opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1659 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Establishment of an Innovation University in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Dr. Byreddy Shabari

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1659

ANSWERED ON 10/03/2025

## Establishment of an Innovation University in Andhra Pradesh

1659. Dr. Byreddy Shabari:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has identified any location in Andhra Pradesh for establishment of an Innovation University under the proposed initiative to set up 14 world-class universities;
- (b)  if so, the details of such identified location, estimated budget and expected timeline for commencement of academic activities;
- (c) if not, whether the Government is considering Andhra Pradesh for setting up one of these universities,  given  the  State's  growing  educational  infrastructure  and  student  demand  for advanced research institutions; and
- (d)    the  criteria  used  for  selection  of  locations  for  these  universities  and  whether  Andhra Pradesh meets these criteria?

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

(a) to (d):  Under the World Class Institutions scheme, which was launched in 2017, there are twelve institutions namely, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur, IISc Bangalore, BHU Varanasi, University of Hyderabad, University of Delhi, BITS Pilani, Manipal Academy of  Higher  Education,  O.P.  Jindal  Global  University  and  Shiv  Nadar  University.  Financial assistance of Rs. 1000 Crore is provided to each public funded IoE (Institution of Eminence). UGC  has  made  guidelines  and  regulations  detailing  the  criteria  for  selection  of  these institutions.

Nine Centrally Funded Higher Education Institutions (CFHEIs) of Ministry of Education are located in Andhra Pradesh. They are IIT Tirupati, NIT Andhra Pradesh, IIM Vishakhapatnam, IISER Tirupati, Central University of Andhra Pradesh, Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh,  National  Sanskrit  University  Tirupati,  IIIT  D&M  Kurnool,  SPA  Vijayawada.  In addition to this IIIT Sri City has been established under PPP Mode.

There is no proposal under consideration for setting-up of Innovation University in Andhra Pradesh.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1658 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Gender Pay Gap in Sports
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Smt. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

## Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

## Government of India (Department of Sports)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1658 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

## Gender Pay Gap in Sports

## 1658.     SMT. KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware about the gender pay gap in Indian  sports,  if  so,  the  details  regarding  the  average  pay received by women and men across sports, sports-wise;
- (b) whether the Government has taken any steps to ensure equal allocation of resources and infrastructure for women sportspersons and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the measures being implemented to address the lack of media representation and sponsorship for women sports events; and
- (d) whether the Government plans to introduce specific legislative or policy changes to reduce the gender pay gap and increase opportunities for women sportspersons in the country?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): The Government has enacted Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 which provides for payment of equal remuneration to men and women for the same work or work of similar nature without any discrimination.

Further,  'Sports'  being  a  State  subject,  the  responsibility  of development  and  encouragement  of  sports  in  the  country,  rests primarily with the State/Union Territory Governments, and the Central Government only supplements their efforts. However, the Government is running various sports promotional schemes across the  country,  which  are  gender  neutral  and  cater  to  both  men  and women. These schemes include: (i) Khelo India- National Programme for Development  of  Sports;  (ii) Assistance  to National Sports Federations  (NSFs);  (iii)  Cash  Awards  to  Winners  in  International Sports  Events  and  their  Coaches;  (iv)  National  Sports  Awards;  (v) Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons; (vi) Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay  National  Sports  Welfare  Scheme;  (vii)  National  Sports Development Fund (NSDF); and (viii) Running Sports Training Centres through Sports Authority of India (SAI). Details of these schemes are available  in  the  public  domain  on  the  website  of  the  Ministry  at https://yas.nic.in/.

