opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3342 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-16
Subject: Pension under EPS-95
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Vijay Baghel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3342

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2024

## PENSION UNDER EPS-95

†3342. SHRI VIJAY BAGHEL:

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

- (a)whether EPFO is implementing the Hon'ble Supreme Court order of 4th November, 2022 which abolished the salary limit of Rs. 15000 for EPS-95  pension  calculation  and  made  the  last  salary  the  basis  for cases involving former employees of Bhilai Steel Plant in Durg Lok Sabha Constituency, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)whether the EPFO, Raipur office has recovered 15 to 30 lakh rupees as the difference amount from these employees based on their last salary and returned the said difference amount about a month later on and subsequently refused their pension; and
- (c)if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  action  taken  by  the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): In  implementation  of  the    Judgement  dated  04.11.2022 passed  by  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  in  SLP  No.  8658 -8659  of  2019,  an online facility was  provided by EPFO,  wherein  total 17.49 lakh applications for Validation of Option/ Joint Options were successfully submitted by the applicants.

Bhilai Steel Plant is a PF Exempted Establishment. Therefore,  the  applications  received  from  its  employees  are  to  be examined and decided considering the rules of the PF Trust.

- (b) & (c): All  erroneous  amount  received  from  applicants  have  been refunded back by EPFO Regional Office, Raipur along with interest. The applicants were members of the PF Trust of Bhilai Steel Plant where contribution to the pension fund beyond wage ceiling was not permitted. The contribution of the members to the pension fund was accordingly restricted to the wage ceiling.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3338 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-16
Subject: National Sports Federations
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Jai Prakash

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3338

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2024

NATIONAL SPORTS FEDERATIONS

3338. SHRI JAI PRAKASH:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government has taken any steps to ensure that the National  Sports  Federations  (NSFs)  should  work  in  an  efficient  and transparent way; and
- (b) if so, the details of steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b)  The  Government  recognizes  National  Sports  Federations (NSFs) at the national level for promotion and development of sports. The Government has laid down criteria for grant of recognition of NSFs in  the  National  Sports  Development  Code  of  India,  2011  ('Sports Code').  The  Sports  Code  has  been  operational  since  31.01.2011  and ensures transparency and accountability in the functioning of NSFs for healthy  development  of  sports.  As  per  the  Sports  Code,  NSFs  are required  to  follow  democratic  and  healthy  management  practices

which require them to ensure greater accountability and transparency at  all  levels;  adopt  impartial  and  transparent  selection  procedures; adhere  to  age  and  tenure  restrictions  of  office  bearers;  adopt  and follow  the  basic  universal  principles  of  good  governance  in  sports; adopt proper accounting procedures at all levels; prevent age fraud & sexual harassment of women; comply with the provisions of the Right to  Information  Act  2005;  and  hold  elections  as  per  model  election guidelines issued by the Government.

The Government insists on observance of the provisions of the Sports Code by the NSFs to maintain their recognition on year-to-year basis. Wherever any such violations are noticed, necessary action including suspension,  non-renewal  of  annual  recognition  and  withdrawal  of recognition is taken.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3337 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-16
Subject: Skill Hub established under PMKVY 4.0
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: Shri Kesineni Sivanath

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3337

ANSWERED ON 16.12.2024

## SKILL HUB ESTABLISHED UNDER PMKVY 4.0

3337.  SHRI KESINENI SIVANATH:

Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  data  regarding  the  total  number  of  skill  hubs established since the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0 till date;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, year-wise and State/UT-wise and district-wise including Andhra Pradesh;
- (c) the  details regarding the total number of trainers  and infrastructure  such  as classroom and labs available in skill hubs, State/UT-wise and district-wise including Andhra Pradesh; and
- (d) the  details  regarding  the  total  training  target  allotted  and  achieved  by  skill  hubs,  along with the funds allocated and disbursed to skill hubs, year-wise, State/UT-wise and district-wise including Andhra Pradesh?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

