opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1053 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Welfare of Athletes
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Dineshbhai Makwana

## Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1053 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

Welfare of Athletes

1053. Shri Dineshbhai Makwana:

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

(a) whether the Government has taken any steps for the welfare of current and retired athletes and if so, the details thereof; and

(b) the details of steps taken by the Government for the welfare of the athletes?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA]

(a) and (b): The Government is already implementing the following schemes for the welfare of current and retired athletes:

i. 'Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Program for Sportspersons' (PDUNWFS) scheme provides suitable financial assistance to the sportspersons/coaches  and  their  dependent  family  members  living  in indigent condition, for treatment of injury during training and competitions, welfare  of  the  sportspersons,  procurement  of  sports  equipments  and participation in events etc.

ii.  The 'Scheme of Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons' provides additional financial security to sportspersons, after their retirement  from  an  active  sports  career  in  the  form  of  life-time  pension ranging from Rs. 12,000/- to Rs. 20,000/- per month for winning medals in Olympic  Games,  Paralympic  Games,  World  Cup,  World  Championships, Asian Games, Para Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1050 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Schemes for Agricultural Labourers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Smt. Manju Sharma, Shri Devesh Chandra Thakur

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1050 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

## SCHEMES FOR AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS

†1050. SMT. MANJU SHARMA:

SHRI DEVESH CHANDRA THAKUR:

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

(a)whether the Government is implementing any scheme for providing assistance to the agricultural labourers in case of accidents; (b)if so, the details thereof;

(c)whether any nature of grants are provided by the Government to the States under the said schemes;

(d)if so, the details thereof; and

(e)the details of the funds allocated by the Government under the said schemes during the last three years and the current year, scheme and State/UT-wise?

## ANSWER

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

he  Unorganised  Workers'  Social  Security  Act  (UWSS), welfare  schemes  for unorganized sector, including agricultural labourers, on the matters relating to life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits, old

(a) to (e):  T 2008  provides for, inter-alia, formulating age protection etc. by the Central Government.

The Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (ABPMJAY) provides an annual health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per eligible family for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. The Government  of  India recently approved  the expansion  of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), offering comprehensive health insurance to senior citizens aged 70 and above.

Contd..2/-

The Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) are available to persons including agriculture labourers. PMSBY provides protection  against  death  or  disability  due  to  accident.  PMJJBY provides insurance cover for death due to any cause. So far as on 06.11.2024  around  47.28  Crore  beneficiaries  are  enrolled  under PMSBY and Rs. 2916 Crore has been paid to  the  beneficiaries;  in PMJJBY around 21.52 Crore beneficiaries are enrolled and Rs. 17,111 Crore has been paid to the beneficiaries. In  addition,  State  Governments  also  run  schemes  for welfare  of  the  workers  including  agriculture  labourers.  Budget allocations and expenditure are as per provisions of the respective schemes.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1048 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: NIRF 2024 Rankings
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Eatala Rajender

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1048 ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

## NIRF 2024 Rankings

## 1048.   SHRI EATALA RAJENDER:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether as per the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024 ranking, the rank  of  the  Indian  Universities  has  experienced  more  than  20%  change  compared  to  2023 ranking of NIRF;

(b) whether it is true that more private universities have improved their rankings, while the ranks of public institutions like IISERs and IITs have declined, if so, the details thereof; and (c) the steps being taken by the Government to improve the rank of Public Institutions?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c):  National  Institutional  Ranking  Framework  (NIRF)  was  launched  in  2015  by  the Government of India for the annual ranking of institutions/ universities of higher education in India (called India Rankings), to promote a healthy competition among educational institutes and universities.  The methodology of these rankings is based on five broad parameters which are 'Teaching, Learning and Resources,' 'Research and Professional Practices,' 'Graduation Outcomes,' 'Outreach and Inclusivity,' and 'Peer Perception'.

As per NIRF 2024 India Rankings, 82 institutions, in the Top 100 in 'Overall Category' have shown an increase in total score achieved in 2024 as compared to 2023. This indicates their improvement  on  parameters  of  NIRF.  Further,  among  the  Top  100  institutions  ranked  in 'Overall Category' in the 2024 India Rankings, 36 government institutions have improved or retained their ranks while 24 private institutions have improved or retained their ranks.