Under the Khelo India scheme, there is a dedicated sub-component of 'Sports for women'. Under this component, Khelo India ASMITA (Achieving  Sports  Milestone  by  Inspiring  Women  through  Action) Women's League are being conducted and are given wide publicity including in social media. Further,  funds received under Corporate Social  Responsibility  (CSR)  to  NSDF  are  used  for  wide  range  of activities for development of sports for all sportspersons, including women.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1656 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Funds for Sports Village in Tirunelveli
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Robert Bruce C

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †1656 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

Funds for Sports Village in Tirunelveli

1656. Shri Robert Bruce C:

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

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  allocate  funds  to  the  Sports Village in Tirunelveli and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the amount of funds allocated and disbursed till date for the same;

(c) whether the Government has any plan to take over the functioning of the Sports Village through the Sports Authority of India to promote athletes in the southern part of the country; and

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

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

(a) to (d) There is no such proposal/plan under consideration in this Ministry.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1653 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Foreign University Campuses in India
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Adv. Adoor Prakash

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1653 ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

## Foreign University Campuses in India

1653. Adv. Adoor Prakash:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any foreign university has communicated their interest to set up their campuses in the country after the Government finalized the norms for the same;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with planned location and the time by which foreign university campus will be functioning; and
- (c)  whether  any  State  has  raised  objections  against  the  opening  of  foreign  universities,  if  so,  the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP) was framed and approved by the Government of India to transform and improve the quality of education in the country. One of the key aspects of NEP 2020 is 'Internationalisation of Education', which aims to promote and share best academic & research practices through interactions among diverse education systems.

In alignment with the vision of NEP 2020, University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued 'UGC (Setting  up  and  Operation  of  Campuses  of  Foreign  Higher  Educational  Institutions  in  India) Regulations 2023' to facilitate the establishment of branch campuses  of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs) in India.

The UGC had issued Letter of Intent to the University of Southampton (UoS), United Kingdom (UK) to set up its campus at Gurugram, Haryana.

Further, International Financial Services Centres Authority (Setting up and Operation of International  Branch  Campuses  and  Offshore  Education  Centres)  Regulations,  2022  have  been issued to facilitate the establishment of campuses of world-class foreign universities in GIFT City, Gujarat.

Two  Australian  universities  have  already  established  its  campuses  in  the  GIFT  City,  Gujarat. Deakin University from Australia has opened its campus in January, 2024 and its first batch has commenced  on  3 rd July,  2024.  University  of  Wollongong  established  its  campus  in  November, 2024.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1650 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Establishment of Centres of Excellence in University
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Y S Avinash Reddy, Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1650 ANSWERED ON-10/03/2025

## Establishment of Centres of Excellence in University

## 1650. Shri Y S Avinash Reddy:

Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of total number of Centres of Excellence established in universities and higher education institutions across the country;
- (b) total funds allocated for the development and support of these centres during the last three years;
- (c) the criteria for selection of universities to receive support for establishing such centres; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  seeks  to  establish  additional  Centres  of  Excellence  in  emerging areas of research, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Universities and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are specialized research or academic units to focus on a particular field of study, discipline, or area  of  innovation.  Formation  of  a  CoE  is  a  continuous  process,  which  involves  ongoing development,  evolving  research  goals,  securing  funding,  building  expertise,  and  fostering collaborations over time to maintain relevance and impact. These are chosen based on various factors like research potential, industry relevance, infrastructure, faculty expertise, innovation capacity,  interdisciplinary  collaboration,  funding  opportunities,  and  alignment  with  national priorities and global competitiveness.

Further, in pursuance to Para 60 of the Budget Announcement 2023-24 regarding "Centres of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence', the Government has approved establishment of three Centres  of  Excellence  (CoE)  in  Artificial  Intelligence  (AI);  one  each  in  the  areas  of  health, sustainable cities and agriculture; with a total financial outlay of Rs. 990.00 Cr over the period of FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28. The fourth Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for Education has also been announced in Budget 2025-26.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1649 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Ayushman Bharat Scheme for Gig Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Raja Ram Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1649 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