- (a) Yes Sir. Under PMKVY 4.0, as on 31.10.2024, 6,835 Skill Hubs have been set up and imparted training across the country.
- (b) The financial year-wise, State/UT-wise and district-wise numbers of Skill Hubs operational under PMKVY 4.0 is available on Ministry's website at https://msde.gov.in/en/usefullinks/parl-ques/lok-sabha.
- (c) The Skill  Hubs  are  set  up  in  the  available  infrastructure  of  the  educational  institutions. The number of trainers and infrastructure (classrooms and labs) of Skill Hubs are standardized and are as per guidelines of PMKVY 4.0. The extant provisions on pre-requisites for training in Skill Hubs such as infrastructure (including labs) and trainers is given in Chapter VI of PMKVY 4.0 guidelines which are available on Ministry's website at https://msde.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-11/PMKVY%204.0%20Guidelines.pdf
- (d) As Skill Hubs are set up in the available infrastructure of the educational institutions, no separate fund has been allocated for the establishment of the Skill Hubs under PMKVY. Only the cost of skill training is being reimbursed to these Skill Hubs as per the extant provisions of the scheme guidelines.

The financial year-wise, State/UT-wise and district-wise number of candidates trained in Skill  Hubs  and  corresponding  disbursed  funds  under  PMKVY  4.0,  as  on  31.10.2024,  are available on Ministry's website at https://msde.gov.in/en/useful-links/parl-ques/lok-sabha.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3335 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-16
Subject: Average Credit Deposit Ratio of PSBs
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Hanuman Beniwal

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †3335

Answered on Monday, 16 December, 2024/Agrahayana 25, 1946 (Saka)

## Average Credit Deposit Ratio of PSBs

## †3335 SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  average  Credit-Deposit  Ratio  (CDR)  of  Public  Sector  Banks  during  the  current financial year; and
- (b)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  mitigate  the  regional  imbalances  in  Credit allocation?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) and (b): The Credit-Deposit (CD) Ratio of Public Sector Banks as on 31.3.2024, 30.6.2024 and 30.9.2024 is 75.8%, 76.5% and 76.5%, respectively.

Further, RBI has advised the banks to ensure that wide disparity in the ratios between different States/Regions is avoided in order to minimise regional imbalance in credit deployment and banks may review the performance of their branches in such areas and take necessary steps to augment the credit flow. Lead Bank of the district may discuss the issue of low CD ratio in all its aspects with  the  banks  and  also  in  the  District  Consultative  Committee  (DCC)  forum.  Special  SubCommittees (SSCs) of the DCC should draw up Monitorable Action Plans to increase the CD Ratio  in  the  districts  having  CD  Ratio  of  less  than  40%  and  to  report  the  progress  on  the implementation of the plan to DCC on a quarterly basis and through them to the convenor of the State Level. Furthermore, various efforts have been undertaken by banks to increase the CD ratio which include, inter  alia, actively  working on credit outreach programs, sector-specific lending, community engagement, simplified loan application process, strategic partnerships, collaboration with government bodies.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3332 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-16
Subject: Faculty Post of "Ravindra Chair" in Delhi University
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Smt. Mala Roy

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No.3332 ANSWERED ON 16.12.2024

## Faculty Post of 'Rabindra Chair' in Delhi University

3332. Smt. Mala Roy:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)
- (b)

whether there is any faculty post in Delhi University in the name of 'Rabindra Chair'; and if so, the details thereof and the current status of the above said post?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (b): University of Delhi is a statutory autonomous organization established under an Act of  Parliament  and  governed  by  the  Delhi  University  Act,  1922  and  the  Statutes  and  the Ordinances  made  there-under.  All  administrative  and  academic  decisions  are  taken  by  the University  with  the  approval  of  its  statutory  bodies,  such  as  Executive  Council,  Academic Council and Court. The University of Delhi has informed that no such faculty post exists in the University in the name of 'Rabindra Chair'.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3330 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-16
Subject: Change in Unemployment Rate
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri V K Sreekandan

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3330

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## CHANGE IN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

## 3330.     SHRI V K SREEKANDAN:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey by Labour Bureau for the period between July 2023 and June 2024, it has been revealed that there is no major change in the unemployment rate, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is also true that according to the above, the manufacturing sector shows no growth in giving jobs compared with the last years;
- (c) whether it is a fact that the views of the experts on unemployment is like a grim scenario, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether it is also true that the grim situation has been reflected in the number of new subscribers of the provident fund; and
- (e)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (e):  The  official  data  on  Employment  and  Unemployment  is  collected through Annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), which is conducted by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) since 2017-18. The survey period is July to June every year.