In alignement with the objectives of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, there is a thrust on improving the overall quality of education in HEIs. While numerous initiatives have been institutionalised in Centrally Funded Insttituions for this purpose, Government of India also provides financial support to State Governments under Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan

(RUSA)/  Pradhan  Mantri  Uchchatar  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (PM-USHA)  scheme  under  three components  namely,  'Enhancing  Quality  and  Excellence  in  select  State  Universities', 'Infrastructure  Grants  to  Universities'  and  'Multi-Disciplinary  Education  and  Research Universities (MERU)' for improvement in Higher Education.

Further,  National  Board  of  Accreditation  (NBA)  is  also  conducting  workshops  at  regular intervals for generating awareness about India Rankings.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1039 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Kendriya Vidyalayas Running in Rented Buildings
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Dr. Alok Kumar Suman

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1039 ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

## KENDRIYA VIDYALAYAS RUNNING IN RENTED BUILDINGS

## 1039.  DR. ALOK KUMAR SUMAN :

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  Kendriya  Vidyalayas  in  many districts in Bihar are operational in rented buildings since more than ten years particularly in Gopalganj district;
- (b) the  total  rent  paid  by  the  Government  till  date  for  Kendriya  Vidyalaya  in Gopalganj district;
- (c) whether the Government has received any representation to shift these schools from rented buildings to own buildings, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

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

(a)  to  (d)  As  per  information  received  from  Kendriya  Vidyalaya  Sangathan  (KVS),  no Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) is operational in rented buildings in the State of Bihar. However, KVs  have  been  made  functional  in  the  temporary  accommodation  provided  by  the sponsoring authorities till the construction of permanent school building by KVS on the land provided by the concerned sponsoring authority. Out of 50 KVs functioning in the State of Bihar, 16 KVs are functioning in temporary building provided by the concerned sponsoring authority. Out of these 16 KVs, 02 KVs are at construction stage, 02 KVs are at  DPR stage and construction of school buildings for  remaining 12 KVs including KV Gopalganj could not be started as the sponsoring authorities have not provided requisite extent of land to KVS.

Construction  of  permanent  buildings  for  KVs  is  a  continuous  process,  which depends upon identification of suitable land, completion of transfer / lease formalities in favour  of  KVS  by  the  sponsoring  authorities,  submission  of  drawings  /  estimates  by construction agency, availability of funds and requisite approvals etc.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1037 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Promotion of Traditional Sports
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Devusinh Chauhan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1037 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

Promotion of Traditional Sports

1037.  SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN:

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

the  initiatives  to  promote  traditional  and  indigenous  sports  across  the country, including Gujarat State?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS { DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA }

'Sports' being a State subject, the responsibility of development of sports, including  promotion  of  traditional  sports  and  holding  their  competitions, rests primarily with the respective State/Union Territory Governments. The Union Government only supplements their efforts by bridging critical gaps. However, the 'Promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games' subcomponent  of  the  Khelo  India  Scheme,  is  specifically  dedicated  to  the development  and  promotion  of  rural  and  indigenous/tribal  games  in  the country, including in the State of Gujarat. Indigenous/traditional games of Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang-Ta, Yogasana and Silambam have been identified  for  promotion  under  this  component  and  these  games  are part of annually organised Khelo India University/ Youth Games. Grants are sanctioned for infrastructure development, equipment support, appointment of coaches, training of coaches and scholarships to the identified athletes under this Component.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1036 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: High Premiums of Health Insurance
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Adhikari Deepak Dev

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1036

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2024/AGRAHAYANA 11, 1946 (SAKA)

## HIGH PREMIUMS OF HEALTH INSURANCE

1036. Shri Adhikari Deepak Dev

Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that health insurance premiums are exorbitantly high during the current financial year;
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the details of senior citizens who have taken health insurance coverage of Rs. 5 Lakh during the last five years and the current year, year-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): IRDAI has informed that insurance companies design and price the health insurance product based on Board approved underwriting policy of respective insurers, which considers actuarial principles and parameters like age, morbidity data, inflation, interest rates, product features etc., for determining the premium.