## AYUSHMAN BHARAT SCHEME FOR GIG WORKERS

1649. SHRI RAJA RAM SINGH:

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

- (a)the  estimated  commencement  date  for  providing  access  to  gig
- workers healthcare under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme;
- (b)  the  number  of  gig  workers  expected  to  benefit  from  the  said proposal;
- (c)whether  the  Government  has  conducted  a  census  or  survey  to
- count the number of gig workers in the country;
- (d)if so, the details thereof including the methodology, sample size
- and year of conduct;
- (e)the details of budgetary allocation made by the Government for gig
- workers under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme;
- (f)the manner in which the Government will allocate funds to cover the  healthcare  needs  of  gig  workers  from  the  total  funds dedicated to the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, if the exact amount
- has not been specified;
- (g)whether  the  Government  intends  to  extend  additional  social security  benefits  to  gig  workers,  such  as  accident  insurance, pension schemes, or maternity benefits, in line with the provisions under the Code on Social Security, 2020; and
- (h)if so, the details thereof along with timeline for implementing these
- social security benefits for gig workers?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (h): For  the  first  time,  the  definition  of  'gig  workers'  and 'platform  workers'  and  provisions  related  to  the  same  have  been provided  in  the  Code  on  Social  Security,  2020  which  has  been enacted by the Parliament.

The Code provides for framing of suitable social security measures for gig workers and platform workers on matters relating to life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, old age protection, etc.

As per an estimation by NITI Aayog vide its report titled 'India`s Booming Gig and Platform Economy' published in June 2022, the number of gig workers and platform workers, in the country was 7.7 million in 2020-21, which is expected to rise to 23.5 million by

2029-30.

Recognizing  the  contribution  of  gig  workers  of  online platforms, the Union Government in its Budget announcement made on 1.2.2025, proposed to register them on e-Shram portal, arrange for their identity cards and provide health care under Ayushman BharatPradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB- PMJAY) health scheme.

The  scheme  is  proposed  to  be  implemented  through National Health Authority (NHA) by expanding the base of the existing AB-PMJAY  scheme  by  including  platform  workers.  The  Ministry  is working for its early implementation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1643 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Peacock Poaching and Killing
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Dr. Shashi Tharoor

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1643

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

## Peacock Poaching and Killing

## 1643. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

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

- (a) whether the  Government devised a  list  of  the areas  where, in  the  past  decade,  the incidences of peacock poaching and killing have been the highest;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
- (c) if not, whether the Government plans to undertake a study to record the incidences of peacock poaching and killing;
- (d) whether the Government has undertaken any study to research the ways through which the  peacocks  are  poached  and  killed  and  to  recommend  governance  or  legislative measures to deal with such incidents; and
- (e) if  so,  the  details  thereof and if not, whether the Government proposes to undertake such research?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) and (b) Indian  peafowl  ( Pavo  cristatus )  is  listed  in  Schedule  I  of  the  Wild  Life (Protection) Act, 1972 which prohibits its hunting. Management and protection of  wild  life  is  primarily  the  responsibility  of  the  concerned  State/Union Territory Governments. The reports regarding hunting of the species are not collated at the level of Ministry.
- (c) to (e) The State Governments have been empowered to authorize an officer not below the  rank  of  Assistant  Conservator  of  Forests  for  the  purpose  of  making investigations  into  any  offence  against  any  provision  of  the  Wild  Life (Protection) Act, 1972 Act. Further, the Act also empowers the Chief Wild Life Wardens or the authorized officers to take action against the offenders.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1641 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: National Forest Policy
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Janardan Singh Sigriwal

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1641

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

## National Forest Policy

## 1641.  SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL :

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

- (a) the current percentage of area under forest and tree cover across the country till date;
- (b) the details of initiatives taken by the Government to increase the forest and tree cover of the country to 33 per cent as per the National Forest Policy;
- (c) whether the Government is planning to amend the National Forest Policy to renew the provisions in line with recent developments in climate change; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) As per the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) - 2023 published by Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun, 25.17% of the geographical area of the country is under forest and tree cover.
- (b) The Ministry provides technical and financial assistance to States/UTs under various schemes and programs namely, Green India Mission, Nagar Van Yojana, Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme, Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), Nagar Van Yojana (NVY) and Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI). The tree plantation campaign ' Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam ' was also launched during June, 2024 to undertake plantation activities across the country .