As per the data available in latest Annual PLFS Reports, the estimated Unemployment  Rate  (UR)  on  usual  status  for  persons  of  age  15  years  and above  has  decreased  from  6.0%  in  2017-18  to  3.2%  in  2023-24.  Also,  the estimated  Worker  Population  Ratio  (WPR)  indicating  employment  on  usual status  for  persons  of  age  15  years  and  above  has  increased  from  46.8%  in 2017-18 to 58.2% in 2023-24.

As per the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) latest KLEMS (K: Capital, L: Labour,  E:  Energy,  M:  Materials  and  S:  Services)  data,  employment  in economic  activities  in  the  country,  including  in  the  manufacturing  sector, increased to 64.33 crore in year 2023-24 compared to 47.5 crore in 2017-18.

Further,  more  than  7  crore  net  subscribers  have  joined  Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) between September 2017 and September 2024 indicating increase in formalization of the job market. Also, more than 1.31 crore net subscribers have joined EPFO during 2023-24.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3327 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-16
Subject: Employees Provident Fund and NPS
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Ummeda Ram Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3327 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2024

## EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND AND NPS

†3327. SHRI UMMEDA RAM BENIWAL:

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

- (a)whether  the  Government  proposes  to  increase  the  minimum pension amount in view of the rising inflation at present there is a provision of only one thousand rupees as minimum pension under the Employees Provident Fund;
- (b)if so, to what extent it is likely to be increased and by what time;
- (c)the total amount deposited with the Government as provident fund and pension on which no claim has been made by the employees;
- (d)whether the Government has any plans to return said amount to the employees;
- (e)whether the Government proposes to pay dearness allowance to the pensioners in future;
- (f)if not, the reasons therefor;
- (g)whether the Government proposes to relax the norms to enable the employees of the Public Sector Undertakings to be covered under
- NPS; and
- (h)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): With  regard  to  enhancement  of  minimum  pension,  it  is informed that the Employees Pension Scheme 1995 is a self-funded scheme with contributions @ 8.33 percent of wages from employer and 1.16 percent of wages by Central Government. All benefits under the scheme are paid out of such accumulations. The fund is valued annually  and  additional  reliefs  paid  if  the  position  of  the  fund  so permits. Central Government has enhanced minimum pension to Rs. 1000/- p.m. by providing budgetary support keeping the widespread demand in view even though there is no provision in scheme for such budgetary support.

(c): There are no unclaimed accounts in Employees' Provident Fund (EPF).  However, as per Para 72(6) of the Employees' Provident Fund Scheme, 1952, certain accounts are classified as Inoperative accounts.

All such inoperative accounts have definite claimants and whenever such a member prefers a claim in EPFO, the same is settled after scrutiny.

The  total  amount  held  in  inoperative  accounts  under Employees' Provident Fund as on 31.03.2024 is Rs.8,505.23 Crore.

- (d): In the past 3 years, EPFO has settled members' claims for an amount of Rs.7,576 Crore against the inoperative accounts.
- (e) & (f): Demand of linking  monthly  pension of workers under EPS, 1995 with cost of living index was considered by the High Empowered Monitoring Committee constituted by the Central Government in the year 2018 for complete evaluation and review of EPS, 1995  and the same was found not feasible in the case of a self-funded scheme like Employees Pension Scheme, 1995.
- (g) & (h): Any establishment covered under the provisions of Section 16 of the EPF & MP Act, 1952, may opt for any other scheme in force including National Pension System (NPS).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3326 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-16
Subject: Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Adv K. Francis George

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3326

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2024/AGRAHAYANA 25, 1946 (SAKA)

