opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 55 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Ease of Access to Finance
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Raja A

## 55: Shri Raja A

Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  made  any  review  of  ease  of  access  to  finance  by  the entrepreneurs from the backward classes, SC and ST;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  lending  criteria  would  be  simplified  and  ecosystem  of  banks  would  be strengthened, in view of the difficulties being faced by entrepreneurs in getting finance; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER To be answered by MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (d) In a deregulated credit environment, credit facilities are governed by approved lending policies of individual bank boards & extant guidelines of Reserve Bank of India. The Government reviews  all  credit  linked  schemes  from  time  to  time  and  takes  several  initiatives  in  order  to facilitate ease of access to finance to the entrepreneurs including those belonging to backward classes, Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST). Some of these are:

(i)  The Stand Up India Scheme (SUPI) was launched on 05 th April,2016 to facilitate loans of value between Rs. 10 lakh and Rs.1 Crore to at least one Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST)  and  one  women  borrower  per  bank  branch  for  setting  up  a  greenfield  enterprise  in manufacturing, services  or  trading  sector  and  also  for  the  activities  allied  to  agriculture.  The scheme was subsequently extended up to the year 2025, in terms of announcement made in Union Budget 2019-20.

(ii) The entrepreneurs belonging to backward classes, SC and ST are also provided collateral free loans upto Rs. 10 lakh to enable them to set up or expand their business activities under Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) launched on 8 th  April 2015.

(iii) Government of India has set up the Credit Guarantee Fund for Stand-Up India (CGFSI) and Credit Guarantee Fund for Micro Units (CGFMU) to extend credit guarantee coverage under SUPI and PMMY respectively.

Additionally, all banks channelize concessional loans to borrowers of the Scheduled Castes as per scheme guidelines formulated by Central or State Government from time to time.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 55

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 22 ND  JULY 2024, / Ashadha 31, 1946 (Saka)

## Ease of Access to Finance

## QUESTION
Lok Sabha Question No. 50 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Private Investment in Tourism Sector
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.50

## ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN TOURISM SECTOR

- 50 SMT. POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a)     whether the Government has taken any steps to attract private investment in the tourism sector;
- (b)     if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has taken steps to identify any barriers hindering private investment in tourism sector; and
- (d)     if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM     (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a)  to  (d):  Yes.  The  Government  has  taken  several  steps  to  attract private investment in the Tourism sector. The steps taken include the following major initiatives:

In order to attract foreign investment in the tourism sector, 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is allowed under the automatic route in the Tourism and Hospitality industry in India, subject to applicable regulations and laws. 100% FDI is allowed in tourism construction projects, including the development  of hotels, resorts and recreational facilities.

Further,  based  on  the  inputs  received  from  the  industry  and stakeholders,  the  Government  has  taken  steps  to  give  fillip  to private  investment  through  declaration  of  status  of  tourism infrastructure  for  (i)  three-star  or  higher  category  classified hotels  located  outside  cities  with  population  of  more  than  1 million,  (ii)  ropeways  and  cable  cars  which  are  included  in  the Harmonized  Master  List.  In  addition,  Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre  Projects  with  minimum  built-up  floor  area  of  100,000

square  metres  of  exclusively  exhibition  space  or  convention space or both  combined have also been included in the Harmonized Master List. The setup of portals of National Single Window System (NSWS) and Foreign Investment Facilitation (FIF) by the Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry the Government is ensuring the Easeof-doing-business.

- *********
Lok Sabha Question No. 49 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Mandatory of e-insurance
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Thiru Dr. S Jagathratchakan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 49

ANSWERED ON - 22.07.2024

## MANDATORY OF E-INSURANCE

## 49. SHRI S JAGATHRATCHAKAN:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  introduction  of  mandatory  e-insurance  by  the  Insurance  Regulatory  and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) marks a significant milestone towards improving the insurance sector and streamlining processes for consumers;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has notified Protection  of  Policyholders'  Interests,  Operations  and  Other  Allied  Matters  of  Insurers Regulations,  2024  on  20/04/2024  wherein  Regulation  no.  13  specifically  deals  with  einsurance policies.