Further, IRDAI has issued 'IRDAI (Insurance Products) Regulations,2024' dated 20.03.2024 and 'Master Circular on IRDAI (Insurance Products) Regulations 2024-Health Insurance' dated 29.05.2024 containing provisions to ensure that the health insurance premiums are not exorbitantly high. These regulations interalia stipulate that insurers will ensure that their premium rates are fair and not excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory and provide value for money. Also, the insurers may reward the policyholder for claim free year by giving an option at the time of renewal of policy to choose the 'No Claim Bonus' either by increasing the sum insured or decreasing the premium amount.

(c): The number of Senior Citizens who have taken health insurance coverage of Rs.5 Lakh during the last five years, as furnished by Insurance Information Bureau of India (IIB), are as below:

|                                                                               | 2019-20   | 2020-21   | 2021-22   | 2022-23   | 2023-24   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Number of senior citizens who have taken health insurance cover of Rs. 5 lakh | 2,86,530  | 5,25,638  | 6,45,214  | 8,43,633  | 9,03,934  |
Lok Sabha Question No. 1035 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: 2036 Olympics
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Eatala Rajender, Smt. D K Aruna

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1035

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

## 2036 Olympics

1035. SMT. D K ARUNA: SHRI EATALA RAJENDER:

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

- (a)  whether India's plans to host the 2036 Olympic Games and if so, the details thereof along with the progress and present status thereof by competing with other countries;
- (b) whether India has never hosted the Olympics before and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the steps being taken by the Government to build consensus both within and beyond its borders?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Olympics has never been hosted in India. The allotment of hosting rights for  the  Olympics  is  done  by  the  International  Olympic Committee (IOC) through a detailed host selection process spelt out in the  public  domain.  The  IOC  has  a  dedicated  body,  the  Future  Host Commission  (FHC),  which  deals  with  this  subject.  The  interested National  Olympics  Committees  (NOCs)  are  required  to  initiate  a dialogue with the FHC for award of hosting rights for a specific edition of the Olympic Games. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA), which is the NOC for India, has initiated the dialogue process with the FHC.

IOA  has  already  issued  Letter  of  Intent  on  01.10.2024,  formally expressing India's interest to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1033 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Commonwealth Games
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Balashowry Vallabhaneni

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1033

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

Commonwealth Games

1033. SHRI BALASHOWRY VALLABHANENI:

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

- (a)  whether  the  next  Commonwealth  Games  are  going  to  be  held removing hockey, cricket, badminton, wrestling, table tennis, squash, rhythmic gymnastics, diving, shooting and beach volleyball, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the impact of above decision on Indian athletes;
- (c) whether India tried to persuade Scotland to also conduct the above games; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d) The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is the organization responsible for the direction and control of the Commonwealth Games, the Commonwealth Sport movement and other related  events.  Earlier,  the  2026  Commonwealth  Games  were  to  be

hosted by Victoria, Australia but the host withdrew from the Games due to various reasons, primarily due to paucity of funds. Thereafter, the CGF found  Glasgow,  Scotland  as  the  replacement  host  for  the  2026 Commonwealth Games. This has led to a much reduced budget, time frame and a reduced sports programme as compared to the previous games. For these Games, only 10 sports, namely, Swimming and Para Swimming, Artistic Gymnastics, Cycling Track and Para Cycling Track, Netball, Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting, Boxing, Judo, Bowls and Para Bowls, 3x3 Basketball and 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball have been selected. The selection was based on the four available venues within close proximity, the available budget and careful management of the total athlete numbers (maximum 3000). The Government wrote to the CGF President over the exclusion of 9 major sports such as Badminton, Cricket, Hockey, Shooting, Squash, Table Tennis, and Wrestling. The CGF President has replied, inter alia, that having only 10 sports disciplines is a temporary position to secure the  2026  Games,  and  that  exclusion  of  any  sport  does  not  set  a precedent for inclusion in the future Games.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1031 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Bagless Days in Schools under NEP 2020
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Dr. Bachhav Shobha Dinesh

## Government of India Ministry of Education

## Department of School Education and Literacy

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1031 ANSWERED ON- 02/12/2024