## SPECIAL ASSISTANCE TO STATE FOR CAPITAL INVESTMENT

## 3326.   ADV. K. FRANCIS GEORGE:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  reviewed  the  compliance  of  Kerala  with  the  branding guidelines  for  CSS  schemes  as  a  prerequisite  for  releasing  funds  under  Part  I  of  the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment for FY 2024-25;
- (b) the steps being taken to expedite the release of the first installment of Rs. 1059 crore allocated  under  Part  I  of  the  Scheme  for  FY  2024-25  to  Kerala,  considering  the submission of the consolidated project list with an outlay of Rs. 1546.92 crore;
- (c) whether  delays  in  branding  compliance  and  related  procedural  requirements  for  CSS schemes have caused disruption in fund disbursement and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has any plans to streamline the process to prevent such delays in the future; and
- (e) the status of Kerala's consolidated list of capital projects with an outlay of Rs. 1546.92 crore and the manner in which compliance with the scheme's requirements impact future installments under the CAPEX Scheme?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to  (e):  Yes  sir.  As  per  guidelines  of  the  Scheme  for  Special  Assistance  to  States  for  Capital Investment  (SASCI),  the  State  Government  of  Kerala  has  submitted  an  Undertaking/Selfdeclaration regarding compliance of branding guidelines for Centrally Sponsored Schemes. The Government of India has approved Special Assistance (Loan) of Rs. 1059 crore to Kerala under Part-I of SASCI 2024-25 for the capital projects posed by State Government of Kerala out of

projects of Rs. 1546.92 crore submitted by the State as per the order of priority indicated by the State.  Further,  1 st installment  of  Rs.  497.20  crore  after  deducting  unutilized  amount  of Rs. 201.74 crore of SASCI 2022-23 & SASCI 2023-24 from 66 percent of the approved amount ( i.e. Rs. 698.94 crore) has been released to the State Government. In addition, the Government of India has also approved capital investment of Rs. 486.70 crore and released Rs. 335.80 crore under other parts of the Scheme.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3319 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-16
Subject: Environmental Assessment of Cruise Bharat Mission
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Sudama Prasad

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3319

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2024

## Environmental Assessment of Cruise Bharat Mission

## 3319.   SHRI SUDAMA PRASAD:

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

- (a) the specific measures proposed to be implemented by the Government to ensure that the  Cruise  Bharat  Mission  promotes  sustainable  tourism  practices  and  minimizes environmental degradation;
- (b) the details of environmental assessments conducted to evaluate the potential impacts of increased cruise tourism on marine ecosystems under Cruise Bharat Mission;
- (c) the  mechanism  in  place  to  ensure  that  the  Cruise  Bharat  Mission  balance  tourism growth with environmental sustainability; and
- (d) the measures taken by the Government to regulate the environmental impact of cruise operations  in  compliance  with  existing  environmental  laws  under  Cruise  Bharat Mission?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d)  The  Cruise  Bharat  Mission  was  launched  by  Ministry  of  Ports,  Shipping  and Waterways on 30 th  September, 2024. The mission seeks to increase the number of sea cruise tourists to 10 lakh by 2029. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has not received any proposals under the Bharat Cruise Mission till date. All proposals for grant of Environmental and CRZ Clearance are examined as per due procedure prescribed under EIA Notification 2006 and CRZ Notification 2011/2019.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3312 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-16
Subject: Compulsion of Legal Report for Kisan Credit Loans
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Brijendra Singh Ola

## Government of India Ministry of Finance

## Department of Financial Services

## LOK SABHA

## Unstarred Question No. 3312

Answered on Monday,16 December, 2024/ 25 Agrahayana, 1946 (Saka)

## Compulsion of Legal Report for Kisan Credit Loans

†3312. Shri Brijendra Singh Ola:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  banks  have  mandated  legal  reports  through advocates for the farmers seeking Kisan Credit Loans from banks;
- (b) if  so,  the reasons and the logic behind such action despite the availability of whole data related to lands of farmers is available online;
- (c) the reasons for demanding such report by the banks while providing loans even when there exists no such rule
- (d) whether the Government is aware that the farmers have to bear financial loss due to the demand of legal reports by the banks;
- (e) if so, the efforts being made by the Government to prevent such compulsion by the banks; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## Answer

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

(a) to (b): Short term crop loans under Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme are provided collateral free upto a limit of ₹ 1.6 lakhs and no legal report is required for availing for KCC loans to this extent. Subsequently, RBI vide its Statement on Developmental and Regulatory policies dated 06.12.2024 has increased the collateral free loan limit under KCC to ₹ 2 lakhs. Additionally, the Department of Financial Services has advised banks to waive processing, documentation, inspection and other service charges for KCC loans upto ₹ 3 lakhs.

Legal opinion is obtained in order to confirm the authenticity of land record documents while providing Kisan Credit loans above the threshold of collateral free limit.  Legal reports are obtained primarily to ensure:

- (i) Proper and rightful ownership of the applicants
- (ii) Non-encumbrance of the land.
- (iii) Any litigation/Stay order on the land.
- (iv) Physical possession of the borrower on the land

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