The regulations provide as under:

- i. Every insurer is required to place a Board approved policy for issuance of insurance policies in electronic form.  The policy apart from various other issues shall include continuous review and upgradation of the cyber security safeguards.
- ii. Every insurer shall issue insurance policies in electronic form. However, insurers are required to issue policies in physical form, if requested by the policyholder.

This  regulation  marks  significant  milestone  towards  improving  the  insurance  sector  and streamlining processes for customers for the following reasons:

- Accessibility: The e-insurance enhances accessibility of insurance products for a broader  demographic  by  eliminating  the  necessity  for  physical  paperwork  and enabling customers to purchase and manage policies online.
- Operational efficiency: The e-insurance contributes to the overall digitization of the insurance industry and offers benefits such as easier policy management, reduced paperwork,  and  faster  processing  time.  This  can  potentially  lead  to  improved efficiency in policy issuance, renewal, and claims processes.
- Reduced costs: By reducing paperwork and administrative overheads associated with physical policies, e-insurance can potentially lead to cost savings for insurance companies.  These  savings  can  be  passed  on  to  customers  in  the  form  of  lower premiums or better coverage options.
- Unclaimed amounts: As a result of increased accessibility by way of e-insurance, the incidences of unclaimed amounts could be reduced as compared to the traditional paper-based policies where documents could be lost or forgotten.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 45 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Notification on Demarcation of Ecologically Sensitive Areas
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Kodikunnil Suresh, Adv Dean Kuriakose, Shri Anto Antony

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

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 45 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## Notification on Demarcation of Ecologically Sensitive Areas

- 45     SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH: ADV DEAN KURIAKOSE: SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

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

- (a) whether the Government is intending to release the final notification identifying and demarcating  Ecologically  Sensitive  Areas  (ESAs)  as  per  the  recommendations contained in Dr. Kasturirangan Panel Report, if so, the details thereof along with the present status of the same;
- (b) whether the final status of ESAs with respect to the States of Kerala and Karnataka has been finalized;
- (c) if  not,  whether  the  Government  has  fixed  a  timeline  for  finalizing  the  ESAs  and releasing a final notification regarding the same, if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  been  formally  communicated  by  the  said  State Governments  regarding  the  concerns  pertaining  to  the  livelihood  of  people  in  the region; and
- (e) if  so,  whether the Government proposes to revise the recommendations in order to allay  the  concerns  raised  by  various  States  including  Kerala  where  a  significant population  resides  in  and  around  the  proposed  buffer  zones  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e) In order to protect the rich biodiversity of Western Ghats, this Ministry has issued draft Notification on Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Area vide S.O. 3072 (E) on 06.07.2022 with an area of 56,825  square kilometre spreading  over six States, namely,  Goa,  Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, based on the report submitted by the High Level Working Group (HLWG) Chaired by Dr. Kasturirangan.

The States have persistently asked for modification in the Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA) included in  the  aforesaid  draft  notification.  In  order  to  address  the  issues  raised  by  the  State Governments, the Ministry constituted a Committee to re-examine the suggestions of the six State  Governments  in  a  holistic  manner,  keeping  in  view  the  conservation  aspects  of  the disaster  prone  pristine  ecosystem,  and  the  rights,  privileges,  needs  and  developmental aspirations  of  the  region.  The  concerns  of  the  State  Governments  including  Kerala  and Karnataka are deliberated by the Committee and based on the recommendations of the said Committee; the draft notification is finalized.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 41 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Organisational strength of National Testing Agency
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Smt. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 41 ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## Organisational strength of National Testing Agency

## 41. SMT. KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  the number of permanent staff working under the National Testing Agency (NTA);
- (b)  the number of employees on deputation and contractual employees working under the NTA; and
- (c) the details regarding the tasks that have been outsourced by the NTA to other entities and the details of such entities?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  &  (b)  Director  General  (DG)  of  NTA  is  appointed  by  Central  Government  under  the  Central Staffing  Scheme.  In  addition,  the  number  of  employees  working  on  deputation  in  NTA  are  22  at present. The number of contractual employees are 39 and outsourced staff/employees are 132.  1 (one) employee is absorbed in NTA from his parent Department.