## Bagless Days in Schools under NEP 2020

## † 1031. Dr. Bachhav Shobha Dinesh:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether NEP 2020 has recommended bagless ten days for the students of class six to eight;
- (b) whether PSS Central Industrial Vocational Institute (PSS CIVI) has formulated any comprehensive guidelines to implement the bagless days;
- (c) If so, the details thereof and the objectives of the scheme;
- (d) whether the Government has reviewed the guidelines of NCERT for implementation of bagless days in the schools;
- (e) if so, the outcome thereof; and
- (f) the  shortcomings  found  in  the  implementation  of these guidelines and  the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (f):  National  Education  Policy  (NEP)  2020  recommends  that  all  students  will participate in a 10-day bagless period during Grades 6-8 where they intern with local experts such as carpenters, gardeners, potters, artists etc.

In  pursuance  of  the  above  recommendation,  the  Government  in  consultation  with concerned stakeholders has developed guidelines for 10 bagless days. These guidelines aim at providing children of classes 6-8 an exposure to skill education using experiential learning pedagogy  and  to  make  learning  at  schools  joyful  and  stress  free.  Under  these  guidelines,

'Bagless Days' are encouraged throughout the year for various types of activities involving arts, quizzes, sports, and skills; periodic exposure to activities outside school through visits to places/monuments  of  historical,  cultural  and  tourist  importance;  Identification  of  Plants, Trees  and  Birds  around  school;  meeting  local  artists  and  craftsmen  and  visits  to  other institutions / educational institutions in their village/Tehsil/District/State as decided by States and local communities and as mapped by local skilling needs. These guidelines are dynamic and are subject to periodic review based on feedback from concerned stakeholders and other developments.

The guidelines for 10 bagless days for students have been launched on 29 th July, 2024 on the occasion of 4 th Anniversary of NEP 2020.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1028 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Scholarship Scheme for OBC/NCL Students Pursuing PhD without Qualifying NET/JRF
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Anil Firojiya

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1028

ANSWERED ON 02/12/2024

## Scholarship Scheme for OBC/NCL Students Pursuing PhD without Qualifying Net/JRF

†1028. Shri Anil Firojiya:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  specific  scholarship  scheme  for  the  Other  Backward Classes (OBC)/Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) students pursuing their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) without qualifying National Eligibility Test (NET)/Junior Research Fellowship (JRF);
- (b) the scholarship being provided by the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to the research students  who  have  not  qualified  NET/JRF  and  the  procedure  for  applying  for  these scholarship; and
- (c) the details of specific schemes being run by the Government and other public institutions for  the  OBC/NCL  students  in  order  to  provide  them  financial  support  during  their  research work?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c)  As  per  the  information  received  from  Indian  Council  of  Social  Science  Research (ICSSR), it runs Doctoral Fellowship Scheme for Indian research scholars, who are registered for  Ph.D.  in  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  recognized  Universities/  Deemed-to-beUniversities,  Institutes  of  National  Importance  as  defined  by  Ministry  of  Education/  UGC, ICSSR Research Institutes and colleges having approved Ph.D. programme. Five per cent of the total number of fellowships are available for candidates who have not qualified National Eligibility Test (NET)/ Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). Out of the five percent of fellowships allocated  for  Non-NET/JRF  students,  27  percent  fellowships  are  reserved  for  candidates coming from Other Backward Classes (OBC) Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) category. As per the information received from UGC, it also provides Non-NET fellowships to the students who are pursuing  M.Phil/  Ph.D.  but  are  not  NET/JRF  qualified  and  are  not  receiving  financial assistance  from  any  other  source.  Non-NET  fellowships  are  provided  to  eligible  students belonging to all categories including OBC.

Further, the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment runs an umbrella scheme i.e. Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) under which there is a sub scheme namely National Fellowship for OBC Students. The selection for the award of NF-OBC to student is made on the basis of merit in each UGC-NET-JRF & CSIRNET-JRF examinations.

As informed by UGC, it has no information regarding the scholarship being provided by the  Public  Sector  Undertakings  (PSUs)  to  the  research  students  who  have  not  qualified NET/JRF and the procedure for applying for these scholarships.

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