with   educational institutions/district authorities in this regard, if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the number of interns selected under the said Programme since its inception, in Tamil Nadu, district-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## (DR. SUBRAHMANYAM JAISHANKAR)

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

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (C) OF THE LOK SABHA   STARRED   QUESTION   NO.   295   FOR   REPLY   ON   08.08.2025 REGARDING INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME BY MEA ASKED BY SHRI K E PRAKASH

The Internship programme follows an online application process on the   internship   portal   (https://internship.mea.gov.in),   and   a   selection process based on merit and a consideration of  gender and regional representation. The portal is publicly accessible, and all aspirants need to   register   on   the   portal   to   apply   for   the   programme.   No   formal partnerships   with   educational   institutions/district   authorities   are currently in place in this regard.

Applications are accepted State-wise. Upon examination of  the graduation certificates of the finally selected interns from Tamil Nadu, the   following   data   regarding   the   district-wise   distribution   of   the successful candidates from Tamil Nadu has been obtained as provided below:

| S.   | District of Tamil Nadu   | Number of interns   |
|------|--------------------------|---------------------|
| No.  |                          |                     |
| 1.   | Chennai district         | 5                   |
| 2.   | Chengalpattu             | 2                   |
| 3.   | Salem                    | 2                   |
| 4.   | Coimbatore               | 1                   |

| 5.   | Thoothukudi   | 1    |
|------|---------------|------|
| 6.   | Krishnagiri   | 1    |
| 7.   | Dindigul      | 1    |
| 8.   | Theni         | 1    |
|      | Erode         | 9. 1 |
| 10.  | Nemakkal      | 1    |
| 11.  | Kanyakumari   | 1    |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 290 (STARRED), answered on 2025-08-08
Subject: Green Waterways Initiative
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Kalyan Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *290

ANSWERED ON 08.08.2025

## GREEN WATERWAYS INITIATIVE

*290. SHRI KALYAN BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:

## पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

- (a)  the present status of International Container Transhipment Port (ICTP) at Galathea Bay which is scheduled to be operationalised in 2028;
- (b)  the detail of projects initiated and funds provided to develop Green Waterway Initiative through  harbour  craft  green  transmission  and  Green  Tug  Transition  programmes  in  the country; and
- (c) the Government's plan towards achieving sustainable maritime ecosystem of International Maritime Organization Greenhouse  Gas  (IMOGHG)  Strategy  under UN  sustainable development goal 13 by 2030?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

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

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *290 FOR 08 TH  AUGUST, 2025 RAISED BY SHRI KALYAN BANERJEE REGARDING 'GREEN WATERWAYS INITIATIVE'

(a) The project has received in-principle approval from the Department of Expenditure (DoE). The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the International Container Transhipment Port (ICTP) at Galathea Bay is underway.

(b) & (c) The Central Government launched the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP) and Harit Nauka guidelines (Green transition guidelines for Inland vessels) to develop green waterway.    The  aim  of  GTTP  is  to  shift  from  diesel  to  green  tugs  by  2040.    Harit  Nauka guidelines focus on realizing the complete potential of Inland Waterway Transport (IWT) as an environment friendly and sustainable transportation mode.  Phase-I covers four major ports, each procuring two green tugs.  GTTP supports Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision-2047 to cut port vessel emissions.

*****