(c) Considering the sensitivity involved in competitive examinations, various operational and security measures are undertaken for their smooth and fair conduct. Such measures involve engagement of specialised/experienced  agencies for  providing  services  like  capturing  of  Biometric,  frisking,  CCTV surveillance,  AI  analytics  with  a  view  to  identify  any  potential  impersonation,  Exam  delivery  etc. However, it is pertinent to mention that all core activities involving setting up of Question papers are not outsourced.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 40 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Fund For Development of Football
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Adhikari Deepak Dev

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.40 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

Fund for Development of Football

40 SHRI ADHIKARI DEEPAK DEV:

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

- (a) the details of the amount sanctioned and utilised for the development of football in the country during the last five years, year-wise; and
- (b)  the  percentage  of  sports  budget  which  is  allocated  for  football development in the country?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): The  Ministry  runs  two  flagship  schemes,  viz.  Scheme  of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs) and Khelo India Scheme, for promotion and development of sports including the sport of football.  The  details  of  financial  assistance  during  the  last  five  years, scheme wise and year wise, in respect of football are as under:

- I. Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs)

(In Rupees Crore)

| FY      | Allocation   | Expenditure   |
|---------|--------------|---------------|
| 2019-20 | 44.11* 18.41 |               |
| 2020-21 | 10.31        | 3.80          |
| 2021-22 | 5.25         | 5.25          |
| 2022-23 | 15.00 **     | 14.49         |
| 2023-24 | 6.95         | 6.65          |

* Rs. 14.17 Cr. was approved for U-17 Women FIFA World Cup preparation in the year 2019-20.
- ** Rs. 10.00 Cr. was approved for U-17 Women FIFA World Cup.
- II. Khelo India Centres under Khelo India Scheme
- (In Rupees Crore)
- III. Out of Pocket Allowance provided to Khelo India Athletes (football):
- (In Rupees Crore)

| FY      |   Sanctioned |   Released | Utilised   |
|---------|--------------|------------|------------|
| 2020-21 |          1.6 |       0.82 | 0.82       |
| 2021-22 |          7.6 |       3.78 | 3.71       |
| 2022-23 |         10.9 |       1.96 | 1.59       |
| 2023-24 |         10.8 |      11.8  | 6.78       |
| 2024-25 |          9.3 |       2.3  | -          |

| FY      |   Sanctioned |
|---------|--------------|
| 2024-25 |         0.39 |
| 2023-24 |         1.68 |
| 2022-23 |         1.37 |

Also, the details of the funds sanctioned and utilised for the development of  Football  under  ASMITA  football  league,  which  is  a  key  initiative  for Sports for Women under the 'Promotion of Inclusiveness through Sports' component of the Khelo India Scheme, is as under-

(In Rupees Crore)

| Year    |   Sanctioned | Expenditure   |
|---------|--------------|---------------|
| 2022-23 |         2.32 | 2.02*         |
| 2023-24 |         3.07 | 1.77          |

(*including Rs.32 lakh of prize money)

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 37 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Set-up of Libraries in Madhya Pradesh
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Ganesh Singh

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†37 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## SET-UP OF LIBRARIES IN MADHYA PRADESH

## †37 SHRI GANESH SINGH:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- a) whether the Government is implementing any Schemes to set up libraries under National Mission on Libraries across the country;
- b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  Central  Libraries  and  District  Libraries  set  up  in  the country, State-wise including Madhya Pradesh;
- c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  Central  Libraries  under  the  said Mission Satna and Maihar Constituencies of Madhya Pradesh; and
- d) the details of the procedure in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

## (GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- a) & b) As per the Seventh schedule of Constitution of India, Library is a State subject and public libraries function under the administrative control of the respective State / Union Territory Authorities.

Setting  up  of  Libraries,  therefore,  does  not  come  under  the  purview  of  National Mission on Libraries.

Setting up of Central  and District Libraries also do not come under the purview of National Mission on Libraries.