Afforestation activities are also taken up under various programmes and schemes of line  Ministries  such  as  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee Scheme, National Bamboo Mission, Sub-Mission on Agroforestry etc. and under schemes of State Government/UT Administration. The multi departmental efforts have yielded good results in conserving and enhancing the forest cover in the country.

- (c) & (d) India's climate actions across various sectors are embedded in various programme and schemes. The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) provides the overarching framework for all climate actions and comprises missions in specific areas  of  solar  energy,  enhanced  energy  efficiency,  sustainable  habitat,  water, sustaining  Himalayan  ecosystems,  Green  India,  sustainable  agriculture,  human health  and  strategic  knowledge  for  climate  change.  All  these  Missions  are institutionalized and implemented by their respective Nodal Ministries/ Departments.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1634 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Increase in Working Hours
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Sudama Prasad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1634 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

## INCREASE IN WORKING HOURS

## 1634. SHRI SUDAMA PRASAD:

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

- (a)whether  the  Government  is  contemplating  to  take  any  action against the big business leaders for promoting proposal to increase working hours to 70 or 90 hours, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)whether the Government is intending to introduce new regulatory measures against the same, if so, the details thereof;
- (c)whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  assessment  on regulations of the Factories Act, 1948, which mandates 48 hours of work per week or 9 hours maximum a day, are followed by the companies,  especially  for  those  whose  CEOs  and  bosses  have advocated for 70 hours or 90 hours of work;
- (d)if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e)the details of the number of deaths due to overtime work during
- the last ten years, State-wise;
- (f)whether  the  Government  intends  on  introducing  much  stricter regulations against the overtime work as our country is being one of  the  top  nations  with  highest  number  of  deaths  caused  by
- overtime work; and
- (g)if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (g): Labour being a subject under the Concurrent List of the Constitution of India, the enforcement of labour laws is done by the State Governments and the Central Government in their respective jurisdictions. While in the Central sphere, the enforcement is done through  the  inspecting  officers  of  the  Central  Industrial  Relations Machinery  (CIRM),  the  compliance  in  the  state  sphere  is  ensured through the state's labour enforcement machinery.

As  per  the  existing  labour  laws,  working  conditions including working hours and overtime etc. are regulated through the provisions of the Factories Act, 1948 and the Shops and Establishments Acts of the respective State Governments. Most of the establishments are governed by the Shops and Establishments Act, for which the appropriate government is the state government. Data  about  the  number  of  deaths  due  to  overtime  work  is  not maintained centrally.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1633 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Incidents of Age Frauds in Indian Sports
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Sasikanth Senthil

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1633 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

Incidents of Age Frauds in Indian Sports

1633. SHRI SASIKANTH SENTHIL:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the increasing incidents of age frauds in Indian sports, particularly in age-group competitions and the challenges it poses to the integrity of these events, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the number of such cases identified across different sports during the last five years, including the number of athletes and officials found guilty and the penalties or bans imposed;
- (c) the measures being taken by the Government to strengthen age verification processes and prevent said frauds at both grassroots and professional levels;
- (d) whether  the Government  has  taken  any  steps  to ensure accountability within sports federations in addressing age frauds and if so, whether any internal audits or investigations been conducted into federations failing to address this issue; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e) For prevention of age fraud in sports the Ministry of Youth Affairs  &  Sports  has  issued  guidelines  under  the  'National  Code Against Age Fraud in Sports' (NCAAFS), effective from 1st April 2010. Under  NCAAFS  2010,  concerned  sports  bodies  such  as  National Sports  Federations  (NSFs)  and  Sports  Authority  of  India  (SAI)  are required to get all the players in age level competitions medically examined at the time of registration or allowing a new athlete to participate in an event and issue them identity card. In terms of NCAAFS 2010, SAI carries out the age verification tests before admitting an athlete into its Sports Promotion Schemes. Likewise, NSFs are entrusted with the responsibility of carrying out age verification tests in accordance with the NCAAFS 2010. The Ministry does not maintain data on incidents of age fraud.

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