- c)  &  d)NML  has  already  provided  assistance  to  the  following  Libraries  in  the  State  of Madhya Pradesh under NML Model Library component: -

|   Sl. No. | State          | Name of the Library                       |
|-----------|----------------|-------------------------------------------|
|         1 | Madhya Pradesh | Govt. District Library, Khandwa           |
|         2 | Madhya Pradesh | Govt. Shri Ahilya Central Library, Indore |
Lok Sabha Question No. 35 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Measures being taken to streamline and simplify the compliance
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Anurag Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 35 ANSWERED ON MONDAY, JULY 22, 2024 ASHADHA 31, 1946 (SAKA)

## MEASURES BEING TAKEN TO STREAMLINE AND SIMPLIFY THE COMPLIANCE QUESTION

35. SHRI ANURAG SHARMA: Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  provides  an  update  on  the  measures  being taken to streamline and simplify the compliance requirements for small and Medium- Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in India; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (b):- The  Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) has informed  that  in  order  to  support the  MSME  Sector,  extensive  stakeholders consultations including consultation with MSMEs, Associations, States, Banks, Public Sector Undertakings and organizations have been done by the Ministry of  MSME.  Some  of  the  measures  taken  to  streamline  and  simplify  the compliance requirement for MSMEs in the Country are:
- i. New revised criteria for classification of MSMEs.
- ii. Registration  of  MSMEs  through  ''Udyam  Registration  Portal''.  Udyam Registration is a simple, online registration of an enterprise, based on self-declaration and has provided Ease of Doing Business to the MSME sector.
- iii. Non-tax benefits extended for 3 years in case of an upward change in the
- status of MSMEs.
- iv. A  reduction  in  Compliance  Burden  on  business  as  well  as  on  citizens related to Public Procurement Policy for MSEs  Order, 2012 vide Notification No. S.O. 3237(E) dated 11th August, 2021 as identified by the Department  for  Promotion  of  Industry  and  Internal  Trade  (DPIIT).  The number of compliances have been reduced to four (04), which is the bare minimum requirement to avail benefits of the schemes of M/o MSME.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 33 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Captain Viriato Fernandes

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 33

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 22.07.2024

## Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary

## 33. SHRI CAPTAIN VIRIATO FERNANDES:

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

- (a) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  notify  Mhadei  Wildlife  Sanctuary  as  Tiger reserve  in  view  of  the  reports  of  tiger  sightings  in  Mhadei  Wildlife  Sanctuary  and Mollem National Park;
- (b) whether  the  State  Government  of  Goa  approached  the  Central  Government  in  this regard;
- (c) if so, the response of the Central Government thereto; and
- (d) whether the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has accorded any proposal for creation of a new tiger reserve at Mhadei Sanctuary, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) To (c)       On  the  basis of  suitable habitat  for  tigers and  their  prey  base, the NTCA or Central government communicates to the State governments/UTs for considering submission of proposals for declaring a tiger reserve.  However, no proposal from the State of Goa to notify Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary as Tiger reserve has been received so far.

- (d) Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 32 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Including of Yoga and Kalaripayattu in Olympics.
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Adv Dean Kuriakose

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.32 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

Including of Yoga and Kalaripayattu in Olympics

32. ADV DEAN KURIAKOSE:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  adequate  steps  to  include  Yoga  and Kalaripayattu in the Olympics;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has created infrastructure and set up organisations to promote Kalaripayattu at the international level; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

(DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

- (a) & (b) Inclusion  of  any  sport  discipline  in  the  Olympic  Games  is decided  by  the  International  Olympic  Committee  (IOC).  Among  other things, IOC has prescribed that a sport discipline must be governed by an International  Federation  which  undertakes  to  follow  the  rules  of  the Olympic Charter, and the sport must also be practised widely across the world and meet various criteria.
- (c) & (d) Sport,  being  a  State  subject,  it  is  responsibility  of  State Government / UT Administrations for creation of Sports infrastructure for various Sports including Kalaripayattu. The responsibility for promotion of specific sports at international level is that of the concerned international sports bodies regulating that sport discipline. However, the Ministry has recognised  the  Indian  Kalarippayattu  Federation  as  the  Regional  Sports Federation to promote 'Kalarippayattu' in the country.

****